The Bruce Trail is more than 890 km (550 mi) long and there are over 400 km (250 mi) of associated side trails. I spent a week hiking some of the best sections.
… the largest wilderness area in South-East Asia and an UNESCO world heritage area since 2004. It is further part of the tropical rain forest heritage of Sumatra, allowing for spectacular experiences in this fortunately still widely untouched nature.
The hike itself is a unique experience for several reasons:
No trails are available and one totally has to rely on the guide to find the way through the jungle (mainly following former rebel trails).
4-6 porters accompany you and provide you with the most delicious hiking food you’ll ever get to taste (don’t forget to tip).
You will not see ANYONE other than your party during the whole hike.
The wilderness of the jungle and its inhabitants is just breathtaking.
A tough trip in 3 nights, 4+ nights is recommended for easier and more relaxed hiking …
… we were lucky enough to have bluebird days all 4 days!
Routefinding can be challenging as this hike has many social trails woven through the rugged tundra. There is one (unmarked) trail that is most often used and offers the fastest hiking, but is tough to follow and easy to lose track of at times.
This hike involves a crossing of the McKinley River, a potentially very dangerous river crossing! It’s crucial to be informed and prepared for this river crossing- knowledge of advanced river crossing techniques, the best current crossing routes, as well as current weather & water level conditions is all critical info for a safe crossing.
Federally owned (aka “public”) lands have been in the news a lot recently thanks to President Trump’s decision to review many of the protected areas that have been designated at national monuments from the three presidents that held office prior to him.
Some of those areas could see their protected status go away, potentially opening them up to commercial development. …
Trip report by site editor Rick McCharles | day 1 | day 2
day 2 – 6:45 am I hoisted the pack.
Unsure of exactly how I was going to get back for my 4pm ferry departure , best get an early start.
In my dreams I’d hoped to get all the way to Palamutbuku … but there is one earlier exit if I am running out of time.
The first section is scrambling over headlands. A series of deserted coves.
Rocky beaches. Much of the stone is conglomerate.
My sunrise.
I was lost briefly several times. The official guidebook and map are not sufficient to keep you on the trail. GPS is pretty much essential on the Carian Trails. And I didn’t bring my GPS to Turkey. Doh!
So few hikers pass this point I left the next one a Summit Stone. There’s no way to miss it.
If you like this kind of solitude and scenery, plan a hiking trip to Turkey.
The beaches are not littered. But they are full of plastic and junk washed ashore.
Here’s the toughest headland. My guidebook authors nicknamed this scramble Death Valley.
Whew. Civilization.
I was slow getting here. But the only other walkers I saw on the trail were even slower.
This village was the end for me. I’d need to find the mini-bus back to town to be sure not to miss my ferry.
During lunch at a pleasant restaurant I learned that the mini-bus does not run on Sundays. I’d need to hitchhike. A crazy dentist in a beat-up van picked me up.
I was tired on the ferry home. The two days had taken more out of me than they should.
Bodrum castle is most impressive from the sea.
Trip report by site editor Rick McCharles | day 1 | day 2
Only 2 days on the Carian Trails. But it was enough.
I decided to return April / May 2019 for 2-3 weeks most likely on the even more remote Bozburun Peninsula section. (141km)
I’ll have two GPS devices and several downloaded routes. I’ll carry the right gear. And I’ll bring some of my food from home. Turns out they don’t sell dehydrated mashed potatoes in Turkey.
Cost is about $600 / person for 5 days / 4 nights in 2017 if you sign on with Vertice Patagonia.
Even better and longer is the the full Paine Circuit (often called the “O” as contrasted with the red “W”).
If interested know that logistics are getting increasingly difficult. Costs are going up. But it’s still well worth making your way to southern South America in the trekking season.
Swarms of aqua-blue butterflies, foaming waterfalls, hidden swimming lagoons, lime-green parakeets and chirping songbirds high up in the trees – this was what I’d come to find in the verdant Colombian jungle, along the winding trail to the Lost City.
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