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Wendelstein Peak near Munich

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

A popular destination out of Munich, Germany is Wendelstein, an 1,838-metre-high (6,030 ft) mountain / tourist attraction.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

There’s much to see.

On the summit of the mountain is the Wendelstein Chapel, an observatory, a weather station, a geopark and a transmission mast for the Bayerischer Rundfunk.

About a hundred metres below the summit, on the ridge between the Wendelstein and the Schwaigerwand, lie the mountain inn, the termini of the rack railway and cable car, the service building for the mast, the former mountain hotel (above the station), a hut for the mountain rescue service and the Wendelstein Church. …

The most intriguing sight for me was this … trojan horse? 😀

I checked. It’s something like a trojan chamois.

Kids were climbing up inside.

There are several trails up and down. And is accessible via both the Wendelstein Cable Car and the Wendelstein Rack Railway. 

This was a rest / detour for me on a cycling day to nearby Lake Schliersee.

Carsten Steger – photo

Tempted to take the cable car up, hike down — I ended up taking the car both ways. And made it home before dark.

The trails do look good. And popular.

Image by Elsemargriet from Pixabay

I do recommend a visit to Wendelstein.

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#4 day hike – Laguna de los Tres, Argentina

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

Why?

The photos say it all. 😀

  • our pick for best day hike — of many — out of El Chaltén, Argentina’s Trekking Capital in Patagonia
  • the nearest airport is El Calafate
  • November – March are the best months. You might have snow on the trail in November or March, however.
  • 8+ hours round trip depending on route
  • elevation gain 2,300 ft. (700m)
  • option to tent near the lake
  • infamous for bad weather. Be prepared for extreme wind.

World → S America → Patagonian Andes → Argentina → Laguna de los Tres

vista from El Chaltén

For details click over to our Laguna de los Tres information page.

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Hiking Segla & Hesten, Arctic Norway

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

Click PLAY or watch get a glimpse on YouTube.

I climbed famed Segla in 2022.

In 2023, returned and climbed Hesten. Set up my tent.

 5.3-km out-and-back.

Wait on the weather. You want the summit of Segla to be visible.

The best views of Segla are from Hesten.

Hikers on Heston looking over to Segla

There are a couple of trails up and down Heston. Some require scrambling.

Best months are June through September.

Ximonic (Simo Räsänen) 

The views are spectacular. This is definitely one of the very best hikes in Norway.

Looks good?

First you need to get to Senja Island in remote Arctic Norway. 😀

More photos.

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Cycling / Hiking Norway 2023

by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

Summers 2022 and 2023 I cycled and hiked the west coast of Norway.

Mostly on the Eurovelo 1. Perhaps half of the Norway section.

On my personal website, I posted 3 trip reports and VIDEOS. Cycling is a great (and inexpensive) way to get to the wonderful hikes in Norway. 😀

Wild camping is free by law almost everywhere in Norway.

1. Cycling Arctic Norway ➙ Lyngen Alps to Lofoten

Trip report.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

2. Cycling / Hiking Arctic Norway ➙ Lofoten

Trip report

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

3. Cycling Norway – Bodø to Trondheim

+ Kristiansund & Atlantic Road

Trip report.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Thor Pedersen 203 Nations without Flying

Trailer for the planned 2024 documentary called THE IMPOSSIBLE JOURNEY.

Danish traveler and adventurer Torbjørn C. Pedersen (Thor) made history on May 23rd by becoming the first person ever to visit every country without air travel. …

Onboard a container ship, he arrived in Male, the capital of the Maldives, marking his 203rd and final country.

Thor, a Salomon ambassador, described the journey as “an incredible and challenging adventure that aimed to promote peace, understanding and cultural exchange while raising awareness about global issues”.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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#7 best hiking region in the world is …

NEPAL

UPDATE.  BAD NEWS.  As of April 1, 2023 the Nepal government required that major treks can no longer be done independently.  Hiring a guide is mandatory.  The obvious alternative is the Indian Himalaya.    

A trip to The Kingdom of Nepal may well be the best hiking holiday of your life.  IF you want to hire a guide.

It’s the abode of the Gods.

The exotic Buddhist and Hiindu culture is as fascinating as are the world’s highest peaks.

Most trekkers are set on Everest or Annapurna, but there are many other great choices, especially if you sign on with a trekking company that can get you into restricted areas like Mustang.

Tourism is important to the Nepalis. Foreign hikers feel welcome as soon as they arrive. And hiking in the world’s highest mountains can be “easy” on “tea house” treks where you stroll with just a day pack.

Or, if you want the full mountaineering experience, sidetrip up, up, up towards the clouds.

The weather and conditions are much milder than you might expect. Best months to trek are Oct-Nov (post-monsoon) and April-May (pre-monsoon).

More information on our Nepal information page.

Our favourite hike in Nepal is Everest Base Camp / 3 Passes.

Some feel Annapurna is in decline as roads and motor vehicles are degrading the Circuit. That won’t happen to the Mt. Everest region. Check out the Nov. 2009 16-day Everest trip report by besthike editor Rick McCharles.

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Chris Lewis Walked 19,000 Miles, 6 Years

An ex-paratrooper has completed a 19,000 mile walk around the UK coast and raised £500,000 in the process.

Chris Lewis, 43, was joined by hundreds of cheering supporters as he finished the final mile of his journey …

He set off with just £10 in his pocket and has returned with a fiancee, a baby son named Magnus and a pet dog called Jet. …

Mr Lewis, who served with 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, struggled to cope after entering civilian life.

He decided to walk the UK coast after suffering anxiety and depression. …

BBC