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Leigh McAdam’s 25 Best Treks in the World

One of my favourite sites is Hike Bike Travel.

Editor Leigh McAdam posted her favourite multi-day hikes:

Leigh:

This is a subjective list but there is still a lot of thought that goes into choosing the 25 best treks in the world. 

Some places speak to you – whether its on account of their fabulous setting and landscape or because they have a storied history. Everest Base Camp comes immediately to mind here.

I certainly like treks that aren’t crazy busy. Doing the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu has no appeal whereas the Choquequiaro Trail – which is longer and more remote is far more tempting to me.

Treks that are truly off the beaten path like the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland immediately pique my interest. Those that are beautiful or culturally interesting for most of their length also go to the top of the best treks in the world list. …

25 Best Treks in the World

Click through for details on each.

I’ve done many — but not all — of Leigh’s list. 

BUT the one triggered for me today is the Alta Via 2 in the Italian Dolomites. 

I hiked the Dolomites last year. Fantastic. And would certainly appreciate a much longer adventure ➙ 10 – 14 days including Via Ferrata.

I’ll download her recommended hiking guidebook and start planning. 🙂

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BestHike TOP 10 Videos

These are our TOP 10 Videos as of December 31, 2023.

First, check the introduction for the BestHike YouTube channel.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

#10 Cycling, Hiking Lofoten Islands, Arctic Norway

HIGHLIGHTS of 2 weeks on the Lofoten Islands. Summers of 2022 and 2023..

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#9 Hiking Valencia, Spain

One of the best urban hikes anywhere is right through the heart of Valencia, Spain.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#8 West Coast Trail TEASER

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

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#7 Cycling / Hiking Arctic Norway ➙ Lyngen Alps to Lofoten

Starting from Tromsø, Norway — well above the Arctic Circle. Footage from summers 2022 – 2023.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#6 Bermuda Rail Trail

A unique walking adventure way out in the middle of the Atlantic.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#5 Laugavegur – Iceland – Solo Tenting Late Season

Laugevagur Trail is the BEST HIKE in Iceland. This footage from mid-September while huts were already shutting down for the season.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#4 John Muir Trail, California

First 5 days with two good friends. Solo for the final 2 weeks ending at Mt Whitney.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#3 Fisherman’s Trail, Portugal Alone. Late in the year – November.

Fisherman’s Trail is the BEST section of the longer Rota Vicentina route in Portugal. And the BEST section of Fisherman’s is Porto Covo ➙ Zambujeira do Mar

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

#2 BestHike BEST VIDEO Highlights 2022

An inspirational montage from our best hikes of that year.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

#1 Top 10 Hikes on Earth

The best of the best.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.

If you like those, SUBSCRIBE to the BestHike YouTube channel.

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Eagles and Ravens – Vancouver Island

Around Christmas each year, Bald Eagles arrive in Parksville on Vancouver Island.

I see at least 25 around the dump. More around town.

Crows and ravens are seen throughout the year. 

Ravens and Bald Eagles don’t seem to like each other. Perhaps they are territorial.

Over the dump the skies are crowded. Birds tend to chase each other.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Three Fingers Lookout, Washington State

Three Fingers Lookout  is a historic fire observation building on one of the summits of Three Fingers Mountain in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Snohomish County, Washington.

Built in 1930 in an extremely challenging location, it is one of the oldest surviving observation posts in the forest. …

Kraig Adams posted a lovely video on his overnight trip.

Kraig must be the most popular hiking vlogger. His video editing style has been emulated by many others.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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BestHike VIDEO Highlights 2023

Some of the BEST video clips captured by BestHike editor Rick McCharles in 2023. 

Iceland, USA S.W., Norway, Bermuda, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, finishing in British Columbia.  

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

For comparison, here’s his 2022 Highlights VIDEO. 

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Canmore, Alberta – Day Hikes

Canmore is less than an hour drive from my home.

One of our top 10 hiking towns.

Quincy posted some of his favourite day hikes:

Those are all linked from Seeing the Elephant – 10 Best Hikes Near Canmore

I’ve done most. A great list.

You could add Mount Lady MacDonald.

Canmore as seen from Mt Lady MacDonald
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Top 10 Hiking Destinations ➙ The Rockies

Spectacular vistas, frequent wildlife encounters, the best wild flowers we’ve ever seen. Hot springs, quaint mountain towns, perhaps the best long distance hikes on the planet.

There are options to scramble ridges and peaks virtually everywhere.

“You can’t lose in the Rockies.”

… so says contributor Rob Glaser who hiked here all his life.

Trails are safe and well managed. The infrastructure excellent. (In fact, it’s hard to imagine there are two regions in the world we rate better.)

The weather and conditions are variable to say the least, but in many parts of the Rockies Aug-Sept are the best months. A very short window! On the other hand, if you ski or board, you’ll never lack for adventure in the Rocky Mountains.

More information on our Rockies information page.

Our favourite trip in the Canadian Rockies is Sunshine to Assiniboine, our #5 hike in the world.

Anemones and Assiniboine, Alberta, Canada

Our Assiniboine Information page.

Just a short drive away is our favourite trail in the USA Rockies, Glacier North Circle, our #6 hike in the world. One of the best places in the world to see wildlife.

Our North Circle Information page.

Leave a comment if you have your own favourite hike in the Rockies.

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Canada’s Great Divide Trail – documentary

The Great Divide Trail in the Canadian Rockies … closely follows the Great Divide between Alberta and British Columbia …

… southern terminus is in Waterton Lakes National Park at the Canada–US border (where it connects with the Continental Divide Trail) and its northern terminus is at Kakwa Lake in Kakwa Provincial Park, north of Jasper National Park. …

In 2017, Kodak & Cinnamon hiked 1100km south to north.

Out There: The Great Divide Trail is FREE on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Getting permits is difficult.

Start on this page ➙ Great Divide Trail Association – Trip -Planning Resources