Hi there.
I know this topic has been covered countless times, but I can't seem to find clear answers to my questions.
I'm currently looking into doing the Three Passes Trek, including some adjacent routes like EBC, Kala Patthar, Gokyo Ri, and maybe Chukung Ri.
I'm planning to do this trek between April and May.
But I have a few questions.
In terms of difficulty, I think I'm physically up for it—I'm athletic and used to mountain hiking in France—but is there any specific training I should do? Just to note, I did the Annapurna Base Camp last year without any issues.
Is it doable without a guide? I’d prefer to skip a guide and porter so I can really move freely. Is that crazy, or is it common? I’m mostly concerned about the Cho La and Renjo La passes (more about the route and risk of getting lost than safety).
Finally, I’m wondering about the duration. I’m a fast hiker, but I plan to take my time to acclimatize properly and enjoy the scenery (and maybe relax a bit in those landscapes🙂(By the way, does living at 2,000m altitude for 90% of the year help with AMS?) How much time should I budget for the trek to be safe, even if it means spending 2-3 extra days around Lukla-Namche? I was thinking of setting aside 20 days—does that sound reasonable?
Thanks for reading, and sorry in advance for any spelling mistakes.
If I think of more questions, I’ll post them in this thread.
Just a few points:
Guide or porter-guide... Many will tell you it's unnecessary, which is true for an experienced hiker. But it's useful (whether or not you have a porter) as a guide for certain sections (like crossing the Chola Pass), getting info from locals and other guides about glacier conditions, finding accommodations, negotiating prices, and—most importantly—organizing rescue if something goes wrong (it can happen). As for freedom, they adapt... In short, it's always helpful, it makes things easier, and it's not very expensive compared to the overall cost of a trip to Nepal. Especially since they really need the work—tourism is the only thing keeping the country going, so...
Difficulty: No problem = just the altitude. You might be more trained than people from the plains, but that's not necessarily the issue. AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) can happen to anyone, even strong or experienced hikers. It depends on your current form, a bunch of factors... Follow acclimatization advice: gradual ascent, sleep at a lower altitude than your highest point of the day, etc. (including meds—homeopathic Coca or allopathic Diamox). And if it happens anyway (it's rare, but it happened to me in 2016), just be aware, don’t push too far, and be ready to turn back.
Weather: Check the usual breakdowns (in trek catalogs)—they don’t change much. Factor in the risk of Lukla-KTM flight cancellations.
Good idea to take time to "chill"... But the LUKLA-NAMCHE-Base Camp route has become a nightmare in season: everyone crowds it, and in peak season, it’s like the La Flégère-Lac Blanc trail in Chamonix. So, take time around Gokyo or in the beautiful Chukung area instead.
Happy planning.
The Cho La is dangerous in bad weather. It's doable without a guide if the weather's good (I've done the Three Passes circuit solo three times), but if the weather's bad, it's much wiser to hire one for the day in Dzonglha or join a group (by paying their guide at the end of the day). Alternatively, you could just wait until the next day or take the route via Phortse (which adds 1 to 2 days). (It's always a good idea to have microspikes for the glacier crossing—it's not always mandatory, but just in case... The first two times I crossed, the glacier was snow-covered, so no problem, but the last time, it was just hard ice at the end... 🤪)
Otherwise, a guide isn't necessary for the rest of the trek, though as mentioned above, it can have its advantages. Personal choice. 😛
Watch out for the descent on the Lobuche side of Kongma La—it can also be a pain if there's a lot of snow or bad weather... Renjo La, on the other hand, is the easiest of the three, especially from Gokyo.
So, to recap, the guide isn’t necessary, but it’s good to have one.
I didn’t know I could hire one for the day in Dzonghla—that seems like the best option for me. Negotiating with a group to join them and pay the guide could also be a good solution.
For altitude sickness, I’ve planned to spend 2 days in Namche, 2 days around 4,000m, and take short stages (around 4-5 hours of walking per day). That should work out okay.
