If you’re looking for a way to truly connect with nature and explore new places, walking may just be the perfect activity for you. And when it comes to some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations, there’s really no better way to experience them than by foot. Take the Inca Trail, for example. This legendary route through the Andes is both awe-inspiring and challenging, offering a unique journey that attracts adventurers from all over. But the Inca Trail is just one of many incredible trekking opportunities out there. Whether you’re looking to hike the stunning Canadian Rockies or explore the rugged landscapes of New Zealand, there’s a walking holiday out there that’s just waiting to be discovered. So pack your bags, lace up your boots, and get ready to see the world like never before.
Walking and trekking holidays, what’s the difference?
Vacations that involve walking or trekking are gaining in popularity. They help you enjoy the fresh air, boost your health, and let you to see some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes.
There are two groups of holidays here. When taking a walking vacation, most people choose to remain in one location for a week and walk around the area every day. After that, you head back to your base in the evening to clean up and eat a delicious meal.
Most trekking vacations consist of one long walk across challenging terrain. It is possible to walk more than ten kilometres every day and stay in tents or other temporary lodgings along the way.
These trips have knowledgeable leaders and guides, but you should still assess your own abilities before booking. Most of them have ratings, so you may obtain a sense of the level of difficulty in advance by visiting the websites of specialised businesses.
Nepal
It’s common knowledge that trekking in Nepal is the pinnacle of outdoor adventures. When you go around the base of the world’s tallest mountain, you get to meet the locals and learn about their way of life. Taking on a month-long trip across the lowlands and high mountain passes will give you a new and enlightening perspective on the Himalayas.
The most extreme hikers from around the world make the pilgrimage to Everest Base Camp. It’s a 14-day trek that’s manageable for most people without extensive preparation or preparation from your guides. However, athleticism and the ability to withstand altitude sickness are musts.
The Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, which takes roughly a week, is the most popular trekking location.
You should include rapid energy items, such chocolate or honey/peanut bars, to keep your energy up throughout the hike.
Andorra trekking
Andorra is a tiny country wedged between France and Spain in the Pyrenees. The Valls de Comapedrosa Natural Park is worth a trip for its high mountain beauty, lakes, and waterfalls. There are nine trails of varying difficulty that have been clearly marked.
The Coronallacs provide a circular 80-mile walk over the course of five days, complete with four staffed refuges, 16 lakes, and 6900m of ascent and descent.
You can even do heli hiking, in which a helicopter takes you up into the mountains and then drops you off so you can walk down to the towns. Keep in mind that the height of these steep paths can change air temperature, so bring many of clothes in the spring and autumn because you can encounter a broad range of weather in a single day.
The Andorra Trail Guide is available. Over 60 different routes are detailed in this great guidebook, which can be picked up at any of the country’s tourist information centres.
The South Tyrol/Dolomites
Even though the people of South Tyrol and the Dolomites speak German and share many cultural traditions with Austria, this region is actually the northernmost area of Italy. With over 17,000 kilometres of trails and breathtaking scenery, they are the ideal vacation spot for hikers. In the spring, summer and autumn, hikers and mountain bikers can take advantage of the many ski lifts used by winter sports enthusiasts.
The Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) in the Dolomites is Europe’s largest mountain plateau and features 34 square miles of paths, mountain hut cafés, and breathtaking scenery.
There is an official classification that provides a concise summary of the features of the routes, ranging in difficulty from those suitable for day hikers to those suitable for experienced trekkers, and even those suitable for winter trekking.
Jordan
Many tour operators provide overnight stays in Bedouin camps on their itineraries to and from the ancient city of Petra, which is sure to be one of the highlights of any traveler’s life. Pick one that brings you in from above the city, rather than having you weave among crowds of other visitors.
Day hikes down the various wadis that descend from the hills to the Dead Sea are possible, but should only be performed under the supervision of a knowledgeable guide.
