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)?
So a little question for those who have already done treks to climb Everest... what advice would you give me for good mental preparation (I’m already handling the physical prep)?
Hello,
I admit I’ve never really thought about that.
If your body’s in good shape, your mind should follow... Though, true, mental strength plays a big role when it comes to pushing yourself. But that shouldn’t be an issue unless your fitness level is noticeably lower than the rest of the group.
The main challenge of the Everest Base Camp trek is the risk of altitude sickness (AMS), which varies from person to person... What makes this trek unique (compared to others) is that it starts at a certain altitude (2,860m) in Lukla.
Most people get there by plane...
My advice is to take it easy the first few days (even if you feel in great shape), especially on the second day (from Monjo to Namche Bazar at 3,450m). You can get AMS in Namche Bazar... Anyway, you’ll need an acclimatization day (sleeping at the same altitude) in this town and shouldn’t leave until your headaches are gone. But I assume you’ll have a guide who’ll give you tips.
The best mental prep is to set off feeling confident, and good physical training helps a lot with that. How? By walking regularly, quite simply. If possible, in the mountains if you get the chance.
PS: If you have the time and opportunity, and if you're in great shape, after Base Camp, check out the Gokyo Lakes (via the Cho La Pass).
I found these spots even more beautiful than Base Camp and way less crowded with trekkers!
Thanks for your reply! I’ve done my research on altitude sickness, and since I’ve already been up to 2,800 m without any issues (I’m Franco-Chilean and, when I get the chance—too rare, unfortunately—I love hiking in the Andes), I’m not too worried. Especially since the trek is very well organized, with a 24-hour acclimatization stop planned in Namche Bazaar, and a professional guide will be there to make sure everyone in the group (I’m doing the trek with a group I’ll meet on-site) is doing okay.
Anyway, I’ll be paying close attention to my body, and the trek organizers are already taking great care of me—even though I haven’t even arrived yet! 😉
Since I live in Normandy, for now, I’m sticking to the gym and coastal hikes, but I’ll be heading back to the cliffs of Étretat, which are pretty steep. You’re right, I should try to plan some short mountain getaways (when work allows)!
But you’re right to mention Acute Mountain Sickness—I know a lot of inexperienced climbers tend to overlook it, and it can be really dangerous! Fortunately, I’ll be staying at base camp for an extra week, which should help with acclimatization, and they can take me back down a bit if needed. 🙂
I’ve done my research on altitude sickness, having already gone up to 2,800 m without any issues
The issue isn’t reaching 2,800 m (by plane), but the climb from 2,800 to 3,450 m (Namche) too quickly!
Living in Normandy for now, I’m sticking to the gym and coastal hikes
Focus on hiking—the gym is just extra...
Luckily, I’ll stay at base camp an extra week, which should help with acclimatization
Once you’re at base camp, no more acclimatization worries!
I’ll try to schedule some short mountain trips whenever work allows!
Hi! In the Alps, there are plenty of spots with significant elevation gain and pretty steep slopes. Contrary to what you might think, hiking in the Alps is still quite physically demanding. You can head to Les Écrins and get close to the Barre des Écrins without needing an ice axe or crampons :)
I’ve done my research on altitude sickness, since I’ve already been up to 2,800 m with no issues
The problem isn’t reaching 2,800 m (by plane), but the climb from 2,800 to 3,450 m (Namche) too quickly!
Living in Normandy, for now, I’m sticking to the gym and coastal hikes
Focus on hiking—the gym is just extra...
Luckily, I’ll stay at base camp an extra week, which should help with acclimatization
Once you’re at base camp, no more acclimatization worries!
Thanks so much—I’ll be careful... I’ve seen that it’s mostly about endurance. I do hikes, but the gym (as a supplement) helps me work on muscle strength and cardio (especially breath control on a treadmill set to mountain mode at a slow pace). I’m also planning to buy an altitude-simulation hypoxia mask to prepare, so I don’t burn out too fast!
I’ll try to schedule some short mountain getaways (when work allows it)!
Hi! In the Alps, there are tons of spots with significant elevation and pretty steep slopes. Contrary to what you might think, hiking in the Alps remains quite physically demanding. You can head to Les Écrins and get close to the Barre des Écrins without needing an ice axe or crampons :)
Thanks so much for the recommendation—I’ll try to plan some little hiking vacations in the Alps, depending on my work schedule! :)
Well, for mental prep, I guess it’ll mostly follow physical prep!
