Hiking Tips

First things first, you need a good quality well fitting hiking boot, it is a must for safety and comfort. Also break in your new boots around the house, not on the trail. Wear 2 pairs of socks. Do not wear cotton socks because they absorb perspiration and will stay damp. Always carry blister protection, when you go hiking.

Always carry food and water. Bring chocolate, dried fruit, nuts, bagels or high energy foods. Eat in small amounts and eat often. Carry more food and water than you think you’ll need, especially in extremes of climate when your body is expending more calories to maintain its body temperature.

Carry more water than you think you’ll need. On a very hot day water can vanish quickly and becoming dehydrated is very dangerous. And don’t forget your sunscreen, which can protect you from skin cancer.

Always tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you will return and your emergency plans. In an emergency even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening.

Biking Tips

Always wear a helmet and any other appropriate safety equipment for the riding conditions.

Ride in control, it not only helps prevent accidents, it also keeps other bikers on the trail safe. When you ride out of control, you lose the ability to adjust to the terrain and environment as you ride through it.

Walk sections of the trail you don’t feel confident enough to ride, better safe than sorry. Just because you can see tire tracks, doesn’t mean you can ride it with your bike.

Always keep your speed at a level that will allow you to adjust to any unforeseen obstacles or changes in trail conditions. Never push the limits on a trail you are not familiar with. You need to get to know the trail you are riding at slower speeds before you can ride it like the trails you’re used to.

I have seen some great health tips and health advice at healthreviewtalk.com, a health site dedicated to discussing diets, healthy food, and many more heal talks.

General Description

[Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples - credit: Emilio Giordano]

Italy is in Mediterranean Europe, bordering France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. The country, which is a peninsula, is surrounded by the Ligurian Sea, the Sardinian Sea, and the Tyrrhenian Sea in the west, the Sicilian and Ionian Sea in the South, and Adriatic Sea in the East.

Italian is the major language spoken by most of the population, but as you travel throughout the country, you will find there are several distinct dialects corresponding to the region you are in. Italy has a diverse landscape, but can be mainly described as mountainous including the Alps and the Apennines mountain ranges that run through it. Italy has two major islands as part of its country: Sardinia, which is an island off the west coast of Italy, and Sicily, which is at the southern tip of the boot.

Italian Regions

• North-West (Nord-Ovest) – Valle d’Aosta, Piemonte, Lombardia, Liguria
• North-East (Nord-Est) – Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Trentino Alto-Adige, Emilia-Romagna
• Centre (Centro) – Toscana, Marche, Lazio, Umbria
• South (Sud) – Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria
• Islands (Isole) – Sicily, Sardinia

Popular Places

• Florence
• Milan
• Naples
• Palermo
• Rome
• Turin
• Venice
• Verona

Before You Start Your Trip

Below a list of tips and resource useful for adventure travellers (for the general traveller too).

• Decide what will be your destination and trip
• Try to read as much as info possible
• Verify how much physical challenge you’ll need
• Verify how many attractions you could see by staying in one area
• Make a list of all the activities you want to involve
• Search for review or comments of people who’ve already taken the trip
• Take general info about climate
• Try to learn some basic words
• Take care of your health (emergency, foods to eat, hospitals, etc…)
• If you travel with children don’t plan too much each day

What to Bring

• Make photocopies of important documents (Check, passport, visa, etc…)
• Consider what allowable needs you can carry-on luggage
• Buy comfortable walking shoes
• Rain Gear
• Photography & Electronics
• Carry with you some medications: Antidiarrhea medicine, aspirin, extra tampons, travel packages of Kleenex, antibacterial hand cleaning gel

Clothing and equipment

• Bring a long-sleeved shirt or sweater
• Include:
• Shorts/tights
• Quick-drying jerseys
• Drytex socks
• Stiff-soled shoes
• Cycle gloves
• Rainwear

If You are a biker

[Tuscany - credit: discopalace]

• If you have to transfer your bike with you by train be sure:
• To buy a ticket for your bike
• To know which trains allow bikes
• To know which car the bike will go in
• Trains don’t wait in stations for long
• Breaking away from a group bike tour is the only way to see Italy!
• Take care of equipment to take with you
• Verify if there are bike services along the trip
• Verify if there are markets along the trip
• Verify if you can put your bike in a garage
• Make sure that you drink enough water

If You are a Walker

credit: pmecologic

• Walking is an enjoyable way of seeing the small towns of Italy and their scenery
• Make sure that you drink enough water
• Try to hike with at least one partner if you are unfamiliar with an area
• Use a GPS to help in your itinerary

How to Backpack Through Italy

• Buy a Eurorail pass or a Trenitalia pass. Trenitalia is the inter-Italy train system, which is ideal if you are not leaving the country.
• Start your backpacking trip in Italy in the North, in Venice. After the obligatory gondola ride, explore the winding streets of this ancient city.
• Take the train west to Milan. Here you will find a bevy of churches and cathedrals, including the Church of San Maurizio and the Basilica of San Satiro.
• Travel south to the Renaissance capital of Europe, Florence. Revel in the magnificent architecture of the church of San Lorenzo and Canon’s Cloister.
• Continue to Rome, the capital of Italy. Here the Ancient World comes alive. Visitors can see the Coliseum and the Pantheon.
• Head south to Naples, a rough-and-tumble city on the Amalfi Coast. Here you snap pictures of Mount Vesuvius in the distance and enjoy a real Italian pizza.
• End your trip at the toe of Italy, Messina. Enjoy the balmy Mediterranean Climate and magnificent ocean views.

How to choose the travel agency

• Choose little incoming tour operator with small amount of business. When they start to make “big numbers” the standards of quality goes down
• Check to see if the package vacation includes health insurance policy covers illness or injury overseas
• Do a research on different adventure travel organizations and operators and try to compare the services, prices and then negotiate.
• Sometimes a low price is not only a good and trusted service…
• Get a copy of the travel operator’s terms and conditions

Suggested Itineraries

Bike Tours

[Cycling in Asti - Piedmont, Italy]

Around the Po river form Milan to Verona – This tour will let you discover the sweet countryside in the Po Valley, riding between Lombardy, Emilia Romagna and Veneto, enjoying the natural landscape that has been setting so many masterpieces of literature and Italian movies. Welcoming villages, suspended between past and present, typical farms and courts scattered in the fertile plain. You will then find out some important cities, each one with its typical characteristics and cast of features, but united by the richness of monuments.

Bike tour in Eastern Sicily The secrets of Sicily – A varied bike tour, according to your own rhythms and interests through Eastern Sicily. You will cross Noto’s Valley, from 2003 included in Unesco World Heritage List. Following the vestiges of ancient cultures, this tour joins the discovery of beautiful untouched areas, such as Cavagrande – deep gorges cut on the rock by a river – and Vendicari – a protected piece of white beach where many different species of birds build their nests – with the visit of some of the most ancient Sicilian towns.

Cycling along the Po river – If you like the charming scenery of Alps and the spectacle of nature, if you wish to hear its sounds, to watch animals living in their own environment, to see the harmony of colors, to plunge into a green world, we’ll take you to discover the secrets of some of the most beautiful parks in Piedmont, the first region in Italy to create protected areas. It is possible to prologue this itinerary up to Po delta crossing Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna.

Gran tour from Florence to Siena to Pisa – Here is a winning proposal to discover one of the most famous Italian regions, Tuscany. An area which is famous earth for its wines, its cities of art and the warm welcome of its inhabitants: the right combination of emotions, scents and traditions to be discover by bike.

