Category: coastal

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Turkey’s Lycian Way – a book

Canadian Michelle Savigny published an entertaining book called Breaking the Fourth Wall: An Uncertain Journey on Turkey’s Lycian Way. (2016)

I read it in preparation for doing some hiking there myself.

After researching long-distance coastal routes, she prepared to solo hike the 509-kilometre Lycian Way. The journey doesn’t take her where she planned, but as she camps in the wild, gets lost without water and confronts charging sheepdogs, the path guides her to exactly where she needs to be. …

Amazon

Unfortunately I didn’t get much information on the hike itself: best sections, highlights, etc.

Her journey was more internal than physical. I’m not sure it mattered where she happened to be walking.

Click PLAY or watch some of her photos on YouTube.

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Lycian Way, Turkey starting next week

The Lycian Way is approximately 540 km long …

It is waymarked with red and white stripes, the Grande Randonnee convention. …

The route was researched by Kate Clow, a British woman living in Turkey, with the help of a few volunteers. …

Although there are some trekkers who do the whole trail in one go, most people prefer to do it in sections; some sections are inevitably more popular than others. …

 

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hiking the Bermuda Railway Trail

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

The Bermuda Railway was a 21.7-mile (34.9 km) common carrier line that operated in Bermuda for a brief period (October 31, 1931 – May 1, 1948). …

Construction and maintenance proved to be exceedingly costly, as the Bermuda Railway was built along a coastal route to minimize the amount of land acquisition needed for the right-of-way.

In so doing, however, extensive trestles and bridgework were necessary. More than 10 percent of the line was elevated on 33 separate structures of timber or steel construction spanning the ocean. …

Click for LARGER version.

In 1984, 18 miles (29 km) of the defunct rail line’s right-of-way were dedicated as the Bermuda Railway Trail for hiking and, on some paved portions, biking. The Bermuda Tourism Department publishes a pamphlet describing the Trail’s highlights …

I enjoyed the sections close to the water …

… and the sections cut into limestone.

On the other hand, there are many places where you must detour to regain the trail. Coney Island, for example.

And there are many sections where you must walk busy roadways to regain the trail.

All in all, pretty as it is, I’d prefer to mountain bike the Bermuda Railway Trail rather than walk / run it.

You can rent a bike in Bermuda.

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North Coast Trail, B.C.

MB Guiding posted the best page for hikers interested in planning a North Coast Trail adventure either independently or guided.

North Coast Trail – Cape Scott Provincial Park

The North Coast Trail is a remote and challenging coastal backpacking trip. Beach sections dominate the trail, like this stretch between Christensen Point and Laura Creek Camp. We arrive at camp each night, tired from the terrain and happy from the sights.

Here’s my own take on that hike, one of the best in the world … with some reservations.

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Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, Australia

5 days, 66 km close to Adelaide. Opened October 2016.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

… a unique nature-based experience, giving visitors access to one of the most rugged, remote and spectacular coastlines in Australia.

This section of south-west Kangaroo Island is renowned for its rare and diverse wildlife, pristine bushland and sweeping coastal views. Imagine: the isolation; the serenity; and the natural wonders of this special part of South Australia, and all while walking alongside the vast, awe-inspiring expanse of the Southern Ocean with nothing between you and Antarctica. …

details

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kangaroo-island-wilderness-trail-map

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Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend TX

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

Note: We were there Jan 2017. Accessibility may change depending on what happens with Trump’s border wall promise.

Santa Elena Canyon is the single most popular spot in Big Bend National Park. Everyone stops here, even those who don’t normally hike.

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The nature trail crosses Terlingua Creek, climbs several flights of ramps and stairs and then descends into the canyon along the Rio Grande. At this point the canyon walls loom over 1500 feet above the river below. …

In my haste to get over to the Canyon, I took off my shoes and waded Terlingua Creek.

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That turned out to be a mistake. Everyone else found a way to cross keeping their feet dry.

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Nobody regrets taking this short hike.

And I did finally get a photo of a desert cottontail. Or is it a small jack rabbit?

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The best way to see the canyon is by raft or canoe. Local outfitters offer trips from one to three days in length when conditions allow, and river runners of intermediate or better skill level often go on their own. …

Visit Big Bend

Even better for me would be the difficult Mesa de Anguila hike along the canyon rim. Next time. 🙂

related – Texas GOP congressman slams Trump plan for border wall

“Building a wall is the most expensive and least effective way to secure the border,” Rep. Will Hurd (R-Tex.) said in a statement …

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Boquillas Canyon, Big Bend TX

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

Note: We were there Jan 2017. Accessibility may change depending on what happens with Trump’s border wall promise.

Boquillas town is actually the small village in Mexico that sits on the eastern side of Big Bend National Park. It’s where many tourists cross to hike in Mexico.

A guy I met in the hotsprings recommended the Boquillas Canyon day hike. It’s about 1.5 miles return on the American side.

Boquillas Canyon, Big Bend

From the parking lot you climb up and over a bluff to walk alongside the muddy Rio Grande.

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Supposedly these souvenirs on the beach ($6 each) were a fundraiser for the Boquillas school.

Boquillas Canyon, Big Bend

There was a donation box too for the Mexican fishermen who SING for tourists.

The cliff walls loom.

Boquillas Canyon, Big Bend

It is an interesting short hike.

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Boquillas canyon is not as steep or sheer as Santa Elena. But it is impressive.