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 go on mountain hikes lasting about ten days with a backpack that doesn’t exceed 11 kg. I’d like to switch to a different category of shoes now. Up until now, I’ve been using semi-rigid leather mid-height models, but I’ve had major after-sales service issues with them. They’ve been sent back for repairs three times—5 months, then 6 months of waiting—because the toe cap came unstuck. It just doesn’t hold up.

I’m thinking of switching to mid-height or even low-cut models. But I’m wondering if this change comes with any risks. Also, which category would be best suited: trail shoes, approach shoes, or mid-height? Thanks in advance for your insights!

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! !

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’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! !

Hi there, I’m struggling to get back into hiking and I’m considering tackling the GR5 from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean shores in August-September.

Since I can’t plan daily distances in advance, I’ll be bringing gear to bivouac.

I’m not familiar with this route and wanted to get an idea of water resupply options before setting off: are sources and streams still flowing easily in late summer on this GR, or should I prepare for long dry stretches? 😐

Hi there, We’re heading to South Africa in August 2025 and planning a classic loop that I’d love to finish with the Drakensberg (I’m a big hiking fan) before returning to Johannesburg to catch our flight. I’ve got 3 nights for this part of our trip. But I’m wondering if it’s actually a good idea to hike in the Drakensberg in August, since it’s the Southern Hemisphere winter (I’m from Réunion and we hike year-round there, but I don’t know what the climate’s like in South Africa, especially the Drakensberg). I’m particularly worried about getting stuck because of snow and missing our flight... ;) I’ve read so many different things that I’m totally confused! If it’s okay to hike at this time of year, what would you recommend? I’m torn between Champagne Valley and Royal Natal National Park. Thanks in advance for your firsthand tips! Malijp

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 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! :-)

hi, we’d like to do a trek in Nepal, and we’re thinking of the Annapurna Circuit—it’s cheaper than the Everest trek. Our plan is to do it without a guide or porter. We’re used to the mountains, not so much to high altitude, but if we acclimate well, there’s no reason it should go wrong ;)

No guide = handling permits, transport, and accommodation on our own...

So my question is: is it possible to book lodges in advance before departure? Or, even better, day by day?

I’ve read some older posts, so I’m asking again to get up-to-date info on what’s happening now. We’re planning to go mid-November 2026 or March 2027.

Thanks for your tips! :)

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!

Hi, I’m looking for a hiking partner (18–25 years old) for a multi-day hike in the Massif Central this summer (date and route to be decided). I live in Puy-de-Dôme, so I know the area well.

Hello! We’re spending a few days in Toraja country at the end of May. We’d love to do a day trek—taking our time—on a route that’s stunning in terms of scenery, but not a level 5 in difficulty! Any suggestions you can share, please? Thanks in advance

Hi there, I’d like to visit several islands in the Cyclades in late June - early July 2026 for about 15 days. Stay 3 to 4 days on each one and do some hiking. Your suggestions are welcome—islands, accommodation, hikes, or anything else. Thanks in advance. Twizzle

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 starting this thread—lots of travelers here have done this trek.

When RMS is mentioned, it’s this agency: Ruwenzori Mountaineering Services (with an *s*), because there’s another one online called Ruwenzori Mountaineering Service (no *s*).

Their site: www.rwenzorimountaineeringservices.com/

From what I gather, it’s the local mountain guide agency certified by the government?

Can anyone confirm?

Thanks

Hi there,

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, I’m looking for a hiking guide for Quebec (Laurentides, Gaspésie, Saguenay). Do you know any professionals for one or more of these regions? This is for September 2025. Thanks in advance!

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 there, Once again, I’m turning to VoyageForum to kick off my trip planning—this time, it’s Croatia! I’m treating my 29-year-old daughter to a trip where we’d love to combine hiking and snorkelling. I’m not sure if we can focus on just one region, but that’d be ideal since we’ll only have 10–15 days in August this year. Could anyone point me in the right direction for a first lead? Are transport links easy to navigate? Is it better to go with Airbnb or a hostel? Thanks in advance for your tips! Laurence from Bayonne

Hi there! 😊 - About fifteen kilometers from Gallup, where we’re stopping, there’s a small state park: Red Rock Park. Two hikes are catching my eye: Pyramid Rock Trail (229 m elevation gain, 5.5 km, 1h45) Church Rock Trail (78 m elevation gain, 3.5 km, 1 hour) Has anyone been there? And if so, which one would you recommend? Thanks for your replies and have a great rest of your afternoon! Marcalamar :)

Hi there, my friend and I are planning a winter getaway to Morocco, with a flight from Paris to Marrakech, and we’d love some suggestions for itineraries (we’re thinking of renting a car to get around more easily).

We’re really into nature, meeting locals, staying with families, and hiking+++. Given the season, we’ll obviously avoid the Atlas and high-altitude hikes. But are there any other day-hike options in regions with milder winter weather? For example, in the Anti-Atlas?

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, We’d love to spend a week in the Cinque Terre in early April for some hiking, but I’m wondering if it’s crowded at that time of year?

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 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! :)

Hi everyone, Here’s my dilemma: I’m planning a hike between Le Bonhomme and the Gîte des 3 Fours at the Col de la Schlucht. Between the two, I need a hostel, a gîte, or a farm inn for Wednesday, September 10th. My gîte at the pass is only open on Thursday, so I need a stop between Le Bonhomme and the pass. On Wednesday, everything’s closed—no half-board, nothing at all. Would you have any solutions? I’ve already called the tourist office, and they confirmed there’s no possibility. No tent—it’s too heavy for me at my age. Thanks for your ideas!

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, My partner and I are planning to hike a section of the GR10 this summer, mostly staying in campgrounds. But at Col d'Ibardin, where we’ve planned a stop, there’s only one guest room that’s pretty expensive... Does anyone know if there are any bivouac spots in the area? Thanks

hi, is there (still) a ferry route between southern Turkey (Iskenderun) and Haifa? direct or not?