It?s impossible to talk about all of the World?s fantastic trails but it is worth adding each and every one of these to your bucket list. If you never walk any other trails you?ll die happy having walked these. The list is suitable for hardened hikers and newbies alike, having easier alternative routes when the going gets tough. Hiking gives unparalleled access to the most natural and beautiful places on Earth and rewards hikers with a fantastic sense of achievement at the end too. Here are 5 of the best trails on Earth spread over 4 continents:
The Inca Trail, Peru. This is one of the most famous but also one of the most spectacular trails on Earth, ending with the preverbal cherry on top; the ancient city of Machu Picchu, where you?ll get to explore the ruins of a civilization now lost. History and archaeology fans will enjoy the sensation of stepping back in time to a place absolutely removed from modern culture to marvel at the feats of engineering that the Incas achieved.
Image source: Emmanuel Dyan
The trail itself is demanding and you must stop along the way as you climb higher to give your body time to acclimatise. You need a pass to walk this trail and the number of people allowed through each day is restricted so be sure to book and show up on the day. It takes around 4 days to reach Machu Picchu from Cusco, the route taking you through forests, valleys and up 4000 metres into the sky.
When to go: April to October.
The Narrows, Zion NP, Utah, USA. Utah is an amazing spot for hikers and fans of outdoor activities in general, holding a total of 5 national parks. The landscape is dotted with incredible canyons that provide ample opportunity for wading or swimming along the way. The Narrows trails sets you right inside the canyon of the Virgin River, walking in the water if you like. You can dip in and out of this trail, taking your time or covering it in a day. For river hiking it?s important to have the right gear which should include special river hiking shoes. It is worth the extra cost of getting special gear and once you?ve experienced this sort of trail you?ll want to come back or find more like it, making plenty of use of your new shoes. Zion National Park has 12 camping sites so it?s easy to find somewhere to pitch up at night.
Image source: garrellmillhouse
When to go: You can hike in Utah year round but in general spring and autumn are the prime hiking seasons due to the more temperate weather at these times of year. However you might like to visit The Narrows during the summer, avoiding the usual crowds in the region as you?ll have plenty of shade and cool water as you hike inside the canyon of the Virgin River. The water level will also be lower and you?ll avoid the risk of flash flooding.
Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa. This mountain range stretches 1000km South West to North East along the Eastern side of South Africa and into Lesotho. Treks can be arranged from Durban, taking you from South to North, and tailored to you; hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains for between 3 and 7 days depending on your fitness levels.
What?s special about hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains is the chance to sleep in one of the many caves in the region. These ?caves? are formed of overhangs in the sandstone hillsides and make fantastic overnight rest spots. They must have served as shelter to the local people too because here in the mountains is the largest collection of bushmen art in the world, comprising of 20,000 different in cave paintings.
Image source: Wild About Travel
The second highest waterfall in the world is here too, Tugela Falls. For the best views of the falls take a trail up Mount-Aux-Sources and continue climbing to the Amphitheatre escarpment. The landscape here is magnificent; combining high rocky outcrops with luscious lowland grass and forest.
When to go: Hikes can be arranged all year round so it depends on your tastes, experiences and expectations when you make your visit. The Tugela Falls will be most impressive after rains so the summer months (October to March) would be an ideal time for a route that takes in the falls.
Mountains of the Moon, Uganda. This is a challenging 9 day hike taking you through jungle and bog, up mountains over 4000 metres high, passing by glaciers and descending again into bamboo forests. This is a unique trail that promises great walking and climbing routes with an animal-spotting safari too. If you?re lucky you may walk a glacier and see an elephant on the same day. Many guided tours will include a gorilla watching section during your hike.
Image source: clemgirardot
The Mountains of the Moon which are part of Uganda?s Rwenzori Mountains is the highest mountain range in Africa. Parts of the trail look down into the Congo basin, a thick jungle that is one of the world?s most important wildernesses and is home to several types of gorilla, elephant and chimp.
When to go: December to March.
Bay of Fires, Tasmania, Australia Tasmania, off the coast of Australia, offers something totally different to the above; a short seaside trail of only 16 miles. If you?ve never thought of hiking along white sand beaches looking out on the crystal clear Tasman Sea then start thinking about it. This is different to mountainous country walks or desert canyon trails because although you?ll find paradise on all of these trails nothing looks quite as heavenly as these beautiful beaches.
This is a fairly easy walk following the flat coastline around but encompassing a couple of headlands to keep your interest up. You?ll need to take a guided tour due to the lack of fresh water and scarcity of permanent overnight camps along the route. It?s also useful to have someone with lots of experience of the area with you as there are many snakes on Tasmania, all of which have a pretty nasty bite.
Image source: ekieraM
This is perfect for a mini break from the luxuries of a Tasmanian holiday. The facilities along the way are basic e.g. hand pumped water for showering but this adds to the feeling of getting away to a deserted island, if just for 2 or 3 days.
kirstysampson
Kirsty Sampson is an aspiring blogger from Manchester (UK), blogging about a wide variety of topics. Follow her on Twitter @kirstysampson1
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Source: http://www.frolicearth.com/2013/03/hiking-holidays-5-of-the-best-trails-on-earth/
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