I was planning to buy microspikes just in case—they’re not a big investment and they help a lot.
I’ll actually buy them in France; I’ve seen quite a few issues with breakage for those bought directly on-site.
At the risk of repeating myself, does anyone have a time estimate?
I’m wondering about booking the Lukla-Kathmandu flight tickets. I don’t want to rush back for fear of missing my flight—I’d rather stay in Lukla for 2 days waiting ^^.
For acclimatization, you’ve got plenty of options: the Ama Dablam base camp above Pangboche, the Taboche viewpoint (also above Pangboche), and that little hill above Dingboche whose name I’ve forgotten. This way, you’ll arrive in Chukkung already pretty well acclimatized, and you won’t have to spend a full day doing nothing in Pangboche or Dingboche...
As for the time, it all depends on whether you plan to do a lot of side treks or not... (there are *tons* to do besides the classics like Gokyo Ri, Kala Patthar, and Chukkung Ri). Some agencies offer it in 14 or 15 days (Lukla-Lukla), but that’s way too short for everything there is to see up there... Between 20 and 25 days (L-L) is more reasonable for acclimatization, hikes, and the weather. 😛 (if you’ve got the time, of course)
Difficulty level—I think I have the fitness for it, being athletic and used to mountain hiking in France, but is there any specific training? Just to note, I did the Annapurna Base Camp last year without any issues.
Physical condition is important, but not the only factor. AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) doesn’t really depend on your fitness level. I got it when I was young and competing in athletics at a regional/national level, while my wife, who isn’t very sporty, never did. With age and in similar conditions, I haven’t had it again. The key—especially if you’re athletic—is to take it easy and keep a pace below your limits (we always tend to go too fast) and to acclimatize properly without rushing. Don’t forget that Annapurna Base Camp is only around 4,000m, while the Three Passes in the Khumbu and Kala Patthar are above 5,000m.
Is it doable without a guide? I admit I’d prefer to skip a guide and porter to have full freedom of movement. Is that crazy, or is it common? I’m mostly concerned about the Cho La and Renjo La passes (more about the route and risk of getting lost than safety).
If you’re not doing the passes: Going to Gokyo via the Dudh Koshi Valley and returning the same way, then heading to EBC and Kala Patthar is doable without a guide.
If you’re doing the passes, it’s also manageable if the weather is good and the passes are well-marked—meaning no recent fresh snow. Otherwise, it can become tricky to find the right path, and even dangerous if visibility is poor, especially at Cho La where you cross a glacier section. So yes, a guide is recommended. A porter might be enough if they know these passes well, like those who accompany expeditions to the summits, but many porters have no experience...
How much time should I plan for the trek to be safe, even if it means spending 2-3 days hanging around Lukla-Namche? I was thinking of allowing 20 days—does that sound right?
There’s not much point in hanging around between Lukla and Namche—you can do that stretch in two relaxed days. But from Namche and above, yes, it’s worth it. Don’t forget (headaches will remind you!) to take an acclimatization day in Namche. 20 days is enough, as long as you fly in and out of Lukla
I’d even say the fitter you are at hiking, the more at risk you are for AMS.
The reason is that you’re then able to climb very quickly in a single day. Too able. A less experienced hiker, or someone older, will climb more slowly and give their body more time to acclimatize to the altitude.
Most victims of altitude sickness are young. Maybe not patient enough for a gradual ascent. Or maybe with age comes experience and more caution.
The key, especially when you're fit, is to take it easy and keep a pace below your capabilities (we always tend to go too fast) and to acclimatize properly without skipping steps.
How much time should I allow for the trek to be on the safe side? (...) I was thinking of planning for 20 days—does that sound good to you?
For reference, here’s the itinerary I followed last December.
D0: Bus from Kathmandu to Changhestan (3,000 m, between Dhap Bazar and Pattale, on the Salleri road).
