Thanks Jeff.

I asked Perplexity AI.

A better list than I expected to get from Artificial Intelligence:

• Tour du Mont Blanc: This hike takes you through France, Italy, and Switzerland, and offers stunning views of the Alps 16.
• West Coast Trail: Located in Canada, this hike takes you through rugged terrain and offers views of the Pacific Ocean 16.
• Laugavegur Trail: This hike in Iceland takes you through a variety of landscapes, including glaciers, hot springs, and volcanic terrain 1.
• Greater Patagonian Trail: This hike in Chile and Argentina offers views of glaciers, mountains, and forests 2.
• Tongariro Alpine Crossing: This hike in New Zealand is considered by some to be the best single-day hike in the world, and offers views of volcanic terrain and stunning landscapes 3.
• Kjeragbolten: This hike in Norway takes you to a boulder wedged between two cliffs, offering incredible views of the fjords below 3.
• The Great Ocean Walk: This hike in Australia offers views of the Southern Ocean and the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks 5.
• GR 20: This hike in Corsica is considered one of the toughest in Europe, but offers stunning views of the island’s rugged terrain 6.
• Banff Highline Traverse: This hike in Canada offers views of glaciers, mountains, and alpine lakes 6.
• Rakiura Track: This hike in New Zealand takes you through forests and along beaches, and offers views of wildlife such as kiwis and penguins 2.

A mixed assortment, of course. It’s difficult to compare an easy day hike like the Kjeragbolten to the Greater Patagonian Trail.

Moab is a fantastic jumping off point for outdoor adventure, a special mecca for crack climbing.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/7YCnIacQKhQ

But the “strip” can be loud, ugly, hot and aggravating. Once you get away from the highway, the town’s much prettier. They have a good library and great bike trails.

Moab … in eastern Utah … is 233 miles (374 km) southeast of Salt Lake City and 354 miles (569 km) west of Denver, Colorado …

The population was 4,779 at the 2000 census. … Moab hosts a large number of tourists every year, mostly visitors of the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, which are located close by. The town is also a popular base for mountain bikers who come to ride the extensive network of trails including the famed Slickrock Trail …

More interesting photos tagged Moab, Utah.

Our favourite hikes out of Moab are:

• Chesler Park
• Devil’s Garden
• Delicate Arch
• Syncline Loop
• Upper Salt Creek
• Murphy Basin
• Gooseberry-Dogleg Loop

There are many, many more. This is Edward Abbey country.

Chesler Park

Click through for more “best hikes” in the S.W. USA.

Hike here Spring and Fall. It’s HOT in the summer.

My gear gurus — Dave and Kraig — consistently list Matador one of their favourite gear companies.

The Matador Freerain22 is an amazing pack at only 300g (10.6oz).

I’d call it water resistant, not submersible. It’s not a dry bag.

Not inexpensive (about $100), I bought the Freerain to replace my last Matador packable which I had used for hundreds of days of travel. Incredibly durable and useful.

It’s my second pack ➙ the one I use for a short day hike, picking up groceries, shopping, etc.

I don’t need any more frame or suspension for short day hikes. I typically push an extra layer down towards the lumbar portion of the bag — and that’s plenty of padding.

Click PLAY or watch the Matador video on YouTube.

Read the Packhacker detailed review.

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

I’d hiked out of Madonna di Campiglio in 2009. Loved it.

The Dolomites are one of our top 10 hiking regions of the world..

Mid-June 2023 I returned, wanting — this time — to do some of the famed via ferrata routes there.

Sadly, the cablecars going up high had not started yet. In fact, Madonna di Campiglio doesn’t really get going 100% for summer hiking until the end of June.

Instead, I did the most popular lower level day hike as it was the best available the one day I ended up staying.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I followed this route recommended on AllTrails:

5 Laghi: Ritort – Lambin – Gelato – Serodoli – Nambino

(AKA Giro dei cinque laghi)

This shorter (less expensive) Spinale cable car was running up from town. You loop 5 lakes in about 4-5 hours.

• 11.91 km
• 795 m elevation gain
• starts at Mountain station 5 lakes 2065 m
• medium difficulty due to rocky footing

LAKES !

When the sun comes out, it’s lovely and warm in the Dolomites.

