It’s often said that the journey is more important than the destination, and this is never truer than when hiking. It’s an easy, accessible, inexpensive and relaxing pastime that offers many health benefits.
Getting out on the trails is easiest in your own country and you can simply start with a short local walk and build up to longer trails and hill hikes. After that, you might fancy a walking trip in another country.
Here are five great walking destinations as suggested by my guest blogger.
Scotland for walkers
Let’s start with Scotland. If you follow this blog you’ll know all about the amazing opportunities for walking in this small but beautifully packaged country. A great place to get started with walking is to follow one of the many waymarked trails, including the West Highland Way, the Annandale Way, the Rob Roy Way and the Ayrshire Coastal path.
For inspiration see Great Scottish Trails and Walk Highlands.
Canada for walkers
Canada’s vast tracts of wilderness offer a plethora of opportunities. Canada boasts some 3800 km of hiking trails, encompassing wildlife refuges, historical sites, majestic forest landscapes and stunning, unspoiled coastal regions.
The West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island. PIc credit: Paxson Woelber on Flickr
Hiking is a big deal in Canada, with the national hiking trail competing as a top tourist destination. Hiking and backpacking are two of Canada’s top tourist attractions alongside other outdoor activities such as skiing, nature photography and bird watching.
The Fundy Trail in New Brunswick offers one of North America’s few untouched coastal wilderness areas, unlocking stunning seaside beauty. The winding trails are perfect for hikers of all skill levels, leading to less travelled paths that reveal sandy beaches, hidden waterfalls and jaw dropping cliffs.
Walking in the Canary Islands
Year round warm weather and sunshine makes the Canary Isles a great attraction for walkers. The geology of the islands, which were formed by volcanic activity 23 million years ago, also offers a fascinating landscape to explore.
There are lots of trails to choose from, for all levels of experience, through stunning natural scenery and quirky geological formations.
Montaña Blanca, in Tenerife, is a particularly interesting route for those with some experience, following a 7km trail and 500m of elevation to deliver a stunning panorama of this beautiful island.
Thailand for walking holidays
Thailand is a classic backpacking destination and offers many opportunities for exploration on foot. For example, theKhai Sok National Park, located in the southern Surat Thani province, is a great choice. This park encompasses 739km2 of virgin forest and offers a rare opportunity to explore untouched forest first-hand that dates back 60 million years.
Sweden for walkers
Sweden for walkers. Spot the albino deer in front of the reindeer train. PIc credit: Oskar Karlin on Flickr
Sweden, located partially within the Arctic Circle, is a classic European destination for outdoor lovers. The legendary Kings Trail crosses glaciers, forest and open tundra, providing a challenge for those with experience, and an opportunity to bask in the emptiness of this vast nation.