Tasty Piedmont – Piedmont is a real paradise for gourmets. Prestigious white wines, delicious chocolate and a sweet landscape of hills covered by regular rows of wine yards; in the distance the majestic circle of the alps. Piedmont is elegance and style. The best example is the chef town, Turin, first capital of Italy 150 years ago, where the influence of the French style is obvious, that’s why Turin is called “little Paris”.

Walking Tours

[Trekking on the top of Mount Etna, Sicily]

Etna and the Aeolian Islands Volcano Trek – The Aeolian Islands Archipelago is made up of 7 islands: Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi. Islands of wild aspect fall sheer into the sea, offering visions of beauty.

From Modena to Massa Carrara on the Dukes road – The Vandelli road begins to be built as a will of the Duke of Modena, Francesco III d’Este who wanted to have a safe access to the sea in the territory of its duchy. So the mathematician Domenico Vandelli was asked to draw the layout of a road for carriages, to cross the Apennines; after 10 years of work, the road was completed in 1751.

The Chianti from Florence to Siena – From Piazza della Signoria to Piazza del Campo, a trek to join two of the most important Tuscan cities from the historical and artistic view. Florence, the city of Leonardo, Giotto, Dante and Brunelleschi, and Siena, native land of the “Palio”. These two jewels have in common they belong to one of the most famous areas of the Tuscany: “The wine road”, that you will cross leaving Castellina in Chianti and walking along paths and roads surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.

Suggested Attractions: Nature and Parks

Italy has 23 National Parks, 89 Regional Parks, 270 Regional Reserves, 142 State Reserves, 47 Marsh reserves and 7 Marine Reserves, which are protected zones managed either by the State in some form – Regional Councils, Provincial Councils and Municipalities – or by the environmental and protection associations such as Italia Nostra, WWF, Lega Ambiente, Greenpeace, LIPU, Touring Club, etc.

Top Italian National Parks

Parco Nazionale Appennino Tosco-Emiliano – Between Cisa and Forbici Passes, the woodland ridges separating Tuscany from Emilia give way to a mountain environment. The summits of Alpe di Succiso, Mt. Prado and Mt. Cusna go beyond the 2,000 meters, forests give way to rocks, lakes, and high-mountain grasslands. At lower altitudes, on the side of Emilia, the surly Pietra di Bismantova dominates the landscape with its vertical walls.

Parco Nazionale Dolomiti Bellunesi was created to protect a territory of extraordinary landscape and naturalistic value. The Vette di Feltre and Mount Serva were already famous for their flora in the 18th century. The presence of rare species and of a great variety of natural environments is mainly due to the geographical position of the territory.

Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre, which is part of the Unesco world heritage, has environmental and cultural features which are essential to safeguard: overhanging coasts over the sea with bays and small beaches, thousands of kilometers of dry-stone walls enclosing the terraces where vineyards are cultivated, the characteristic rustics, the medieval quarters, the sanctuaries, the panoramic paths over the sea and the slopes.

Parco Nazionale del Gargano – From a biological point of view, the Gargano promontory is an island, divided from the peninsula by the Tavoliere delle Puglie. It is rich in karst structures like caves and dolines. While in the past the promontory was covered by forests, now they form only the 15 per cent of its surface: the most important wood in the Park is the Foresta Umbra.

Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio, of great geological and historical interest, has been proved to safeguard the values of the territory, use suitable means to allow a correct integration between man and environment, promote environmental education and scientific research activities.

Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio is the largest not only among the historical Italian parks, but also in the whole Alpine chain. It stretches in the heart of the Central Alps and includes typical valleys shaped by acting ice and water flowing down from the imposing massif of the Ortles-Cevedale group.

How to travel on a budget

• Compare and Call to several adventure-travel companies and ask detailed info
• Book in lower season (Feb-May or Sept-Jan) and as much as earlier possible
• Verify the services included and if prices are comprehensive of taxes
• Verify how many attractions you can visit
• Book directly with the tour operator that organize the tour (not third party agencies or similar). You could negotiate a better price
• The best you could do is to search for a local tourist board to find all you need without buying a guidebook

Tips to travel in Italy

• Plan a lot of walking
• Keep all of your receipts for purchases of goods or services
• Buy local produce in preference to imported goods
• Hire a local guide – you’ll discover more about local culture and lives, and they will earn an income
• Use public transport, hire a bike or walk – its a great way to meet local people
• Not all places allow picture taking. Museums, especially
• Remember that American and European DVDs and VCRs have different formats
• Serious crime is rare, however pickpockets and purse-snatchers are common in large cities
• Italian tap water is sometimes heavily chlorinated, so it’s best to drink bottled water
• European voltage is different from that of the United States

How to Arrive in Italy

Most of midrange international flights arrive to the following Italian cities:

• Milan – with 2 airports: Malpensa (MXP) and Linate (LIN); in addition, Bergamo (BGY – Orio al Serio) is sometimes referred to as “Milan Bergamo”
• Rome – with two airports: Fiumicino (FCO – Leonardo Da Vinci) and Ciampino (CIA)
• Bologna (BLQ – Guglielmo Marconi)
• Naples (NAP – Capodichino)
• Pisa (PSA – Galileo Galilei)
• Venice (VCE – Marco Polo)
• Turin (TRN – Sandro Pertini)

How to Get Around

Given the excellent network of cheap bus and train services in Italy, both are a great, stress-free way of seeing the country – and of being part of the great Italian travelling public.

Bus travel is the less expensive of the two, but as there are many different operators it is less straightforward than train travel. Your own wheels give you the most potential freedom and flexibility, although both fuel and autostrada (motorway) tolls are expensive. Domestic air travel can be costly and is worth it only if you are short of time.

Buses are fast and reliable, whether they are traversing local routes linking small villages or zooming along autostrade between cities.

Weather and Climate

Italy is at its best in spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November). During these seasons, the scenery is beautiful, the temperatures are pleasant and there are fairly few crowds. Try to avoid August, as this is the time that most Italians take their vacations, and many shops and businesses are closed as a result.

Italy’s climate varies from north to south and from lowland to mountain top. Temperatures at sea level tend to be similar around the country, with altitudes creating steep changes between summer and winter. Winters are long and severe in the Alps, with snow falling as early as mid-September.

Storms develop in spring and tend to last to autumn, making summer the wettest season. The northern regions experience chilly winters, hot summers and regular even rain distribution, while conditions become milder as you head south. The sirocco, the hot and humid African wind that affects regions south of Rome, produces at least a couple of stiflingly hot weeks in summer.

Health and Safety

Routine vaccines, as they are often called, such as for influenza, chickenpox (or varicella), polio, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), and diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) are given at all stages of life; see the childhood and adolescent immunization schedule and routine adult immunization schedule.

Using insect repellent with 30%-50% DEET. Picaridin, available in 7% and 15% concentrations, needs to be applied more often. Wearing long-sleeved shirts which should be tucked in, long pants, and hats to cover exposed skin. When you visit areas with ticks and fleas, wear boots, not sandals, and tuck pants into socks.

Be Careful about Food and Water. Follow these tips for safe eating and drinking:

• Avoid unpasteurized dairy products.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel (with at least 60% alcohol).

Other…

How can I telephone outside Italy?

To call abroad from Italy there are several systems like a prepaid telephone card. From an Italian phone, you can phone with a prepaid domestic telephone card, bought in a tobacco shop (Tabbacchino), newsagent (Giornalaio) or bar. You can also use the umts and gsm or internet voip for you calls.

Phone Calls: To find places where phone you can try in larger cities in the internet access points and in hotels.

