I’m headed for the sunny Spanish Mediterranean coast.
52km. Wish me luck.
Malta Coastal walk
Walkopedia recommends Malta Coastal walk (155km) as one of the best hikes in the world:
Outstanding sea views
Unspoiled natural environment
Dramatic cliffs
Azure window and Inland sea
Archaeological remains
Tranquil countryside
Forts, towers and churches
Diversity of habitats and plantsThe best months for walking are in spring (March to June) and autumn (Mid-September to December). …
West Coast Trail getting upgrades
The WCT is our favourite hike in the world. 🙂
The 75-kilometre West Coast Trail is getting repairs to bridges, ladders and other sections, as part of $33.6 million in funding announced for Parks Canada.
The money is the largest federal infrastructure investment in Parks Canada since its formation 104 years ago, said Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan. …
trip report – Sunshine Coast Trail
by site editor Rick McCharles
Eleven hikers from flat, dry central Canada – Saskatchewan – met up at Nancy’s bakery in remote Lund, B.C.
Our plan was to hike from Sarah Point to Powell River in 5 days, 4 nights. The first section of the 180km Sunshine Coast Trail.
We ended up exiting after 2 nights walking out from Manzanita hut right back … to the bakery. 🙂
We’d booked a water taxi from Lund to the trailhead at Sarah Point.
Our skipper was excellent. The weather perfect. Yet the scramble up steep, slippery rock to the trailhead was challenging. I’d hate to do it in rough seas.
We were off. 🙂
The trail is well flagged but requires frequent scrambles over, under or around fallen trees. Our packs felt very heavy at this point.
Early July 2015 the Pacific N.W. was atypically hot and humid. Forest fire hazy clouded the sky.
Mosquitoes and wasps were a real pest. Four of our group were stung over 3 days.
It quickly became evident our large group, starting late in the day, would never make it to our intended destination – camping at Wednesday lake.
Instead we dropped down to a disused campsite at Cochrane Bay. It turned out to be a lovely spot. The pit toilet (which we found the next morning) still in working order.
It was dark when we went to hang the food.
Rodents quickly pounced on my dinner pot (salmon) once I set it on the ground.
The sea a glassy lake next morning.
We suffered some foot and knee pain. And morning stiffness, of course.
A steep, sweaty climb up from the sea brought us to Wednesday lake where we refilled all our water bottles. You need at least 3 litres / person on this dry section of the Trail.
We needed this refreshing break as the climb up to the Manzanita bluff was particularly gruelling.
It was with relief that we arrived at Manzanita hut early in the day.
It is a treat to have tables and fire pit after the wilderness camp of the previous night.
We split up some sleeping in their tents, some in their tents in the loft.
Running low on water, some of the keeners walked about 1.5km down hill to find a stagnant spring. Carried it back up. You need to treat all water on the SCT.
By morning it was decided. We were going to quit the SCT and exit to Lund. Our spiritual leader Bill Wallace and his doppelgänger consulted the guidebook, brochure map and some local day hikers to calculate the best route.
The manly men checked to see if they were strong enough for the escape … by trying to do a chin-up with full pack.
Bill leading the quitters to safety.
Civilization. 🙂
We checked in at the Willingdon Beach campground in Powell River. It’s a good spot, walking distance from the ferry.
The sunset is gorgeous from here. Sandy descended the steep, slippery cliff to shore faster than anyone else. 🙂
Willingdon Beach Trail was a fascinating history lesson. Much enjoyed.
With the extra time we decided to kayak Desolation Sound. It turned out to be the best day of the week!
Back to Saskatoon. Back to reality. 🙂
Lessons learned on the Sunshine Coast Trail:
- it’s mostly inland
- great vistas are infrequent. Many sections are tree-locked.
- it’s rarely flat
- much more challenging than expected
Two ladies who had done half the Pacific Crest Trail found the long day from Sarah Point to Manzanita hut a serious day. They went straight to bed after dinner and were gone by 6am next morning. Do not underestimate this trail.
I’m hoping to get back in September / October when the bugs are less a problem. Cold doesn’t worry me.