On the Everest Base Camp route, there aren’t many steep slopes (well, according to my memories anyway).
No need to go to high altitude beforehand!
If you want to do a nice little trek in the summer, of course, try the Tour du Mont Thabor and the summit too (3,150 m, which doesn’t require any special equipment). This area is stunning—you cross a gorgeous narrow valley that’s half French, half Italian.
By the way, what month are you planning to do your trek?
The best periods are mid-October to mid-November and March to April... but those are also the busiest times! !
I'm going from March 28 to April 17, 2028, but everything's already arranged—my spot is locked in, and the Nepalese tour operator has been super attentive to all my requests (they're thrilled about my project). 🙂
I’m also trying to plan a little getaway to Mont Thabor, since it’s been ages since I’ve been in the Alps, and I don’t know that area at all!
The hypoxic mask can simulate altitudes of 3,000–4,000m, and it could be a great tool to better prepare my heart. Even though I played badminton for several years—which is good exercise—I’ve heard that even if the trek isn’t too steep, the gradual altitude can still affect your heart rate. Since I’ve never done a trek like this before, I’d rather stack the odds in my favor.
I’ll be getting a full ECG soon (just for a requested medical check-up), which will give me an idea of how my heart and lungs are doing. In the meantime, I’ll try to do as many hikes as possible around here before heading to Mont Thabor—I’ve got a good week in August, so I’ll try to sort that out quickly!
Thanks again for all the advice, and have a great day!
hi, consider bringing trekking poles if needed.
When climbing a slope, it’s like jogging—make sure to regulate your breathing at regular intervals.
Breathe in deeply and exhale so your heart can adjust to the effort.
To avoid getting out of breath.
The poles are useful on descents to distribute your body weight.
For ascents, they provide extra support points.
As for Mont Thabor, a good training session is to start from Modane and climb toward the Col de la Vallée Etroite—let me know what you think ;)
I have trekking poles, but since I don’t think they’re designed for the mountains (round tips, mainly for flat roads or maybe the beach), I was planning to buy new ones. 😉
From what I can tell, I should be able to go to Mont Thabor—I’ll check how far the accommodation is from Modane. Thanks so much for the recommendation!
Yes, breath control and pacing your breathing are super important. That’s what I’ve been working on, whether at the gym (which also helps me recover quickly) or on hikes. I really don’t want to end up being carried back down, supported by two Sherpas, on a donkey or yak! 😏
For the Thabor, I recommend starting from Nevache (several hostels and hotels) towards the narrow valley (a stopover): there are two really nice hostels there, including Les Rois Mages. This valley is stunning.
Then, the Thabor hostel and the ascent of Thabor—it’s very well marked and indicated, no problem. After that, continuing the "Tour" varies depending on the number of days you want. There are lots of lakes, it’s gorgeous! Of course, you’ll need to book the hostels along the route...
The return to Nevache is via the Clarée Valley.
Thanks! I’ll need to look into this a bit more because I might not be going alone, and the person who’d come with me isn’t up for multi-day hikes... Maybe there are day hikes I could do instead? Even if I do two hikes in different spots but come back the same day, it’ll help me get used to walking for several days in a row (I have a sedentary job).
I found accommodation 8 km away, but I can leave the car there to start my hike.
Thanks again for the suggestion—I’ll dig deeper and contact the tourist office. In the meantime, in Normandy, I’ve got plenty of hikes with varying elevation (even small ones) to keep me busy! 🙂
Back to my original post: I get that mental prep will depend a lot on my physical prep—learning to push my limits but also (and especially) to listen to my body.
About altitude sickness, my mom (who recently went up to 4,000 m by bus) told me there’s medication for it. I’ll look into that—it might be good to have in my first-aid kit!
I’ve seen so many documentaries on altitude sickness and how to avoid it that I’m not too worried! What scares me more is the amount of trash I’ll find at base camp....
hi! you can get to Modane by train, so if you’d rather not use a car, that’s an option.
As for altitude sickness, you can take Diamox, but please check with your doctor first.
And a quick health check-up before you go wouldn’t hurt either.
The full check-up is scheduled just before my departure for Nepal, don’t worry.
I’m already getting one done for other reasons before heading to the Alps, so I’ll be completely reassured 🙂
Yes, yes, I’ll ask my doctor about the altitude sickness medication—thanks for the name, I’ll note it down to ask him!