For international calls you can use phonecards of foreign carriers. Here are access numbers in Italy for carriers of some countries:

• AT&T 800-172-444
• BT Albacom 800-172-442
• Japan Telecom 800-172-244
• Sprint (MCI) 800-172-405, 800-172-406
• Telecom NZ 800-172-641

To set up your cell phone with an Italian service, Italy has 4 carriers: Vodafone, TIM, H3g and Wind. To phone with these you can buy prepaid phonecards that start at 10 Euros.

What are the driving license requirements in Italy?

To drive in Italy, you should get an international permit from automobile clubs, if your license is not from a

European union nation. You can drive if you are 18 years old. Traffic is limited in certain period of the day: In the morning between 8-9 o’clock and in the evening between 18-20 o’clock. Top

To hire a car the U.S. and Canadian travellers need an international driver’s license. To apply for an International Driver’s License, visit any AAA branch.

To remember: Italy uses international road signs, you have to drive on the right and passing on the left. The speed limit is 50kmh (30 mph) in Cities, 90kmh (56 mph) outside the cities, 80Kmh (130kmph) in the highways.

What are the visa requirements to travel in Italy?

The visa requirements depend on where a tourist come from. For people coming from European Community there are not requirement to stay for three months. People coming from Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, U.S.A., can stay in Italy for 90 days with passport without a visa. Usually it’s not difficult to get these documents.

• Language: Italian is the official language. However, English is widely understood.
• Time Zone: Six hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time.
• Credit Cards: All major credit cards are accepted.
• Currency: The Italy’s official currency is Euro. It is based on the decimal system. The Euro sign is €.
• Money Exchange: You can change money at the hotel or at the nearest banks, from 9:00AM to 1:30PM and 3:00PM to 4:00PM – Closed on Weekend and national holidays.
• Voltage: The electrical current in the hotels is 220 volts, 50 cycles. To convert local power to U.S. standard you’ll need a transformer. For plugs you’ll need an adapter.
• Shopping: Shopping hours are from 9:00AM to 1:00PM and from 5:00PM to 8:00PM from Monday through Saturday. Businesses are closed on Monday mornings and Sundays.

Resources:

• http://wikitravel.org
• http://www.american.edu/ted
• http://www.lonelyplanet.com
• http://en.wikipedia.org
• http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel
• http://www.enit.it
• http://www.parks.it
• http://answers.yahoo.com
• http://www.ehow.com

Thanks to Druclimb

After releasing the first section of Beginner’s guide to approach hiking, I’ve send it to some of the best hiking experts that have an active blog.

Here you are what they replied me…nothing else

Jon’s reply:

The posting looks pretty good to me. I’m not really a hiking expert so I haven’t got a lot to offer in terms of questions. I did see a comment about swollen hands when hiking. This happens to runners too and it seems to be related to dehydration and low electrolytes. Proper hydration and electrolyte intake may help hikers too.

Rick’s reply:

In North America we …

+ Never take “tinned” food
+ Never take jeans

About 30% of hikers here have given up on boots. (Including me.) Instead we wear walking shoes, sometimes called Approach Shoes or trail runners.

Other than that, it looks good.

You could add a question something like, How do I reduce the weight of my pack?

Possibly, …

Should I day hike, or do a multi-day hike? It takes much more experience, gear and pack weight to multi-day. Beginners should start with day hikes. Or base camp day hikes.

Rick writes for the blog http://www.besthike.com/blog

Olga’s reply:

That’s a great post – you provided a lot of good information! I don’t think I could add anything other than woman might want to be sure to wear a supportive bra or a sports bra to keep “things” under control!

You can follow Olga here http://olgathetravelingbra.blogspot.com

Sara’s reply:

The post is really good. You might want to add something about dealing with wild animals (bear, wolf, cougar, etc.).

Cheers to a great new year!

You can read her website http://www.saraost.com

Wade’s reply:

That’s an excellent resource! The only thing I can think of (it’s actually pretty complete as far as I can tell) would be tips on winter hiking. Things like the “cotton kills” axiom, and maybe some suggestions on rain gear? Either way, I’d love to post about your list and put up a link on the great outsmores if that’s OK with you.

Wade write for the blog http://outdoorsblogger.com

Chris reply:

Here are some ideas for your post; you can decide if they are valuable or not:

Calories burned: how many miles can I hike — for both of these questions the answer varies a great deal depending on the pitch and the surface. People have to be much more conservative in their estimates of how long it takes if they are ascending hills or mountains, or if the trail surface is really rugged.

Here in the Northwest we sometimes hike in rock slides and streambeds, which take FOREVER to get through… it can take an hour to go half a mile. To me this is important, because people should not expect to be home before dark assuming they can cover 3 miles per hour in all terrain.

Drinking water: another tip for all endurance sports is to start drinking more water 2 or 3 days before a long hike or long trip. Hydrating only on the day of the trip is not as effective.

Shewee! Ha! In the US, women just duck behind a tree.

Knee injuries: This I have experience with. Use spring-loaded hiking poles! By incorporating your arms you can take a lot of pressure off your knees. This is important in the mountains (but not very important on flat hikes). I once hiked for four days with poles, carrying a huge pack (50 pounds), and just a few months after knee surgery. I was fine because of the poles.

Mosquitoes: in the US, our mosquitoes are effectively deterred by any repellent that contains DEET. Other repellents do not work. Another tip: keep moving!

Shorts or jeans? Here we say: cotton kills! Jeans absorb water too easily and don’t keep you warm. Better to wear shorts, and if it’s cold, wear nylon leggings (bottom long-underwear) under the shorts. Also, fleece pants are very warm and dry. Jeans would only be OK for short hikes in dry weather, although I would never wear them. Over here, we don’t have many days when it’s certain to be dry in the mountains.

What you must bring: In the US we call this the Ten Essentials. You can find them here from Wikipedia

Boots: you say when they are broken — you mean, broken IN!

Hot drinks: now there are special mugs with small heaters attached. Not essential, but in cold weather this is a great way to stay warm.

Rattlesnakes: always keep your eyes and ears open. They are easy to see or hear, as long as you are paying attention. I’ve only ever seen them heading in the other direction, they don’t want to deal with us.

[Ah, I see you have a section on hiking poles. Good stuff.]

Good luck Enrico!

Chris writes for the blog http://www.podiumcafe.com

Chris Townsend’s reply:

It’s difficult for me to answer your query as much of your answers to the questions are opinions, some of which I agree with and some of which I don’t. For example I don’t wear two pairs of socks, which I find uncomfortable and can lead to blisters. However that’s not to say that two pairs aren’t right for some people.

Blisters are caused by poorly fitting footwear so anyone prone to blisters should first check the fit of their footwear. I cover this in detail in my Backpacker’s Handbook and you can also find a piece by me on the web here.

With regard to water I only drink half a litre or more an hour in extremely hot weather. Most days out I don’t drink more than a litre while walking, and maybe half a litre before the walk. Again, everyone is different here. I don’t think the “how to purify water” solar still is much use as it involves materials unlikely to be carried on a walk and anyway would only work in sunny weather.

It certainly wouldn’t be any use here in Scotland most of the year! Mind you, I don’t treat water in the hills here but drink straight from streams. For emergency purification drops or tablets like Aqua Mira or iodine are best.

With regard to the distance people can walk I think it’s worth mentioning type of terrain, amount of ascent and weight carried as these all make a difference. Some people can walk at 4mph on the flat.

Trekking poles can help take the strain off the knees and properly fitting footwear with supportive footbeds are important. “Comfortable” footwear can still be bad for your feet, ankles and knees.