If you’re up for a challenge, the sand dunes in the desert of Wadi rum offer a stunning alternative approach.
Other noteworthy hiking routes include the hilly Al Ayoun Trail, the Dana Village Trail, which takes in the sights and history of the Dana Nature Reserve, and the Soap Makers Trail, which winds its way through the Ajloun Forest Reserve.
Corsica
Corsica’s many well-marked paths cater to hikers of all skill levels, but the island’s terrain presents its own unique challenges.
Corsica has mountains in the interior and beautiful blue bays on the coast. The GR20 trail is considered by many to be the pinnacle of hiking trails, as it spans the entire island from north to south and includes various mountain cottages along the way. The 112-mile trip is so challenging that even the most experienced hikers will need roughly 15 days to complete it.
There are a number of other well-established treks, ranging in difficulty from easy to moderate to strenuous.
Taking the railway that cuts across the island from north to south diagonally and spending the night in various stations is a great way to get in a number of day hikes.
The Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains, which straddle the state lines between Tennessee and North Carolina, are a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
The Trillium Gap Trail, a 14-mile round-trip through some of the most beautiful Smoky Mountain scenery, is one of the several routes to the third-highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains. Charlies Bunion, Alum Cave Bluffs, Andrews Bald, Rainbow Falls, and Chimney Tops are just a few of the most well-known trails in the National Park. Hikers of all skill levels can enjoy the park’s waterfalls, old-growth forests, and panoramic vistas on a variety of trails across the park.
Clingman’s Dome, which rises to 6,643 feet, is located in both North Carolina and Tennessee along the Appalachian Trail, which spans a total of 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine. Hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires a valid permit.
Malta
The walking routes of Malta, Gozo, and the little island of Comino are among the most beautiful and diverse in all of the Mediterranean. Scenery abounds, from towering cliffs plummeting into the sea to the rocky, scrubby landscape of the garrigue and on to hidden, lush valleys. Mysterious prehistoric monuments, temples, cave chapels, and hidden watchtowers of the Knights of St. John can all be found on the island of Malta.
Because of the islands’ compact size, you won’t need a rental car to get around; instead, you may take advantage of the extensive bus network.
Take a ferry to Gozo, a much greener island with a fantastic circular coastal walk that winds past little bays and harbours and connects to a network of crisscrossing trails that allow you to delve deeper into the island’s interior.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a great place to go hiking because it is only now beginning to emerge as a popular tourist destination.
Big Chimgan (3,309 m), one of the highest mountains in the Western Tien Shan, which is on the list of World Heritage Sites maintained by UNESCO. Over the course of three or four days, hikers can experience some of the greatest astronomy on Earth while camping amongst the region’s abundant flora and fauna.
From desert oases to alpine lakes, steep gorges and caverns to flower-filled meadows, Uzbekistan’s mountainous landscapes provide a wide variety of hiking opportunities. All remain relatively undisturbed, allowing intrepid hikers to literally tread on the last 10,000 years of history as they follow the ancient Silk Road.
Day hikes in Sentob in the Navoi Region allow visitors to see old petroglyphs and ruins, natural springs, orchards, and shrines, and the town is quickly becoming a popular ecotourism destination.
Peru
The Inca Trail is Peru’s most famous hiking route. The spectacular ruins of Machu Picchu are worth the modest but still strenuous four- to five-day trek to get there. Keep in mind that there is a strict limit of only 200 individuals per day on this walk.
The Sacred Valley close to Cusco, the region around Arequipa, the Cordillera Blanca not far from Huaraz, and the northern Amazon region close to Chachapoyas are four of Peru’s most popular hiking destinations. There are stunning landscapes and tough hikes to be found in every state.
Many seasoned hikers consider the Santa Cruz trail in Peru’s Huascarán National Park to be one of the world’s most beautiful. All around you on this walk are stunning peaks, white glaciers, and azure lakes.
You should read the fine print of your travel insurance if you intend to go trekking at any height.
