Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.
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180km Torres Del Paine, Patagonia – SOLO

Harmen Hoek captured the best video I’ve seen of the famed O-trek (including the W-trek).

It’s wonderful. And yet provides clear warning of the drastic, quickly changing weather.

Expect some of the heaviest rains and strongest winds of your life. Even if the first few days are sunny.

Getting bookings for this adventure is super challenging. Check our Paine Information page for details.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (27min)

0:00 Puerto Natales
0:50 Mirador Base Las Torres (1st time)
3:40 Day 1 – Glacier and Camp Dickson
10:06 Day 2 – Glacier and Camp Los Perros
13:46 Exploring the Puma Glacier
15:45 Day 3 – Glacier Grey and Paso John Garner
21:08 Day 4 – Storm to Mirador Británico
24:35 Day 5 – Sunrise at Mirador Base Las Torres
26:38 Outro with photos

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Scotland – Isle of Skye – 10 Walks

Having grown up on the Isle of Skye, Alastair Jackson brings us his top ten walks.

  1. Ben Aslak (5km – 2.5hrs)
  2. Ord to Dun Scaith Castle (6km – 1.5hrs)
  3. Dalavil and Gillean (9km -5hrs)
  4. Glamaig (6.5km – 4.5hrs)
  5. Talisker Bay (3.5km – 1hr)
  6. Oronsay Tidal Island (5km – 2hr)
  7. Waterstein Head and optional: South Duirinish Cliff walk (5km – 2hrs )
  8. Uiginish Point (4km -2hrs)
  9. Waternish Point (13.5km – 3.5-4hrs)
  10. Quirang Car Park to Beinn Edra Summit (14.5 km – 4.5hrs)
  11. Rubha Huinish (8km -3hrs) … bonus walk !

Details on The Great Outdoors Mag:

Ten of the Best Isle of Skye Walks: Exploring Scotland’s Natural Wonders

Waterstein Head and Neist Point
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Running Stairs for Fitness

For me the best physical preparation for multi-day hiking is … hiking. 😀

On arrival at the trailhead, start with shorter, easier days. Work up to your normal pace. Progressively.

Off-season I cycle and run. 

BEST of all for me, however, is running stairs. I have done sets of 10 with a day pack in the past, as well.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

In Calgary, I often ran the stairs at nearby Glenmore Park.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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TOP 10 ➙ Overland Track, Tasmania

The Overland Track in Tasmania is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

Click PLAY or watch a 1 minute introduction on YouTube.

Overland Track

The best & most famous walk in Australia.

Overland

AT A GLANCE

  • surreal, unique Tasmanian vistas
  • pretty lakes, tarns and waterfalls
  • exiting by ferry it’s minimum 62km (38.5mi) carrying a pack plus many possible sidetrips without a pack.
    • Elevation Gain: +4,793 ft / 1,461 m
      Elevation Loss: -5,160 ft / 1,573 m
  • 8000-9000 walkers / year in the past
    • 60 walkers start / day 2018 in high season
    • Oct 1 – May 31 Overland Track Pass reservations online
  • access by public transportation
  • easy-moderate hiking IF the weather cooperates
  • add challenging sidetrip peak scrambles if the weather is good
  • Nov – early May best months
  • possible to hike year round (snow travel during the winter)
  • 7-nights recommended. Start Ronny Creek. Finish Cynthia Bay.

Read more on our Overland Information page.

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Leigh McAdam’s 25 Best Treks in the World

One of my favourite sites is Hike Bike Travel.

Editor Leigh McAdam posted her favourite multi-day hikes:

Leigh:

This is a subjective list but there is still a lot of thought that goes into choosing the 25 best treks in the world. 

Some places speak to you – whether its on account of their fabulous setting and landscape or because they have a storied history. Everest Base Camp comes immediately to mind here.

I certainly like treks that aren’t crazy busy. Doing the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu has no appeal whereas the Choquequiaro Trail – which is longer and more remote is far more tempting to me.

Treks that are truly off the beaten path like the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland immediately pique my interest. Those that are beautiful or culturally interesting for most of their length also go to the top of the best treks in the world list. …

25 Best Treks in the World

Click through for details on each.

I’ve done many — but not all — of Leigh’s list. 

BUT the one triggered for me today is the Alta Via 2 in the Italian Dolomites. 

I hiked the Dolomites last year. Fantastic. And would certainly appreciate a much longer adventure ➙ 10 – 14 days including Via Ferrata.

I’ll download her recommended hiking guidebook and start planning. 🙂

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BestHike TOP 10 Videos

These are our TOP 10 Videos as of December 31, 2023.

First, check the introduction for the BestHike YouTube channel.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

#10 Cycling, Hiking Lofoten Islands, Arctic Norway

HIGHLIGHTS of 2 weeks on the Lofoten Islands. Summers of 2022 and 2023..

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#9 Hiking Valencia, Spain

One of the best urban hikes anywhere is right through the heart of Valencia, Spain.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#8 West Coast Trail TEASER

The West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, Canada is our #1 hike in the world.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#7 Cycling / Hiking Arctic Norway ➙ Lyngen Alps to Lofoten

Starting from Tromsø, Norway — well above the Arctic Circle. Footage from summers 2022 – 2023.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#6 Bermuda Rail Trail

A unique walking adventure way out in the middle of the Atlantic.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#5 Laugavegur – Iceland – Solo Tenting Late Season

Laugevagur Trail is the BEST HIKE in Iceland. This footage from mid-September while huts were already shutting down for the season.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#4 John Muir Trail, California

First 5 days with two good friends. Solo for the final 2 weeks ending at Mt Whitney.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#3 Fisherman’s Trail, Portugal Alone. Late in the year – November.

Fisherman’s Trail is the BEST section of the longer Rota Vicentina route in Portugal. And the BEST section of Fisherman’s is Porto Covo ➙ Zambujeira do Mar

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#2 BestHike BEST VIDEO Highlights 2022

An inspirational montage from our best hikes of that year.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

#1 Top 10 Hikes on Earth

The best of the best.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

If you like those, SUBSCRIBE to the BestHike YouTube channel.

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Eagles and Ravens – Vancouver Island

Around Christmas each year, Bald Eagles arrive in Parksville on Vancouver Island.

I see at least 25 around the dump. More around town.

Crows and ravens are seen throughout the year. 

Ravens and Bald Eagles don’t seem to like each other. Perhaps they are territorial.

Over the dump the skies are crowded. Birds tend to chase each other.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Three Fingers Lookout, Washington State

Three Fingers Lookout  is a historic fire observation building on one of the summits of Three Fingers Mountain in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Snohomish County, Washington.

Built in 1930 in an extremely challenging location, it is one of the oldest surviving observation posts in the forest. …

Kraig Adams posted a lovely video on his overnight trip.

Kraig must be the most popular hiking vlogger. His video editing style has been emulated by many others.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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BestHike VIDEO Highlights 2023

Some of the BEST video clips captured by BestHike editor Rick McCharles in 2023. 

Iceland, USA S.W., Norway, Bermuda, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, finishing in British Columbia.  

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

For comparison, here’s his 2022 Highlights VIDEO. 

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.