Take a Hike on one of Explore’s Five Ultimate Treks

19 February, 2020 Hike the Alps with Explore

Discover some of the world's most beautiful and remote regions when you join Explore on one of their bucket list treks. You’ll get up close and personal with magnificent scenery and local life along the way. Feel a huge sense of achievement and wonder as you pass through breathtaking terrain, walk at high altitude, and challenge yourself to take on the incredible adventure that small group or self-guided hiking offers in spades.

Here are 5 treks to inspire you to get walking on your next holiday.

Walk of the Gods

Explore Italy’s west coast on foot as you explore the trails of the spectacular Amalfi Coast from clifftop hikes to woodland walks on five leisurely to moderate day walks. (You don’t need to be a seasoned hiker!)

You will stay with an Italian family at their peaceful farm overlooking the Mediterranean and savour tasty home-produced organic food and wine. Follow the ancient pathways as you join a small group guided walk or take a self-guided exploration of one of Italy’s most beautiful walks.

Known as the 'Walk of the Gods' this scenic coastal trail takes you along the Amalfi Coast, between Bomerano and Positano. You're led under limestone cliffs and past stone farmhouses towards a stone stairway that leads down to picturesque Positano. You’ll enjoy stunning views all the way as you explore well-trodden paths and the highlights of Capri, Positano, Amalfi, Pompeii and Ravello.

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Tour du Mont Blanc

One of Europe's most famous mountains, and the highest in the Alps, Mont Blanc is surrounded by high pastures, and glaciers; it's best enjoyed from the many paths that surround it. The Tour Du Mont Blanc is a hiker's dream. This exhilarating trek, for the experienced hiker, follows the Mont Blanc Circuit for 148 km (92 mi) over five mountain passes through France, Switzerland and Italy’s spectacular alpine landscapes adorned with dramatic snow-capped peaks.

Follow well marked paths, stay in comfortable lodgings to rest after each day, refuel on fantastic food and meet welcoming locals. This trip is perfect for enjoying in a group or on a self-guided itinerary.

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Annapurna Sanctuary

One among the many giants that make up the Himalayas, The Annapurna Sanctuary is an enclosed glacial basin beneath the snow-capped peaks of some of the world's highest mountains. A challenging bucket list trek for experienced hikers, you’ll start out in the valleys of the foothills among the rice terraces, climb through rhododendron and bamboo forest, walk past waterfalls and stay in Nepali tea houses as you make your way to the Annapurna Base Camp.

Along the way you will enjoy the camaraderie of the small group and the caring welcome of the locals you will meet. Be rewarded for your efforts each day as you capture stunning views of the Himalayan peaks, including the fish tail (Machapuchare) and relax after the trek by the lakeside or visit the nearby Tibetan village and Buddhist Monastery in Pokhara.

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The beauty of Torres del Paine National Park

W Trek

Take on one of the world's most remote hikes - the 'W' Trek in Patagonia; so-called for the shape of the path you follow in Torres del Paine National Park. Enjoy unsurpassed views of this wildly beautiful region as the walk takes in giant glaciers, turquoise lakes and, of course, the spectacular pinnacles of Fitz Roy Massif and Mt Torres that dominate the Patagonian skyline.

Before you get onto the W Trail, you will hike the Madre e Hija Trail, through the unique landscape of Los Glaciares National Park. It is the stunning scenery that surrounds you day after day that will put this experience at the top of your 'best holidays ever' list.

This moderate to challenging walk is a low elevation trek but takes its grade from the longer days and steep inclines you will hike to reach viewpoints, including the vista of the granite Paine Towers.

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Jebel Toubkal

The highest mountain in north Africa, Jebel Toubkal is an ideal trek for experienced hikers seeking an adventure experience in Morocco. The path winds along the valley, through villages and over beautiful mountain passes. Toubkal offers a great chance to discover Berber culture while taking in the splendour of the High Atlas Mountains.

With a summit of over 4000 metres ( 13123 ft), this moderately challenging trek is for the experienced hiker. A five day hike, it is the perfect addition to a tour of Morocco. You will hike amongst the stunning landscapes of juniper forests, pass waterfalls, pay homage at local shrines and encounter the warmth of the locals in the Berber villages of the High Atlas Mountains. At the end of the trek, reward yourself with souvenirs from the colourful souks and feast at the cafes of Djemma El Fna Square in Marrakech.

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