Food for a multi-day hike – I would never carry cans, they are just too heavy. Dehydrated foods in packets are far better. There’s no need for more fat – carbohydrate is what speeds you along the trail – and simple sugars give an energy rush followed by a slump – I’d suggest complex carbohydrates instead.

What’s best shorts or jeans? Jeans are generally never recommended as being cotton they are cold when wet and take ages to dry. Synthetic or cotton/synthetic hiking trousers are much better.

Your well known brands of boots presumably applies to Italy. Only Hi-Tec are a big name in the UK. Here you’d list Scarpa, Brasher, Meindl, Zamberlan, Berghaus, Contour, Karrimor, Inov8 and others before the ones you list.

How to stay warm at night – in cold weather I often sleep with my mouth and nose inside the sleeping bag. I never sleep in a hat.

Rattlesnakes can be found on trails! I’ve gone off trail at times to avoid them.

I could write much more. Overall I’d suggest researching some of your answers more and making it clear when you’re stating a fact and when an opinion. You have a great many questions here – the answers could take up a book!

Good luck with your posts.

Best wishes, Chris http://www.christownsendoutdoors.co.uk

Venture tree reply:

Thanks again for keeping in touch. I read your QA on hiking and could not think of anything to add to your blog. I looks like you covered pretty much most of the essential information for hiking and backpacking. Great Job, by the way! The only thing that I could think of adding is a map and compass QA. maybe some info about map reading would be helpful.

Let me know if this helps!

Venturetree Team Nashville TN http://venturetree.blogspot.com

Jamie’s reply:

Sorry to get back to you so late, but I found this post to be very informative about an activity that I truly enjoy…trekking!

Weight Distribution: The only things that I can comment on, or have something to add, is with packing your pack’ and ‘training’. I took a class in university on trekking (believe it or not!) and I found the advice very helpful about packing, with great emphasis on even weight distribution, with the ‘base’ of the weight as low as possible, as when something heavy, say, a stove, or fuel, is higher in the pack, it creates pressure, or strains the back.

Itinerary and Water…..2 Essentials: Also, when organizing a hike, at least in North America, it’s always a good idea to leave an itinerary with friends. So, if somethings goes awry, it won’t go unnoticed. I try to make sure I have a water source mapped out, as well as packed water in advance, when trekking in arid regions, such as the American Southwest (Arches National Park, for example). Or, when traveling in pairs, one person would carry tent,food,stove, etc….while the other person carried 2-3 gallons of water.

Layering Clothing: I’ve found from personal experience, that it is best to layer clothing, limiting clothes to those which allow your body to ‘breathe’. Neoprene, thermal long underwear as a base, used with a ’shell’ gore-tex jacket for inclement weather, such as rain or snow. I save space by packing two pairs of socks, a heavy and light pair, using them as gloves as well. I usually skimp on clothing if I am making a longer, multi-day trek, saving space for more food! Another thing, try to avoid cotton shirts, as they absorb moisture, and are less than ideal in winter conditions.

Well, that’s about it!. On a personal note, I’m moving to Bulgaria sometime next year, and cannot wait to go trekking in Europe. I’ve done a great deal of trekking already in ‘the Americas’….Keep up the good work with your blog!! All the best, Jamie

You can read more on Jamie’s blog http://fublitz.blogspot.com

Bryan’s reply:

I’m reading through the post, but I thought I’d offer a few suggestions.

The video on the solar still may be particularly useful in a survival situation, but I always carry a water filter/purifier while backpacking. For day hikes I might carry it too, but if not, I always carry purification tablets like iodine for emergencies.

I would add to the question on avoiding knee injuries this bullet point. Consider using trekking poles. This will ease the impact on your knees.

I would add to the question on avoiding blisters Stop once in a while and remove your boots and socks. This will help your feet air out as well as give you an opportunity to notice any hot spots where a blister may soon form.

That’s all I can think of at the moment. I’m sure there’s more and I’ll review it again tomorrow.

Bryan Young

After writing on the best adventure spots of Italy, I’ve read a question from Rich that, after reading the list, said:

The title is a little over-the-top, but it did give me some leads on hikes in Italy I had not heard of before.

So I’ve decided to surprise him by posting a more detailed list of the best trails where I live: Sicily

Below the map of the region with a marker pointed on where I live. You can click on the “+/-” buttons to see more detailed info.

Map of Sicily

Ideas to touring the island by walking

Volcano Trek – 8 days / 7 nights Self guided tour

• Day 1: Catania
• Day 2: Lipari (4 hours walking, +290 – 430 mt.)
• Day 3: Vulcano (3 hours hiking, +390 – 390 mt.)
• Day 4: Lipari – Stromboli (4 h hiking, + 400 – 400 mt.)
• Day 5: Stromboli (6 hours hiking, + 924 – 924 mt.)
• Day 6: Etna (1 hour hiking, +100 -100 mt.)
• Day 7: Etna (7 hours hiking, + 1000 – 1000 mt.)
• Day 8: Catania

The extreme challenge: the traverse of Mt Etna (3350 mt)

Mt Etna has a boundary of 250 Km and covers 1260 square meters making it the largest volcano in Europe. It rises to 3350 over sea level at the summit craters, but this height varies as a result of on-going constructive and destructive explosive activity that constantly reshapes the summit crater area.

The secret soul of Sicily – Guided discovery – 9 Days / 8 nights

• Day 1: Arrival at Catania airport and visit to the town.
• Day 2: Transfer to Taormina. In the afternoon walk on the southern side of Mt Etna.
• Day 3: Guided visit to Syracuse. In the afternoon walk in Pantalica natural reserve.
• Day 4: Discovery of Ragusa and Modica, classified by the UNESCO
• Day 5: Visit to Piazza Armerina and Caltagirone in the afternoon
• Day 6: Agrigento and the Temples Valley
• Day 7: Guided visit of Palermo and in the afternoon visit to Segesta Temple
• Day 8: Zingaro Natural Reserve and visit to Erice in the afternoon
• Day 9: Transfer to Palermo airport

Thanks to Ogil

West Sicily – 8 days self guided trekking

• Day 1: Individual arrival in Palermo, transfer in S. Vito lo Capo.
• Day 2: Trekking in the Natural Reserve of the Zingaro, Erice, S. Vito lo Capo
• Day 3: Trekking in the Natural Reserve of the Monte Cofano, visit of Segesta, S. Vito lo Capo
• Day 4: Excursion to the Egadi islands – Levanzo, Trapani
• Day 5: Islands of Mozia, Marsala, Selinunte
• Day 6: Eraclea Minoa, Agrigento, Palermo
• Day 7: visit of Palermo
• Day 8: visit of Palermo and departure

The Volcano trail

Sicily Volcano Trail is an international, non competitive, race. The “sky runners” are the bold participants who challenge themselves “across the sky”, running at high altitude.

An amazing competition taking place in the heart of the Mediterranean, between the Aeolian Islands and Mt Etna. A 100 Km race divided into 5 timed runs with 4670 mt total drop.

