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Take A Hike!

6 x Standout Hikes to Conquer This Season … or Lifetime.
Photos by
Mattias Fredriksson
May 11, 2023

Going up and down mountains is in our DNA. So, replacing skis, split boards, and skins with hiking boots feels natural when the snow melts. Hiking is a tremendously varied activity with numerous physical benefits, but it’s also an elixir for our minds, moods and relationships.

Few other activities are as beneficial for your legs. But clambering over uneven surfaces and navigating your way around fallen trees, over rocks, roots and across streams also engages your core. Add hiking poles, giving your upper body a comprehensive, low-impact workout. But hiking is more than off-season fun — it is also one of the best ways to prepare for the next winter season.

Not only that, but countless studies have proven the beneficial effects of sustained exercise on mental health and one’s outlook on life. Physical activity releases endorphins, energizing your spirit and making you happy. Regular hikes reduce your blood pressure and cortisol levels, producing a calming effect only nature can offer. So, explore the daily walks and hikes near your home, and let us also inspire you with a few of our favourite hikes around the globe. We predict you’ll soon be planning destination hiking missions to complement your winter travels.

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Tour du Mont Blanc

Aosta Valley, Italy
Circling the Mont Blanc massif, the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is one of Europe's most popular long-distance hikes. Covering about 170 kilometres (105 miles) with 10 000 vertical meters of ascent/descent, the TMB includes epic trails in France, Italy, and Switzerland.

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.

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Kalalau Trail

Kauai, Hawaii, USA
The Nāpali Coast on the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii, is one of the world's most recognizable coastlines defined by extraordinary natural beauty. Perched not far from the well-known surf town of Hanalei, the Kalalau Trail is a 17-kilometre (11-mile) hiking trail that leads from the beaches of Ke’e to Kalalau along a rugged, convoluted coastline dotted with stunning beaches and waterfalls that plummet to the lush valley floor.

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.

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Kattanakken

Briksdalen, Norway
The 1 458-meter Kattanakken is a spectacular spear-shaped peak, squeezed by the foot of the massive Jostedalsbreen glacier — the largest in Norway and the European mainland. This mountain is – undisputedly – one of the finest gateways to Jostedalsbreen and follows a spectacular ridge with some exposed sections. From some angles, it doesn’t look possible to get to the peak, but scaling the Kattanakken is very achievable.

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.

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Maladeta Massif

Benasque Valley, Pyrenees, Spain
The Catalan Pyrenees is a stunningly beautiful place to escape Spain's summer heat. Near the small mountain town of Benasque, often referred to as Spain’s Chamonix, you will find the Maladeta Natural Park and the most prominent peaks in the range. The Pyrenees' highest mountain, Mount Aneto (3 404 meters/11 1169 feet), is the crown jewel, but we recommend the nearby Pico de la Maladeta.

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.

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The King’s Trail

Swedish Lapland
The King’s Trail (Kungsleden) is Sweden's longest and most famous hiking trail. Located in Lapland, north of the Arctic Circle, it crosses a raw, wide-open landscape with plenty of lakes and streams and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains even in the middle of summer. It passes through three national parks in one of the least populated areas of Europe — a proper bucket list hike, and not just for the Swedes.

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.

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The Gornergrat Hike

Zermatt, Switzerland
In and around Zermatt, there are 38 peaks over 4 000 meters (13 123 feet); from the mighty Gornergrat, you can see most of them. The scenery from the top of the 3,100-meter mountain is jaw-breaking. Surrounded by glaciers, rugged peaks and a dynamic landscape, a visit here is spectacular. This is the Alps, after all.

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.

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Mattias Fredriksson is a photographer, journalist, and editor-in-chief for Interstellar. For almost 30 years, Fredriksson has documented ski and mountain bike cultures globally. He is a veteran adventure photographer with over 500 cover shots to his name and impressive longevity in the outdoor space. Fredriksson continues to contribute to many publications and photographs global campaigns for commercial clients. He lives in Terrace, British Columbia.
Take A Hike!
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