D1: Trek to Pikey Dairy (3,640 m). Not recommended for acclimatization, but I’m lucky to be less sensitive to altitude.
D2: Junbesi via Pikey Peak (wide panorama up to Kanchenjunga)
D3: Phuleli (village after Nunthale)
D4: Paiya
D5: Monjo
D6: Namche Bazar (3,440 m)
D7: Khumjung → Phortse (3,810 m). Doesn’t follow the recommendation to spend 2 nights around 3,500 m. A bit risky due to crossing Mong La (3,975 m) beforehand. Still, you can sleep at a slightly lower altitude in Phortse Thanga (3,600 m).
D8: Pangboche, side trip to Ama Dablam BC.
D9: Dingboche via Tabuche Kharka and Pheriche. Side trip to Nangkar Tshang Gonpa.
D10: Chhukhung, side trip to Chhukhung Ri.
D11: Side trip to Island Peak BC.
On D12, I’d planned an extra day in Chhukhung to hike toward Amphu Lapcha BC, but I preferred to join a group heading for Kongma La.
D12: Kongma La → Lobuche
D13: Gorakshep, side trip to EBC. I’d planned to do Kala Patthar at sunset, but the weather turned overcast, and I had to give up.
D14: Dzonglha. Side trip to Kala Patthar in the morning.
D15: Gokyo via Cho La.
D16: Gokyo. Side trips to 5th Lake and Gokyo Ri.
D17: Lungden via Renjo La
D18: Thame, visit the gonpa and surroundings.
D19: Thame, side trip to Thyangbo, toward Tashi Lapcha La.
D20: Bengkar
D21: Paiya. I could’ve kept going, but I was held up by a violent hailstorm.
D22: Gaikharka, toward Tumlingtar
D23: Gudel
D24: Jaubari
D25: Chyawabesi
The next day: shared jeep to Itahari, then overnight transport to Kathmandu.
Done without a guide or porter. I only had route issues twice:
1. On the side trip to Island Peak BC. Probably missed a turn on a moraine.
2. After crossing Kongma La, my map was wrong and sent me in the opposite direction. But I could’ve just followed the route on Maps.me.
I also hesitated a bit when leaving the main trail to reach Dzonglha.
The trek from Tumlingtar (D22 to D25) is *very* different from the Khumbu. No impressive peaks, but a very authentic and charming rural Nepal, with much lighter prices. Far from the lodge ghettos.
What about spending 2-3 days hanging around Lukla-Namche?
It’s better to plan extra days at the end of the Three Passes trek, as they provide a safety margin for weather or health issues. That’s why I spent time in Gokyo and especially Thame.
Fabrice
Almost 58 during this trek, not athletic but enduring.
I don’t feel like rushing back for fear of missing my flight—I’d rather stay in Lukla for 2 days waiting
Since the idea of waiting around in Lukla or nearby didn’t thrill me, I decided to skip the flight altogether. At most, I kept it as a backup plan in case I fell too far behind my trekking schedule.
In my itinerary, I had the following backup options in order:
1°) Use one of the days planned in Thame, or even the one in Gokyo.
2°) Skip the Tumlingtar trek and return overland via Salleri.
3°) Fly back from Lukla.
If I was running late on the Tumlingtar Trek, I still had the option to take a flight from Tumlingtar. It’s less unpredictable than flying from Lukla and not as crowded with other trekkers (if at all).
I just put together an itinerary using info I gathered from the web.
Obviously, it's just to give me an idea—I'm not obliged to follow it to the letter.
