I generally followed Hahnenkamm – Seidlalm – Ganslernalm on AllTrails. But diverged a number of times if any other trail heading downhill looked more interesting.
The Seidlalm reservoirs were a highlight, slightly off that route.
With good weather I did find it an easy day. Starting at the top of the mountain (2000m) and finishing in Kitzbühel (762m), it IS a lot of downhill. 😀
IF headed for Austria, do some research into tourist passes.
For example, many hostels and hotels can give you a FREE tourist card.
Out of Kitzbühel, that means free train and bus travel.
Free transportation over this area.
With that card, next check for deals on lift tickets. Over 3 days. Over 5 days. Etc.
Therefore it’s recommended to go shoulder season, either Spring or Autumn.
Want to trek the Tour du Mont Blanc but don’t have the money to book accomodations along the way or to pay for a guided tour?
Want to hike the TMB this summer and but everything is already booked?
Last summer I hiked the TMB on a last minute whim, with no planning, and no budget. And I still had the time of my life on this bucket-lis hike. So I’ve distilled what I learned into this video to help you make it happen tomorrow.
British Columbia is a fantastic hiking destination. BUT campgrounds and some of the best hiking areas require difficult-to-aquirepermits — most famously, the West Coast Trail.
Juan de Fuca Trail in Juan de Fuca Marine Provincial Park near Port Renfrew (requires backcountry permits)
Wild Side Trail on Flores Island near Tofino (requires a water taxi to reach the trailhead)
Forbidden Plateau Core, Bedwell Lakes, Elk River Trail, and Arnica Lake in Strathcona Provincial Park (All require backcountry permits except Arnica Lake.)
Nootka Trail on Nootka Island near Gold River (requires a water taxi to reach the trailhead)
North Coast Trail, Cape Scott Trail, and San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park near Port Hardy (requires backcountry permits, North Coast Trail requires a water taxi to reach the trailhead)
Raft Cove in Raft Cove Provincial Park near Port Hardy (requires backcountry permits)
Carmanah Valley in Carmanah-Walbran Provincial Park (requires backcountry permits)
Interior and Eastern B.C.
Trophy Meadows in Wells Gray Provincial Park near Clearwater (requires backcountry permits)
Cathedral Lakes Provincial Park near Keremeos (requires backcountry permits)
Okanagan High Rim Trail near Vernon and Kelowna
Spectrum Lake in Monashee Provincial Park near Cherryville (requires backcountry permits)
Gwillim Lakes in Valhalla Provincial Park near Slocan
Kaslo Lake in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park near Nelson (requires backcountry permits)
Earl Gray Pass in Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park near Kaslo
South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park near Lillooet
Northern B.C.
Hunlen Falls in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park near Bella Coola (requires backcountry permits)
Monkman Memorial Trail in Monkman Provincial Park near Tumbler Ridge
Wokkpash Valley and McDonald Creek in Stone Mountain Provincial Park near Fort Nelson
Mount Edziza in Mount Edziza Provincial Park near Dease Lake
Backcountry permits are not reservations. And they don’t sell out.
The scenery in the Dolomites may be just as good. And there are far, far more stunning jagged peaks in Italy than in all of South America.
click for larger version
Many, many Europeans get out hiking during the Summer. Trails are crowded everywhere throughout the Dolomites and the Alps. There’s a great shared sense of community here.
Instant gratification. You can ride chair lifts up to the very tops of some of these peaks. How convenient is that? Almost anyone can find a best hike for themselves in this range.
WW I history in the Dolomites is sobering. German, Austrian and Italian soldiers were stuck digging tunnels through these mountains through several winters. This was the “Front”. Needless to say, far more young men died from the elements and falls than by fire fights. There are reminders of the Great War everywhere.
Here is the home of via ferrata (Italian for “iron road”). (In fact, our next trip to the Dolomites will be dedicated to doing some of the best of those assisted climbing routes.)
click for larger version
Not everything is perfect in the Dolomites. I prefer the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, overall.
In the Sierras I can put up a tent anywhere I want. Fantastic.
Unfortunately, in the Dolomites you are required to sleep in alpine buildings called Refuges. (Refugios – Italian). Their locations are stunning. Many people love them. But – personally – I prefer my tent over sleeping on the floor. Or in bunk beds.
Happily you can reach almost any place in the Dolomites by day hike. Public transportation in the valleys below is good!
The two regions – the Sierras and the Dolomites – are similar in that everywhere is a best hike.
Rifugio Locatelli – click for larger version
I do like the food and drink at Refugios. Prices are regulated.
The main reason I had not hiked in Europe in 30yrs is cost. Italy can be expensive.
It’s possible to hike on the cheap. Putting up my tent in a campground in Cortina only cost 9€ (US$12.80) / night in 2009. Ryan tells us it’s up to 44€ / night summer 2023!
Bread, chocolate, soft cheese and wine are inexpensive. What more do you need?
Everyone wants to hike to Everest Base Camp (5,320m / 17,450ft). The 3 Passes route is the most epic.
Based on weather and fitness, you can do one or more passes as well as peaks like Kala Pattar (5,545m) that don’t require a permit.
AT A GLANCE
majority of hikers in the Everest region hire a guide, porter(s) and/or pack animal(s) but it’sfairly easy to do independently. As of April 1, 2023 guides are probably required on Everest.
guided trekkers stay in lodges, or sprawling tent encampments
October to November best months
beginning of March to mid-May next best
16-18 days minimum for 3 Passes. 21 days would allow for rest / illness / sidetrip / and other unanticipated delays.
if you don’t have time, it’s recommended 14 days just to get to Base Camp and back safely.
generally easy hiking on good trails with a light pack. Some very challenging, potentially dangerous sections, if you cross any of the 3 Passes
on the main trails buy food as you go and stay in simple “lodges”
Everest trails are not expensive, but many spend more than they anticipate on luxuries
be clear — you might have to QUIT if by bad luck or rushed ascent you suffer altitude sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS).
I’ve hiked Nepal on 10 different vacations. But I’ll stop going if this NEW policy is upheld.
The nation is notoriously poorly governed. Don’t be surprised if Nepal Tourism Board suddenly reverses the policy once they foresee the economic damage.
As of March 2023 there is one major exception — the Everest region. The Khumbu Valley remains unaffected because they don’t use the TIMS card required everywhere else. For Everest, idependent hikers can instead buy a local Khumbu Trek Card.
Perhaps this exception will be changed before the start of the spring 2023 trekking season.
besthike.com 