Best hikes, treks, tramps in the world.
I twice saw the elusive Arctic Fox, the only land mammal native to Iceland.
An Arctic Fox Centre opened June 2010, a new tourist attraction.
They lived on birds, I assume. (Why are there not more rodents on this island? Ground squirrels or marmots would thrive here.)
It was a thrill like that of seeing the Patagonian Fox.
But if you like foxes, visit Charlottetown, PEI, Canada. They roam like house cats in that city.
by site editor Rick McCharles
My first hike in Iceland was a half hour loop up and over the town of Holmavik, pop. 420.
You know it for the famed Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft. But I went there to fuel up my rent-a-car before setting out for remote fjords.
A “best hike” in Iceland MUST finish at a Hot Spring.
I parked at the Swimming Complex trailhead …
… looped up to the highest viewpoint …
… and back down to the stern Church, an essential feature of all fishing villages, no matter how small.
Here’s the rural Icelandic equivalent of Starbucks. (They are not much for signage in this land.)
In the window was a Blundenhottie (Icelandic for Barista) waving me in. I would have missed the place otherwise.
The Hot Springs were wonderful.
On his second attempt, The Adventure Blogger Kraig Becker did make it to Chile’s Atacama Desert. And back.
See his photos on Picassa.
That’s the finest outdoor scenery in the world, I reckon.
I pick up my rent-a-car today. Seven days circle touring the island in search of the best day hikes.
I’m staying in hostels, en route.
On my return I’ll immediately head out to Landmannalaugar for 4-5 days back country.
Leave a comment if you’ve any advice on best hikes Iceland.
This is my first visit.
ArizonaHiking.org Weekend Warriors has a good, personalized list:
Best Easy Hikes
Best Medium difficulty hikes
Best Hard hikes
Best Fall leaf watching hikes
Best hikes for solitude
Best hikes for spectacular views
Best water hikes
etc.
See the full FULL LIST of hikes
See more interesting photos tagged “Arizona Hike” on flickr.
trip report by besthike editor Rick McCharles
WOW. You can hike slickrock slot canyons. And be rewarded with natural hot springs only a few miles from the Hoover Dam.
I started late in the afternoon, running most of the 3mi to the river. As a result, I didn’t capture any decent photos.
But here’s the goal, a steel ladder leading you up to a series of clear hot springs, each hotter than the last.
Happily, Bird and Hike has detailed information & photos on hiking options … and an excellent map.
I took the regular route, in and out via White Rock Canyon.
… 3.25-mile hike (one way) to hot springs near the Colorado River. The route runs down a deep, narrow, geologically interesting canyon for 2.75 miles to the Colorado River, turns to run downstream for 0.5 miles to the next major canyon, then ascends that canyon for about 5 minutes to a 20-ft waterfall and a ladder.
… This hot spring sometimes is called Ringbolt Hot Springs, a reference to Ringbolt Rapids that lie just upstream from Hot Spring Canyon.
But the better option would be to loop in Hot Spring Canyon and out White Rock. Check Bird and Hike – Hot Spring Canyon Route
This hike is all good. It’s in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, but no Park pass is required as trailhead parking is just outside the boundary.
Note: It can be difficult to find the hot springs. I was directed there by kids who had arrived by river, camping on a school trip.
Sitting beside me in the airport is my Granite Gear Virga ($110), the frameless pack I’ve been using for the last number of years. I’ve no plans to switch anytime soon.
The “frame” is a standard 3/4 short therm-a-rest mattress.
Manufacturers of Frameless Backpacks include:
Gossamer Gear
Six Moons Design
Golite
ULA Equipment
Granite Gear
Osprey
Fanatic Fringe
Mountain Laurel Designs
Moonbow GearSource to Sea – Advantages of Frameless Backpacks
Will Rietveld is the expert.
He’s been updating his Frameless Backpack Review Summary for BackpackingLight.com since 2004.
The article is only available for Premium members ($25/yr) however – Lightweight Frameless Backpacks State of the Market Report 2011: Part 1 – Choosing and Using a Frameless Pack
Don’t knock them until you’ve tried one. For me personally, the “suspension” system packs still have pressure points. Frameless are much more comfortable.
related post – tutorial – how to pack a backpack (VIDEO & PHOTOS)
4.8mi return
1120ft elevation gain
Designated “Strenuous”, though only because of the elevation / altitude.
Park Pass required to park a vehicle
Of many good (better, in fact) alternatives out of Sedona, Arizona, I chose Sterling Pass … because it led to a natural Arch.
I’m a sucker for natural Arches.
That’s not me on the arch. It’s from this trip report:
From 89A, locate the rusty metal Sterling Pass #46 sign which marks the start of the trail. The well maintained trail climbs moderately to steeply up through a nicely forested area of pine, juniper and oak. As you continue up the canyon the path becomes steeper and climbs about 1000′ in a little over a mile to Sterling Pass. There are several use paths at the pass, stay straight on the trail that immediately begins descending down the other side. The path descends moderately to steeply through more forest, eventually leveling out somewhat to travel beside a small stream, which was flowing when I was here. Soon you’ll reach a trail junction and sign pointing back to the right for Vultee Arch (2.4 miles), the Sterling Trail continues straight another 1.6 miles to the Dry Creek Trailhead (the more popular and easy route to this point).
You are not allowed to climb the Arch. I didn’t.
Unless you are an Arch fanatic, I’d suggest hiking elsewhere on the slickrock. This route has a lot of elevation gain relative to the quality of the views. Here are a couple of pics I liked, though.
Sterling Pass does not have good parking. The exact trailhead is signed, but you’ll stumble along the highway for a while looking … unless you check with someone at Manzanita Campground across the highway.
In the end, I wished I’d done the far more popular Cathedral Rock Trail, instead.
Leave a comment if there’s a longer Sedona must hike scenic that I missed.
On the advice of my buddy Warren Long, I’ve joined the photo GPS age. Just in time for Iceland.
Product Highlights
12.1MP Hi-Speed CCD Sensor
Waterproof to 40′ (12m)
Shockproof at 6.6′ (2m) Drop
Dustproof
GPS, Compass, Altimeter, Barometer Inc.
Leica 4.6x Wide-Angle 28-128mm Zoom Lens
1920×1080 Full HD Video
Very Fast Autofocus, Short Shutter Lag
2.7″ LCD Monitor–230,000-Dot Resolution
Easy Upload for Facebook/YouTube
Didn’t get the best price:
Camera, extra battery, case, 3yr warranty (yes) … CDN $560 + tax.
Should be some cool apps for that location metadata.
Leave a comment if you’ve got some advice for me on the new toy.
Next time down to Sedona, Arizona I’ve been recommended a perennial stream in Oak Creek canyon. It can be done any time of the year, even in the heat.
• Elevation change: about 400 ft gradual gain.
• Distance: 3.0 miles one way.… You’ll cross the creek several times during this hike, while walking through a lush and tree lined canyon. The rock hopping across the creek is the most challenging part of this hike (not including finding a parking spot).
You can continue upstream from the first big pool, but to continue includes lots of wading, swimming, and boulder hopping.
In the fall, the leaves changing colors adds a whole new dimension to this hike. Enjoy!
See many, many more Arizona Hikes.
besthike.com 