Some of our high resolution photos on flickr. Most of those were taken by Warren Long.
besthike Sunshine Coast Trail information page
we love the Pacific N.W.
We’ve just added an information page on the region.
Definitions of the Pacific Northwest region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common conception of the Pacific Northwest includes … Oregon and Washington as well as British Columbia.
AT A GLANCE
- fantastic coastal adventures including the West Coast Trail, our #1 hike in the world
- fantastic alpine hiking
- easy access via Seattle, Portland or Vancouver
- best weather June through September. But there are many great options year round due to the comparatively mild climate
GREAT Pacific N.W. hikes include …
- High Divide Loop, Washington
- Dungeness Spit, Washington
- West Coast Trail, B.C.
- Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, B.C.
- Sunshine Coast Trail, B.C.
We’re hiking the Sunshine Coast this week. 🙂
Dungeness Spit, Washington State
trip report by site editor Rick McCharles
Dungeness Spit is a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) long sand spit jutting out from the northern edge of the Olympic Peninsula in … Washington, USA, into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It is the longest natural sand spit in the United States. …
Some say it’s the world’s longest naturally occurring sandspit.
Diana and I wanted to visit the New Dungeness Light, in continuous operation since 1857.
It’s fairly easy to find the trailhead from the highway near Sequim.
Here’s the light station at 34x zoom.
It was a long but interesting day hike.
There was a family of volunteers manning the lighthouse. Father had scheduled this week about 6 years ago when his youngest daughter was age-2. Children must be at least age-8 to stay out here.
We didn’t catch much sea life. But there were a couple of interesting things out at sea. 🙂
see more of our full resolution photos
related – Washington Trails – Dungeness Spit
Thorsborne Trail, Austalia
We’ve added an information page for those wanting to organize for the famed Thorsborne Trail in Queensland, Australia, one of our top 10 coastal hikes in the world.
AT A GLANCE
between Cairns and Townsville in North Queensland- in Hinchinbrook Island National Park
- part of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- 32km (20mi)
- 4 days, 3 nights recommended
- April – October best months
- reserve permits months in advance. A year in advance if possible. Ask about cancellations if you have no booking.
Click PLAY or watch an Australian Geographic promo on YouTube.
Kalalau Trail, Nā Pali Coast, Hawaii
We’ve added an information page for Kalalau, one of our top 10 coastal hikes of the world.
AT A GLANCE
-
Kauai 11mi (18km)
- hike any month of the year
- trail sometimes closed due to weather
- maximum elevation gain 800ft
- Keʻe Beach to the Kalalau Valley
- 3 days, 2 nights recommended
- most people camp at least one night at either Hanakoa Valley (6 mile mark) or Kalalau Beach.
- in Nā Pali Coast State Park
- limited number of permits issued for camping
You can day hike it, as Jack did.
Or hike 22 miles return over several days.
Click through if you mike like to do this adventure yourself one day. 🙂
South Coast Track, Tasmania
We’ve added an information page for those wanting to organize for the famed South Coast Track in Tasmania, one of our top 10 coastal hikes in the world.
World → Austalasia → Australia → South Coast Track
The South Coast Track is a challenging walk in a region of Tasmania exposed to harsh weather conditions. There are no huts along the track. Track conditions are often difficult. Walkers must be fully self-sufficient, well-equipped and experienced.
AT A GLANCE
- surreal, unique Tasmanian seascapes
- entirely within Southwest National Park
- flying in, walking out, the standard route is 82km (51mi)
- 6-8 days Melaleuca to Cockle Creek
- best months December to March
Olympic National Park – planning for June 2015
I’ve enjoyed many great hikes on the Olympic Peninsula over the years. Weather is a huge factor. When it’s not raining, the Olympics are paradise. 🙂
Here are a few of my photos from the past.
I’m planning to return June 22nd 2015.
I’ll decide when and where to hike based on the weather forecast. Plan A is to start with Cape Alava – Rialto Beach, the “Shipwreck Coast“. There are many other options, of course. 🙂
besthike.com 