Most popular attractions

• Catania, is located on the east coast of the island, halfway between Messina and Siracusa and is at the foot of the active volcano Mount Etna. Read more…
• Aeolian islands, are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily. Read more…
• Mount Etna, is an active volcano on the east coast of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania. It is the largest active volcano in Europe, currently standing about 3,326 m (10,910 ft) high. Read more…
• Taormina, is a small town on the east coast of the island of Sicily, Italy, in the Province of Messina, about midway between Messina (ancient Messana) and Catania (ancient Catana). Read more…
• Syracuse, is an Italian city on the eastern coast of Sicily. Once described by Cicero as “the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all,” the ancient center of Syracuse is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Read more…
• Modica, is a city in the Province of Ragusa. The city is situated in the Iblean mountains and, along with Val di Noto, is part of UNESCO Heritage Sites in Italy. Read more…
• Agrigento, is a city on the southern coast of Sicily. It is renowned as the site of the ancient Greek city of Akragras, one of the leading cities of Magna Graecia during the golden age of Ancient Greece. Read more…
• Palermo, is the principal city and administrative seat of the autonomous region of Sicily, Italy as well as the capital of the Province of Palermo. Read more…
• Erice, is located on top of Mount Erice, at around 750m above sea level, overlooking the city of Trapani, the low western coast towards Marsala, the dramatic Punta del Saraceno and Capo san Vito to the north-east, and the Aegadian Islands on Sicily’s north-western coast, providing spectacular views. Read more…

Thanks to Purpleslog

I like too much reading blogs, follow forums, etc… During my daily search I’ve found that on popular websites like Yahoo answers, etc… there were some hiking related questions that i’ve found a bit unusual.

So i’ve aggregated some of them and try to answer. Here the list of answers to general questions that a beginner hiker should do.

They are organized by sections:

• Q&A on how to prepare for trekking
• Q&A about Hiking techniques
• Q&A about general “How to” tutorials
• Q&A about general survival and safety
• Q&A about gear
• Q&A about Fitness, health and training

Q&A about Fitness, health and training

Question: How to train for a difficult hike and get in shape for hiking?

Answer: Most people believe that being active (practicing other sports) is the only thing to be fit for hiking. It’s wrong. Even if you are used to walking, strapping a 30-pound backpack will suddenly change your entire experience.

To train for hiking all you need is a slowly step by step plan.

1. Start by doing 1-3 miles hikes 1-2 times per week without a backpack.
2. Day by day increase the length of your hikes
3. After 2 weeks start carrying a small backpack and work to increase the weight of your load day by day.
4. Your goal is to hike comfortably 9 miles with 22lb backpack.
5. Start off by hiking in different terrains: Uphill and downhill (try to increase the number of vertical meters).
6. Keep increasing the number of consecutive hiking days.

Question: How many calories do you burn while hiking?

Answer: Consider that it depend on your metabolism, you weight, the weight you carry, the length and the time you hike.
Calories burned per minute with a 22 lb. backpack:

• Your weight in pounds: 105 – 115 = 5.9
• Your weight in pounds: 127 – 137 = 6.7
• Your weight in pounds: 160 – 170 = 7.9
• Your weight in pounds: 180 – 200 = 8.8

For example: I weight 177 pounds and for 1 hour of hiking I’ll burn 485.76 calories

Question: How many miles a day can I hike?

Answer: The average person can walk about 3 miles/hour on flat. Walking for 12 hours, you could potentially walk 36 miles.

Question: How much water should I drink while hiking? How to purify it?

Answer: Hiking is like a prolonged and strenuous exercise. You should drink at least 20 ounces of water two hours before your hike. During the hike you should drink 5-12 ounces of water for every 15 minutes.

How purify water in case of emergency

Question: How can a woman urinate while hiking?

Answer: I’m not an expert in this field, but after a search in Google i’ve found this product. Shewee is a molded plastic funnel which can slip comfortably into the zipper of your pants to allow you to urinate privately and easily in a standing position.

Question: How to prevent knee injuries from hiking?

Answer: There are simple strategies you can apply to prevent these injuries.

You should:

• Do regular athletic exercise: Maintain strength and flexibility in the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteal, abductor, adductor, lower back and calf muscles.
• Avoiding prolonged knee flexion
• Wearing comfortable shoes
• Stretch properly before and after hiking
• Do not overexert yourself
• Increase your workout slowly

Question: How much food to take for a multi day hike?

Answer: Pack with you: Some cans of tuna; Hard cheeses like parmesan; A combination of different dried cereals and nuts; A bottle of Olive oil to use for salads; Honey pills as a quick source of energy; Some cans of peas, lentils, beans; Chicken, Ham and Turkey

Follow a balanced diet that includes more fat and sugar; Eat Cereals like muesli; Eat fresh fruit and/or vegies as snacks; Plan to eat once an hour (200 calories/hr); Focus on breakfast and dinner.

Question: How can I keep my feet and hands warm while hiking?

Answer: The best ways to stay warm in the cold is to protect your hands and feet by wearing the right gloves and socks. You should wear them in layers to insulate bubbles of warm. For feet is best to wear two layers of socks (synthetic and Wool). Boots with liners can help provide additional warm. For hands natural wool can provide you a good protection.

Question: How can I prevent blisters caused by trekking?

Answer: The common ways are 2 pair of socks or talc powder to keep your feet dry. You should also stop often to let your feet rest.

The procedure to prepare to avoid blisters is:

1. Break in hiking shoes or boots well before your hike.
2. Wrap your blister-prone spots with athletic tape.
3. Soak the foot areas that are irritated in cold water or air-dry.
4. Wear liner socks with hiking socks.

Another cause of blister could be also the excessive weight of your backpack.

Question: How can I protect myself from mosquitos and tics when hiking?

Answer: Avoid white clothing and buy a mosquitos repellent.

Question: Why do my fingers swell up while hiking?

Answer: Keep your elbows bent when you walk.

Q&A about gear

Question: Which gps in good to buy for hiking?

Answer: Have a look on these comparison websites:

• Buyer’s Guide of GPS Devices
• Good For Everyone, Hiking, Driving, and Fishing
• Which is the best GPS unit?
• Do you have much experience with them and what you think of them?

Question: How do I choose the right hiking backpack?

Answer: A backpack is a fundamental tool to consider. It has to be well suited to your body size. You can choose between 2 types of structure: Internal and External Frame.

Consider:

1. The length: Calculate the distance between your 7th vertebra (At the base of your neck located between your shoulders) and the top of your hips. Measure the distance. Your torso may be: Small (under 18in/45cm), Medium (18-20in/45-50cm) and Large (21in/52cm upwards).
2. The carrying capacity: It depends on how long is your hiking type. For daily hiking a 15 to 35 litres pack should be fine. For multi day expeditions, a backpack of 60 litres and more is good.
3. Test: Loading up the pack with the test weight items and walk around the store.

Question: What’s best: Shorts or jeans?

Answer: If your trail is on a beaten path, you can wear shorts. If you plan to walk in off the beaten paths (brush), use jeans or hiking pants.

Have a look here to find some:

• Convertible hiking pants from nextag
• The most popular items in Hiking Pants from Amazon

Question: What hiking and camping gear should I buy? What to wear when hiking?

Answer: Here a list of gear and clothing to pack for an hike

• First Aid Kit and maps
• Flashlight
• Survival knife
• Water purification pump and pills
• Waterproof lighter
• Lightweight stove
• Dish soap, eating utensils and backpacking pots.
• Toilet paper
• Gloves
• Beanies
• Boots

Q&A about boots

Question: Which brand of hiking boots would you recommend? How can I choose them?

Answer: The well known brands are:

• Timberland
• Lowa
• Merrell
• Vasque
• Columbia
• LL Bean
• Coleman Ventura
• Hi-Tec

Every brand have Gore-Tex.

Question: How do I know when my boots are broken?

Answer: Simple! After you stop getting blisters…

Question: How to choose the right boot?