1-Lukla-Namche
2-rest/acclimatization in Namche
3-Namche-Deboche
4-Deboche-Dingboche
5-rest/acclimatization in Dingboche
6-Dingboche-Chukung Ri-Chukung
7-Chukung-Kongma La-Lobuche
8-Lobuche-EBC-Gorak Shep
9-Gorak Shep-Kala Patthar-Lobuche
10-rest/walk around Lobuche
11-Lobuche-Dzongla
12-Dzongla-Cho La-Gokyo
13-rest/walk around Gokyo
14-Gokyo Ri
15-Gokyo-Renjo La-Lumde
16-Lumde-Thame
17-Thame-Namche
18-Namche-Lukla
I think I’ve done a decent job respecting acclimatization times and avoiding too-rapid altitude gains. And as I mentioned earlier, this is just an overview of the trek—not a program to follow strictly.
Does this itinerary seem too ambitious or reckless to you?
Day 1. It’s a beautiful day from Lukla to Namche. Not impossible, but it depends on what time you land in Lukla...
Day 10. Not much to do in Lobuche—it’s ugly, cold, and packed with people. I’d recommend pushing on to Dzonglha on your way back from Kala Patthar (2 to 3 hours from Lobuche).
Last day, I’d suggest staying in any village before Monjo instead of Namche.
4-Deboche to Dingboche
5-Rest/acclimatization in Dingboche
(...)
I think I didn’t do too badly respecting the acclimatization times and avoiding too sudden altitude gains
Really?
Deboche: 3,820 m
Dingboche: 4,360 m
That’s a 540 m difference between two overnight stays—above the threshold recommended by medical authorities.
I’d recommend an intermediate stop in Pangboche instead, with a side trip to Ama Dablam Base Camp.
Day 10. Not much to do in Lobuche—it’s ugly, cold, and packed with people. I’d recommend pushing on to Dzonglha on your way back from Kala Patthar (2–3 hours from Lobuche)
+1
On the last day, I’d suggest staying in any village before Monjo instead of Namche.
+1
Coming down from Thame (the trail was covered in a thin layer of snow in places), I stayed overnight in Benkar.
If you're able to do Lukla to Namche in a single day, you should be able to manage in just one day:
- 5th lake / Ngozumpa Tsho in the morning
- Gokyo Ri for sunset.
This frees up a day for flexibility, like heading to Thame, for example—a hike toward Tashi Lapcha La or climbing Sumdur Ri. That day can be used earlier in the itinerary if the weather turns bad or if someone isn’t feeling well.
Watch out for AMS. FYI, I did it in 2 days with a stop in Phakding, but I still got a headache when I arrived in Namche.
14-gokyo ri15-gokyo- renjo la- lumde
If you're planning to cross the Renjo La, there's no need to climb Gokyo Ri—the view is pretty much the same (it's in the same area at the same altitude).
Otherwise, you can climb Gokyo Ri (view of Everest) and then descend back to Namche via the Dudh Kosi valley without crossing the Renjo La. This valley (Dudh Kosi) is stunning.
Watch out for AMS. FYI, I did it in 2 days with a stop in Phakding, but I still got a headache when I reached Namche.
Stopping in Phakding won’t help with altitude acclimatization. Even if you stay in Monjo (the highest point before Namche), I knew it only starts to matter above 3,000–3,500 m.
The stop in Phakding won’t help with altitude acclimatization. Even when staying in Monjo (the highest point before Namche), I knew it’s only from 3,000–3,500 m that it starts to matter.
Yeah, it’s definitely better to do a bit more on the first day, as long as you don’t leave Lukla too late like I did. But either way, it’s risky to do Lukla to Namche in one go unless you know your limits really well.
Solo travelers almost never get a spot on the earliest flights from KTM to Lukla. So there's very little chance you'll be able to head to Namche Bazaar on the first day. There are lodges all the way to Monjo—you can stop wherever you like. Benkar, for example, is super quiet in the evening.
I know there are plenty of discussions on VF about the Poon Hill trek, but most seem outdated and/or don’t provide info specific to February. That’s why I’m bringing this topic back up.
Here’s my plan:
- Spending about two weeks in Nepal in the first half of February.
- Maybe extending by a few days to a week if needed.
