Spring is around the corner and so is the hiking season. Even though you can easily hike in winter months, if cold is not your thing, flying to warmer locations may be a good plan. The best thing about this kind of holiday – you don’t need much to start! Usually you’ll be good with solid pair of boots and a good backpack. Day hikes are a fantastic way to explore National parks, lakes and forests.
My favorite day hike of all times has been Cinque Terre in Italy. As my own experience is quite limited at the moment, I have asked fellow travel bloggers about their favorite hikes around the world. Welcome to the Most beautiful Hikes around the World series!
Image credit: The Rainbow Route
Wedmeount Lake in BC, Canada by Jennifer Riley
The hike to Wedgemount Lake is a personal favourite of mine. Not only is the glacier-fed lake at the top absolutely stunning, but this was also the first hike I did after years of recovering from a knee injury. It’s a pretty arduous trek. There’s an 1160 metre elevation gain over 7 kilometres making this 14-kilometre hike one that will definitely get your heart pumping and your knees shaking. The terrain and scenery vary along the trail. Sometimes you will be hiking up a steep forest path and sometimes you will be scrambling over loos rock.
Streams, waterfalls, and views of the valley make this hike worth the effort on their own. But the real glory is at the top! You can walk right up to the glacier that feeds this beautiful mountain-top lake. Alpine meadows dotted with spring flowers and tiny brooks add a feeling of serenity as clouds roll in over the imposing mountain tops. If you want to do this as a day hike, give yourself about seven hours to make the return journey. For those that prefer to spend the night, there are 20 tent spots available as well as a small survival hut (there’s a $10 fee that must be paid in advance in order to camp in Garibaldi Provincial Park). The trailhead is located in Whistler, about 2 ½ hours drive from Vancouver and is best done in the summer when the snow has cleared.
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Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp by Happiest Outdoors
If you like to hike, trekking in the Himalayas is probably on your bucket list. There are tons of treks to choose from, but I think the Annapurna Sanctuary trek is the best option for most trekkers since it’s not as difficult or as high in elevation as many other treks but you still get incredible mountain views. You’ll trek from the foothill jungles all the way up to Annapurna Base Camp in the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130m above sea level. It’s best to trek in spring and fall to avoid the summer monsoon rains and the winter snow.
It takes 7-12 days to hike up to Annapurna Base Camp and back, and there are many different routes so you can take a different path on your way back. Along the way you’ll sleep and eat at teahouses run by the local Gurung people. You don’t need to hire a guide, but many trekkers choose to do so since the guide can help plan an itinerary for your fitness level and adds a lot to the cultural experience.
You need to be in reasonably good shape to do this trek as it involves a lot of climbing up stone stairs. However, you can hire a porter to carry most of your gear to make it easier. You can expect to be walking for 6-8 hours every day, much of it uphill. Since most of the trek is not at very high elevations, your risk of altitude sickness is lower than on many other Himalayan treks.
To get to the start of the trek you will need to take a local bus or hire a private jeep and driver in Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest city. If you choose to hire a guide, they can take care of that for you.
Annapurna Sanctuary trek blog post
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Remete-Cave in Hungary by Travel Hacker Girl
My favourite hike is Remete-Cave in Hungary. It is not very well known even though it offers great views to the Danube bend and nearby hills. Thanks to this, the trail isn’t busy with tourists and you will be able to get pictures at the cave without other people in it. If you have a car you will find paid parking in Zebegény on the main square. If you need to use public transport get the train from Nyugati Station from Budapest to Zebegény. The hiking trail will offer you great views along the way.
There will be two viewpoints to take some pictures or have a rest. There will be quite steep parts and good hiking boots are recommended for this hike, but no scrambling is involved. The last km to the cave is descending on a steep part. This can be muddy after rain. Bear in mind you will need to hike back up here to make your way back to Zebegény. Once you arrived at the cave take some time to enjoy the place. This hike is about 8 km and should take about 3 hours. It is beautiful in every season. I have visited it many times since I was a teenager.
Best Hiking Trails in Hungary near Budapest by Travel Hacker Girl
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Mount Pulag, Philippines by Tara Lets Anywhere
There’s one reason why climbers trek to Mount Pulag: to witness the sea of clouds. At daybreak, the sun rises above a majestic group of clouds surrounding the mountains, its light dancing in different shades of yellow and orange. As often described, it’s a breath-taking moment. For the same reason, Mount Pulag has been dubbed as the “playground of the gods.”
Mount Pulag is located in the Philippines. It’s the highest peak in Luzon and the third highest overall in the country. It is open to climbers of varying experiences. Beginners are best suited for the Ambangeg Trail, while more experienced ones can go through the Akiki Trail, a much strenuous climb but with better views. Depending on which trail you’ll take, expect to come across a cold river and thick forests, including the Mossy Forest, an eerie but beautiful part of the mountain. There are designated camping areas in hills hours away from the summit.
Mount Pulag is open all year round. To go to Mount Pulag, you need to commute to Benguet (Bokod town for the Ambangeg trail and Akiki for the more difficult trails). Most people join organized tours to climb Mount Pulag. Reaching the summit and trekking back takes 2-3 days.
Mount Pulag, Philippines blog post by Tara Lets Anywhere
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Osmena Peak – Dalaguete, Cebu, Philippines by Tripsionista
Osmeña Peak, standing 1013 meters above sea level, boasts as the highest point of Cebu. Getting to the peak is truly a sight to see because you’ll be overlooking the beautiful Cebu shoreline, the calm sea, and the nearby islands. It also has an interesting landscape brought by the irregular rock formations surrounding it. If you’re a fan of “The Hobbit”, you’ll most likely notice the landscape’s resemblance to the scene in the movie.
If you have been trekking for some time now, traversing the peak will be a piece of cake for you. It is indeed one of the easiest mountains with the most spectacular view. It will take you 7 hours to traverse the peak but these hours in the woods will surely vanish once you reach the enchanting Kawasan Falls at the end of the trek. If you’re not ready for the long hike ahead, Osmeña Peak also has a forgiving route which will only take 30 to 45 minutes depending on your pace. However, this route will only take you to the peak without going further to the falls.
Osmeña Peak is one of the best hikes in 2018 because of its spectacular view. It also does not require an intensive list of skills to be able to conquer it. Hardcore trekker and even first-timers can explore it without any difficulty.
Read more by Tripsionista
What is your favorite hike?
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