I had found accommodation a bit farther away, but I just found one right in Modane and it’s cheaper!
The car is mainly because I’m coming from Normandy, and it’s more convenient, especially if I’m traveling with someone. Plus, I won’t be stressed about missing trains 😉
Hello Nathou61,
I recommend documenting your journey in the mountains while respecting altitude acclimatization, especially starting from Namche Bazar, where people usually take a day to acclimatize by visiting the surrounding village. If you're taking the classic Everest route, it's better to take another acclimatization day in Dingboche as well. If you want to enjoy a pass and a beautiful lake in the Khumbu region, you can also go via Gokyo Lake, Gokyo Ri, and the Cho La Pass. I think this will help you acclimatize better before reaching Lobuche and Gorak Shep. It’s a really great idea to collect the waste left by expeditions at Everest Base Camp, but to bring it down, you’ll need to either have it carried by yaks or find porters on-site. I truly appreciate your fabulous efforts to keep Everest clean, healthy, and with fresh air. Wishing you all the success with this project—welcome to Nepal, Adventure!!!
Don’t worry, I’m not going alone—I’ll be with an organized group and a guide, and we’ll have two 24-hour acclimatization periods before reaching base camp. There’s an itinerary; I just need to print it out. 😄
Along the way, I’ll have gifts for the children in the villages we pass through (notebooks and pens). I’ve been told they’ll teach me how to offer them respectfully, following Sherpa traditions.
I love discovering new cultures and traditions!
The organizers told me they’ll handle taking the trash bags down from base camp. All I have to do is bring them and fill them up. Once there, we’ll figure out where to store them so they can be brought back down. I’ll be staying at base camp for a week to collect waste, and I’ll try to gather as much as possible while watching expeditions set off—it’ll be really interesting! 🙂
Sagarmatha fascinates me as much as I respect it, and if I can do something to help keep it this beautiful, then I’m thrilled!
Don’t forget (for training):
- It’s better to walk regularly, even on flat ground (at least 2 or 3 times a week), than to do long distances too sporadically. A short 4- or 5-day itinerant trek with a backpack is a plus.
- In Nepal, try to stay within your physical limits for the first 2 or 3 days, even if you feel particularly fit—especially since you’ll be tied to the group’s pace. Don’t push yourself. You should be able to chat comfortably while walking. Watch out—AMS (acute mountain sickness) creeps up sneakily.
Never set off in the morning if you have nausea or headaches! The big issue is that when you’re in a group, you don’t want to be a burden, so you keep going when you should really stop for a day.
When you’re managing your trek solo or as a couple, you follow your own pace—no time constraints—and can stay an extra day in the same place if needed.
If things get really tough, just descend 300 m (in elevation) to recover. Don’t push through.
Warning: taking meds like Diamox can temporarily mask AMS symptoms, not to mention the side effects...
Just so you know, you don’t need to go to the mountains to prepare for a trek in Nepal.
If you have access to a gym, a few hiking trails near your place (I’m sure there are some in Normandy), that’s more than enough.
In terms of preparation (without going to the mountains):
1. Use the stepper at the gym (stair climbing) and the elliptical bike (for cardio).
2. Walk and hike, trying to find hills to get some elevation gain +/-.
(From my experience hiking on the Breton/Norman coast, you can easily find significant elevation changes.)
The altitude you’ll find in the Alps won’t compare to what you’ll experience in Nepal (I know what I’m talking about—I live there). AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) becomes an issue above 3,500m... So no matter how much hiking you do in the Alps, you’ll rarely reach that altitude.
I’d recommend focusing on building great cardio (biking, running, races) and practicing carrying a backpack instead.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning the Cape Town part of our trip and would love to hike up Table Mountain via Platterklip Gorge and take the cable car back down.
Is it safe to hike this trail in early January without a guide (there are 4 of us: 3 adults and a teen)?
If a guide is highly recommended, do you know a good one?
If we end up taking the cable car both ways, is it safe to hike the summit without a guide (Mc Lear's Beacon trail)?
Same question for Lion’s Head: with or without a guide?
We’re used to hiking technical trails (Réunion Island), so my question is more about the risk of mugging on these trails.
Thanks for your feedback!