Answer: Before buying be sure to go shopping in the afternoon when your feet are larger. The be a great boot, it has to have:

• A strong sole with good grip and also ankle support
• A waterproof canvas
• A good brand
• A good fit with your feet: Spend at least 15 minutes walking around in each pair

Question: What kind of hiking stick do you use when hiking? How to choose them?

Answer: It’s better to use hiking poles because their are shock absorbing, allow you to take some strain off your back, move a lot faster. They are also retractable so you can adjust for height.

Q&A about general survival and safety

Question: How to be safe when walking alone?

Answer: The first thing to consider is to plan well your Hike. Get a good map of the area you are going to and decide on the route you will take. Make sure to tell someone your route and when you will be back from your hike. Have a look on Weather forecast. Pack the right gear List: Wear sensible clothing for the conditions and carry extra in case the weather changes for the worse.

Question: How to stay warm at night?

Answer: There are several things you can apply to stay warm. All is relative to your sleeping bag.

• Insulate your sleeping bag from the ground
• Be sure to have dry bedding and sleeping clothes
• Never sleep with your mouth and nose inside the sleeping bag. Breathe outside of it
• Put on clean socks and polar fleece booties for sleeping
• Wear a hat
• Eat high calorie food before going to sleep
• Zip your feet inside a fleece jacket and shove them to the bottom of your sleeping bag

Question: How do I keep drinks hot?

Answer: You can carry a small insulated thermos-type bottle or an insulated coffee mug.

Question: How can i protect myself from a rattle snakes?

Answer: Rattlesnakes will strike at you only if they’re molested or startled. So stay on the trail. If you must go off-trail, avoid tall grass or brush. Dont move planks, rocks or logs by hand.

Q&A about “How to”

Question: How to use hiking poles?

Answer: To make a walking stick read this guide and watch this video on how to use them:

Question: How to Lower Backpack Weight?

Q&A about Hiking techniques

• How to hike in sand
• How to start hiking
• How to hike trails
• How to hike with a back pack

For all of these question have a look on these list of hiking resources:

Q&A on how to prepare for trekking

Question: How to pack my bag when hiking?

Answer: Here are some general rules. Put the sleeping bag in a stuffed sack and put it at the bottom of your backpack. Put food on top. Put things like toilet paper, toiletry kit, bug spray and maps on the outside.

Question: How do i find the best hiking trails?

Answer: Read this article

Question: How to organize a hike?

Answer: First thing is to search for info on the trail you want to do. You can use google or by a book on Amazon. Be sure to take info about sources of water, type of terrain and the distance of the trail. It’s also good to have a map. Know the weather and have a look on the forecast.

The list could be longer. If you have other questions, please put them in the comments and I’ll try to answer.

Charity, Volunteer and Global warming

What link them together? Sure…travels!

If you need a new way to travel and help the environment, then read this list of unusual ideas to join your work with charity activities.

With this form of travel you can link together the concepts of ecotourism and volunteer travel with adventure activities.

No matter if you travel as a volunteer or tourist, the main goal is to transform your vacation in a source to help the environment and other people.

I took the idea from our 1° Charity Challenge organized last year on the Etna mountain. It was a complete 3 days tour of the volcano by trekking.

The term “Charity Challenge” is used to represent a challenge organized to:

• Set responsible tourism standards
• Minimise the impact on the environment
• Collect resources to use for the local communities visited

They offer a list of great activities in different destinations:

Mountains

• Aconcagua Summit Trek – Argentina
• Avenue of the Volcanoes – Ecuador
• Everest Base Camp – Nepal
• Kilimanjaro Summit Climb – Tanzania
• Simien Mountain Trek – Ethiopia
• Stok Kangri Summit Trek – India
• High Atlas Summit Trek – Morocco

Trekking

• Brazilian Trek and Kayak Challenge – Brazil
• Escambray Encounter – Cuba
• Etna Volcanic Adventure – Italy
• Family Escambray Encounter – Cuba
• Family Great Wall Discovery – China
• Family Thailand Jungle Expedition – Thailand
• Footsteps of the Maasai – Tanzania
• Golden Triangle Hill Tribe Trek – Thailand
• Grand Canyon Explorer – USA
• Great Wall Discovery – China
• High Atlas Summit Trek – Morocco
• Icelandic Lava Trek – Iceland
• Mountain Kingdom Adventure – Lesotho
• Sahara Desert Trek – Morocco
• Sapa Hill Tribe Trek – Vietnam
• Thailand Jungle Expedition – Thailand
• Trek to Machu Picchu – Peru
• Trek to The Home of the Dalai Lama – India
• Trek Transylvania – Romania
• Thailand Jungle Expedition – Thailand

Biking

• Andes to Amazon Bike Ride – Peru
• Cuban Revolution Cycle – Cuba
• Cycle Kathmandu Valley – Nepal
• Great Wall Cycle Challenge – China
• London to Paris Bike Ride – UK, France
• Mexico Volcano & Jungle Challenge – Mexico
• Pilgrimage on Wheels – Egypt, Israel
• Rajasthan Tiger Challenge – India
• Saigon to Angkor Wat Bike Ride – Vietnam, Cambodia
• Vietnam Experience – Vietnam

Volunteer travels

Another great example of travel for charity purposes is Volunteering. You can travel very low cost and then use your work to contribute to a project.

Thanks to Parksy

Some examples are:

• Footpath repair holidays- Help to improve the landscape and to conserve local flora and fauna on a footpath repair holiday.

[i.e. For the American Hiking Society , volunteers get the opportunity to repair trails and footpaths around the country.]

• Spend some time volunteering in local community projects.

[i.e. Teaching to students in a rural African; help research scientists save endangered sea turtles from extinction; assist nurses at a children's clinic in Romania; help build a home for a homeless family and so on...]

• Habitat conservation holidays
• Help reduce global warming
• Restore Coral Reefs
• Save the Rainforest
• Save Vanishing Wetlands
• Save Bottlenose Dolphins
• Protect Endangered Animals
• Help Park Services Preserve National Treasures
• Organic Farming: Help Promote Sustainable Agriculture

List of charity organizations in environment

For those of you not interested in travel for charity, here a list of the best eco-friendly charity organizations and their websites to see how to donate them.

www.climatecare.org – Climate Care offsets your CO2 by funding projects around the world. These involve: Renewable energy – this replaces non-renewable fuel such as coal; Energy efficiency – this reduces the amount of fuel needed; Forest restoration – this absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere as the trees grow. So as well as taking steps to reduce your ‘carbon footprint’ you can offset what remains, helping to promote low-carbon technologies where they have the greatest impact.

www.conservation.org – We have never been more focused on protecting the environment than we are today. For 20 years, we’ve stuck to a vision that the natural world must be saved in order for future generations to thrive spiritually, culturally, and economically.

www.coopamerica.org – Co-op America is a not-for-profit membership organization founded in 1982. Our mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.

www.environmentaldefense.org – “Our top priority is to pass national legislation that caps global warming pollution and creates a flexible emissions trading market. That will open the door to a green technology revolution.” — Steve Cochran, director of our national climate campaign

www.arborday.org – We inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.

www.environet.org – NET’s public education campaigns use modern communication techniques and the latest scientific studies to translate complex environmental issues for citizens. Furthermore, NET works in states across the country to localize the impacts of national problems, as well as to highlight opportunities for Americans to engage in the policymaking process.

www.nrdc.org – We use law, science and the support of 1.2 million members and online activists to protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.

www.nature.org – We’ve protected more than 117 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide — and we operate more than 100 marine conservation projects globally. We address threats to conservation involving climate change, fire, fresh water, forests, invasive species, and marine ecosystems.

