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.
WHAT TO SEE, TO DO AND WHERE: Mount McKinley is... Read More
Have you ever thought you might like to try a... Read More
Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa?... Read More
The most famous Egyptian pyramids to be built are the... Read More
Hawaii snorkeling is a fun activity available to almost any... Read More
Have you ever gone solo backpacking? If you have, you'll... Read More
The kind of things you pack when you go on... Read More
A saddle is a static object, but your horse is... Read More
Everyone has a travel dream. For many it is hitting... Read More
A meal in Greece is highlighted with a selection of... Read More
Have you ever had a backpacking trip that was a... Read More
A river cruise in Bangkok gives an insight to the... Read More
If you love the thrill and adventure of kayak travel,... Read More
Okay, it wasn't quite a sleeping bag. However, it was... Read More
If you're looking to spot a whale, the first few... Read More
HOW ARE MINERALS FORMED?MINERALS are naturally occuring, inorganic solids, with... Read More
No one can truly say... Read More
When you search online for a camping gear outlet you... Read More
On Lake Michigan, at the end of the Stonington Peninsula,... Read More
In The city of Arcadia California, right next door to... Read More
Packing in general can be a hassle. But when going... Read More
Boondocking is fun! Boondockers go anywhere they want, at any... Read More
Have you ever seen an authentic Japanese garden? Well, I... Read More
Organized river rafting trips are a good idea for novices... Read More
If anyplace on earth is a natural paradise, Plitvice Lakes... Read More
I've had backpacking trips that included rain, snow, lightning, rockslides,... Read More
I've been traveling and writing about places I believe others... Read More
The Udzungwa Mountains National park was created primarily for the... Read More
"Do you know about Wal-Mart camping?" We didn't know, but... Read More
Hello Again,Today we will be talking about meal planning. Meals... Read More
Climbing the glaciers to the summit of Mount Chimborazo in... Read More
There is something about a town tucked between the mountains... Read More
Bryce Whitmore designed the modern whitewater inflatable pontoon boat, and... Read More
1st day : Airport / Amman, O/N Our representative will... Read More
WHAT TO SEE, TO DO AND WHERE: Mount McKinley is... Read More
Mystic Seaport celebrates the seafaring past of New England. Known... Read More
Tanzania's natural endowment as a wildlife safari destination is unrivalled.... Read More
Holidays in India, awesome in her size and diversity. This... Read More
If anyplace on earth is a natural paradise, Plitvice Lakes... Read More
Up to now the preponderant view held by many historians... Read More
Hawaii snorkeling is a fun activity available to almost any... Read More
I bet you're wondering where the heck this articles going.... Read More
For the fortunate few, life isn't complete without a backpacking... Read More
An inflatable boat trailer is needed if the user has... Read More
When you are planning a vacation to Maui or Rio... Read More
A river cruise in Bangkok gives an insight to the... Read More
Rafting through the Grand Canyon is the experience of a... Read More
WHAT TO HUNT AND WHERE: Alaska is a hunter's paradise.... Read More
Six different islands in Hawaii are open to tourism. Most... Read More
Before you take off on that great outdoor adventure, be... Read More
Outdoors |