Category: alpine

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Hiking Music VIDEO – 10,000 Feet

by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

Testing various new A.I. software products, I was impressed with their ability to create interesting songs.

This is the best of a number of original HIKING songs I prompted using Riffusion.com

Unlimited downloads for free. For now. It’s in BETA as I post.

The theme of this video is what to do when your true love dumps you. 😀

Head for the mountains. Solo !

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The vibe is he doth protest too much, methinks.

Sad dude heads for the mountains.

LYRICS
I don’t need your goddamn company at 10,000 feet
Don’t need your explanations or your guilt to make me complete
Up here the world makes sense again, I can finally breathe
I don’t need your goddamn company at 10,000 feet

Boot prints mark my solo trail
Through patches of melting snow
You said I couldn’t make it alone
But watch me as I go

Sometimes when the wind cuts sharp
And storm clouds block the sun
I wonder if I made mistakes
(Did I make mistakes?)
But then I see the summit call
And know I’ve just begun

I don’t need your goddamn company at 10,000 feet
Don’t need your explanations or your guilt to make me complete
Up here the world makes sense again, I can finally breathe
I don’t need your goddamn company at 10,000 feet

The air gets thinner
But my thoughts get clearer
With every single step
I’m getting stronger

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W Trek In Patagonia

One of the best hikes in South America is the W Trek in Patagonian Chile.

Unforgettable.

The better alternative — in our opinion — is the longer Paine Circuit. It includes the W Trek.

If you can’t do the Circuit, do the W !

Zac and Ine had good weather — but typical high speed winds near the glacier.

They booked everything in advance.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Top 10 Hiking Destinations ➙ Sierra Nevada USA

The longest, highest, most diverse mountain range in the continental United States is not the Rockies. It’s the Sierra Nevada range in California.

Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite … everyone loves these mountains.

In the summer of 2007 we met a hiker there who enjoyed 41 days in a row of perfect weather. Where else in the mountains can you get that? (Starting day 42 he had pounding hail and was at risk of death by lightning.)

The range is about the same size as the Alps, 430mi long, 40-80mi wide. It’s all great.

Many come here specifically to climb Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous States. Others come to see astonishing Yosemite Valley. And to scramble Half Dome.

Lower elevation hikes are accessible year-round. The Parks are within easy driving distance of major urban areas and, unusual for the USA, have good public transportation. Kids love this region.

In fact, everyone leaves John Muir’s “Range of Light” elated.

More information on our new Sierra Nevada information page.

Our favourite hike in the Sierra Nevada is the John Muir Trail, our #2 hike in the world. (Every photo of the JMT is a postcard.)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

See our JMT Information page.

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Ausangate Trek, Peru – Guided

This site features the best independent hikes.

And we did hike our #1 trek in South America independently in 2005.

It wasn’t easy.

Adam and Kathryn signed on for a guided trek with AB Expeditions — and were VERY happy with the experience.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada

Born and raised in nearby Calgary, Alberta — Waterton is my favourite Canadian National Park. I’ve been there dozens of times over the decades.

Many tourists rush to Banff National Park, missing Waterton. And that’s a shame.

Campsites book quickly, so reserve early. Several months ahead.

Gemma and JR posted their advice:

… a three day Waterton Lakes National Park itinerary, based on our favourite experiences and the activities that I think showcase the best of the park. We’ve explored Waterton multiple times, across different seasons. …

For a quieter (and cheaper) trip, visit in mid/late May, June or September. …

  • A national park pass is required to enter and explore Waterton Lakes National Park
  • From 19th June to 7th September 2026, there are no admission fees for national parks and national historic sites operated by Parks Canada (Canada Strong program)
  • Mid/late May to late September is the best time to visit
  • Facilities, trails and services are more limited outside of this time period, especially during the winter months
  • Reservations for the Townsite campground open in January each year. The date is usually revealed on this Parks Canada page in late November, early December
  • In 2017, a major wildfire swept through the western side of Waterton (39% of the park). Burned trees are still visible in many areas. Learn more about the fire at the Visitor Centre

Waterton Lakes National Park 3 Day Itinerary: Hiking, Wildlife and Waterfalls

Click PLAY or watch highlights on YouTube.

Across the border is Glacier National Park, Montana.

One of our top 10 hikes in the world is Glacier North Circle which can include both parks. You will see a lot of wildlife in both.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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NEW – Snowies Alpine Walk, Australia

Opened Dec. 3, 2024.

Snowies Alpine Walk is a 56km multi-day walk in Kosciuszko National Park that proves there’s more to the Snowies than skiing. You’ll climb Australia’s highest mountain, wander through wildflower meadows and walk through glacier-carved landscapes and snow gum forests.

Available December through April.

Location: Thredbo-Perisher area of Kosciuszko National Park

Gateway towns: Jindabyne

Regional airport: Snowy Mountains Airport, Cooma

Driving distance: 5.5 hours from Sydney, 3 hours from Canberra

It looks great.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Details.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Visit British Columbia

For a hiker, B.C. is an ideal holiday destination.

  • Whistler
  • Garibaldi Provincial Park
  • Sunshine Coast
  • Vancouver
  • Okanagan Valley
  • Yoho National Park
  • Kootenay National Park
  • Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park
  • Vancouver Island
  • Gulf Islands
  • Squamish
  • Wells Gray Provincial Park
  • Mount Robson Provincial Park
  • Mt. Revelstoke National Park

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.