Hi everyone,

I’m just at the very beginning of my research, so I’m coming straight to you for some info. I’d like to visit Morocco to discover a bit of the country. I’ve just found out about the Toubkal circuit, which I’d love to do in January/February. I’m open to going independently with a tent, food, etc., and also open to whatever other possibilities this circuit offers that I don’t know about yet... Could you share any random tips or info? I’d also love to hear your opinions? What I like about this circuit is that it’s fairly accessible and seems interesting for many reasons. I’ll leave it to you to share your thoughts—thanks in advance for your help! 🙂 Wishing you all lots of exciting plans for the new year ahead!

Nicolas

Hi there!

I’ll be in Peru in mid-May and I’d really love to do the Huayhuash trek. Back in France, I’ve done a few treks independently with my own gear, but since I travel light and solo, I think it’d be more interesting—and safer—for me to do this trek with a guide who can also provide equipment.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a guide and/or trekking agency, as well as an idea of the price for a 10- or 12-day trek?

Thanks so much! :)!!

My husband and I are planning a 10-day trip to Northern Vietnam in November, traveling independently (no agency organizing everything) and using local buses. We’d like to spend at least 3 days in each place (including Meo Vac). We’re wondering if it’s possible to find local guides for day hikes, and if so, in which towns/villages (Meo Vac plus one or two other spots to explore the surrounding area). Thanks!

Hi there, I’m ready to set off on the Peaks of the Balkans trek from June 18 to July 3. I’m used to long distances, elevation gain, and self-sufficiency. The last thing holding me back is overcrowding. Have any of you done it recently? Could you give me some insight on that and any other tips that might be useful? I’ll be arriving in Tirana, and any advice on getting to Theth would be a huge help too. Thanks for your replies. Alain

Hi there, I’m planning to hike in China in July/August, no specific regions in mind yet but probably in the southwest. Can anyone tell me if it’s generally easy to do multi-day independent hikes and if wild camping in a tent is allowed? Thanks

Hi there, we're looking for **self-sufficient hikes** (day trips and multi-day treks), mainly in **Northern Vietnam**, and possibly a bit in the central region.

+If you’ve got any in **Thailand** not too far from Bangkok or in **Cambodia** not too far from the country, that’d be great too!

We’d really appreciate your tips!

Thanks! 🙂

Hi there, we’re heading to Sri Lanka in early February for 15 days. We’d like to do a few days of trekking and thought we’d need an agency and a guide, but we’ve heard about the Pekoe Trail—a long-distance trail that’s supposedly well-marked. Is that accurate? Is it doable on our own? I’d love to hear from anyone who’s familiar with it. Thanks!

Hi there, We’re planning a two-week couple’s trip hopping between the Cape Verde islands at the end of November 2025. Our arrival and departure airport will be on the island of SAL. We’ve got some hikes lined up. Based on your experiences, what recommendations and suggestions do you have? Thanks in advance for your valuable tips!

Hi there, I’m planning to do the Zanskar crossing from Lamayuru to Darcha in August 2026. I know the route has changed quite a bit in recent years, and I’m struggling to find reliable info on whether it’s possible to do this trek independently with just two people—sleeping and eating with locals each day. I’m also open to hiring a muleteer or going through an agency, so I’d love any recent and trustworthy recommendations on that too. Thanks in advance, Jean-Marc

I wanted to share an incredible experience I had recently that really left an impression on me: hiking the Mercantour independently. It’s an absolutely stunning mountain range, with varied landscapes that go from lush forests to rocky ridges, passing through high-altitude lakes with unbelievable colors. I chose a one-week route, sleeping under the stars in a bivouac.

It was a pretty demanding adventure, with significant elevation changes and sometimes unpredictable weather. But every effort was rewarded with breathtaking views. I was lucky enough to spot marmots, chamois, and even ibex in the distance. It’s truly a total immersion in nature!

A little tip for those tempted by the adventure: plan your route and gear carefully. Independence requires good preparation. I particularly appreciated having a good water filtration system and lightweight cookware. And for safety, aside from a map and compass (or GPS), I never leave without my two-way radio. In these remote areas where there’s no mobile signal, it’s a real safety net in case of trouble or just to communicate with other hikers if you’re in a group. It can really make a difference!

If any of you have already hiked in the Mercantour or have questions about my experience, don’t hesitate to ask. I’d love to chat with you about this beautiful range or other hiking destinations.