www.ran.org – RAN is campaigning to break America’s oil addiction, reduce our reliance on coal, protect endangered forests and Indigenous rights, and stop destructive investments around the world.

www.rainforest-alliance.org – The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.

www.sustainableharvest.org – Founded in 1997 by Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Florence Reed, Sustainable Harvest International addresses the tropical deforestation crisis in Central America by providing farmers with sustainable alternatives to slash-and-burn agriculture.

www.ucsusa.org – The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices.

www.wri.org – The World Resources Institute (WRI) is an environmental think tank that goes beyond research to find practical ways to protect the earth and improve people’s lives. Our mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

www.worldwildlife.org – But WWF members travel with us for another reason: By participating in our tours, they are contributing WWF’s conservation efforts worldwide. When you travel with WWF, you don’t just hear about those efforts-you see the results firsthand.

www.charityguide.org – The Charity Guide volunteer directory makes it possible for busy people like you to make a difference at anytime, from anywhere. Even if you have an unpredictable schedule, you can volunteer for your favorite cause, including: animal welfare, children’s issues, community development, environmental protection, healthcare, and overcoming poverty. The volunteer projects featured at CharityGuide.org can be successfully completed: in 15 minutes, in a few hours (once, or each week), or during volunteer vacations.

stopglobalwarming.org- The Stop Global Warming Virtual March is a non-partisan effort to bring citizens together to declare that global warming is here now and that it is time to demand solutions.

google.org – Google.org aspires to use the power of information to help people better their lives. We are an experiment in active philanthropy. In addition to financial resources, we are fortunate to be able to engage Google’s entire family of people and partners, information technologies and other resources to address three major growing global problems: climate change, global public health, and economic development and poverty.

www.foei.org – Friends of the Earth International is the world’s largest grassroots environmental network, uniting 70 diverse national member groups and some 5,000 local activist groups on every continent. With over 2 million members and supporters around the world, we campaign on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues. We challenge the current model of economic and corporate globalization , and promote solutions that will help to create environmentally sustainable and socially just societies.

www.thec-changetrust.com – The c-change trust gives business and individuals the opportunity to acknowledge and offset their carbon emissions through charitable donation. In return we will invest 75% of all donations into funding projects that will reduce carbon emissions, educate the young on climate change and create new woodlands right here in the U.K.

Link to multiple charity lists

• List of stop global warming charities provided by Just Give. Dedicated to creating tools and services to make charitable giving part of our everyday lives, JustGive is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase charitable giving by connecting people with the charities and causes they care most about.
• Search for eco-friendly charities
• Other charity organizations in environment
• Use a website to evaluate environmental charities. It’s one of the most comprehensive databases of U.S. charities belongs to Charity Navigator. This site uses a four-star rating program to assess organizations.

Here a list of the Top 10 of the top 10 hiking trails I’ve found on the net.

Have a look and use it as inspiration to find new travel ideas for your next vacations.

Mandalatrek’s best Italy’s treks

1. [Bologna to Florence] Via Romea, the Pilgrim’s way – An easy 8 days hiking tour
2. Trekking in the National Park of Abruzzo – A 7 days self guided tour
3. From Bozen to Venice – An easy independent tour of 7 days
4. Hiking in the heart of South Tyrol – An easy 8 days trekking tour
5. Hiking in the Dolomites natural parks – An easy 8 days self guided trekking
6. Siena and Val D’Orcia – A 7 days independent tour
7. The Chianti: Florence to Siena – 7 Days self guided tour
8. Naples, Capri Pompeii and the Amalfi coast – 8 days Self guided Trek
9. The Italy’s Volcanoes: Stromboli and Etna – 8 days Guided Trekking

Besthike.com top 10 hikes in the world 2006

1. West Coast Trail, BC, Canada
2. John Muir Trail, California, USA
3. Tongariro Northern Circuit, New Zealand
4. Ausangate Circuit, Peru
5. Sunshine to Assiniboine, Alberta, Canada
6. Glacier North Circle, Montana, USA
7. Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
8. Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
9. TMB (Tour de Mont Blanc), Europe
10. Overland Track, Tasmania

Classichikes.com of the world

1. Fitz roy grand tour – Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, Argentine Patagonia
2. West Highland Way – Scottish Highlands, Scotland, UK
3. Buckskin Gulch – Paria River Wilderness, Southern Utah
4. Routeburn – Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks, South Island, New Zealand
5. Buckskin Gulch – Paria River Wilderness, Southern Utah
6. Routeburn – Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks,

Which trail is the world’s classic hikes?

1. The Colorado Trail
2. Buckskin Gulch, Utah
3. John Muir Trail, California
4. Kalalau Trail, Kaua’i, Hawai’i
5. McGonagall Pass, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska
6. Fitz Roy Grand Tour, Patagonia, Argentina
7. Kungsleden, Sweden
8. Mount Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal
9. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
10. Routeburn Track, New Zealand
11. Shackleton Crossing, South Georgia Island

Iexplore.com top 10 routes for exploring the world’s top adventures on foot.

1. Hiking Annapurna Circuit, Nepal.
2. Hiking Wildkirchli Trail Hiking, Switzerland.
3. Hiking Havasu Canyon Trail, Arizona, U.S.A.
4. Hiking Darién Gap, Panama.
5. Hiking Crow Pass Trail, Alaska, U.S.A.
6. Hiking to K2 Base Camp, Pakistan.
7. Hiking Inca Trail, Peru.
8. Hiking Appalachian National Scenic Trail, U.S.A.
9. Hiking North Devon Coast Path, England.
10. Hiking Torres del Paine Lookout, Chile.

Top 10 crowd-free national parks

1. Arches
2. Badlands
3. Big Bend
4. Biscayne
5. Cape Breton Highlands
6. Congaree
7. Grand Canyon – North Rim
8. Gwaii Haanas
9. Hawaii Volcanoes
10. Sequoia & Kings Canyon

Discovery.com great Hikes Around the World Lace Up Your Boots and Hike Your Next Vacation

1. Inca Trail, Peru
2. Cape Scott Trail, British Columbia
3. Via Ferrata, Italy
4. Larapinta Trail, Australia
5. Skeleton Gorge, South Africa

Best Hiking Trails in America

1. Zion National Park – Utah
2. Glacier National Park
3. Yosemite National Park
4. Appalachian Trail
5. Grand Canyon National Park
6. Pacific Crest Trail Association
7. Continental Divide Trail Society
8. North Country National Scenic Trail
9. Pinnell Mountain – National Recreation Trail – Alaska
10. Nantahala National Forest – North Carolina

Top Ten Treks

1. Nepal’s Himalaya
2. Gunung Tahan, Malaysia
3. Ladakh Range, India
4. California’s High Sierra
5. Yukon-Charley Rivers, Alaska
6. Patagonia
7. Inca Trail, Peru
8. Mount Kenya, Kenya
9. South Coast Track, Tasmania
10. Swiss Alps

What are the best hikes / treks / tramps in the world?

Below are a few of the best serious multi-day adventures anywhere.

