I like it.
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TOP 10 hikes ➙ Sunshine to Assiniboine, Alberta, Canada
Sunshine Meadows to Mt Assiniboine is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.
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Sunshine to Assiniboine
Our favourite hike in the Canadian Rockies.
Banff to Sunshine Meadows Ski Resort by bus or tram. Then head for the Matterhorn of the Rockies.
AT A GLANCE
- recommended route 6 days, 5 nights. Shorter options are possible and popular.
- 56km (34.8mi) plus side trip day hikes
- July to mid-September
- moderate difficulty
- accessed only on foot or by helicopter
- heavenly alpine meadows
- It can snow any day of the year. Or it can be 30°C (86°F).
Read more on our Sunshine to Assiniboine information page.
Hillwalking Dumyat, Sterling, Scotland
Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
To the east of Stirling, the Ochil Hills dominate the skyline with the highest peak in the range being Ben Cleuch, although Dumyat is more noticeable from town.
Dumyat is a popular climb with tourists and visitors to the Trossachs area, due to the historical nature of Stirling and the proximity of the Wallace Monument.
I downloaded Dumyat via Blairlogie Carpark on AllTrails.
Took the bus from town to lovely University of Stirling. That’s the Wallace monument in the distance.
Picked up some pizza at the Student’s Union.
Then started uphill to intersect the trail.
The reservoir left looked interesting, so I detoured around the water way.
Hillwalking
It’s 394 m ascent from the actual trailhead. I must have climbed another 100 m from the University.
Certainly my legs felt this hillwalk. 😀
Mostly the trails are good. Well used.
There are plenty of dog walkers.
Things get rougher as you ascend.
By the top, wind was howling.
There are several commemorative installations.
I felt this was very typical Scottish Hillwalking.
Over the afternoon I had hot sun, blue sky, rain, hail, sleet, wind — multiple times.
Bring layers ready for anything.
Hiking the Grand Canyon
Stirling Castle Circular Walk, Scotland
Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
The best hike directly out of Stirling, Scotland is circumambulating the famed castle.
“Gateway to the Highlands”.
The Circular is short and easy. In fact, I did it twice. Once in the late afternoon. Again early morning next day.
This is the AllTrails Stirling Castle Circular walk.
- 4.3km
- 116m elevation
- visit the evocative graveyards
- stay on the trail as there are a number of local plants that poke and sting
This is a lovely route, visiting Stirling Castle and the surrounding woodland and hill slope, offering a glimpse of Scottish history and wonderful views.
This trail starts from Stirling railway station and leads you through town and into the woodland on the hill slope atop which is Stirling Castle.
Follow this path around the castle, where if you look up, you’ll see the castle towering above atop the cliffs from between the trees.
Eventually, the path opens up and leads you to the Beheading Stone, where executions would take place.
This spot overlooks River Forth and offers great views of the Wallace Monument and the Ochil Hills.
Partly retrace your steps to continue around the hill, heading up to the Ballengeich Cemetery and Stirling Castle.
You’ll pass by the Robert the Bruce statue guarding the castle car park.
That’s the William Wallace National Monument in the distance.
…. Stirling is a wonderful town to explore, with plenty of cute shops, cafes, and pubs around to visit after your walk.
Of course you should also visit the Castle. 😀
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Walking Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland
Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
Arthur’s Seat is often listed one of the best urban hikes in the world.
It’s an ancient extinct volcano, which forms most of Holyrood Park.
Only 1 mile (1.6 km) to the east of Edinburgh Castle.
The hill rises above the city to a height of 250.5 m (822 ft), providing excellent panoramic views.
It’s relatively easy to climb, and is popular for hillwalking. Hillwalking being the most popular term for hiking in the U.K.
I walked out my hostel. Down the Royal Mile past the Parliament Buildings. And up to the top.
Added a sidesidetriptrip to St Anthony’s Chapel, a picturesque medieval ruin.
And over to the steepest cliffs — the Salisbury Crags.
On the walk back, passing the Scottish Parliament Buildings, you detour to Calton Hill.
A terrific half day adventure. All on foot.
One highlight I missed is a little known tunnel under the volcanic plug.
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Outdoor Inflatable Playground
Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc Independently
Summer is PACKED.
Therefore it’s recommended to go shoulder season, either Spring or Autumn.
Want to trek the Tour du Mont Blanc but don’t have the money to book accomodations along the way or to pay for a guided tour?
Want to hike the TMB this summer and but everything is already booked?
Last summer I hiked the TMB on a last minute whim, with no planning, and no budget. And I still had the time of my life on this bucket-lis hike. So I’ve distilled what I learned into this video to help you make it happen tomorrow.
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BÆRSkin Tactical Hoodie 3.0
BÆRSkin sent me their latest update of their fantastic hoodie to test for hikers.
It’s an impressive piece of kit. I knew instantly as I looked first at the zippers. High quality.
Typically zippers are the first thing to fail on tents and jackets.
I wore it cycling and hiking on a cool day in the Pacific Northwest under my rain jacket.
I was plenty warm.
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Bottom line ➙ this will be the BEST hoodie in your closet.
But — for me — it’s too heavy and bulky for hiking. Instead, I’ll take it car camping and wear it outdoors on windy, cool days in the off season.
Highlights:
- 12 Secure Pockets
- Reinforced SAB Zips
- Long baseball style hood peak to keep wind / rain away from your face. Love it.
Click PLAY or watch a more detailed review on YouTube.
Columbia OutDry Rain Jacket – a REVIEW
I’ve been wearing Columbia OutDry jackets since they were first released.
AND I bought one for my Dad. 😀
My OutDry makes me feel invincible in wind and rain. The water protection is on the OutSide.
Traditional Gore-Tex inner liner jackets have never worked well for me.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Steven’s opinion.
In another video, Steven compares ALTERNATIVES to Gore-Tex type jackets. Umbrellas. Ponchos. Etc.
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