- Heading to Pokhara—first time for my partner, second for me (I was there in September/October 1982!).
- Doing a relatively easy 4- to 5-day trek. We’re not exactly spring chickens anymore (though we’re in pretty good shape for our age).
- We don’t want to go above 3,000–3,500 meters, deal with difficult sections if there’s too much snow, or face daytime temperatures below 10°C. No problem if it drops to 0–5°C at night since we’ll be sheltered somewhere.
So, I’m wondering if the Mardi Himal trek might be too demanding for us, and if we’d be better off sticking with Poon Hill.
What do the experts think?
I’m thinking of doing the O Circuit or the full W in Torres del Paine—I already did the W about ten years ago.
I’ve got a few questions:
- Do I really need to book everything well in advance?
- What’s the budget for overnight stays if I’ll have a tent and be on my own?
- What temperature rating should my sleeping bag have for comfort?
- Do I need any special gear for the hike? I’ve got low-cut shoes.
And finally, is there a place where I can leave my bike during the hike?
My partner, our daughter, and I are planning a walking trip to Madagascar in July-August 2027.
We’d love any tips or info you can share about this plan.
Which regions should we prioritize?
Is a local guide better than a well-established agency?
Where’s the best place to buy our flight tickets from Réunion?
Thanks for your input!
Following your recommendations, I’m starting this thread because I’m planning to do the Central Circuit in 5 days in the Rwenzori Mountains, aiming to reach Margherita Peak.
I’ve been in touch with Rwenzori Mountaineering Services, who’ve offered me a deal for $1300 with 2 guides, 1 cook, and 3 porters.
A bank transfer is required upfront.
I’d love to hear from anyone who’s done this trek or others in these mountains.
Hi everyone, we’re traveling by bike, but the same question comes up for hiking: what simple products can we find in towns or villages to eat/cook and get enough nutrition for physical effort, all while keeping costs affordable? Otherwise, where can we find inexpensive dietary supplements? Since I’m on cortisone, I have to be careful about what I eat. Thanks in advance, Aichatou
We're planning to go at the end of November/beginning of December to visit (with a rental car) and hike on La Palma and El Hierro for 15 full days, including 1 day for inter-island ferry transfers. What’s the best split between the two islands—8 days on La Palma and 6 on El Hierro, or even more time for La Palma? Should we have one or two home bases on La Palma? Thanks for your tips!
Annie
Hi there,
I’m looking for a family-run guesthouse in Cachaco. I read that the Monte Gordo guide service provides addresses. Does anyone have any guesthouse addresses or contact info for the natural park’s visitor center?
Thanks
Hi there,
We’re planning an 8-day backpacking trip on the island of São Nicolau. We’re torn between taking the boat from São Vicente or an inter-island flight. I’ve heard the boats don’t always run?
We’d like to make three homestay stops to travel in a star pattern from each of the three points.
First stop around Juncalinho, second stop near Cachaco, and finally a third leg near Tarrafal. We’re looking for simple but authentic guesthouses (no hotels). Any suggestions?
Thanks
Hello,
In mid-November, we’ll be in Mindelo and Santo Antão.
We’ve booked transportation with Kapverden Tours.
One trip is from Porto Novo to Ponta do Sol, including the hike from Corda to Coculi.
What’s the trail like?
Then we’ll be staying in Ponta do Sol,
Here’s what we’re planning:
A hike to Fontainhas—what’s the best direction, considering we’re not great with climbs? No problem with flat terrain or descents.
Take an aluguer to Ribeira Grande and continue along the coastal road.
With the agency:
An excursion to Cruzinha with a short walk.
Return to Porto Novo via the path from Cova to… I’m not sure where yet, to pick up the car for Porto Novo, since we’ll be taking the ferry that evening.
We’ll have a guide for this hike.
We’d love to spend a day in Tarrafal, but getting back requires a boat or taxi, and it’s really expensive!
