Author: Administration

UPDATE.  BAD NEWS.  As of April 1, 2023 the Nepal government required that major treks can no longer be done independently.  Hiring a guide is mandatory.  The obvious alternative for independent hikers is the Indian Himalaya.    

Every hiker dreams of trekking in the footsteps of Hillary and Norgay. Climbing to Mt. Everest Base Camp Qomolangma (Tibetan), Sagarmāthā (Nepali) should be on your bucket list.

Here is the finest alpine scenery in the world, we reckon.

Namche Bazaar … at 3,440 metres (11,286 ft) … is the main trading center for the Khumbu region with many Nepalese officials, a police check post and a bank. …

Namche has a permanent population of around 800.

Almost everyone trekking in the Khumbu region will visit Namche Bazaar, as it is the gateway to the high Himalaya.

More interesting photos tagged Namche Bazaar.

Want more information? Check WikiTravel – Namche.

Our favourite hike hikes out of Namche are:

• Everest Base Camp / 3 Passes
• Everest Base Camp / Kala Pattar
• Everest Gokyo

Many consider the mountain people and Tibetan culture an even bigger highlight than the peaks.

Best months are from October to early-December, cold but normally with clear views of the world’s highest mountains.

Spring is also a good time to visit the Everest region, though the skies may be hazy. Some argue that pastures are greener in the Spring.

Check the trip report posted by besthike editor Rick McCharles, Nov. 2009 – Everest Base Camp / 2 Passes

Or start on our Nepal information page.

I really, really want to get back to Iceland.

Especially after watching this inspirational edit.

Magical.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I’d made dozens of flights with a tiny Swiss Army knife in my carry-on without a problem.

But flying out of Vegas, the TSA told me that NONE were allowed — not even those with blades no longer than 2.36 inches long and no wider than 1/2 inch.

Those were allowed at one time but are not in USA 2023.

related – Flying with a Camping Stove in your carry-on luggage.

Many have had clean camping stoves confiscated from their personal luggage.

I put my pot in one carry-on bag. The tiny screw-in stove part mixed in with other small electronics and metal pieces in another bag.

So far that’s worked for me. I don’t check luggage for a hiking trip unless absolutely necessary.

I’d say Red Rock Canyon is the best hiking and scrambling destination in the world this close to a major city. Las Vegas.

Over the years I’ve done all of the established hikes.

BUT more recently I park or cycle to nearby Calico Basin. Free entry. Free parking.

THEN take the Calico Hills Overlook Scramble to Red Rock Canyon. It’s obvious and easy from the parking lot.

Once in the red rock, I wander and scramble wherever I like.

Click PLAY or watch an example from April 2023 on YouTube.

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

Only 20 hikers / day are allowed access. The BLM is considering an increase to a maximum of 96 per day .

Getting a permit is the BIG problem.

• on the Utah-Arizona border, halfway between Page, Arizona and Kanab, Utah in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness
• in 2014 about 50,000 applied for permits. Only 15% were granted.
• Wire Pass trailhead located in North Coyote Buttes permit area of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
•  5.2 miles return
• you can go any month of the year, if you can tolerate the heat

World → North America → S.W. USA  → Arizona → The Wave

Wave information page.

Related posts:

Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal

Blog

The Jurassic Coast Trail

Blog

K2 Basecamp, Concordia, (possibly) Gondogoro La 

Blog

The Caribbean is not at all considered a hiking destination. But Lonely Planet does recommend these trails.

• Waitukubuli National Trail, Dominica (185km)
• Pico Turquino, Cuba (22.5-25km)
• Mt Christoffel, Curaçao (2.7km)
• Gros Piton Trail, St Lucia (4.7km)
• Dark View Falls, St Vincent (2.4km)

Details – The 5 best hikes in the Caribbean

Of those, we’re most interested in the long Waitukubuli Trail, officially opened in 2013.

Click PLAY or get a glimpse on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Some call it the ‘best free hike out of Las Vegas‘. I’d agree.

No need to pay entry to Red Rock Canyon, this adventure is right next door ➙ out of Calico Basin. Free entry. Free parking.

On a cool day in April, I did the the 6.9 km (4.2 mi) Kraft Mountain & Calico Hills Loop. With side trips and additional scrambles, it was longer for me.

Click PLAY or get a glimpse on YouTube.

Shout out from As The Crow Flies Hiking.

I agree. Hyperlite is the only pack I hike with.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Moab is one of our top 10 hiking towns in the world.

We had about 30 people rendezvous there over the school Spring Break end of March 2023. Great fun!

You can read my trip report here.

Click PLAY or watch HIGHLIGHTS on YouTube.

Rockies

Spectacular vistas, frequent wildlife encounters, the best wild flowers we’ve ever seen. Hot springs, quaint mountain towns, perhaps the best long distance hikes on the planet.

There are options to scramble ridges and peaks virtually everywhere.

“You can’t lose in the Rockies.”

… so says frequent contributor Rob Glaser who has hiked here all his life.

Trails are safe and well managed. The infrastructure excellent. (In fact, it’s hard to imagine there are two regions in the world we rate better.)

The weather and conditions are variable to say the least, but in many parts of the Rockies Aug-Sept are the best months. A very short window! On the other hand, if you ski or board, you’ll never lack for adventure in the Rocky Mountains.

More information on our new Rockies information page.

Our favourite trip in the Canadian Rockies is Sunshine to Assiniboine, our #5 hike in the world.

Anemones and Assiniboine, Alberta, Canada

Our Assiniboine Information page.

Just a short drive away is our favourite trail in the USA Rockies, Glacier North Circle, our #6 hike in the world. One of the best places in the world to see wildlife.

Our North Circle Information page.

Leave a comment if you have your own favourite hike in the Rockies.