Best hikes, treks, tramps in the world.
For a hiker, B.C. is an ideal holiday destination.
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My favourite season for hiking is autumn.
The colours, for sure.
Sunlight low in the sky.
But even more is the melancholy of days getting shorter. The year coming to an end.
Most of the trees in the Vancouver Island rain forest are evergreen. But there are enough deciduous to make for wonderful scenes.
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My parents live very near Englishman River — and I hike, run, and cycle these exact trails when I’m visiting.
You can hike year round in this temperate rain forest climate.
VIPaerials captured the annual salmon run … alongside a black bear. I’ve never once seen a bear at this location as there are a lot of people around. BUT the easily available salmon are a great temptation.
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I’m considering doing some hiking in Scotland, September 2024.
… But where to go?
Cape Wrath Trail is approximately 200 miles (321 km) in length and is considered to be one of the most challenging long distance walks in the UK. …
The trail begins in Fort William and ends at Cape Wrath lighthouse on the northwest tip of the Scottish mainland. …
Officially the trail is not endorsed by Scottish Natural Heritage and it is not waymarked or signposted.
Facilities along the trail are also minimal and it covers some of the remotest parts of mainland Britain. …
I’d do some section(s) of the Cape Wrath, if I can nail the logistics down.
Ideally it would be late in the season — after the midges have begun to disappear.
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Many feel this is the most beautiful of the Canadian Rockies trails.
World → N America → Rockies → Canada → Alpine Circuit, Lake O’Hara
For details click over to our Alpine Circuit, Lake O’Hara information page.
Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
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MacMillan Provincial Park is a 301-hectare (740-acre) provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. Located 25 km (16 mi) west of Qualicum Beach and 16 km (9.9 mi) east of Port Alberni, the park straddles Highway 4 and the Island Rail Corridor in central Vancouver Island.
The park is home to a famous, 157-hectare (390-acre) stand of ancient Douglas fir, known as Cathedral Grove, which draws visitors from all over the world.
… the only highway-accessible protected old-growth Douglas-fir forest in British Columbia.
In 2007 Cathedral Grove made the short list on CBC‘s competition Seven Wonders of Canada.
My video includes parts of both loops. AND some shots outside Cathedral Grove, in the Provincial park.
I stop every time I drive highway 4.
Dozens of times, so far.
It is a fantastic short day hike.
Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
In the temperate rain forest of Vancouver Island you can hike almost anywhere, year round.
It’s fantastic.
One local hike I’d avoided is Roosevelt – Chinook – Channels – Clay Banks near the excellent Englishman River Provincial Park.
I’d heard it was mainly used for mountain biking.
Home made mountain biking trails tend to be rugged, muddy — and not all that hiker friendly.
Turned out that wasn’t the BIG problem.
Very close to the Provincial Park, logging companies have been Thinning.
In this area, they claim to be removing about half the trees so the other half will grow faster.
It’s a kind of salvage logging.
Not clearcut — but still ugly and muddy.
There were a few good moments — but I won’t again be hiking in any area that has been thinned.
Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
In 2010, I hiked the famed Sentiero Azzurro aka Verde Azzurro path, or “Blue trail”.
It connected the 5 main villages of the the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare.
Sadly, since 2011 sections of the classic have been closed.
Returning in 2023, I decided to do part of the most popular alternative, the Sentiero Rosso aka Cinque Terre High Path.
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A LOT of ascent and descent. But gorgeous vistas from high up.
Took the train to La Spezia. Then the local bus to Porto Venere.
A pretty town.
Starting the hike north, immediately you find the impressive Doria Castle.
The trail takes you high above the ocean with terrific views in each direction. There are some very narrow pathways, but no real exposure.
I found a quiet spot, just before dark, to put up my tent.
Early next morning I arrived at the impressive Santuario di Montenero. The priest came out, interested in my drone. I showed him how it worked and later sent him this video.
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Flowers bloom in profusion in June. You can see why everyone loves these trails.
I climbed WAY DOWN to Riomaggiore. A charming seaside town.
At tourist information, I confirmed that the original Blue trail was still closed. Got a map and directions for the best high route.
The tunnel by the railway station was a highlight for me.
Up, up, up.
More amazing vistas from up high.
Finally, I caught the train in Corniglia, a little further on from Manarola. It was nice to have the freedom to finish the day whenever I wanted.
YES, the Cinque Terre is touristy. But taking the high trails mostly gets you away from the mobs.
I highly recommend this hiking destination.
The Border Route Trail (BRT) is a 65-mile trail spanning the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, an expanse of rolling hills, lakes, and forests that is a paradise for canoeists.
The BRT is isolated, challenging, logistically difficult to get to, and it’s worth every step. …
The Trek
Warning. Parts are overgrown. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
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