Malijp
I did these two treks in Himachal Pradesh in September 2026. The Pin Parvati trek absolutely must be done before mid-September to have favorable weather conditions, while the Bara Banghal trek can be done until the end of September. In both cases, the weather window is limited because these treks are only feasible between the post-monsoon period (early September) and the more or less early arrival of the first snowfalls (mid-October or even earlier). I chose to do these two treks back-to-back with just a few days in between, taking a welcome break in the village of Kasol, which is really pleasant with its German bakeries on every corner, set in the stunning Parvati Valley—much better than the unremarkable village of Barsheni. From Kasol, there are plenty of bus connections to the Kullu Valley, but they’re long due to the narrow, winding, and sometimes badly damaged roads. From Kullu, Manali is very close and easy to reach.
Stay tuned for trip reports from a series of 5 treks between Zanskar and Ladakh from early August to early September 2026, always solo and fully self-sufficient with around 20 kg of gear. Make sure to bring good equipment for cold nights at high altitude, even in summer, a sturdy tent to handle thunderstorms and hail, and a solid pair of sandals for crossing the many glacial streams. If you don’t fly directly into Leh but, like me, come from Kargil, you won’t find gas canisters... In that case, I used a small alcohol stove with thinner bought locally since denatured alcohol is impossible to find in India. The thinner worked perfectly as fuel, even at high altitude—it’s sold for just 120 rupees per liter in paint shops.
Completed the trek in 6 days from October 23 to October 28, 2026, fully self-sufficient (pack around 18 kg at the start), starting from Phalyagaon and ending in Marpha. Approximately 90 km and 5,000 m of elevation gain.
For transportation, take a bus from Pokhara to Beni (400 NRP), then a bus or shared jeep from Beni to Phaliyagaon (700 NRP by bus or 1,000 NRP by jeep after negotiating...). Allow a full day for the journey.
Homestay in Phaliyagaon at the village entrance and before the suspension bridge to reach Mauri.
Most agencies start from Mauri, but it's hard to find public transport...
The trail currently extends to Boghan because of a massive hydroelectric project under construction, which is altering the valley.
Phaliyagaon to Boghan is 27 km with quite a bit of elevation gain, but doable in one long day for an experienced hiker.
From Boghan, the real trail begins under forest cover up to the Sallagari lodge, then the high mountain starts. Camping is possible at Italien Campsite, but it's a real factory. If you've got the energy, you can continue to Swiss Campsite in about 2 hours, but with a steep climb. Plan for water.
Above the Swiss camp, the glacial moraine and then the snow cover begin.
Base camp at 4,600 m before crossing the French Pass, often crowded but plenty of space (on the snow!). Freezing temperatures at night. I was lucky with little wind, which isn’t always the case!
The ascent of the French Pass is fairly steady, with a trail easy to follow in the snow unless there’s been recent snowfall! Beautiful views of Dhaulagiri...
Polar temperatures and freezing nights in the Hidden Valley with violent winds that make it even colder. Impossible to heat water in the morning because it was frozen and the wind was too strong. This wind continued during the entire ascent of the Dhampus Pass, then the long traverse of a plateau descending but still around 5,000 m (8 to 10 km), always in the snow, before finally starting the final descent to Marpha.
Last night recommended at Alu Bari at 3,800 m rather than Yak Karka, with a stunning view of the Annapurna range if the weather is clear, of course! From Alu Bari, an easy trail leads to Marpha, 1,000 m lower and about 5 km away...
Note that at the various camps, you can get hot water from the agency cooks if you ask politely, of course! It’s a great help, especially since the available water is usually freezing and takes a long time to heat with just a stove...
The trek doesn’t present any technical difficulties if you’re well-acclimatized and in good physical condition to handle high-mountain conditions. Perfect weather is imperative, which was the case for me.
The trek is doable without agencies or mandatory guides; only the ACAP permit is required for the Dhampus Pass (3,000 NRP), but no one ever asked me for it. Issued in 10 minutes in Pokhara.
An interesting trek, far from the crowds of the Annapurnas or Everest Base Camp.
After Seoul, I’m back on the forum again 😏, to talk about Inwol in Jirisan. I’ve planned to stay there for 3 nights to hike the Jirisan Dulle-gil trail—two sections, partly... I’m really struggling to find accommodations in Inwol that are close to the trail. I know it’s early and not all options are listed yet, but even when I set dates closer together, it’s still not obvious... If you know the area, I’d love any tips! My whole itinerary depends on finding a place to stay...
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!
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,
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?
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!