We’re a couple, 78 and 76 years old.
What do you think of this itinerary?
I’m planning to do the Mercantour crossing following the Randoxygène route in mid-July.
I’m used to hiking in the mountains, but I sometimes get vertigo, for example on ridges with drops on both sides. I wanted to check if there are any T4 or T3-T4 sections and find out if there are any very exposed passages—and if so, where—so I can plan an alternative route.
Can anyone give me some info on this?
Thanks!
hi how can I get internet when I arrive at Haneda? I mean in areas without free wifi. Is it more interesting to buy a SIM card? If so, at the airport? thanks for your help
Hi there,
I’m planning to cross the Gourgs Blancs Pass at the end of the month, from La Soula Refuge to Portillon Refuge. On this section near the pass, I don’t have any trail marked on my IGN map. Is the path well signposted, or should I use a compass?
Also, beyond the physical effort, are there any technical, exposed, or vertigo-inducing sections on this part?
Since I’m finding very little info, I’m being thorough with my questions.
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
Not very well known: Hokkaido Island has national parks that rival those in North America. Hiking there is free (even many mountain huts) and requires no formalities. These treks are described in the LP *Hiking in Japan* guide—you can just buy the Hokkaido PDF. It’s way better than Mount Fuji. Of course, everything depends on the weather, which is very unstable in the Japanese mountains (frequent strong winds). The trails are often obstacle courses.
The Daisetsu Zan traverse is a stunning hike through volcanic terrain with a remote section in the middle that requires at least one night of camping (there are basic huts for the rest, which is popular with Japanese hikers): 4 to 6 days.
The Shiretoko traverse takes 2 days with views including an island in Russia, but the ridge is brown bear territory—there are even more here than in Denali National Park in Alaska (brown bears and grizzlies are the same). I ran into 7 in just 6 hours of hiking!
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.
Hi,
We’re planning to do the 4-day trek from Mestia to Ushguli without an agency. The descriptions mention that there are accommodations at each stop, but we can’t find any details about them. Has anyone got info or feedback on this route?
New to this forum, I’m planning a pretty big project for 2028.
I’m heading to Nepal to do a trek from Kathmandu all the way to Everest Base Camp (a cool 5,300 m 😄).
This trek is a bit special because even though I’ll be part of a group, I’m going solo (so far, no problem—I’m used to it). But it’s my first real trek, and it’s also a humanitarian one: once I reach base camp, I’ll stay an extra week to help clean up the waste left by tens of thousands of climbers! Since I’m originally from South America, from two countries that share the Andes, I have a deep respect for mountains—they fascinate me. So Everest… it’s kind of the trip of a lifetime!
So, a little question for those who’ve done treks to Everest before… any tips for good mental preparation (I’m already working on the physical side)?
We're planning to trek in Peru and Bolivia and would love to find some local agencies.
If you know any, could you share details on prices and, of course, the names of the agencies?
Which trek would you recommend?
Elocine
I'm heading out on a fully self-sufficient trek in Morocco (10 days) from Imilchil to Aghbalou.
Can I find screw-on gas canisters (Coleman, Primus) in Marrakech (any addresses?) or in villages between Imilchil and Aghbalou?
If not, are Butagaz canisters for camping gas (small 230g size) available?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
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!
We’re really keen on ecosystems and want to hike in "natural" ancient forests—not planted woods or areas heavily degraded by human activity. Travel guides (like Lonely Planet) don’t provide much info on this. Could you point us to the most interesting spots?
Thanks in advance for your tips.
We wish you happy holidays and a fantastic 2026, full of discoveries!
Claire and Albert
Hi, this might not be the right section, but I’d like to know if it’s possible to start mountaineering with another person without necessarily hiring a guide. We’ve done quite a bit of hiking but not mountaineering—we’ll just do a half-day glacier course. After that, we were thinking of starting with La Grande Motte and the Pointe de la Traversière, which were recommended to us. Honestly, for things like roping up and knots, I’ll learn at home with lots of videos and a book.
