“Melting snow, the ultimate barefoot pleasure.” That’s the title of one chapter in Richard Frazine’s 1993 book ‘The Barefoot Hiker.’ My toes go a little numb just thinking about it. But folks like Franzine, 65, are adamant that hitting the trail sans boots is the most intense way to experience the outdoors. It’s all about […]
The West Coast Trail ranks among the world’s most spectacular hikes. And with good reason: it’s a challenging trek with achingly beautiful scenery. The perfect route to slap on a bucket list. So why shouldn’t every adventure-lovin’ trailblazer be gushing over this famous Canadian trek? Because about 8,000 people hike it annually. Don’t get me […]
Everything’s different when you hike in the dark. Your ears perk up at every snapped twig or drop of rain; your eyes strain to focus on the smallest shed of distant light. It can be a hair-raising experience. And it can also be exhilarating. While everyone else is either tucked into bed or watching Leno […]
Deep in the wilderness of northern Laos, far removed from the trappings of western society, intrepid hikers might stumble upon the remote village of Akha. But only if they know where to look. Travel writer Holly Cave endured the difficult trek to this unique community, where she discovered some universal truths about the human condition. Read her […]
Tranquil forests, litter-free coastlines and desolate trails that have seen fewer hiking boots than a ballroom dance floor – this is outdoor adventure at its finest. If you’ve already tackled the big-name treks that lure swarms of eager travelers every year, consider searching for a lesser-known trail that hasn’t been stomped smooth yet. Less crowded hikes may […]
The locals speak of Ecuador’s Cajas National Park with a mixture of pride and trepidation, often warning about the lack of marked trails, eerie woodlands and wash of clouds that descend in the evenings. Travel writer Bani Amor explores the backwoods of this unique hiking destination. Read her article on Cajas National Park.
Chinese legend has it that a fierce creature named Nian once tore through villages on New Year’s Eve. The dragon-like monster devoured livestock whole before targeting the youngest and oldest people in the community. So just before Nian was expected to attack, villagers gathered their most vulnerable kin and fled to the mountains. But they […]
Want to shake up your hiking routine? Try a route with aliens or boiling pools of foul-smelling mud. The world is full of strange and mind-boggling places to hike through. From a conspiracy theorist’s dream camping spot to a network of paths that’s underwater half of the year, these odd treks highlight just how weird […]
Snowshoeing is a mellow activity, right? The sort of thing you do with grandma and all the little tykes on Christmas Eve. Tell that to the guy who tumbled down three 10-metre cliffs near Vancouver, B.C., earlier this month. Afterwards, the battered snowshoer got up and staggered into the treacherous Tony Baker Gully – named after […]
The silence here is almost unnerving. Jagged mountain peaks toss shadows across crumbling stone houses, temples and mausoleums; terraces carve into the hillside, resembling rows of massive stairs. But perhaps what’s most striking about Peru’s Choquequirao archeological site is what travellers won’t find: other tourists. Read the full article on Peru’s Choquequirao Trail.
