A Thread for Travelers v. What is the best hike in the world?

[senecadawg2]

I wasn't able to find a thread dedicated solely to traveling, so here it is. I now summon YOU, fellow DTF travelers. Share your experiences, and if your feeling generous, help me out.

[GuineaPig]

You want to try the West Coast Trail.  Beautiful, economical.

[Nekov]

Well, if you like nature and camping then I really recommend the Argentinian south. Here are a couple of pics from some trips I did a couple of years ago.

[senecadawg2]

Wow Nekov, those pictures look brilliant. Did you fly into Buenos Aires?

[senecadawg2]

You want to try the West Coast Trail.  Beautiful, economical.

Everything I've read and seen about the West Coast Trail looks wonderful, and it is definitely cheaper than most other options.

[Nekov]

Wow Nekov, those pictures look brilliant. Did you fly into Buenos Aires?

I live in Buenos Aires  Buenos Aires is in the middle east of Argentina, this pictures are from south west Argentina.

[lordxizor]

I'm partial to Glacier National Park in Montana myself. Done lots of hiking there, but never backpacked and stayed out on the trails though. My dad did back when he was in college and loved it.

[rumborak]

Having traveled to 30 countries at this point, I can without hesitation say that New Zealand is the most amazing one:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NfXuyZPucoaRMz4zlx16mNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KGFjCpnbZLz66hvixB5lpNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2ko2SKXv5j3R3rk9RSrT9dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

Mind though, you don't want to go without adquate funds. AUS and NZ are expensive places, and you want to plan at least a month in the area.

rumborak

[El Barto]

I spent a couple of days in a little town called Kandersteg that was just spectacular.  It's about 25 klicks South of Interlaken in Switzerland, and nestled in a crook between three mountains, with a spectacular blue lake sitting on a plateau about 1500' above the town.  Hiking up to the lake is only a day trip, but there are plenty of longer hikes along the Alps.  It's close to Interlaken, which seems to be a Mecca for backpackers. 

Other good thing about it is that it's a spectacular train ride from the Italian side of the Alps and Lake Como.  If I were going to spend a couple of weeks backpacking around beautiful country, Northern Italy into Switzerland would be a damn fine choice. 

[senecadawg2]

Wow Nekov, those pictures look brilliant. Did you fly into Buenos Aires?

I live in Buenos Aires  Buenos Aires is in the middle east of Argentina, this pictures are from south west Argentina.

I learn something new every day!    Argentina certainly looks spectacular.

I'm partial to Glacier National Park in Montana myself. Done lots of hiking there, but never backpacked and stayed out on the trails though. My dad did back when he was in college and loved it.

I was just talking to my uncle about Glacier National Park, and it sounds like a very good area to backpack. If I was to stay within the US, this would probably be my top choice.

Having traveled to 30 countries at this point, I can without hesitation say that New Zealand is the most amazing one:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NfXuyZPucoaRMz4zlx16mNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KGFjCpnbZLz66hvixB5lpNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2ko2SKXv5j3R3rk9RSrT9dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

Mind though, you don't want to go without adquate funds. AUS and NZ are expensive places, and you want to plan at least a month in the area.

rumborak

Your pictures look gorgeous. Just out of curiosity, how much did you spend on your trip to New Zealand?

[kirksnosehair]

My favorite hike ever is still McCullough Gulch just outside of Breckenridge, CO


You'll hike in surroundings like this





Although, now that I think about it, Glenn Canyon's Hanging Lake is pretty cool too.  At the end you're rewarded with views like this:

[senecadawg2]

Wow, those are really nice pics. I've been out to Colorado a couple of times, but not visited McCullough Gulch. Still, beautiful scenery and awesome skiing!

[Sketchy]

+1 to NZ. I went around the Victoria Sands (or whatever it's called) there long ago, and it was really amazing.

Also: Mt. Emei in china.

[kirksnosehair]

Wow, those are really nice pics. I've been out to Colorado a couple of times, but not visited McCullough Gulch. Still, beautiful scenery and awesome skiing!

Most people who know the Rocky Mountains will tell you that McCullough Gulch is among the most scenic hikes in the entire state.  It's not too difficult either, even for beginners, although I'd advise that you be in fairly decent shape to attempt it.  You'll begin the hike at about 11,000 feet and hike up a 1.4 mile trail to the summit at 11,900 feet.  Here's some info on it, in case you ever head out that way again.  HIGHLY recommended. 


If you want to see all of the pictures I took while there, here's a link to photos from our entire 2010 Colorado trip - McCullough Gulch was saved for the end, since it's one of the more challenging hikes we typically do. 

[Pols Voice]

Some of my favorite US places include Yellowstone, Joshua Tree, Yosemite, Arches, and Olympic.

[YtseCullen]

The Diamond Head Hike in Honolulu was quite something, just did it a few days ago! It's not an insanely hard hike but the few is amazing once you get to the top!

[WindMaster]

There're some great hikes in Great Smoky mountains national park on the TN/NC border, but I'm guessing you've been there already. Cheap trip if you're looking to go.

[senecadawg2]

There're some great hikes in Great Smoky mountains national park on the TN/NC border, but I'm guessing you've been there already. Cheap trip if you're looking to go.

Ah yes... I just came back from that area a couple days ago, after camping in Mount Mitchell, Pisgah, etc.

[Scorpion]

My absolutely favourite hike is the trail from Landmannalaugar to Skogar, over the Eyjafjallajökull in Icedland, though the Iceline Trail in Canada is pretty fucking awesome as well.