Paul Scott Mower once said, "There is nothing like walking to get the feel of a country?" If you've ever contemplated going abroad to find your next trail, here are 3 classic hikes to consider.
New Zealand's Milford Track: The best known "track" through New Zealand's beautiful fjords, this 32.9 miles (53 km) easy 4-day hike, starts at Glade Wharf (Lake Te Anau), winds over Mackinnon Pass and ends at Sandfly Point (Milford Sound). The scenery includes rainforests, alpine meadows and waterfalls at every turn, including the worlds third highest, the 3-leap Sutherland Falls. With its ethereal, dream-like scenery, some have described this hike akin to "walking through a Lord of the Rings movie."
Milford track is highly regulated for tourism and restricted to a one-way route during summer season. All hikers (independent or guided) are required complete the track in 3 nights/ 4 days and stay in the designated commune-styled huts along the way. Day-specific reservations and trail permits are required
Peru's Inca Trail: This 30 mile trail attract hikers from all over the world seeking to walk the ancient, ruin-studded path to the sacred site of Machu Picchu. The trail meanders over high passes, offering breathtaking views of glaciated mountains and lush green valleys of cloud forest. Along the trail, you'll pass early Inca stonework and abandoned outposts and villages until you reach the trail's end at Machu Picchu. There you'll pass into the sacred site through the Sun Gate, just as the Incas did centuries ago. This walk involves considerable climbing (at altitudes up to 14,000 feet), especially during the first half of the trail, and takes about 4 days.
Most trips start at the 88km mark (also known as (Qoriwayrachina) on the Cuzco to Machu Picchu rail line. Due to over-use (and abuse), the Peru's government no longer allows independent hikers on the trail. You are now required to go with a licensed tour operator and reservations need to be filed with the government 30 days before your arrival.
China's Great Wall: Hiking sections of China's Great Wall is a fantastic way to see and experience some of China's most significant and best-known sites. For centuries, the 4,163 mile long wall served several dynasties as an efficient military defense. Now, with a history spanning over 2,000 years, many of the Great Wall's sections are in ruins or have completely disappeared. Still, depending on where you start your trek, you'll pass through rugged mountain scenery, areas of unforgiving desert and glimpse traditional Chinese culture in a way most tourists will never experience.
Unless you have a friend in China that can round up all the difficult to obtain, but necessary permits, you'll need to hire a guide or tour company that specializes in hiking sections of the wall. Many Chinese tour companies include wall hiking in combination with other sightseeing tours or offer the opportunity to hike several sections over the course of a few days or weeks. In any case, each step along this ancient monument will be a hike back through China's history.
? 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. This article is provided courtesy of DoHiking.com - http://www.dohiking.com - a large and growing hiking website featuring articles, tips, http://www.dohiking.com enthusiasts. This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the author, copyright, website address and link, and this notice are left intact.
post construction cleaning Deerfield ..Take a captivating trip through the Cape Cod National Seashore... Read More
Boston is a great destination city for a vacation. There's... Read More
The kind of things you pack when you go on... Read More
This truly beautiful country at the southern tip of dark... Read More
Have you ever seen an authentic Japanese garden? Well, I... Read More
Why ultralight backpacks? Devotees of ultralight backpacking know you reduce... Read More
In a previous article, I wrote primarily about box ovens.... Read More
The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount... Read More
Important information about camping stoves...What type of camping, hiking, or... Read More
My favorite outdoor related quote comes from John Muir, the... Read More
You would think that a cheap safari in Africa for... Read More
The great state of Washington offers some of the best... Read More
For the fortunate few, life isn't complete without a backpacking... Read More
The Usamabara Mountains are very special mountains, often that tired... Read More
Any vacations in Africa will not be complete without going... Read More
A camping gear checklist is an important tool to help... Read More
TENT CAREYou should seal all floor seams and those seams... Read More
Croatia has quickly become Europe's hottest destination, and for good... Read More
Six different islands in Hawaii are open to tourism. Most... Read More
Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa?... Read More
If you're a birder, you want to keep a list... Read More
Camping is a delightful and adventurous way to spend your... Read More
It was the end of my first year as a... Read More
The Kuan Yin Shrine in Bangkok is in an old... Read More
Touted as one of the world's fifty destinations of a... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Bannockburn ..To get the most out of a wildebeest migration safari... Read More
Camping for fun is a great way to enjoy the... Read More
If your aim is not good, or is not quite... Read More
For the 92nd time, the Tour de France has started.... Read More
The sport of river rafting was practically invented in Colorado.... Read More
For most people, outdoor cooking is synonymous with barbeque, but... Read More
Camping is an excellent way to explore and experience the... Read More
Bryce Whitmore designed the modern whitewater inflatable pontoon boat, and... Read More
When you look at a river, what do you see?... Read More
Camping is a delightful and adventurous way to spend your... Read More
The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount... Read More
How many of you take the time to just relax... Read More
If you love the thrill and adventure of kayak travel,... Read More
White Water on the Comal river in Central Texas is... Read More
Campgrounds are a perfect Pigeon Forge lodging option for visitors... Read More
1st day : Airport / Amman, O/N Our representative will... Read More
Backpacking is a great way to escape the rat race... Read More
SAFE WALKING TREKKING OUTDOORSIf you are contemplating a long distance... Read More
Climbing the glaciers to the summit of Mount Chimborazo in... Read More
Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II ship are major attractions... Read More
Scotland has taken its place as the new Mecca for... Read More
Do you think the only thing to do in Las... Read More
Spain: sun, sea, sand and Spanish... discover us! Spain, a... Read More
Why should you use hiking poles is perhaps the first... Read More
Whale watching is a spellbinding, entertaining, and thought-provoking adventure trip.... Read More
Outdoors |