This list of the best North American destinations for a walking holiday does not include the long distance trails such as the Appalachian Trail, but rather places where you can base yourself during your vacation and take a series of day hikes.
East Coast Trail, Newfoundland
Not well known the East Coast Trail covers 540 km along the Avalon Peninsula on the east coast of Newfoundland. Although parts are still under construction you will see icebergs along the rugged coastline, historic St. John’s and plenty of sea birds and seals. Everyone talks about the local people with their colourful personalities which enrich the experience. Accommodation in bed and breakfasts.
Acadia National Park, Maine
The second busiest park in the U.S. also offers 125 miles trails for hiking. There is 45 miles of the historic carriage trail system of crushed gravel created by John D. Rockefeller Jr. More traditional hiking opportunities exist at every level from simple rambles to rugged climbs. On a recent visit a park ranger was pointing out migrating birds of prey from the summit of Cadillac Mountain. The area offers plenty of hotels, campgrounds and cabins in Bar Harbor.
Adirondacks, New York State
Located in upper New York State this region offers over 2,000 miles of hiking trails over a combination public and private lands. Many of the trails have significant climbs on rugged trails. The area features numerous campgrounds, cabins and resorts.
Jasper National Park, Alberta
A gem in the Canadian Rockies, stay in the resort town of Jasper. The park offers a great variety of hiking such as Sulphur Skyline with its great views, the more gentle Maligne Canyon, glaciers of Edith Cavell Trail or the easy Old Fort Point Trail. You will likely see some bears, big horn sheep and elk during your visit.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite was one of the first wilderness parks in the United States, today offers over 750 miles of hiking trails. While best known for its waterfalls you will also find meadows and ancient giant sequoias. A great reference is The Official Guide to America’s National Parks
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon offers many day hike opportunities. The South and North Rim offer trails with spectacular views of the inner canyon. There are no easy trails into the Canyon itself while the experience will be talked about for years. Guided hikes of various lengths are also available from specialized tour operators
PBS is has a television program the U.S. parks is the book by Ken Burns The National Parks: America’s Best Idea
These six National Parks and one coastline offer some magnificent opportunities for walking holidays in North America.
The Hiking Companion: Getting the most from the trail experience throughout the seasons: where to go, what to bring, basic navigation, and backpacking
Price: $9.95
Pages: 136, Edition: illustrated edition, Paperback, Storey Publishing, LLC
Backpacking and Hiking (EYEWITNESS COMPANION GUIDES)
Price: $13.6
Pages: 256, Paperback, DK ADULT
Originally posted 2009-10-08 17:22:59.
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Known by different names including walking holidays in England, trekking in New Zealand and hiking in Canada or the U.S. this is the ultimate green vacation. A holiday of this type is where walking is the primary reason of the trip.
Many destinations are known for their excellent walking trails including south island of New Zealand, the Canadian Rockies, Appalachians in the U.S., Lake District in England, Swiss Alps, Patagonia in Argentina, Nepal base camp and many others.
No less popular are the many National, state and provincial parks closer to home for those people wishing to reduce carbon emissions, see their own country. This is a less costly option.
You may decide to use a tour company which offers walking holidays, each with its own style and requiring different levels of fitness. Different levels suitable for all ages including families from beginner to expert, from easy walking to hilltop scrambling are available.
Many of the tour operators offer different levels with many departures for families only. If you are single or your partner is not interested in a walking holiday most tour operators have single share programs to reduce costs and the very nature of a walking holiday encourages meeting like minded people
HF Holidays of England has been in business for over 100 years and has its own country homes as a base; Peregrine is based in Australia yet offers walking holidays worldwide and GAP includes more of an adventure travel style and is well known for its South America program.
You may also decide to purchase maps and guide books and along with information on the internet and the assistance of your travel agent create your own walking holiday. For further information see Joy Of Hiking: Hiking The Trailmaster Way
Walking holidays appeal to the person looking for a more active holiday.
Originally posted 2009-08-06 12:15:59.
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September and October is the best time of the year for a autumn walking holiday as the weather is excellent, generally sunny and not too hot. An added benefit is the trails are not as crowded either.
You will want to take advantage of the opportunity to see Mother Nature at her finest. With the recent warm weather 2009 is expected to be one of the best years.
The fall foliage is ablaze with colours in destinations in eastern Canada including:
· Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario
· Gatineau Park in Quebec
The New England states in the U.S. are famous as well for autumn walking tours, in particular:
· Adirondack Mountains in New York State
· Finger Lakes Trail in New York State and be sure to include a
winery visit along the way.
There are cabins in the state parks, camping or bed and
breakfast accommodation
· The Green mountains in Vermont offer numerous hiking
opportunities and plenty of quaint Bed and Breakfasts or small
Country Inns
Good place to start 50 Hikes in the Adirondacks: Short Walks, Day Trips, and Backpacks Throughout the Park, Fourth Edition
Even parts of Europe get in the act:
· Bavaria in southern Germany has some colour as well, particularly around the King Ludwigs fairy tale castles, although not with the vivid reds you see in North America. You can even take a autumn walking tour of pedestrian friendly Munich before you head off to Oktoberfest.
· While in the rest of Europe you will not find the fall foliage to the same extent the weather is still excellent, you are in the off-season with greater availability of accommodation at cheaper rates. For many mountain regions with excellent hiking you are too early for the ski season and the summer visitors have left, so enjoy!
