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!

Thanks! :-)

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!

Spots where we could pitch the tent near a stream

Spots where we can camp, bivouac, and find water sources

Hello,

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

Is wild camping possible? Are there campsites and places to restock along the way, and is water available? Thanks for your answers! Pierrick

Hello,

We’re planning a 3-week trip to Laos, focusing solely on the north. Our main goal is to do two 4-day treks in two different areas of Northern Laos.

We land in Bangkok on December 12th and will head straight to Chiang Mai before crossing into northern Laos at Huay Xai. Our journey will start there, ending in Vientiane, with a stop in Luang Prabang and the surrounding area. We’ll then take a night train from Udon Thani on December 30th to catch our flight back in Bangkok.

Right now, we’re mainly looking for reliable contacts to organize our two treks. From what we’ve read so far, trekking options exist around Luang Namtha, Phongsali (if it’s not too cold during that period, since we’ll have our 3-year-old daughter with us), or near Muang Ngoi and Nong Khiaw, as we’ve seen there are possibilities in that area too.

If we can organize both treks with the same contact, that would be perfect.

We’d prefer to avoid big agencies with a high-street presence and instead work directly with a local who knows their stuff and can give us good advice. We want to combine stunning landscapes (we love hiking) with cultural encounters in local villages.

We’d love to hear your tips and experiences—maybe some areas are better than others, less crowded, or more challenging (though we’re keeping in mind our 3-year-old, who’s used to hiking but we don’t want to put her in any danger).

That’s the gist of our plans for now! Looking forward to hearing from you, fellow travelers

Hi, I’ll be arriving in Nice from Quebec on June 20th. I’m planning to rent a car for 7 days to do day hikes in Mercantour Park. Which village would be best to stay in? Saint-Martin-Vésubie? Barcelonnette? Or split my time between both to access different areas of the park and avoid too much driving? Also, are there hikes in lush, flower-filled valleys (like alpine meadows)? Thanks, Sylvie

Hi there, I’m really struggling to plan our two-week trip to Quebec. Our goal is to prioritize hiking for at least a week, but I could really use your help. Which parks should we prioritize? Thanks in advance!

Hi, I'd love to know where we can observe wildlife, birds, and nature in Colombia... Like going on a hike without a guide, immersing ourselves in the forest, far from tourist spots. I want to avoid places that are specially set up, since you usually don’t see much there. Thanks in advance! Bernard

Hi there,

I’ve been wanting to do this for several years, and this year’s the one. Next September, I’ll be trekking in Tusheti (Georgia), from Omalo to Shatili. Of course, I won’t be renting a vehicle that’d just sit unused. No problem getting to Pshaveli, but from there to Omalo, it’s a dirt road (still the case?) There must be some form of public transport since there are so many guesthouses, and not all travelers come in a 4x4. If any of you have been to Omalo, could you confirm that these shared transports exist and how often they run?

Hi there,

We’re planning to hike the GRR2 this summer with a local agency that offers a self-guided south-to-north route. We’re active and hike regularly, but we’ve never done a trek just the two of us without a guide.

I’d love to know if this trail has any dangerous areas? Drop-offs? Are there spots where it’s easy to lose the path?

I’ve seen that some agencies offer a GPS app—does the signal even reach everywhere inland? 🤪

Thanks! 😄

Looking forward to hearing from you! !

Hi there, I’d like to spend a week in the Dolomites (4 days of trekking and a few day hikes). Unfortunately, it’ll be in August (no choice). My questions are: - For a first time in the Dolomites, which 4-day trek should I pick? I’d love the most spectacular and varied landscapes possible. Around 1,000m elevation gain per day. - Is it busier the first or last week of August? - Will it still feel "quiet" while hiking? Not like a conga line in August...?

Thanks so much for your help! !

Hello, We’re heading to Laos in December 2025, and we want to do a multi-day trek—maybe even a week—to really take our time and make stops in villages since we’ll have our 3-year-old daughter with us.

We’re torn between the Luang Namtha region or Phongsaly for our big trek. We’re looking for the least touristy spot possible, we love mountains, so we’d like an area with varied landscapes, including rice paddies, and a chance to really connect with local ethnic groups. We’re after authenticity and only want to stay with locals. Which of the two should we prioritize? Any advice would be welcome to help us decide—it’s tough when you don’t know the area! Maybe there are other spots in the north worth considering for a beautiful week-long trek.