See you on the trails! 🙂

Hi there, my friend and I are heading to Sichuan and the Kham region in August and we’d love to do a 4- to 5-day trek around Tagong. I’ve got a few questions: 1/ Is it possible to find a guide on the spot in Kangding, Litang, or Tagong at the last minute? Or better yet, do you have the contact details for a guide you’d recommend? 2/ I’ve found Chinese guides online, but no Tibetan guides. It seems to me that a Tibetan guide would be a better fit. What do you think? 3/ The listed prices are really high, especially because of the porter services (tents, cooking gear, etc.) and the fact that, on top of the high-mountain guide, there’s also an English-speaking translator. We’re used to hiking independently in the high mountains, we carry our own backpacks, and we don’t need a cook. Is it possible to hire a guide without porter services or with limited porter support?

I’d love to hear about your experiences! Thanks in advance! 😊

Hi there,

I’ll be in Nepal in October. I’m planning to do the Annapurna trek and climb Mera Peak. From what I’ve heard, it’s one of the most accessible 6,000m peaks and doesn’t require a mandatory guide? The info I’ve found is pretty scattered—mostly just travel agency blogs. :-) Has anyone here already done this climb? I’ve heard you can find guides in Khare for just the final part of the ascent (which is way cheaper).

Thanks for your feedback!

Can’t wait to be there! :-)

Hello, I’d like to embark on a little trip in my home country, Switzerland. I’ll start walking from La Cure, heading toward Le Noirmont first, then I’ll improvise my route—but it’ll probably follow the French border... at least as far as Lac de Joux.

I’ll decide day by day how much farther to go after that. My goal is to stay in nature as much as possible, wander around for as long as I can, and restock food in villages or towns along the way.

I’m thinking of mostly camping, but we’ll see if I end up in a hotel or another campsite depending on my route.

I’d love to reach La Chaux-de-Fonds on foot... maybe even Delémont. The whole thing should take about a week, give or take.

I’ll be bringing my dog, and I’m preparing for this as soon as I’m ready.

Any tips to make sure everything goes smoothly for us? Things I should know—or avoid? What about shepherds with their flocks of sheep? And isn’t hunting season open right now?

I’m not sure if what I’m planning is even doable, which is why I’m asking around.

This’ll be my first time doing something like this—wandering in nature *and* with a dog. I’m really excited for this adventure... and I need it. Thanks!

Hi there, I’m looking for organizations that specialize in walking safaris, but not at the price points I’m seeing online. I’m after a truly immersive experience in the wild, with the option to sleep in very basic tents and help prepare meals... Ideal duration: 7 to 10 days. I’d rather avoid the super touristy destinations (Kenya, Tanzania, etc.). Thanks for any tips you can share! !

Hi there! I’m heading out in August for a two-day trek in the Vale do Pati. Do I need proper hiking boots, or will trail-running shoes do the job? Thanks in advance for your feedback! 😊😃

I'd like to do all or part of the GR 11 in June or July. Spain.

What shoes would you recommend, given it'll be hot and it's a mountain hike?

Regular hiking shoes or sandals?

Thanks

Hi there,

I’m looking for half-day hikes near Karakol (not Jety-Oguz, since I’ll be heading there separately—max 30 minutes’ drive to the trailhead).

I can find longer treks, but nothing for a short outing!

So, if you’ve got any ideas...

Thanks! :)

A really nice nature walk at the entrance to the lake in the Natura 2000-listed nature reserve. It’s a great opportunity to see lots of bird species, plants, and the famous European pond turtle, as well as some beautiful medieval architecture remnants with Thomas II’s castle. The walk is slightly spoiled by the noise from the Savoie parachute club’s planes, which take off every fifteen minutes and dump fuel on the site non-stop, even after nightfall.

Hi everyone, I’m leaving on Monday, August 3rd for my very first long-distance trek: the GR223 from Coutances to Mont Saint-Michel, over 6-7 days (~11-14 miles/day), solo. I’m looking for tips from people who know this section well (Coutances → Regnéville-sur-Mer → Hauteville-sur-Mer → Bréhal → Granville → Genêts → bay crossing):

Budget-friendly accommodations: I’m struggling to find affordable stopover lodgings (a lot of what I find online are expensive vacation rentals, not really suited for a solo hiker). If you have any great spots (hostels, hiker-friendly B&Bs, nice campgrounds), I’d love to hear them! Bay crossing: Any feedback on guides/providers leaving from Genêts for the final crossing? General tips for a first long-distance trek: What you wish you’d known before your first time, pitfalls to avoid, etc.

Hey everyone,

My plan for next November is to head back (yet again) to the Annapurnas to complete a route I’d always promised myself I’d do one day. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Start from Sikles and join the Annapurna Circuit by first going through Kori, then the Namun La (or Namun Bhanjyang). It’s a bit of a forgotten route, and I haven’t found much info on it—no .gpx files or firsthand accounts. Still, I’ve roughly mapped it out using different sources.

2. After that, I plan to head up to Phu to do the direct Phu Pass/Naar Pass traverse to Naar. It’s doable in 2 days, but why not in 1 if the weather’s good and I set off early enough?

