Hiking in general is the most interesting and very exciting type of tourism. It is assumed that a person must independently or as part of a group pass a route of a certain complexity through rough terrain - forest, mountainous, flat.
The advantages of this sport include:
Free choice
You do not need to put yourself in dependence on the schedules of buses, railways, flights: the route can be subject to changes of any kind, you are free to make stops where you want.
Loyal pricing policy
Walking allows you to save money on living, food and transportation costs: this is really a chance to see the world for a pittance!
New meetings and acquaintances
In camping conditions, people tend to get acquainted, because they become more relaxed and open to communication, full of enthusiasm to meet a new man.
Useful skills
Being alone with nature, we willy-nilly face the challenges of the real world – and become better, overcoming difficulties and stresses.
With soul and fire
The main reason why a person goes to the forest, mountains or other wild places is the desire to experience an emotional shake-up and the release of dopamine. And what could be better for this than nights in tents or around a live fire with vocal exercises with a guitar?
How does it work?
You can make the route yourself or take part in an organized tour. It is important to soberly assess the level of your physical fitness: it will be awkward, if you find yourself a burden, even worse to lean back somewhere in the mountains or a remote forest from a heart attack. The selection of equipment is associated with the conditions of the hike, the length and time of the route, the terrain where you will pass, and other factors.
In any case, you need a supply of medicines for the most likely cases, sunscreen and glasses, a compass and a map (analog, on paper!), a supply of food and drink, a lantern, matches, a knife, repellents and a mosquito net, metal dishes, as well as comfortable shoes and suitable clothes.
How's that? Didn't want to take a good walk? Then we present you some excellent tracks, each of which deserves the right to be called "the best in the world".
Lycian Trail (Turkey)
Turkish resorts and beaches give a somewhat distorted view of Turkey as a country of cheap souvenirs, buffets and beach parties with a talentless animator, but it does not stop there: there are several hundred excellent and very beautiful routes in the country.
One of the most famous is the trail in Lycia, ancient and replete with artifacts, legends and mysteries of the area of the Mediterranean coast of the country: from the Taurus Mountains to the far side of the Teque Peninsula. It connects two settlements - Fethiye and Geikabairi, which is not far from Antalya. The total duration is over 550 kilometers.
The hiking track is divided into three stages-parts:
- The western part of the trail starts in Ovajika and moves along the road to Babadagu, from here travelers head along the mountain path to the Valley of the Butterflies, letoon polis and Xanthos.
- The central part winds between Kash and Finike, through the valley of Demre, the ruins of ancient Mira, the polis of Simena, the mountains of Karlioz Tepe. It is considered a medium-severity route for experienced tourists.
- The eastern part begins in Antalya (Goynuk) and runs through the gorge of Karmonia, Mount Takhtalıdag and the coast of Cirali to Gedelma. Walking this route, travelers see many caves and fortress ruins of different eras.
The optimal time to travel by this route is spring or autumn; the trail is marked in red and white according to Grand Randon standards.
Great Baikal Trail (the Russian Federation)
Our kingdom-state is simply created for campaigns and other similar activities. The great Baikal Trail should be considered a true pearl of hiking tourism in our country: its creation began in 1970 and has not been completed since then. Initially a volunteer project.
Now there are several routes on the trail, including trips to three protected national parks, the Khamar-Daban Mountains, the Holy Nose Peninsula and the Sandy and Censer capes. There are other places of interest.
The optimal time to overcome the difficulties of the way is the summer season from May to September. The total length exceeds two hundred kilometers. Before you go on the route, you should register with the Ministry of Emergency Situations and get a visit permit.
Kungsleden (Sweden)
Hiking in Europe can be a great alternative to relaxing on the beach. Our route here is rightly called the "Royal Trail": its total length is 435 kilometers, from Abisko-Esstra to the Hemavan resort. Conventionally divided into four parts, each of which can become an independent small and bright adventure.
The decision to create a path that would cut through the country in the latitudinal dimension was made at the end of the XX century. Now the route runs through the most beautiful places of the country along the Swedish-Norwegian border, crossing dozens of natural parks with glaciers, steep slopes, mountain lakes and magnificent meadows. In winter, the trail becomes a ski trail and a trail.
Kungsleden and its surroundings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