• North America
• Australasia
• South America
• Europe
• Asia
• Africa

Cnn.com 10 secluded coastal hikes

1. Maine: Camden Hills State Park
2. British Columbia: Lighthouse Park
3. California: Redwood National Park
4. Michigan: Hiawatha National Forest
5. Florida: Canaveral National Seashore
6. Newfoundland: East Coast Trail
7. Alaska: Kachemak Bay State Park
8. New York: Fire Island National Seashore
9. Texas: San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge
10. Mississippi: Gulf Islands National Seashore

The 10 ultimate treks to do before you die

1. Mont Blanc CircuitMont Blanc
2. Lycian Way
3. Pyrenees: The GR10GR10 route, Pyrenees
4. Mt Toubkal ClimbMount Toubkal, Morocco
5. Kilimanjaro ClimbMount Kilimanjaro
6. Everest Base CampMount Everest, Himalaya, Nepal
7. Concordia & K2Concordia and K2
8. The Inca TrailMachu Picchu and Lamas, Peru
9. Huayhuash CircuitHuayhuash
10. Fitzroy & PaineFitzroy and Paine, Patagonia, Argentina

Map of the best places tagged ‘trekking’ in the world

1. Huascarán National Park
2. Inca Trail
3. Torres del Paine NP
4. Mount Fitzroy & Cerro Torre
5. San Carlos de Bariloche
6. Lacandon Jungle – Chiapas
7. Todos Santos
8. KASBAH DU TOUBKAL MARRAKECH
9. Villahermosa
10. Canyon La Trinidad

Five of the best treks on the planet

1. Angel Falls, Venezuela
2. The Great Glen Way, Scotland
3. Everest Base Camp, Nepal
4. The Lycian Way, Turkey
5. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Thanks to Iandavid

Here a simple tutorial to help you build a list of the essential gear to carry with you while travelling.

By reading this article you’ll find info on:

• The checklist of equipment to pack
• The list of comparing websites
• A buyer’s guide
• List of links to review websites
• The directory of brands in alphabetical order
• A list of tips to pack your gear

List of site where compare products

• Sporting Goods
• Sports and Outdoors
• Sportswear
• Camping & Hiking

List of buyer’s guide

• Sportsauthority.com – How To Buy General Camping Accessories
• Cbssportsstore.com – How To Buy A Backpack
• Cbssportsstore.com – How To Buy A Sleeping Bag
• Cbssportsstore.com – How to Buy Hiking Boots
• Away.com – Outdoor Gear Guide
• Ebay.com – Camping Buying Guide
• Ebay.com – A Quick Guide to Choosing a Backpack
• Ebay.com – How to Choose a Sleeping Pad
• Ebay.com – Tips on finding the right trekking poles

Links to review sites

• Reviewcentre.com – Compare reviews of camping equipment
• Epinions.com – Sports & Outdoors
• Backpackinglight.com – Reader Gear Reviews
• Backpackgeartest.org – Backpack Gear Test
• Gearreview.com – Adventure Travel Reviews
• Rei.com – Camp/Hike Expert Advice

List of brands

• Rei.com/brands – Alphabetical links of brands of outdoor gear and clothing
• Nomadik.com – Brand Directory

List of gear

• 1 Liter water bottle
• Alpenstock
• Anti-bacterial cream
• Anti-diarrhea medicine
• Backpack
• Bathing suit
• Batteries
• Boots
• Bug repellent
• Camera
• Clothes
• Convertible backpack
• Convertible pants
• Copies of important documents (Check, passport, visa, etc…)
• Cotton underwear
• Extra camera batteries
• Extra pair of glasses
• Garlic Tablets
• Gloves
• Gore-Tex jacket and pull
• Hat
• Headlamp
• Maps
• Money belt
• Multitask knife
• Parts
• Rain poncho
• Rehydration salts
• Rollers
• Rucksack
• Saddles
• Safety Pins
• Shaving Accessories
• Shoes
• Shorts
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping mat
• Socks
• Sticks
• Sun cream
• Sun glasses
• Toilet Paper
• Torch
• Trash bags
• Trousers
• T-shirts
• Watch
• Water proof jacket
• Water treatment
• Wipes

How to Pack the Right Equipment for Hiking

Packing tips

The trick to packing for adventure travel is to pack:

1. Light
2. Inconspicuous
3. Cheap

• Luggage – Think small and inconspicuous. Dark colours like brown and black will attract less attention. Pack as small as possible (30-45 liters)
• Clothing – Think light and breathable. Choose ones with collars to keep the sun off your neck. Choose pants with cargoes to zip off the legs and turn into shorts. Take care to underwear and socks to stay warm.
• Shoes – 1° of all don’t let your shoes outside the door to dry.
• Instead of a suitcase, carry a big, soft, rugged duffel bag.
• Throw out film boxes and take new clothing out of a trash package.
• Bring along small toys to help break the ice with local kids and adults

Before a trip

• Ehow.com – Prepare for a Hiking Trip
• Ehow.com – Food for a Backpacking Trip
• Ehow.com – Pack food for Backpacking
• Ehow.com – How to Cook in the Snow When Backpacking

Read more

• What to Pack: Adventure Travel
• Gear and clothing necessities
• Packing list [PDF]
• Backpacking Checklist (Gear List)

Compare more Winter Hiking Boots

Here a list of useful tutorials, articles and news about hiking activities during winter months.

Winter hiking and Walking guides

• Backpacking – Great website that offers information to create awareness that hiking is year-round sport and promote appropriate winter gear. It gives a list of resources about Tips & Techniques on Winter Hiking; Snowshoeing and Winter Outdoor Gear [Clothes; Boots; Snowshoes; Snow Poles & Ice Axe]
• Hike the whites – This website is a collection of information about winter hiking. It lists info about Water and Food; Boots; Clothing; Links and Trip reports.
• Winter Hiking for the First Time – Forum discussion on Clubtread.com on tips for a first time winter hiker. The discussion is focused on giving the basics; daytrips or half-day trips and gear advices.
• Winter Hiking – Here Bob and Gordon provide a great map of all gear to use with pictures and detailed info. Just click on an item and find related tips and info. In their website they offer also trip reports and photos.
• Clothing for Winter hiking – Here a great article about how to be Warm and Comfy Outdoors in the Winter. They provide useful tips on Heat management with info on how to dress to keep warm and comfy; To eat to keep warm and comfy; To avoid overheating, and thus getting sweaty, damp, and cold. They finish with a list of useful elements to wear like: Polypropylene; Pile; Dacron, Polyester, Acrylic; Spandex or Lycra; Wool and silk; Nylon and similar synthetics; Gore-Tex and Vapor barriers.
• Harvard – Well written checklist of things to consider bringing on a winter hiking trip.

How To Dress Warm For Winter Hikes

• Adk.org – [Use as example and guidelines] Great article on safety tips while winter hiking. They offer gret info about trip planning, weather and avalanches info, food and water, clothing and gear.
• Love to know – With the right winter hiking gear you can enjoy hiking year round and avoid that inevitable winter flab. You can learn about Footwear, Waterproof Boots, Socks, Gaiters, Snowshoes or Cleats and other clothes.
• Hit the Trail – Another great article about equipment and preparation necessary to have a successful and enjoyable outdoor adventure.

Useful news to read

• Tips on Choosing Snowshoes [Check out the activity before investing in the gear.]
• Keep Your Cool in Cold: Quit Hibernating and Get Outside [Dressing for the weather is the most critical part of outdoor exercise.]
• The Joys of Winter Hiking
• Winter Hiking [See the pictures...really really awesome]

Tutorials and Guides

• Maximize Safety on a Winter Hike – Winter hiking allows you to experience the beauty of nature in a relatively unpopulated wilderness. Take the following precautions to ensure safety.
• Winter Clothes When Hiking – Carrying a few indispensable items in your pack, your time on the trail can be comfortable and hypothermia-free.
• How to Pack for Cold Climate Hiking – Extreme low temperatures can affect every aspect of your hike, including your choice of clothing, cooking methods and sleeping options. Take precautions and follow these tips when planning a cold climate hiking trip.