hiking & trekking
What is Europe’s most walkable capital city?
Helsinki in Finland has been named Europe's most walkable capital city by leading British footwear retailer Schuh. The Nordic capital topped the rankings based on several metrics including air quality, cleanliness, street lighting, green spaces, noise pollution and elevation. The study also considered how safe a city was to walk alone in during the day and at night. The post What is Europe’s most walkable capital city? appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
How to train for mountaineering: a seven-step plan
I climbed my first high-altitude mountain back in 2010. At 5,895m (19,340ft), Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak, and, while I had some hillwalking behind me, I had no prior experience of trekking at altitude, wasn’t fit enough and didn’t have the right gear. In hindsight, I was fortunate to make the summit considering I was so underprepared. The post How to train for mountaineering: a seven-step plan appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Ranked: America’s most dog-friendly national parks
From accessible trails and pet-friendly campsites to kennel services and wildlife safety, these are America’s most dog-friendly national parks Many of America’s national parks have strict policies in place for bringing along your dog – and for good reason. Some parks are home to dangerous trails, sensitive ecosystems, extreme weather or wild animals – from porcupines to The post Ranked: America’s most dog-friendly national parks appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Most dangerous mountains in the world
We take a look at the most dangerous mountains in the world and what it is that makes them so deadly. Whether it’s the tales of survival that bleed from their slippery slopes or the visions of bravery they muster in the mind’s eye, the most dangerous mountains in the world continue to make the headlines around the world. The most dangerous mountains in the world hold a morbid fascination for mountaineers, climbing enthusiasts and news junkies alike. I am no different. My bookshelves and Kindle are filled with mountaineering books and the tragic tales they so often contain. The post Most dangerous mountains in the world appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
5 days in 2023 when all US national parks are free
Put these dates in your diaries. Over 400 US national parks are free to visit on five days this year Visiting one of America’s iconic national parks is always a great idea and it’s even sweeter when it’s free. The National Park Service (NPS) has announced five days in 2023 when entrance fees will be waived at every site around the USA. Calin Tatu/Shutterstock Zion National Park usually charges a fee There are over 400 NPS-managed sites across the US representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the unincorporated territories of American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The list includes all 63 national parks as well as hundreds of other units such as national monuments, historic sites, preserves, reserves, rivers, parkways and recreation areas. “National ...
Highlander UAE: hitting rock bottom in the high heat
Kia feels the burn on the Highlander UAE, a 30km two-day trek in the Hajar Mountains When I agreed to do the Highlander UAE, I didn’t know that the entire universe would conspire against me. I’d planned to be fighting fit because I knew that the trek would be challenging, but due to a healing wound for which I needed stitches I wasn’t able to exercise for the three weeks leading up to the trip. This impacted my fitness and, in turn, my ability to deal with the 30°C heat. On top of this, in what felt like a cosmic cruelty, I found myself battling a cold. Add to this the fact that I hate camping and that I’ve never trekked with a heavy pack before and you have a recipe for misery. Still, I was committed. Peter and I set off at 7.30am on the first day. I had done multi-days treks ...
Trekking the Highlander Svaneti in Georgia
Trekking the Highlander Svaneti offers an authentic taste of Georgia’s unspoilt northwest, a region as beautiful as it is remote Just 20 years ago, Svaneti was considered a danger zone. Today, with an embarrassment of snow-capped 4,000m peaks, enchanting villages dotted with tower houses and gleaming glaciers standing sentry over meadows of wildflowers, Svaneti is a paradise for hikers. Located in the remote northwest of Georgia, on the slopes of the mighty Caucasus Mountains near the border with Russia, wild and mysterious Svaneti has seen a tumultuous history including marauding Mongols and murderous blood feuds. Following independence in 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union and the ensuing Georgian Civil War, the frontier region became a safe haven for criminals on the run. Atlas &a...
Don’t look down: the world’s most dangerous hikes
With bandits, molten lava and wild animals posing a threat, blisters are the least of your worries on the world’s most dangerous hikes From trekking across the treacherous windswept mountains of South Georgia to picking your way along the rickety walkways of Mount Hua Shan in China, these hikes are not for the fainthearted. 11 of the world’s most dangerous hikes Dizzying heights may be the least of your worries on the world’s most dangerous hikes. Instead, you have to prepare for extreme weather, erupting volcanoes and ferocious wildlife among other threats on these hair-raising trails. 1. Shackleton’s Route, South Georgia Island Biggest danger: Exposure, crevasses and a very remote location On 20th May 1916, Sir Ernest Shackleton and two others stumbled into the whaling station ...
Wild continent: the best national parks in Europe
The best national parks in Europe are home to vast tracts of wilderness, often overlooked by those who flock to its cities When we think of wild continents, Europe is probably last in line. Asia’s fearsome mountains, South America’s lush rainforest and Africa’s vast savannah are surely more impressive. Europe in comparison is famous for its cities: London, Paris, Rome and their ilk. But venture further and you’ll find gigantic glaciers, primeval forests and untouched tracts of wilderness. These areas are quite rightly protected in national parks. To help you explore the wild side of the continent, we share below the best national parks in Europe. Jostedalsbreen National Park Location: NorwayMore info: Official site Jostedalsbreen National Park is home to the largest glacier on contin...
The travel that changed me: David Sklar
Renowned physician David Sklar tells us about the travel that changed him and why it’s taken him 40 years to write about what happened David Sklar has faced life-or-death situations dozens, if not hundreds, of times in his life and career. As an emergency physician, he has seen humanity at its weakest – and its most triumphant. His experience has led to over 200 published articles, a professorship and an appointment as editor-in-chief of prestigious journal Academic Medicine – a position he held for seven years. Dr David Sklar David has saved many lives, but there is one that stands out in his memory. As a young med student in the 70s, David joined a group of tourists on Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895m (19,340ft). During the climb, a fellow trekker fell gravely ...
11 things to do in Gauja National Park, Latvia
From hiking along precipitous escarpments to exploring ancient caves, we share the best things to do in Gauja National Park, Latvia Over half of Latvia is covered in forest with northern Latvia and particularly the Gauja Valley home to some of the country’s most stunning arboreal scenes. I spent a few days exploring Gauja National Park, the country’s oldest protected area, and found an adventure playground ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Established in 1973 with the purpose of protecting the nation’s most cherished natural landscape, Gauja National Park encompasses swathes of pristine forested wilderness disturbed only by the lethargic flow of the Gauja River and the ancient sandstone cliffs lining its banks. As well as picturesque scenery, the park offers a range of engaging activities thr...
Bogshoeing in Latvia: silly but outrageously good fun
Bogshoeing in Latvia? Nope, we hadn’t heard of it either. But the wetlands of Ķemeri National Park are more than a bog-standard destination It’s a cliché I know, but travel never ceases to surprise me. I’ve hiked all over the world – from high-altitude treks in Nepal and Pakistan to remote expeditions in Greenland and Norway – so when I was invited to the tiny Baltic nation of Latvia with its highest point just 312m (1,024ft) above sea level, I wasn’t expecting to find much in the way of expansive wilderness. But, despite its size, Latvia devotes a substantial amount of space to nature and outdoor pursuits. My itinerary included a morning in the swamps of Ķemeri National Park located around 40km (25mi) from the capital, Riga. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Ķemeri, known for ...
