Around the start of each year I know that many people out there will be figuring out their vacation plans fot the year. Those plans may be for a cruise, or island hopping in the Caribbean or traveling through Europe. I’d personally like to get to Italy this year but I’ll have to wait until the economy is better. For those people planning an adventure vacation, I’ve discovered a website that can help you plan this year’s trip.
It’s called BestHike.com and it’s essentially a database of the best and most famous hikes and treks from around the world. It has listings for all of the standard “bucket list” adventure treks such as Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail, and the Milford Track but it goes well beyond these trips to listing the hikes that as good or better than the marquee hikes than those marquee hikes. For example, the site breaks down the US into the Top 10 hikes in the Southwest, California, Pacific Northwest, and 6 other categories including US Long Distance Trails. Of course the Grand Canyon is listed as so it should be. They chose the Kaibab Trail ( North and South) which is a good choice but I feel that if they were to combine it with the Bright Angel Trail, then Best Hike would have the classic Grand Canyon trip listed.
Paria Canyon one of the Best Hikes in the Southwest US
Each hike listing has tons of useful info including, why they like that hike, considerations before you go, lodging and local information, books about the area and guide services that lead tours into an area. Some good pictures too.
On top of all of this info, Best Hike has a frequently updated blog that adds to library of trip information as well as hits on outdoor topics that are relevant to the adventure traveler.
If you are really thinking about heading out on a hiking vacation this year. Do your research first. Some trips may sound cool but once you start looking at the downside, (like digging a hole to go to the bathroom, or walking through ankle deep water all day) the trip isn’t so appealing after all. I suggest using Best Hike as a tool to help you with your research.
Tags: Backpacking & Hiking, hiking blog, Hiking database, hiking website
