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Madonna di Campiglio, Italy – 5 Lakes Hike

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

I’d hiked out of Madonna di Campiglio in 2009. Loved it.

The Dolomites are one of our top 10 hiking regions of the world..

Mid-June 2023 I returned, wanting — this time — to do some of the famed via ferrata routes there.

Sadly, the cablecars going up high had not started yet. In fact, Madonna di Campiglio doesn’t really get going 100% for summer hiking until the end of June.

Instead, I did the most popular lower level day hike as it was the best available the one day I ended up staying.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I followed this route recommended on AllTrails:

5 Laghi: Ritort – Lambin – Gelato – Serodoli – Nambino

(AKA Giro dei cinque laghi)

This shorter (less expensive) Spinale cable car was running up from town. You loop 5 lakes in about 4-5 hours.

  • 11.91 km
  • 795 m elevation gain
  • starts at Mountain station 5 lakes 2065 m
  • medium difficulty due to rocky footing
Madonna di Campiglio

LAKES !

When the sun comes out, it’s lovely and warm in the Dolomites.

BUT both times I’ve hiked here, I’ve had afternoon rain almost every day — and sometimes lightning storms. Be prepared for bad weather.

I actually opted to hike all the way down past a sixth lake ( Nambino) — but would recommend the cable car both ways instead.

The hike was better than expected. A good workout with the next lake to look forward to around every corner.

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#1 Day Hike in the World – Harder Ridge

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

Why?

24km total … about 18km on a sharp ridge! Wow!

  • Yes, this is our pick for the very best day hike on Earth
  • Brienz to Interlaken Brienz Rothorn Railway up to the start
  • take the funicular from Harderkulm (Harder Kulm)  down to Harderkulm Station in Interlaken
  • logistics are much more difficult in the opposite direction. We highly recommend hikers start in Brienz
  • 10+ hours. Physically and psychologically challenging.
  • no water available. Carry all you need.
  • not an official trail, but it’s easy to follow in good visibility
  • about 1500m above the lake
  • permits not required
  • it’s popular with trail runners who do about 35km entirely on foot. They start at either end.
  • also known as Hardergrat (… grat is ridge in German)

World → Europe → Alps → Switzerland → Harder Ridge

Click PLAY or watch Jackson Groves on YouTube.

For details click over to our Harder Ridge information page.

related – The GoPro: ’22 Creator Summit was held in Interlaken. Some of this footage is shot on the ridge.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Here’s a graphic representation of the ridge walk, though in the opposite direction from what we recommend.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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It’s SUMMER in Patagonia ☀️

November in frozen Canada makes me start dreaming of another hiking trip to Patagonia.

Best hike?

One of the best for sure is the Paine Circuit in Chile.

Some call it the “O” trek as contrasted with the shorter “W” trail.

w_sm

When to Go

The best — and only — time to complete the O Circuit is in the Chilean summer, from late November to mid-March. …

The O Trek is a 7-night route that covers roughly 80 miles with roughly 13,000 feet of elevation gain. …

Accommodations and Food

At every stop along the O Trek there are “refugios” — think mountain huts and small ski lodges with bathrooms and small markets attached. Each site has a base price for folks who plan to set up their own tent and cook their own meals. Enclosed cooking huts are provided.

From there, hikers can upgrade and rent pre-erected tents, domes, hostel beds, and more depending on each site. Sleeping bags can also be rented at refugio sites. …

Booking & Cost

Our total booking cost was $507 for two people and 7 nights of camping.

This cost did not include groceries and food, our park pass, or travel to, or accommodations in, Puerto Natales.

Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially if you want to camp.

Booking last minute is possible, but there may only be expensive lodging options (like a hostel bed) left. …

Guide to the ‘O Trek’ in Los Torres National Park

Grey Pass

Check our Paine Circuit information page.

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Portable Wind Turbine on the Trail

At 3 pounds, it’s doubtful I’d carry the Shine ultra-compact wind turbine on a hike.

Cost November 2023 is CAD $400 (US $290).

At this time it’s only available in Canada and the USA.

BUT I’m thinking it might be ideal for bikepacking central Iceland summer 2024.

AND ideal if I were to camp out in one place for a number of days.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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#10 best hiking region in the world is the …

Indian Himalaya ➙ BUT if you want to argue The Dolomites, we won’t disagree.  😀

India is vibrant, chaotically mad. But you can easily escape to the tranquil high mountains and have them to yourself.

This is Nepal, but without “teahouses” packed together on every popular trail.

Indulge your spirit of adventure and trek the spectacular Indian Himalaya. First-timers and seasoned trekkers alike can experience the region’s rich blend of cultures, religions and dramatic landscapes … LP

As you know, the weather is fickle. The infrastructure undeveloped. You need be confidently independent at altitude or sign on with a reputable guiding company. People die in the Himalaya every year of altitude sickness.

Personally, sadly, I’ve hiked very little in this region. I’m still kicking myself for not trekking to Kangchenjunga when I had the chance in the 1990s. I stood on a ridge in Darjeeling looking at the third highest peak in the world, and decided to head to the beaches of Goa for Christmas, instead. Doh!

The best future destinations for serious hikers, I think, are the Indian Himalaya and Bolivia. (Bhutan, as well, if it ever opens to independent travel.)

More information on our new Indian Himalaya information page.

The best guidebook is Lonely Planet Trekking in the Indian Himalaya. But more inspirational is Trekking and Climbing in the Indian Himalaya (Trekking & Climbing Guides) by Harish Kapadia. (It can be difficult to find a copy.)

Trekking and Climbing in the Indian Himalaya

Leave a comment if you have your own favourite trek in the Indian Himalayas. We’re looking for advice.

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NEW VIDEOS – Laugavegur Trail, Iceland

I’m happy my edit shows the MAGIC and CHALLENGES of Iceland’s best volcanic hike in just 4 minutes.

Laugavegur Trail

I did it twice in September.

Trip report.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

A few hours after I posted that video, one of my favourite hiking vloggers — Harmen Hoek — posted his own.

He was there a few weeks before me. In August.

Harmen hiked in the opposite direction. And added the spectacular Fimmvörðuháls hike.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Helly Hansen LIFALOFT™ Hooded Insulator Jackets.

My favourite layer for hiking — and almost anything. I wear this jacket most days of the year.

I bought 2 MORE Men’s Helly Hansen LIFALOFT™ Hooded Insulator Jackets.

I fear Helly might stop making them one day.

The LIFALOFT™ jackets have been my favourite since 2019 when Kraig Becker sent me one.

LIFALOFT™ is not down. It’s arguably lighter and warmer.

The idea is to trap a maximum amount of air in a small space. And due to the hydrophobic properties of LIFA®, LIFALOFT™ has an inherent water repellency that seems to keep me warm, even when wet.

And I’ve drenched these jackets over the years.

They are light. Durable. Machine washable.

And relatively inexpensive. About half of what I would pay for a Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody.