Best hikes, treks, tramps in the world.
Due to the pandemic, I did a LOT of cycling and hiking on Vancouver Island in 2020.
One of the hikers I followed most closely — looking for inspiration — was David on the I’d Rather Be Hiking YouTube channel.
Check his I’d Rather be Hiking – Vancouver Island Group Facebook page, as well.
Click PLAY or watch David’s 2020 highlights on YouTube.
All the best in 2021.
As coal declines , outdoor recreation has stepped up to fill the gap in recent years, bringing $9 billion annually to West Virginia.
Heart this on Twitter.
Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles.
A surprisingly rugged and interesting 5km day hike connects the town of Parksville with Top Bridge.
It’s official name is the Top Bridge Regional Trail.
In good weather, the bridge is a popular swimming spot.
Click PLAY or watch a December hike on YouTube.
If you have time, I’d strongly recommend continuing past the bridge on to the Englishman River Trail.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles.
Click PLAY or watch a Christmas Eve hike on YouTube.
Jack Point is a 5.1 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels.
The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and trail running and is accessible year-round.
AllTrails
Biggs Point is the name of the park along one side of Duke Point, leading to Jack Point, the park that covers the tip of the peninsula. Everyone knows the Duke Point Ferry Terminal, the run to Tsawwassen in Vancouver.
YES all those names for the same place is confusing. Trail signage says Jack Point.
In fact, if you are ever having to wait for the ferry, hiking Jack Point would be an ideal nearby diversion.
This short trail is fascinating: arbutus trees, boardwalk, wooden staircases, weird and wild erosion, sand-stone caves, small light house. Plenty of wildlife.
Excellent views of the Nanaimo River estuary, dowtown Nanaimo, Protection Island and Gabriola Island.
related – sea2peak trip report
Though not on the short list of Great Walks, Rees-Dart is epic.
One of the tougher major hikes in our #1 hiking destination worldwide.
travel2walk was there January 2020.
The Rees-Dart Track … mainly follows the Rees River drainage and the Dart River drainage circling Mount Earnslaw and the Forbes Mountains.
An optional side trip during the hike is to visit the Dart Glacier or further to Cascade Saddle. Being the major highlight of our hike, I consider this side trip as part of the hike. …
There are 3 different DOC operated huts located along the Rees-Dart Track …
… NZD$15 per night per person (DOC).
The huts had running water, bathrooms, mattress, and a stove for heating. However we carried our own stove, gas, and sleeping bags. …
If interested, read their detailed trip report:
If still keen, best watch the video. There are some challenges.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
See more of our best hikes in Australasia.
Rathtrevor Beach near Nanaimo is the most popular Provincial Park on Vancouver Island.
I walk there most mornings.
But on winter solstice, December 21, 2020, that rare thing happened — It snowed.
This is temperate rain forest. Snow on the coast is mostly liquid. 😀
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I FINALLY got a dedicated camera gear backpack. Paid CDN$ 150 for a LowePro Photo Sport 200. (Now discontinued.)
Easily fits my 3 small cameras and assorted add-ons.
As well as extra layers, snacks and water.
Click PLAY or watch it in action on YouTube.
There’s a larger version if you want more space. Also discontinued, so you’d have to shop around.
Click PLAY or watch a review on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch the Lowepro pitch on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch a review of the larger 300 on YouTube.
Winn and her husband Moth, who was diagnosed with a terminal illness, became homeless after a bad investment and decided to walk the 630-mile (1,010 km) South West Coast Path. …
In September 2019 it was the number one bestselling book in UK independent bookstores.
An excellent read.
The couple had not hiked for decades. Pretty much everything that could go wrong, did go wrong.
And they survived on an income of about £40 a week.
related – Couple walked 630 miles and lived in a tent after bad investment left them homeless
besthike.com 