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Elk Falls, Campbell River, Vancouver Island

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles.

The #1 day hike on AllTrails out of Campbell River is Elk Falls via Millenium Trail.

  • up to 7.2 km return
  • up to 262m elevation gain
  • family friendly
  • excellent trail maintenance

Elk Falls are spectacular. But be warned there’s a lot of construction nearby in 2025 and for years to come.

The suspension bridge has great views down into the canyon.

Old growth forest is always a joy to walk.

About 200,000 visit each year. Free parking in a Provincial Park.

Trail maintenance is excellent.

Surprisingly, you can legally walk right to the edge of the falls.

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Top 10 Hiking Destinations ➙ Indian Himalaya

It’s easy to hike Nepal. Not so in India.

The hiking infrastructure for foreign tourists is not nearly so well developed. There are far fewer hiking guidebooks.

You need to do much more research when planning a hiking trip to India. The easiest jumping off point is Leh, Ladakh — a region administered by India as a union territory, and constituting a part of the larger region of Kashmir.

Stok Kangri seen from Leh

AT A GLANCE

IH
  • Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttaranchal in the west
  • Darjeeling and Sikkim in the east
  • many peaks over 7000m (23000ft)
  • every serious hiker wants to travel to Nepal. The savvy trekkers to the Indian Himalaya, as well.
  • though challenging, India is a wonderful tourist destination
  • English is widely spoken
  • public transportation is slow at best, downright terrifying at worst
  • getting to the trailhead may be much more dangerous than anything you do on the trek. Take the train rather than a vehicle whenever you can.
  • best for experienced, confident, self-sufficient high altitude hikers
  • hiking season somewhere May-Nov (though micro-climates vary greatly). Many treks are not recommended Jul-Aug — though you can hike most places in Ladakh most of the year.

Our list of BEST HIKES in INDIA is on our Asia information page.

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Hiking Singapore: A First-Timer’s Guide

Hong Kong is one of the best major cities in the world for hikers.

But Singapore?

This post was a surprise to me.

Singapore offers a‌ plethora of trails​ that showcase its⁢ rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes. The trails range from serene ⁣coastal ‍paths to ⁤lush forest routes …

Among the must-visit⁤ trails is​ the Southern​ Ridges, a 10-kilometer stretch that connects several⁢ parks and offers breathtaking views of the city’s skyline and the harbor.

Another popular choice‍ is​ the MacRitchie Reservoir Loop, ‌where hikers immerse themselves in‍ the sights and ⁤sounds ⁣of native wildlife while navigating a​ canopy ⁣walk that elevates them above the‌ forest​ floor. Here are a few ​more⁤ trails to consider:

  • Bukit Timah Nature reserve – Home to Singapore’s tallest ​hill.
  • Coney Island ​-‌ Explore ⁢unique ⁢flora and fauna in‍ a⁣ rustic setting.
  • Labrador ⁣Nature Reserve – A past‌ site‌ with tranquil sea views.

Healthy Globe Trotter – Traveling to Singapore for Trekking and Hiking: A First-Timer’s Guide

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History of Cycle Touring / Bikepacking

The Biking Viking considers a minimal set-up ideal for racing long distances on a bicycle to be called “Bikepacking“.

He’d call what I do “Cycle Touring“.

My GEAR Camping & Cycle Touring Norway on a Rental
First Bike Set-up I used 2020

Many use the terms Cycle Touring & Bikepacking interchangeably, however.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Serpent’s Back Trail, Hope, B.C.

Serpent’s Back Trail (aka Dragon’s Back or Kw’okw’echíwel Stl’áleqem) is a good description of a popular hike out of Hope, British Columbia.

  • 4km return
  • 424m elevation gain
Summit Viewpoint

Constant steep switchbacks through temperate rain forest. Mostly good footing.

Rest at a series of lookouts.

Mount Hope Viewpoint
West Viewpoint

Detour at Stone Garden.

A good hike.

The gravel road to the official trailhead was pretty rough, so I parked below and walked up.

You know you are in the right place when you see this impressive sign.

Start of the trail.

About 6km past the trailhead, there’s a small campground.

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Knox Mountain via Apex Trail, Kelowna, Canada

Visiting friends in Kelowna, I saw the Apex Trail listed #1 for the city on AllTrails.

  • 4.2km return
  • 267m elevation gain

It is super popular with walkers, runners, and mountain bike cyclists.

My friends there walk trails on Knox Mountain every day of the year.

Steep trails lead to great views of both Kelowna and Okanagan lake.

Check the official website.

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Southern Utah Traverse – 800 miles

Epic.

The world’s greatest living hiker, Cam Honan, along with Kate “Swept Away” Pickett, put together a route from Nevada to Colorado across Utah.

Highlights

  • Snow Canyon
  • Red Mountain Wilderness
  • Gooseberry Mesa
  • Canaan Mountain Wilderness
  • The Barracks
  • Great Chamber
  • Bryce Canyon NP – Under the Rim Trail, Peekaboo Loop, and Fairyland Loop.
  • Powell Point
  • Death Hollow
  • Egg Canyon
  • Upper and Lower Muley Twist Canyons
  • Cliff Point on the Waterpocket Fold
  • Stevens Canyon
  • Fold Canyon
  • Coyote Gulch
  • The Lizard Route out of Halls Creek
  • Grand Gulch and Bullet Canyon
  • Comb Ridge
  • Hovenweep National Monument

… a combination of cross country travel, 4WD tracks, rock scrambles, river wading, dirt roads, established trails, and a minimal amount on pavement. More often than not, directional choices were dictated out of geological and historical curiosity …

… water was one of the primary considerations when planning the trip. …

resupply a combination of mail drops and buying as we went …

Along with the America the Beautiful Entrance Pass, overnight camping permits were required for Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument, Capitol Reef National Park, and Bears Ears National Monument.

Southern Utah Traverse: An 800 Mile Hike from Nevada to Colorado