BUT both times I’ve hiked here, I’ve had afternoon rain almost every day — and sometimes lightning storms. Be prepared for bad weather.

I actually opted to hike all the way down past a sixth lake ( Nambino) — but would recommend the cable car both ways instead.

The hike was better than expected. A good workout with the next lake to look forward to around every corner.

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

Why?

24km total … about 18km on a sharp ridge! Wow!

• Yes, this is our pick for the very best day hike on Earth
• Brienz to Interlaken Brienz Rothorn Railway up to the start
• take the funicular from Harderkulm (Harder Kulm)  down to Harderkulm Station in Interlaken
• logistics are much more difficult in the opposite direction. We highly recommend hikers start in Brienz
• 10 hours. Physically and psychologically challenging.
• no water available. Carry all you need.
• not an official trail, but it’s easy to follow in good visibility
• about 1500m above the lake
• permits not required
• it’s popular with trail runners who do about 35km entirely on foot. They start at either end.
• also known as Hardergrat (… grat is ridge in German)

World → Europe → Alps → Switzerland → Harder Ridge

Click PLAY or watch Jackson Groves on YouTube.

For details click over to our Harder Ridge information page.

related – The GoPro: ’22 Creator Summit was held in Interlaken. Some of this footage is shot on the ridge.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Here’s a graphic representation of the ridge walk, though in the opposite direction from what we recommend.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

November in frozen Canada makes me start dreaming of another hiking trip to Patagonia.

Best hike?

One of the best for sure is the Paine Circuit in Chile.

Some call it the “O” trek as contrasted with the shorter “W” trail.

When to Go

The best — and only — time to complete the O Circuit is in the Chilean summer, from late November to mid-March. …

The O Trek is a 7-night route that covers roughly 80 miles with roughly 13,000 feet of elevation gain. …

Accommodations and Food

At every stop along the O Trek there are “refugios” — think mountain huts and small ski lodges with bathrooms and small markets attached. Each site has a base price for folks who plan to set up their own tent and cook their own meals. Enclosed cooking huts are provided.

From there, hikers can upgrade and rent pre-erected tents, domes, hostel beds, and more depending on each site. Sleeping bags can also be rented at refugio sites. …

Booking & Cost

Our total booking cost was $507 for two people and 7 nights of camping.

This cost did not include groceries and food, our park pass, or travel to, or accommodations in, Puerto Natales.

Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially if you want to camp.

Booking last minute is possible, but there may only be expensive lodging options (like a hostel bed) left. …

Guide to the ‘O Trek’ in Los Torres National Park

Grey Pass

Check our Paine Circuit information page.

This is a bikepacking VIDEO but some of the tips are appropriate for hikers, as well.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

At 3 pounds, it’s doubtful I’d carry the Shine ultra-compact wind turbine on a hike.

Cost November 2023 is CAD $400 (US $290).

At this time it’s only available in Canada and the USA.

BUT I’m thinking it might be ideal for bikepacking central Iceland summer 2024.

AND ideal if I were to camp out in one place for a number of days.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Indian Himalaya ➙ BUT if you want to argue The Dolomites, we won’t disagree.  

India is vibrant, chaotically mad. But you can easily escape to the tranquil high mountains and have them to yourself.

This is Nepal, but without “teahouses” packed together on every popular trail.

Indulge your spirit of adventure and trek the spectacular Indian Himalaya. First-timers and seasoned trekkers alike can experience the region’s rich blend of cultures, religions and dramatic landscapes … LP

altitude sickness.

Personally, sadly, I’ve hiked very little in this region. I’m still kicking myself for not trekking to Kangchenjunga when I had the chance in the 1990s. I stood on a ridge in Darjeeling looking at the third highest peak in the world, and decided to head to the beaches of Goa for Christmas, instead. Doh!

The best future destinations for serious hikers, I think, are the Indian Himalaya and Bolivia. (Bhutan, as well, if it ever opens to independent travel.)

More information on our new Indian Himalaya information page.

The best guidebook is Lonely Planet Trekking in the Indian Himalaya. But more inspirational is Trekking and Climbing in the Indian Himalaya (Trekking & Climbing Guides) by Harish Kapadia. (It can be difficult to find a copy.)

Leave a comment if you have your own favourite trek in the Indian Himalayas. We’re looking for advice.