Category: health & safety

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Dangerous Trails Around the World

Here’s a list of some of the established hikes known to have caused deaths and injuries in the past.  

Of course if you are experienced and cautious, I’d call most of them ‘safe’.

Of the list, I’ve done these myself and would recommend them. 

  • El Caminito del Rey, Spain
  • Drakensberg Traverse, South Africa
  • Kalalau Trail, Hawaii
  • Huayna Picchu, Peru
  • Mount Washington, USA

El Caminito I’d call SUPER safe in 2025.

Huayna Picchu is a bit sketchy.  A couple of days before I climbed, a tourist from Russia was killed by lightning. 

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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PLAN Your Hiking Adventure

BestHike.com is a starting point for deciding where to do a multi-day hike.

BEST starting point is our top 10 lists.

If that doesn’t work, click on one of our Continent lists ➙ North America, for example.

Once inspired to do some planning, check this list on Backpacker.com.

Lastly, try to convince one or more of your friends to join you. 😀

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Regular Walks can add YEARS to your Life

A recent study published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that increased physical activity (PA)—specifically daily walks—can increase life expectancy ….

“If all individuals were as active as the top 25% of the population, Americans over the age of 40 could live an extra 5.3 years […] on average,” the study reads.

And if the least active individuals in the study spent an additional 111 minutes walking each day, they could extend their life expectancy by up to 11 years. …

Real Simple

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Ausangate Trek, Peru – Guided

This site features the best independent hikes.

And we did hike our #1 trek in South America independently in 2005.

It wasn’t easy.

Adam and Kathryn signed on for a guided trek with AB Expeditions — and were VERY happy with the experience.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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50 Tips from an Experienced Hiker

Mowser lives in Tasmania, a very challenging hiking climate.

Over his 30+ years hiking and guiding, he’s made many mistakes. And seen many more.

If you watch this entire video, I guarantee there will be some tips you’ll take to heart for your next adventure.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

If you like those, here are a few more.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Have you Hiked in the NUDE?

I’ve done it only once — on a dare.

I was on the John Muir Trail in California.

Camping in a remote spot — far from any other people — I took off for about 45 minutes wearing only my hiking shoes.

Nude hiking, also known as naked walking or freehiking, is a sub-category of the modern form of social nudity. More popular in Europe than anywhere else.

Personally, I didn’t particularly enjoy hiking naked. And have not yet been tempted to try it again.

But if you want to know more, there’s an article on Planet Nude that explains the benefits:

Freehiking through a watched world



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Top 10 Coastal Hikes ➙ South Coast Track, Tasmania

South Coast Track in Australia is one of our top 10 coastal hikes in the world.

BUT — it’s 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.

Hire a guide if this worries you.

Why?

  • 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
  • wild, inspiring, rugged
  • World Heritage wilderness
  • “alpine peaks, pristine beaches, alpine meadows, dense rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest, dune communities, dry coastal forest and more”
  • no booking required
  • no quotas on numbers of bushwalkers
  • chance to see some of the weird and wonderful — sometimes dangerous — Aussie wildlife

Click PLAY or watch a Tasmanian Expeditions promo video on YouTube.

For details, click over to our South Coast Track information page.

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Scotland – Cape Wrath Trail in 13 Minutes

Since Cam “Swami” Honan named the Cape Wrath one of his favourite hikes worldwide, it’s been high on my personal life list.

Cicerone guidebook.

The biggest concern stopping me is midges. I HATE highland midges.

Elizabeth Gadd hiked April-May, early enough in the season not to be much bothered by biting insects. And had a wonderful adventure.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.