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Zion Traverse, Utah

Quick Facts

  • Distance: 48.3 miles (77.7 km) Lee Pass to East Rim / 37 miles (60 km) Lee Pass to The Grotto
  • Days Needed: 1-5 days
  • Peak Elevation: 7,441 feet
  • Low Elevation: 4, 327’
  • Elevation Gain/Loss:6,334’ ascent and -6,646’ descent
  • Best Travel Time: April-May or September-October
  • Permits: Required (see below)
  • Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult

… The Zion Traverse, also called the Trans-Zion Trek, is not a single trail but a group of trails linked together …

This is a stunning maze-like landscape of steep echoing canyons, soaring Navajo sandstone monoliths, and high plateaus. Every possible place where flora can grip the earth is packed with pine and juniper, high-desert flowers, sipping from seeps, springs, or making the most of a bit of rainfall. This is a fascinating geological journey that will ignite a love for desert wildernesses.

One of the national park’s more logistically complicated hiking options, the Zion Traverse offers many rewards for the effort …

Clever Hiker – Zion Traverse Backpacking Guide

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Hiking Backpack on Wheels

Anyone considering a long thru hike should look at trailer options.

The best I’ve seen (so far in 2025) is the Model X-Trek Version 3 out of France.

  • quick and easy to switch between riding and carrying your bag
  • can accommodate bags from 30 to 110 litres
  • compact when folded for planes, trains, buses, etc.
  • particularly suited to the military, rescue services, photographers, mountain guides and any other professional or amateur who needs to carry equipment in the wild
  • MIGHT be an option for hikers with physical problems where they cannot carry a backpack

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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NEW book ➙ Hiking Over 60

A Modern Guide to Hiking Gear and Techniques for Active Adults

I’m over age-60 and still a keen hiker. It’s one of the recreational activities that skews to a higher age demographic.

If you want to start hiking as an older adult or you hiked as a youth and are just getting back onto the trails, you’ll quickly discover that the hiking gear and skills used by today’s hikers have changed significantly in the past 20 years. From lightweight gear, footwear, and clothing to advances in GPS navigation and satellite communications, nearly every aspect of the hiking experience has been transformed, making hiking more accessible than ever for older adults.

Written by Philip Werner, the founder of the highly acclaimed hiking website SectionHiker.com, Hiking Over 60 will bring you up to speed on the hiking gear and techniques that modern hikers use today.

Since retiring in 2010, Philip has hiked ten thousand miles in the United States and Scotland. An older hiker himself, he has a unique grasp of the physical challenges that mature hikers may face on the trail. …

Amazon

Read Philip’s introduction to the new book on the Section Hiker blog.

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My Next Tent ➙  Durston X Dome 1+

I’ve been an MSR Hubba hiker for perhaps 20 years.

BUT if I bought a new tent today, it would be the  Durston X Dome 1+.

I’m not buying today because it’s been SOLD OUT for as long as I can remember. 😀

I finally put my email address on the waiting list.

Click PLAY or watch the best review I’ve seen so far on YouTube.

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Superb Hiking Town – Moab, Utah

Moab is a fantastic jumping off point for outdoor adventure, a special mecca for crack climbing.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

But the “strip” can be loud, ugly, hot and aggravating. Once you get away from the highway, the town’s much prettier. They have a good library and great bike trails.

Moab … in eastern Utah … is 233 miles (374 km) southeast of Salt Lake City and 354 miles (569 km) west of Denver, Colorado …

The population was 4,779 at the 2000 census. … Moab hosts a large number of tourists every year, mostly visitors of the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, which are located close by. The town is also a popular base for mountain bikers who come to ride the extensive network of trails including the famed Slickrock Trail …

More interesting photos tagged Moab, Utah.

Arch in the Mountain, Utah

Our favourite hikes out of Moab are:

• Chesler Park
• Devil’s Garden
• Delicate Arch
• Syncline Loop
• Upper Salt Creek
• Murphy Basin
• Gooseberry-Dogleg Loop

There are many, many more. This is Edward Abbey country.

Chesler Park

Click through for more “best hikes” in the S.W. USA.

Hike here Spring and Fall. It’s HOT in the summer.

We got back to Moab in 2024 — with 30 people! Great fun.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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EPIC day hike – Reinebringen, Lofoten, Norway

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world

Why?

Reopened in 2019 with sherpa-built steps.

Now much safer and easier.

  • Reinebringen is on the island of Moskenesøya , one of the Lofoten islands in Norway, north of the Arctic Circle
  • infamous for wind and rainy weather
  • famed for dramatic scenery,  rugged peaks, open sea vistas past sheltered bays
  • about 448 meters (1470 feet) above sea level
  • over 1500 stone steps
  • about 2 hours up
  • It’s crowded. Over a thousand people a day in high season if the weather is good.
  • permits not required

World → Europe → Norway → Reinebringen, Lofoten

For details click over to our Reinebringen, Lofoten, Norway information page.

Of course BestHike editor Rick McCharles HAD to make a hero video of himself atop the famous vista. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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BestHike #6 – Glacier North Circle, USA

Glacier North Circle in Montana is one of our top 10 hikes in the world. Even better if you add a side trip to Waterton National Park in Canada.

Click PLAY or watch a 1 minute introduction on YouTube.

Glacier North Circle

Of the many great American Rocky Mountain hikes, this is our favourite.

Highline Trail vista

AT A GLANCE

  • 7 days, 6 nights recommended
  • 65miles (104km) plus side trips
  • best months July-Sept
  • well-signed
  • medium difficulty hiking
  • recommended for experienced multi-day hikers

Read more on our Glacier North Circle information page.