3. Finally, I’ll head toward the Mesokanto North Pass (after a short camp at Tilicho North BC) to descend the entire Gandaki Valley down to Nayapul.

I’m obviously looking for any tips or feedback (if you’ve got any), and maybe a travel buddy who’s up for a little off-the-beaten-path adventure. 😄

A message in a bottle: For a three-week trip in November... is it possible to go hiking without a guide in northern Vietnam, getting around to the hiking sites by public transport, bikes, or on foot? And if so, which areas specifically? Thanks to anyone who replies!8

Hi there, I’m planning to stay in Mae Hong Son for 4 days and Pai for 3 or 4 days to explore both towns and their surroundings. I’m not renting a car or scooter—I like to travel at a relaxed pace...

I’d love to know if it’s possible to do quite a few walks on foot from both towns and if it’s easy to find a tuk-tuk for the day to go a bit further.

I’ve heard that biking is really only for brave cyclists, which definitely isn’t me!

Thanks for your tips

Hi there, I’d like to hike The Narrows in mid-June. Has anyone done this hike and can share their feedback? I’ll be hiking up to the narrowing, and I saw there’s an outfitter that rents the right gear—I plan to get equipped. Though it depends on a lot of factors, what’s the average water level like at that time of year? Thanks

I’m traveling solo by plane to Catania in May and plan to hike the northern side of Etna, starting from Linguaglossa where I’ll arrive by bus. After that, I’d love some info on how to get up to Piano Provenzana (shuttles or hitchhiking), since it seems there’s no public transport except in the summer. Can you sleep there in a free or cheap refuge, or camp? And how far up can you go without having to hire a guide? Thanks in advance. Bernard.

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Rwanda with a focus on hiking and using local transport. Could anyone share or confirm the entrance fees for the national parks? - Volcanoes National Park: Is it possible to visit without the $1,500 gorilla trek? - Nyungwe Forest National Park - Akagera National Park: $100 per person per day + $40 for a car

Is there an entrance fee for the Congo Nile Trail? If anyone has great tips or recommendations for this trail and other hikes in the country, I’d love to hear them. Thanks so much!

Hi, I’m interested in hiking in the city of Sefar. Has anyone here been there? Thanks for your replies. Didier

Hi everyone,

I’ve planned a little day trip with my kids (12 and 16 years old) to Venice. The goal is to go for a walk through the city’s streets rather than visiting museums, which would take way too much time. We’d like to pass by the main landmarks, so I’ve put together a small 15 km hike... (thanks to Komoot and visioRando). Could you take a quick look and let me know if I’ve missed anything or made any mistakes?

1. Start at Santa Lucia Train Station 2. Ponte Degli Scalzi 3. Ponte dei Pugni 4. squero de San Trovaso 5 Le rio della Salute 6. Accademia Bridge 7. St. Mark’s Square 8. St. Mark’s Basilica 9. Ponte de la Canonica 10. Ponte de la Pietà 11. Ponte de la Tana 12. The Arsenale 13. Bridge of Sighs 14. Doge’s Palace Then return to the Rialto Bridge via Marzaria dell’Orologio

Also, could you tell me if the Doge’s Palace courtyard is paid entry? Thanks for your help and feedback!

Stéphane.

Hi there, I’m planning a 6-day trip from Orléans to Tours. There are very few detailed maps to figure out the main stages and what you’ll find along the way. Even though I’ve downloaded the Miam Miam Dodo app, it’s pretty tedious (everything is split into small map sections). I’ve settled on the first leg: Orléans to Meung-sur-Loire, about 18 km. For the next one, I’m hesitating because I’d like to do around 20–25 km, but I see Beaugency is only about 10 km away, and Mer is almost 30 km. So, I’m stuck. On top of that, I’m torn between taking the GR 3 route or the GR 655 (south). If any of you know the area or have already done this hike/pilgrimage, I’d love to hear your tips for this section that goes through Blois and ends in Tours. For the last legs, I’ve planned Blois -> ? Chaumont (no accommodations) -> Amboise -> Tours, knowing the final stage is about 30 km.

Thanks in advance for your help! 😉

hi everyone,

we’re a group of 10 adults who hike together every year, and we’re looking for our next destination for October. Our main criterion is avoiding crowds, even if it means not being at the most wow-worthy spot. Is there still a chance to find some solitude in Madeira, or has it become difficult? Would Cape Verde be a better bet if we pick the right islands?

I know it’s a very personal opinion—super subjective depending on how much company you can tolerate—but it’s really our top priority.

Thanks for any recent insights; it seems like tourism in Madeira is really booming!

have a great day,

Sandra

Hi, I’m planning the Switzerland-Paris hike for 2026. If any of you know a route where I can stay with locals or in other lodging (no camping), I’d really appreciate your tips. Thanks! M Brunner