Thanks, fellow travelers

Hello, In August 2025, I’d like to take a 4-week trip with my husband to Sulawesi Island, from south to north, off the beaten path. I’ve spotted two agencies that offer a tour matching my expectations: Altaï Indonesia and Azimuth Adventure Travel Ltd. Which one would you recommend? Thanks in advance. Laurence

Hey everyone,

I’m planning a hiking trip to India in 2025 with my wife and another couple.

We’ll most likely be leaving at the end of April (TBC).

This isn’t my first time hiking abroad, and I’ve often run into parasites that take advantage of the night to bother you (you know what I’m talking about, haha).

I’ve dealt with flies, mosquitoes, and all kinds of critters during my sleep before, but for this trip to India—which could already be pretty hectic—I really want to be prepared and avoid this issue.

If you know where I can find effective mosquito nets that won’t give me any trouble with mosquitoes, I’m all ears!

If you’re selling some yourself, feel free to reply to this post—we can chat about it!

In the meantime, I’ll keep looking for mosquito nets on my end.

Thanks! !

Hi everyone,

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?

Thanks in advance for your tips! 🙂

Pascal

Hi everyone!

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)?

Thanks in advance for your advice! 🙂

Hi there, for those who’ve been recently—is it possible to find other solo travelers in March on the island to share transport or room costs? It doesn’t seem easy to travel on a budget. If you have any recommendations for simple lodgings or places with dorms, I’d love to hear them. For those who’ve done multi-day treks while moving around: do you need to bring your own sleeping bag? I’d love to hear about itineraries you’ve done without a guide, just with a map and GPS. Thanks, and have a great day!

Hello.

I’m a 56-year-old man who’s done several treks in Nepal and elsewhere. Also passionate about photography. I’m looking for one or more people to form a group for a trek in Nepal. The trek is the Annapurna and Manaslu circuit (24 days), including a stop at Tilicho Lake. I’ve got a great itinerary and the local company seems solid. The price is around $1600. I’ll be in Nepal from April 5 to May 12, 2026, so the trek would need to happen within those dates.

Daniel, Québec, Canada

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’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

Hi! In March, we’ll be spending two weeks in the Drakensberg region and Golden Highlands National Park (Clarens). From what I understand, you have to pay to hike if you're in a national park. I can’t find the rates or info on whether there are multi-day passes if we hike for several days. Could you help me out, please? Thanks

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

Hello, A few years ago, I visited Nepal. I have wonderful memories of it. My friend (77) and I (73) would like to go back. We’re still in good shape! But let’s not exaggerate either. So, we’re looking for a relaxed trek in the mid-mountains, in touch with the local people, passing near monasteries, and with beautiful views of the peaks. And no agencies! Can you give us some tips? Thanks a million

Hi there, I’d like to go hiking in the Gargano massif but I don’t drive. What would be the ideal spot, accessible by public transport, to stay and hit the trails? Thanks

Hi there, I’m planning the Annapurna Circuit for March 2027 and I’m looking for a local agency with a local guide—preferably French-speaking—to arrange this trek for us. Any suggestions? Thanks

hi there (mid-August 2025), I’m arriving in COLCA CANYON from PUNO by bus to stay for 3 days I’ll be on foot what’s the best place to sleep since I’ll be hiking then I’m taking a bus to AREQUIPA but I can’t find any info about it only thing I’ve seen is that I’ll find a collectivo in CHIVAY can you give me some tips to organize this as smoothly as possible thanks ISABELLE

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. 😄

I want to do sections of the Collioure-Cadaqués trail. I plan to stay in Collioure first to hike the paths on the French side using the bus. Speaking of which, I’m wondering if it’ll be easy to find a seat on the buses at the end of April, beginning of May.

After that, I’ll head to Figueres to do sections of the trail on the Spanish side. I’m worried the buses might not be too crowded at the end of April.

Here’s what I’m interested in: Llanca - Port de la Selva: Figueres - Llanca by train in the morning and Port de la Selva - Figueres on the way back Port de la Selva - Cadaqués: Figueres - Port de la Selva in the morning and Cadaqués - Figueres on the return trip

I’d also like to go to Cadaqués from Figueres as a day trip. I’m concerned about how busy this route might be at the end of April.

I’m wondering if I need to get tickets in advance and where to buy them.