Posts

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3,000-Mile Divide to Crest Thru Hike

Lyla Harrod is a super experienced thru hiker.

The first trans woman to complete the Triple Crown in 2023, set out to INVENT a new even more difficult challenge.

She calls it the Divide to Crest.

You’re not likely to cross paths with trail name Sugar because this route is so remote, so difficult.

Two trails piqued Harrod’s desert hiking interest: The 500-mile Mogollon Rim Trail in Arizona and the 750-mile Oregon Desert Trail. She wondered if she could somehow connect them. …

… Nevada’s Basin and Range Trail proved to be the missing piece. The 1,090-mile route through eastern and central Nevada allowed Harrod to begin planning her diagonal traverse from the barren deserts of New Mexico to the glacial peaks of Washington. …

Backpacker – Lyla Harrod’s 3,000-Mile Divide to Crest Route Might Be the Wildest New Thru-Hike in America

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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.

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Vancouver Island Dawn Beach Photos

by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

When I’m visiting Parksville on Vancouver Island — my parent’s home — most mornings I pick up coffee and head to Rathtrevor Beach, my favourite on Vancouver Island.

Walk with coffee.

Most mornings I take some wonderful photos.

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Great Hikes in Washington State

I’ve hiked a lot in WA.

Always good.

Lonely Planet posted a list of their 10 most magnificent hikes in Washington:

  • Wonderland Trail is a challenging multi-day hike
  • Enchanted Valley Trail is the best hike for wildlife-spotting
  • Ozette Triangle Trail is the best beach hike
  • Cascade Pass to Stehekin Valley is a hike to an off-the-grid village
  • Desolation Trail is a great route for literary enthusiasts
  • Chain Lakes Loop has the best mountain views
  • Dog Mountain Trail is the best hike for wildflowers
  • Bluff Trail is a good hike to do as a family
  • Ape Cave is a great subterranean hike
  • Skyline Trail is the best route for glacier viewing

Click through for details.

Click PLAY or watch Pacific N.W. highlights on YouTube.

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Backpacking on Vancouver Island, Canada

Backpacking on Vancouver Island: The Essential Guide to the Best Multi-Day Trips and Day Hikes, was selected top guidebook at the 2024 Banff Mountain Book Competition.

Author Taryn Eyton.

I’m spending most of the year on Vancouver Island myself and can heartily recommend the destination and this guidebook.

In fact, the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island is our #1 hike in the world.




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Faroe Islands in 90 Seconds

The Faroe Islands are one of the most scenic places I’ve ever hiked. No place is more than 5km from the sea. 

I was there for 12 days summer 2024, arriving by ferry from Denmark en route to Iceland.

Click PLAY or get a glimpse on YouTube.

Here’s my advice for Cycling / Hiking the Faroe Islands.

This edit was Inspired by Experience the John Muir Trail in Just 2 Minutes.

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Salcantay Trek, Peru

My friend Krista just finished the Salcantay trek guided by Salkantay Trekking.

Salcantay, Salkantay, or Sallqantay (in Quechua) are all commonly used.

Salcantay’s proximity to Machu Picchu makes this trek to the town of Machupicchu (Aguas Calientes) a better alternative to the oversubscribed Inca Trail.

Krista loved the adventure. But definitely found it challenging.

The longer you have in advance to acclimatize to altitude, the better.

If planning on Salcantay, research the hike in advance.

Not mentioned in this video are the biting insects. They are not always a nuisance — but for me they were the biggest consideration. I had them on the trail. And at Machu Picchu.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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TOP 10 Hiking Towns ➙ Zermatt, Switzerland

This resort is off-putting to some. Ignore the posturing Eurotrash, conspicuous in brightly coloured expensive outdoor apparel, unsoiled.

Instead, turn your gaze up to the Matterhorn, “iconic emblem of the Swiss Alps and the Alps”. This valley is one of the great natural wonders of the world.

Zermatt … is in the German-speaking section of the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It has a population of about 5,800 inhabitants.

The village is situated at the end of Mattertal at an altitude of 1,620 m (5,315 ft), at the feet of Switzerland’s highest peaks. …

Zermatt is famed as a mountaineering and ski resort of the Swiss Alps. …

To prevent air pollution which could obscure the town’s view of the Matterhorn, the entire town is a combustion-engine car-free zone. Almost all vehicles in Zermatt are battery driven and almost completely silent. Electric vehicles are allowed for local commerce. …

More interesting photos tagged Zermatt, Switzerland.

Our favourite hike hikes out of Zermatt:

• Chamonix to Zermatt – Walkers’ Haute Route TOP 10 <guidebook> <trip>
• Tour of the Matterhorn
• Tour of Monte Rosa

Weisshorn 4506m from the Europa Hut at sunrise

Actually, there are trails everywhere in the Alps. It’s awesome.

View from Weisshorn

More best hikes in the Alps.

Best time to hike is late June to early October.