Now is the best time for an autumn walking holiday so pack the hiking boots and head outdoors. And do not forget to pack your camera as well.
Foghorn Outdoors New England Hiking: The Complete Guide to More Than 380 Hikes
Price: $14.93
Pages: 520, Edition: 4th, Paperback, Avalon Travel Publishing
Originally posted 2009-09-25 09:34:59.
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Proper hydration and a fueled body is required when on a walking holiday to keep you going in spite of the long hours of vigorous physical activity. Today we will take a look at hydration.
Water or Sports Drinks?
People often ask whether drinking water or sports drinks are better during a walking holiday. Well research has shown any athlete under the sweltering sun when provided with water as a means of hydrating themselves only replaced one and half to two thirds of fluid loss, while those who were given sports drinks have shown to hydrate nearly to hundred percent. Nuun U Natural Hydration Pack
We lose electrolytes when we sweat. Dizziness, muscle cramps, extreme exhaustion, and irregular heartbeat are the results of electrolyte loss in the body You lose then lose endurance due to low level of electrolytes. So hydrate yourself regularly during your during your walking tour.
Be sure your sports drink has less than 8 percent in total solids which includes both carbohydrates as well as electrolytes. If you go with something that has more, it is not as easily absorbed into your body, delaying any benefit it may have. You can dilute sports drinks up to 50% if they contain over this amount.
Elevensies
The English have a custom when on a walking holiday called elevensies, where they always take a break around 11 a.m., and in a tea room along the trail if convenient. Taking a break to recharge is a must. Not so great is that we sometimes have a delicious pastry along with a cup of coffee (particularly North Americans), not the healthiest option. Although this is also a social part of the hike, consider somewhat a little healthier if planning a long or difficult walk.
Tea rooms and restaurants are common along many trails in England and Europe but rare in North America where your elevensies break will consist of what you carried along in your packsack.
If you want proper hydration consider Nuun U Natural Hydration Pack
CAMELBAK Women’s Helena Hiking Hydration Pack
Price: $90.0
The new Helena hydration pack is Camelbak’s? most popular backpack size and offers women enough cargo and hydration for multi-hour hikes. 3 litre (100 fl. oz.) reservoir. 1, 300 cubic inch cargo capacity. Omega; HydroTanium; reservoir is easy to drink, easy to clean, leakproof, and taste-free. Full zip back panel access to the reservoir makes filling up even easier. Insulation reservoir pocket to keep liquid cool for hours. Repositioned sternum strap for a female specific fit. Compact footprint and shorter length match a female torso. Air Director back panel with air mesh harness for enhanced ventilation. External fleece lined pocket for sunglasses or an mp3 player. Quick access overflow storage with dual compression straps.
Brand: CamelBak
Originally posted 2010-02-16 10:20:59.
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Hiking safety is to be considered on every walk. On a day hike recently we had to stop as one of our group had a blister. It was uncomfortable for the hiker as we were only about 5 kilometers into our 16 km hike and it would not have been enjoyable for the individual. Fortunately I always carry a first aid kit.
Hiking is usually a pretty safe activity, provides great exercise, and is fun and very socialable. You do need to follow some basic hiking safety tips:
1. Always carry Adventure Medical Kits
many hikers do not even carry the basic minimum which should
include:
– Moleskin, band aids (plasters), blister treatment
- Tensor bandage, gauze pads
– Tweezers and needl
– Pain medication
– Disinfectant or antibiotic cream (such as Polysporin)
2. Hydration & food – Carry plenty of water or sports drinks and
snacks such as energy bars, nuts, and bananas. Lack of energy
leads to making poor decisions and frankly you will not have a good
time.
3. Map & compass – carry a map of the route and understand how the
trail is blazed. For example the colours in Switzerland indicate the
level of the trail, understand that prior to starting. Also carry and
know how to use a compass or GPS. A great resource is The Essential Wilderness Navigator: How to Find Your Way in the Great Outdoors
4. Cellular phone – to have in case of an emergency is another hiking
safety tip. While hiking in the Lake Como area of Italy one of our
group slipped on a rock and could not walk. A quick call on the
cell phone meant a car was waiting when we arrived at the
nearby road to take the person to hospital.
5. Always tell someone where you are hiking. If for some unforeseen
reason you do not return they know where to start looking. It is
not a good idea to hike alone. If you do keep to popular hiking
trails with lots of people in case you run into problems.
6. Hiking clothes – good hiking boots and socks to prevent scrapes
and blisters. Hike for the weather; in layers if it is cold, sun
protection if required. Always at least a windbreaker as weather
can change quickly, particularly in mountains. Also hiking poles can
help.
7. Whistle to signal to others if in trouble, particularly when hiking in
a group.
Destination specific items may include bear spray, flashlight, rope.
Follow these seven hiking safety tips and have an enjoyable walk.
Adventure Medical Weekender First Aid Kit
Price: $49.99
The Adventure(r) Medical Kits Weekender first aid kit is designed especially for the weekend adventurer. It can be easily carried by everyone from the family that going car-camping to the backcountry skier.
Brand: Adventure Medical Kits
The Essential Wilderness Navigator: How to Find Your Way in the Great Outdoors, Second Edition
Price: $13.22
Pages: 173, Edition: 2, Paperback, International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
Originally posted 2009-10-27 12:56:59.
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