Because I frequently go on walking holidays in both Europe and North America I have noticed a difference in the way hiking trails are constructed on both continents. There are always exceptions to what I have listed below but these differences do alter the overall hiking experience:
Five ways the European trails are different:
In Europe you will find a network connecting trails while in North America you tend to have long distance trails such as the Appalachian Trail; Pacific Crest Trail; and Trans Canada Trail with a few connectors or side trails
In England you can stop for a cup of tea high on a mountain in the Lake District. In the Alps of Germany or Switzerland there will be a café at the top of the mountain. In North America you rarely have tea rooms or cafés except in a few of the very popular National Parks such as Banff with a lot of day hikers.
Many of the North American trails pass mostly through National, State or Provincial Parks even the long distance trails such as the Appalachian Trail. An therefore these trails tend to be in forested areas. In places such as England public footpaths in use for centuries are not uncommon.
North American trails have blazes on trees with little or no directional signage. While in Europe there are often directional signs are most intersections with blazes on posts or maybe even none as you are just following the trail.
In North American hiking trails usually consist of a dirt path with plenty of wooden bridges, boardwalks and stairs and other support structures along the routes. While frequently this is to stop erosion in areas where there is a high number of hikers other times it is this to make it easier for hiking. On the European continent walking trails are more likely (not always) to be wider and may have a gravel base.
If you need some suggestions for where to hike take a look at Classic Hikes of the World: 23 Breathtaking Treks
These differences in hiking trails just make the experience even more interesting.
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Hiking (101 Essential Tips) Price: $5.00 Pages: 72, Paperback, DK ADULT
Take a walking holiday and travel the world. You will have the opportunity to enjoy great scenery, meet other hikers, and see another country. Listed below are seven walking holiday planning tips to get you started for a great holiday hiking.
Tip 1 – Good planning makes for a great holiday
The easiest way is to book with a travel company that specializes in walking holidays.
They will arrange the hikes with experienced guides, the accommodation and perhaps some meals. Some offer one hike a day, a sort of one size fits all method. Other companies offer different level hikes each day suitable for different skill levels. If you are tackling a major multi-day walking holiday check on the level of fitness and experience required.
You may decide to plan your own walking holiday and should consider a hiking guidebook of the area to assist in research the trails, accommodation and local transportation.
Tip 2 – Walking Holidays gear
If you do not already have hiking gear purchase it today as you need to do some training walks in your local area prior to your holiday. Base essential gear for a walking holiday include hiking boots, a packsack, good socks, hiking poles, water bottle, rainwear and other clothing which will depend on your destination.
Do not forget to pack such items as insect repellent, sunscreen, a first aid kit and perhaps even bear spray for some destinations. A digital camera is essential to record your walking holiday experiences to show friends and family upon your return.
Tip 3 – Warm up walk
Start a program of light walks progressively gets harder to get in shape. Break in those hiking boots and test all your equipment. Make sure you know how to use the GPS, hiking poles and other equipment.
Tip 4 –Transportation
Book your flight and/or train arrangements. It is also essential you purchase travel insurance when travelling outside your local region. If you have purchased a walking holiday from a travel company insurance is normally mandatory, check on the level of coverage required.
If travelling to Europe for your walking holiday consider a rail pass which frequently includes discounts on local buses, mountain railways and cable cars to get you to the start of the hike.
Tip 5 – Documentation
Check on the required documents such as passports, visas, vaccinations. These may take a while to obtain so make arrangements well in advance. Be sure to take photo copies of all important documents along on the trip as well.
Tip 6 – Accommodation
Where you stay is an important consideration. What about a room in a chalet with a balcony overlooking the Swiss Alps? Accommodation in popular hiking areas can fill up quickly so book well in advance. Consider taking a walking holiday off season for cheaper prices and more availability.
Tip 7 – Local Culture
Check up on local sightseeing opportunities to enjoy the local culture along with your walking holiday. Visit castles, historic sites, natural wonders, wineries, museums, etc.
If visiting a foreign country it is considered a courtesy to learn a bit of the local language.
You are now ready to hit the trails, enjoy planning your walking holiday.
Originally posted 2009-12-08 12:51:59.