I’d love to know if anyone has done treks in the Rwenzori Mountains and how much it costs on average, what the infrastructure is like, the landscapes, and safety in the area. Thanks so much! I’m really looking forward to your replies.
We’re leaving in 9 days for a two-week trip to Madeira, mainly to hike.
From my research, I’ve found that since last year, access to most trails—and systematically for the most popular ones—is now paid. You have to pay an access fee of 4.50 € per person per classified hike in 2026, and even 10.50 € for the most iconic hike: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. When paying, you also have to choose a day and a 30-minute time slot for your start time. Of course, this reservation is neither changeable nor refundable, even if the weather that day is terrible.
Personally, given the massive influx of tourists to the island in recent years, I don’t mind paying a fee to help maintain the trails. Similarly, setting a limit on the number of people who can hike them per day is certainly preferable to preserve this priceless heritage.
However, what’s much less fair is that in reality, most of the available spots are reserved: 1/ for Madeira residents (which is normal); 2/ for "economic operators" (meaning local tour operators). For example, if you’re a non-resident (independent tourist), no booking is possible for the Pico Arieiro hike for an early morning start before September! So, unfortunately, we’ll have to skip this hike.
It’s the same issue for Ponta de São Lourenço, the 25 Fontes, Pico Ruivo... in short, all the most popular hikes. Oh well, we’ll skip those too!
So my question is: which hikes do you recommend where we won’t face the huge crowds that the others get? And where we can book the day before for the next day, taking the weather into account?
Finally, a quick accommodation question: we’ve booked the first week in Funchal, but I haven’t decided yet for the second week. Do you have any advice on where to stay in the south or north, preferably avoiding overly concrete-heavy and touristy spots?
I’m reposting about the logistics for Samaria Gorge.
I’d love to get recent info, especially about whether it’s possible to park my car in Omalos, do the hike, and then catch a bus back to my vehicle.
In theory, it’s doable, but when you check the KTEL website, there aren’t any feasible schedules listed. If anyone has recently organized this with reliable, verified details, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
We’re flying from Montreal to Lyon this August to go hiking in the French Alps. We’ve rented a car and will be staying at campgrounds. We’re planning to do day hikes and want to stay a few days in one spot, do a few hikes, then move on to our next camping spot. Could you share your favorite spots or any recommendations for places to spend a few days with great hikes?
A few details:
We arrive in early August and leave in early September.
We’re looking for day hikes (or shorter), moderate difficulty, with a cumulative elevation gain of no more than 1000m, and of course, beautiful scenery!
We’d prefer not to drive too much—maybe it’s best not to head too far south and deal with unnecessary heat?
Along the same lines, if you know of any great campgrounds where we can start our hike directly without needing the car, we’d love to hear your suggestions!
Hi there,
I’m planning to go hiking on this island and would like to know the best time to do it. I visited for a few days in November 2018—not for hiking but just to explore—and the weather wasn’t great, especially in the mountains. So, is a star-shaped itinerary doable if I rent a car and maybe use two different accommodations?
I’m not planning to join an organized group—just traveling with one other person and organizing things ourselves—unless you’d recommend a local agency or guide. Finally, even though I’ll be getting maps, a topo guide, and a GPS, I’d really appreciate your top hiking recommendations.
Thanks so much for your tips!
I’m planning a trip around Cap Corse and the AGRIATES in 2026, from May 8th to 15th (there are still 2 spots left, by the way! Just DM me if you're interested).
I’d love to know which hikes are worth prioritizing in the AGRIATES. We’ll be staying in SALECCIA for two days as our base—what should we focus on from there?
A round trip to IGNHU beach? Any other suggestions?
For Ostricano, I think it’s too far for a round trip...
Thanks for your tips!
Have a great day,
Anie, Toulouse
