Take A Hike!

Indigenous Hawaiians consider it a sacred place. Initially built in the late 1800s, the Kalalau Trail is often called one of the most adventurous hiking trails in the world. From Ke’e Beach, the trail takes you through five lush tropical valleys that see a lot of flood water and debris each season — so be aware of the weather and possible closures and be prepared to scramble. This hike is something wholly unique and utterly rewarding, especially when you arrive in the Kalalau Valley with towering, fluted sea cliffs – one of the famous landmarks along the route. Most visitors opt only to hike the first few miles to Hanakapi’ai Beach and back, which is a great day hike in itself and surprisingly challenging. If you want to venture further, you must have a valid permit — even if you’re not camping — and be prepared for remote, rough conditions.

Back in the day, the trail used to be a trade route between Oldedalen and Jostedalen.

The 6.5-kilometre (four-mile) climb up to the peak of Kattanakken is steep and challenging, but the surrounding vistas make this hike particularly memorable. En route up the ridge, you have the stunning Oldedalen and Oldevatnet peaks to the north; Briksdalsbreen glacier and the mist-shrouded Tjøtafossen waterfall to the east; the Volefossen waterfall plummets to the west; and just above you, the Tjøtabreen and Melkevollbreen glaciers flow down from the main glacier. Even if the Briksdalen Valley is a popular destination, Kattanakken is not a busy hike. It’s not an easy walk, has sections of scrambling, and a bit of exposure, which perhaps scares away the masses — but that’s a good thing! This is one of the most spectacular hikes in Norway and well worth the effort.

From the valley floor, head to Refugio de la Renclusa, a hut built in 1912 and located at 2 140 meters at the foot of the north face of the massif. The hut is a perfect starting point for any adventure in the area and provides simple lodging, a restaurant, a bar and indoor toilets. Pico de la Maladeta (3 312 m) is close to Aneto but is a more direct and less complicated route. Hiking to the base of the peak is a perfect outing for those comfortable with steep trails and a few scrambling sections. If you plan to continue up, be aware that the top of the Maladeta massif has a glacier and could be dangerous to cross. You should be an experienced mountaineer with climbing experience and be accompanied by a mountain guide.

The entire King’s Trail runs 440 kilometres (270 miles) between Abisko and Hemavan. It would take at least a month to traverse the whole length, so pick a section unless you have lots of time. Conveniently, it’s divided into four sections, each representing about one week of hiking. The northern section is often described as the most beautiful. The typical starting point is Abisko, which is easy to reach by train. Then you hike 105 kilometres/65 miles to Nikkaloukta via the Kebnekaise massif. The trail is relatively flat, well-maintained, and suitable for families with kids. Weather permitting, you should get a good view of Kebnekaise — Sweden’s highest mountain here. Spaced within a few hours’ walk of each other are simple mountain huts run by the Swedish Tourism Association, allowing you to pack pretty light. At Nikkaloukta, you can catch a bus back to your starting point.

The Gornergrat hike starts in Zermatt and climbs steeply on well-trodden trails through a beautiful larch forest to a plateau by Riffelalp. Here the views of the iconic Matterhorn are already spectacular, but trust us — keep hiking up, and it gets even better. As you continue, many trail options exist, but we suggest the scenic Mark Twain route (the American author hiked it in 1878 and later wrote “Climbing the Riffelberg”). This beautiful trail follows the ridge, overlooking the Matterhorn and the valley. After a stop for lunch at the historic Hotel Riffelberg, continue up the meadows towards the Gornergrat. After 1 500 vertical meters of climbing, you will reach the top. Unless you have incredibly well-functioning knees and can spare another three to four hours, download the Gornergrat Railway, the world’s first fully electrified cog railway and still Europe’s highest open-air railway.

If you want to do the whole thing, count on at least seven to eight days, depending on your pace. However, in true Euro fashion, you can start and finish in many different places.

We favour the quiet pace on the Italian side of the massif, particularly the town of Courmayeur, which provides an ideal staging point for longer or shorter hikes. Climb up to the Mont de la Saxe ridgeline and the Refuge Bertone for coffee or lunch. From Bertone, continue east on the Val Ferret balcony trail and enjoy the majestic Monte Bianco, Dent du Géant and Grand Jorasses in all its glory. After a few hours of leisurely hiking, you will reach Rifugio Bonatti, which many believe is the best refuge on the Tour du Mont Blanc. With smashing views of the Mont Blanc massif, friendly staff, and fantastic food, Bonatti is the pinnacle of Italian rifugios. No “roughing it” is required. If you feel strong, continue towards the Swiss border, or if you prefer, return to the valley for a late dinner.