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The proper hiking nutrition is important during your walking holiday. You will need to eat foods rich in protein to keep your muscles fit and carbohydrates to give you enough energy and fuel for your muscles to be able to hike at a steady and consistent pace.
Even before you start hiking eat a lot of carbohydrate foods. What this will do is help load your muscles with glycogen and provide fuel for the needs of your body. And continue to replenish your carbohydrates along the hike.
Do carry protein bars along the trail which contain carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and water, all if which gives your body energy. So a protein bar can be an essential snack, helping you get through your busy hiking day.
Also eating a protein bar within two hours of finishing your hike will perk you up as this is when you tend to store the most carbohydrates. A protein bar is an easy way to get that extra fix of energy.
Carbohydrates too are necessary for the production of energy in your body. The body will take these carbohydrates and convert them to sugars for easy consumption. The starch in carbohydrates is used for energy in the form of glucose (the sugar) to power the body during the hike.
If the body runs out of carbohydrates it will burn other elements including fat. It will then go to your protein stores to use for energy output. When your body goes to fat usage for energy your level of performance will drop. When the body goes from fat to protein, it is beginning to take apart muscle mass and will cause your hiking performance to further drop significantly. If you have ever noticed a lack of energy in the late afternoon of a long hike this may be one of the causes.
For some additional advice on healthy trail foods the popular Trail Food: Drying and Cooking Food for Backpacking and Paddling
Michael Barry, a professional cyclist writes in his book – Inside the Postal Bus about bicycle racing but I also find this true about hiking.
“While racing in the heat, it is hard to consume food but easy to drink fluids, whereas in the cold and wet weather it is easier to eat but harder to drink. Often times I need to remind myself to drink in the cold, and in the heat I simply consume Clif Shots, since they are easy to get down and digest on a hot day.”
So proper hiking nutrition requires that you eat and drink during your hike, not really a surprise is it?
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A walking holiday does not need to be a major expedition of a week or so. Some of the best walking holidays can be only 2 or 3 days in length, a weekend getaway.
The walking holiday will need to be a short train ride or car drive of 3- 5 hours away from home.
Why go on a walking holiday just for a weekend?
· It provides great exercise and can help with your training for a major hiking trip later in the year
· Going away, even for a short distance adds excitement to your life and provides a change of pace by exploring a new area. After the weekend when you talk to your work colleagues they will be amazed at what an exciting life you lead. Most of them do not even do simple trips like this
· Hiking reduces work stress
· A weekend away can be very social
You can make the arrangements on your own. Many hiking clubs offer inexpensive weekend getaway trips which also are also very sociable.
Whatever way you choose find a location that interests you and book the accommodation. For a weekend a great B & B can be fun, camping can be an inexpensive option or for a real treat stay at a resort hotel and do some day hiking. You might even include some local attractions and country restaurants to a more fun experience.
Weekend getaways can have a theme as well. For example our local hiking club goes to Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario every spring just as the flowers start to bloom; to the Adirondacks in June for some steeper climbs; some cabins in the autumn to see the fall colours; and a resort lodge in the winter for some snow shoe hiking. There are plenty of guides to provide destination ideas such as New England Trips
The distances you hike and the terrain can be as challenging as you and your friends wish, after all your weekend getaway is a mini vacation.
Now is the time to start planning your next hiking weekend getaway
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Originally posted 2009-11-05 12:55:59.
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The Bernese Oberland area of Switzerland offer many opportunities for a walking holiday.
One of the most popular trails departing from Grindelwald is to take the cable car located near the tourist office up to the cafe at First and then walk on a number of trails. This video is about the hike to Bachalpsee, the most popular, which takes about two hours. This should be considered an easy walk with some minor climbs along the way.
There are many other options available including the four hour hike down the mountain to Grindelwald and even longer trails to Schynige Platter and other regions in the mountains.
This typical walk featured a cow who blocked the trail and would not move. As is typical in Switzerland the cows wander the mountainside with their bells ringing like an orchestra.
I use the guide from Cicerone to plan this and many other walks during our stay, the bernese alps (a walker’s guide)
As you can see in the video above the scenery is just amazing with an excellent cafe at the mountainside to soak in the views before you start.
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