Category: video

Posted on

Hiking Valencia, Spain

trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

One of the best urban hikes anywhere is in Spain’s 3rd largest city. Home of paella. 😀

While many tourists stick to the historic centre, the best walking is on a long green space to a complex designed by local architect Santiago Calatrava — the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències), which contains an opera house/performing arts centre, a science museum, an IMAX cinema/planetarium, an oceanographic park and other structures such as a long covered walkway and restaurants. 

It’s impressive.

Cityscape of Valencia. Turia park. Aerial view

Usually called Turia Garden, the park is officially 9km long. But expect your mileage to be quite a bit longer. I was on it at least 5 hours with side trips.

To start, I caught the subway to the Zoo on the far left of this map.

click for larger version

One essential stop is the Botanical Garden of Valencia (Jardí Botànic).

You really need several hours to explore the massive City of Arts and Sciences. There is a lot to do and see.

Click PLAY or get a glimpse of this urban hike on YouTube.

Posted on

Hiking Westernmost Europe – Cabo da Roca Lighthouse

Trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

Cabo da Roca or Cape Roca forms the westernmost point of the Sintra Mountain Range, of mainland Portugal, of continental Europe, and of the Eurasian landmass.

It’s a popular day trip from the tourist town Sintra and from Lisbon.

Most photographed is Cabo da Roca Lighthouse situated on a promontory that juts out into the ocean.

Many hike both north and south from here. Villages are conveniently connected by bus.

I actually took the bus from Sintra for some late afternoon day hiking. It’s crowded. But a lovely spot.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The other great hike is away from the Sintra National Palace itself. Up to the Pena Palace.

Posted on

Testing my NEW DRONE – Mavic Mini SE

The (Mavic) Mini SE is the entry level model. Only CAD $349.

It has no obstacle avoidance.

… How long before I break it? 😀

Al l footage is my own aside from one professional stock video clip. Can you guess which one I did not shoot?

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Posted on

VIDEO – Englishman River Trail, Vancouver Island

AllTrails calls this year round adventure close to Nanaimo the Englishman River Trailway.

But you don’t need follow the AllTrails 10.5km out and back route.

It’s a network of mountain biking / walking trails on the west side of the Englishman River. You can’t really get lost so long as you parallel the water.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Posted on

VIDEO – how to “hike” Aconcagua

You don’t HAVE to climb the highest mountain outside Asia.  Instead, you can HIKE to Base Camp without a guide.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related:

  • My 2018 trip report.
  • Our information page is a starting point for those who might want to plan their own Aconcagua adventure in future. 
Posted on

Video Highlights 2021

by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

With much more home time during the pandemic, my main hobby was improving my video editing and (expensive) video gear.

I put together a short highlights reel from 2021. And plan on doing the same each year forward.

This one includes some bikepacking and travel scenes, as well. Two of my other personal interests.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

In 2021 the most watched video on the BestHike YouTube channel was a short teaser for my SURVIVE the West Coast Trail playlist.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.