10 Hiking Destinations For A Holiday

The Alps This impressive mountain range is ideal for hikers who wish to revel in the many cultural delights of Europe whilst enjoying some outstanding scenery. The larger peaks such as Mont Blanc (the highest mountain in Western Europe) are particularly popular with experienced hikers but can also be dangerous due to the risk of avalanches and sudden changes in weather conditions. A popular resort is Chamonix (France) which is an ideal base from which to hike across the popular mountains of Aiguille de Bionnassay, Aiguille du Midi and Dômes de Miage.

Yosemite National Park,The incredible scenery of Yosemite in California is perfect for all hikers, from beginners upwards. Experienced hikers can take a cable car up Half Dome or head up to the top of Yosemite Falls and enjoy phenomenal panoramic views from there.

Iceland Hot springs, dramatic caves and cliffs, impressive waterfalls and the unique, vibrant Nordic culture has given Iceland a reputation as one of the world's premier hiking destinations. During the months of June and July, hikers can enjoy almost constant daylight and witness stunning ‘near' sunsets lasting for hours around the midnight twilight, when the sun stays just above the horizon before rising again.

The Rocky Mountains, USA These mountain ranges are a haven for hikers. Camping holidays are hugely popular in this wilderness and there is no shortage of outstanding scenery, with clear blue lakes, snow capped peaks and beautiful forests attracting millions of tourists to the Rocky Mountains every year.

Gorges du Verdon, France This is the second largest canyon in the world (after the better known Grand Canyon) and undoubtedly one of the world's great hiking Destinations. Explore this deep gorge with a boat ride along the Verdon River by starting off at the stunning mountain village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie before finishing off in beautiful Castellane several days later.

New Zealand, The colors and natural light of New Zealand are so distinctive to these islands that New Zealand has sometimes been described as the world's best country for hiking. The dramatic mountains, rivers, lakes, volcanoes and marvelous clean beaches are popular with hikers from around the globe, particularly British tourists.

Blue Mountains, Australia Just a short drive from the city of Sydney, the Blue Mountains contain exceptional rock formations and caves, such as the Three Sisters and Jenolan Cave and beautiful waterfalls including the Wentworth Falls and Katoomba Falls.

South Africa, The view of Table Mountain is one of the finest in Africa and is relatively easy to reach. Deep in the rural wilderness of this country there are many hiking routes and organisations that provide appropriate safety equipment and resources. The scenery here is much greener and more temperate in its appearance than that of the rest of the continent.

Norway Dramatic fjords, a rugged coastline and magnificent mountain walks make Norway a premier destination for hikers during the spring and summer in particular. The very long days between May and July allow even more time to enjoy the wonderful scenery here.

The Amazon Rain-forest, This is a unique destination for hiking, with its superb range of wildlife and stunning tropical plants. A paradise for nature lovers and also ideal for those who don't mind the high humidity and consistently high temperatures.

About the Author Article by Simply Hike
Simply Hike are a UK-based online shop selling camping gear, hiking equipment and outdoor accessories. Stocking everything you need in preparation for the great outdoors.

First Time Hikers

You can always recognize a first time hiker the minute you see him approach, hobbling under at least 50 pounds on the back for a two-night trip! comprised of a backcountry pack that is the equivalent of the Beverly Hillbillies’ flatbed, a 10-pound tent, a pair of running shoes, a dozen bagels, and lots more watchamaccallits which he insists might come in handy during the trip. It’s an amusing picture, to be sure, but true for almost every hardened backcountry veteran out there the first time they started hiking. Not to worry though. If you’re one of the newbies to hiking, it won’t take long for you to put enough miles on the boots. As time goes, you’ll find yourself picking up some decent sense of fine-tuning your art along the way, until your pack finally no longer resembles a truck and you no longer carry nearly as many bagels. In the meantime, here are some hiking tips and advice for you live by before you decide to learn under Experience when your degree from On-the-Trail University. Have Fun That’s what hiking is all about. Sure, there are a number of reasons why you put on those boots, but in the end, all of that boils down to one thing – fun. Without that, then it’s not worth it. Who wants to endure so much the hardships of hiking when all they get out of it are countless bug bites and maybe a few scrapes here and there? If it wasn’t fun, would anyone even bother? So take this advice: have fun. Take your time. Watch a cloud form. Breathe the air. The number one rule in the woods is “No Stress.” Breaking that rule is not an option. Be Prepared Just because hiking is fun doesn’t mean that you can forget about safety all together. Remember: this is the outdoors. Anything could happen. Ill-preparedness is the cause of too many backcountry disasters and near-misses. Inadequate clothing, lack of route-finding ability, bad judgment calls – all of these have led to life-threatening situations in hiking. The best way to be prepared while backcountry hiking is knowing what conditions you’re going into. Once you do, figure out a way to deal with them and pack accordingly. You may also inquire at park management who could give you valuable advice on local conditions and permitting procedures. Know Your Equipment Being a trail dork isn’t so bad, especially if your life is on the line. And knowing which insulation your sleeping bag uses doesn’t ruin your “cool” image in anyway if it turns out a storm is brewing and the night is going to be most likely freezing cold. Knowing your equipment is always a good idea because your gear may well be called upon to save your life one day.