Hiking is an outdoor exercise and consists of walking – for fitness or pleasure-in a natural environment. We choose to hike on hiking trails, especially when we don’t know the terrain or the area we are walking in. Most hiking trails go through scenic landscape. Aside from seeing superb landscapes and visiting sights along the hiking trails, we also benefit from the effects it has on our health: keeps the weight under control, lowers the blood pressure, and improves mental health. The word hiking is understood in all English-speaking countries, but there are some differences in usage. For example, in the UK and US, multi-day hikes with camping are referred to as backpacking. Multi-day hiking in the mountains is referred to as trekking in most areas of the globe (except Europe). The equipment needed depends on the length of the hike. For a day-hike , all you need is a backpack with water, food, and map. Remember to wear good walking shoes and protect your skin from the sun. Is there a hike or trek on your “life list” that you’ve yet to cross off? I’ve been hiking for fitness and pleasure for the past 10 years. And although I’ve done 22 km day-hikes, I have yet to hike on famous hiking routes such as the Inca Trail. While that’s [...]
This week on BootsnAll, we explored some of the best ways to go hiking and trekking on your travels, from walking across an entire country to checking out unique walking paths through vineyards and over waterfalls, to hiking in Switzerland on a small budget. Some of these places can easily be seen by car, or rail, or even from the comfort of a cafe chair, but others can only be experienced on foot. And there’s something great about that. When the only way you can reach a place is through the power of your own two feet, the payoff seems that much better. And then of course there’s the added benefit: if you have to walk there, chances are the place will be visited by fewer tourists. Here are a few more options for places – both well known and off the beaten path – that can only be explored on foot. The sepia-hued walls of the Zion Narrows enclose one of the best hiking spots in the world. Hikers here make their way between sandstone walls that rise up to 3,500 feet, hiking through streams and rivers for about 60% of the route. At one point the canyon is just 22 feet wide. Cars, trains and boats can you help you get from city to city in Italy’s Cinque [...]
Sometimes we hit the road in search of the world’s greatest cities. Other times we may long to explore a place’s history, or culture, or food, or art. And sometimes, we just want to get out in the world’s wildest spaces, surround ourselves in nature, and challenge our bodies to their limit. Whether you’re ready to climb Kilimanjaro or just want to talk a long walk in the woods, trekking, climbing and hiking can add another layer to your travel experience that makes it all more memorable and rewarding. This week, we’re offering up a whole range of options for those who want to explore the world on foot. First up, we’ve covered ten small countries that you can walk across on a typical short trip (under two weeks) even if you aren’t a hardcore hiker. From there we’ll revisit some of the most unique walking paths in the world. On Thursday, we’ll offer tips to help you trek responsibly, being conscious of the local environment. And we’ll round out the week with tips on how you can visit one of the world’s best hiking destinations – Switzerland – on a budget. But first, here are a few more ideas and resources to help you plan a trekking trip: 10 of the Best Places to Hike in the US 10 [...]
Hiking is an outdoor exercise and consists of walking – for fitness or pleasure-in a natural environment. We choose to hike on hiking trails, especially when we don’t know the terrain or the area we are walking in. Most hiking trails go through scenic landscape. Aside from seeing superb landscapes and visiting sights along the hiking trails, we also benefit from the effects it has on our health: keeps the weight under control, lowers the blood pressure, and improves mental health. The word hiking is understood in all English-speaking countries, but there are some differences in usage. For example, in the UK and US, multi-day hikes with camping are referred to as backpacking. Multi-day hiking in the mountains is referred to as trekking in most areas of the globe (except Europe). The equipment needed depends on the length of the hike. For a day-hike , all you need is a backpack with water, food, and map. Remember to wear good walking shoes and protect your skin from the sun. Is there a hike or trek on your “life list” that you’ve yet to cross off? I’ve been hiking for fitness and pleasure for the past 10 years. And although I’ve done 22 km day-hikes, I have yet to hike on famous hiking routes such as the Inca Trail. While that’s [...] 
This week on BootsnAll, we explored some of the best ways to go hiking and trekking on your travels, from walking across an entire country to checking out unique walking paths through vineyards and over waterfalls, to hiking in Switzerland on a small budget. Some of these places can easily be seen by car, or rail, or even from the comfort of a cafe chair, but others can only be experienced on foot. And there’s something great about that. When the only way you can reach a place is through the power of your own two feet, the payoff seems that much better. And then of course there’s the added benefit: if you have to walk there, chances are the place will be visited by fewer tourists. Here are a few more options for places – both well known and off the beaten path – that can only be explored on foot. The sepia-hued walls of the Zion Narrows enclose one of the best hiking spots in the world. Hikers here make their way between sandstone walls that rise up to 3,500 feet, hiking through streams and rivers for about 60% of the route. At one point the canyon is just 22 feet wide. Cars, trains and boats can you help you get from city to city in Italy’s Cinque [...] 
Sometimes we hit the road in search of the world’s greatest cities. Other times we may long to explore a place’s history, or culture, or food, or art. And sometimes, we just want to get out in the world’s wildest spaces, surround ourselves in nature, and challenge our bodies to their limit. Whether you’re ready to climb Kilimanjaro or just want to talk a long walk in the woods, trekking, climbing and hiking can add another layer to your travel experience that makes it all more memorable and rewarding. This week, we’re offering up a whole range of options for those who want to explore the world on foot. First up, we’ve covered ten small countries that you can walk across on a typical short trip (under two weeks) even if you aren’t a hardcore hiker. From there we’ll revisit some of the most unique walking paths in the world. On Thursday, we’ll offer tips to help you trek responsibly, being conscious of the local environment. And we’ll round out the week with tips on how you can visit one of the world’s best hiking destinations – Switzerland – on a budget. But first, here are a few more ideas and resources to help you plan a trekking trip: 10 of the Best Places to Hike in the US 10 [...] 