Appalachian Trail - Vermont

There are 150 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Vermont. The southern 100 miles of which overlaps with the Vermont Long Trail. The A.T. follows the ridge of the southern Green Mountains. In Vermont, there are 10 trails into the Appalachian Trail.

NOTE: Vermont is not a hitch-hike friendly state. If you are a section hiker planning a trip, be sure your reservation includes a shuttle or arrange other transportation.

1) Norwich

This easy out-and-back trail near the town of Norwich is 7.4 miles long and takes 4 - 4.5 hours to complete. Local trail maps are available free at the Norwich town hall offices.

2) Woodstock to West Hartford

This easy point-to-point trail near the town of Woodstock is 13.6miles long and takes 7 hours to complete. The shelter is located about 1 mile past the halfway point making this an easy hike to turn into an overnight backpacking trip. Another easy option is to turn this into smaller day hikes. With at least 3 road crossings on this trail, this is easily accomplished.

3) Killington to Woodstock

This moderate to strenuous point-to-point trail near the town of Rutland is 21.6 miles long and takes 12 - 12.5 hours to complete. This trail is appealing to day hikers with the possibilities of car-camping and Inns right on the trail. This trail passes through a sustained wilderness between Killington and Woodstock.

4) Killington Peak - North

This moderate to strenuous point-to-point trail near the town of Rutland is 5.7 miles long and takes 4 - 4.5 hours to complete. The trail to Killington Peak is a north-south excursion that starts out gentle and progresses to a good climb. With an elevation gain of 2,091 feet, reaching the top is a satisfying achievement. Killington Peak offers some of the best views in southern New England.

5) Killington Peak - South

This strenuous point-to-point trail near the town of North Shrewsbury is 7.3 miles long and takes 5 - 5.5 hours to complete. Killington Peak is the second highest in Vermont. With an elevation gain of 2,841 feet, this is a rewarding hike, just getting there. Strong winds and dense fog are common at the top.

6) Clarendon Gorge & Cold River

This easy to moderate point-to-point trail near the town of Wallingford is 9.2 miles long and takes 5.5 hours to complete. This hike offers a variety of landscapes without major climbing.

7) Little Rock Pond & White Rocks

This easy to moderate point-to-point trail near the town of Wallingford is 9 miles long and takes 5 - 5.5 hours to complete. Lots to see on this trail, between the natural geology and the woods. Little Rock Pond and White Rocks Cliff are among the most popular A.T. sites in Vermont. With a total elevation gain of 1,060 feet this hike is just a little work.

8) Bromley Mountain

This strenuous point-to-point trail near the town of Manchester is 17.3 miles long and takes 10 hours to complete. The elevation gain of only 1,629 feet is deceiving. The pathways are graced with ferns and wildflowers which makes the trail more enjoyable.

9) Stratton Mountain & Stratton Pond

This strenuous point-to-point trail near the town of Stratton Village is 17.5 miles long and takes 10 hours to complete. This hike has two points that are worth the trek, Stratton Mountain and Stratton Pond.

10) Glastenbury Mountain

This strenuous point-to-point trail near the town of Bennington is 22.6 miles long and takes 13 hours to complete. The wilderness on this hike is remote and beautiful. Several camp sites and lots of climbing.

It seems there is always a loose stream of hikers along the trails. Some of these hikers may keep pace with you for a while. This provides companionship, conversation, and advice even if you stated alone, you may find a companion along the way.

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Kapiti Island New Zealand

New Zealand is a natural playground for those who love to enjoy what Mother Nature is able to create. The diverse terrain ranging from lush rainforests to icy glaciers makes a visit here special in almost any area of the country but along the Kapiti coast north of Wellington lies a little gem many tourists don't check out. Kapiti island is a 10 km long, 2 km wide island with a world renowned bird sanctuary inside a natural preservation area specifically to keep out pests that might harm the rich bird life which can be found here. It is a lovely place for hike on the pristine trails or an overnight stay at the Kapiti Nature Lodge, the only accommodation available on the island if you plan on hiking all the trails.

There are many activities to take in on Kapiti Island, from bird watching to snorkelling. The waters here are brilliantly clear with three different marine habitats that can be observed, which is quite rare in itself. There are really two distinct areas on Kapiti Island - Rangatira and the North End, which is important to know because you'll need a permit from the Department of Conservation to visit either area, so plan your trip ahead of time to avoid headaches with the permits.

Rangatira is the part of Kapiti Island with the highest point on the island, Tuteremoana at 521 meters, which offers spectacular views and photo opportunities. Hiking up to the summit takes about 2 hours on one of two tracks - Wilkinson Track is a 3.8 km steady, well formed trail and Trig Track is only 2 km but considerably steeper, requiring at least a medium level of fitness to traverse. A bonus for the Wilkinson Track hikers is the hihi or stitchbird feeder station where you might be able to get a glimpse of this rare but active and very social bird. Other birds to be found in the forest in this area include weka, kaka, bellbird, tui, kereru, and takahe. At the start of both tracks is the oldest building on the island, a ware, one of the oldest nature conservation buildings in the country.

In the North End you'll find 3 hiking trails - the Lagoon Walk, Okupe Look Walk, and Boulder Bank Loop Track. The Lagoon walk takes you to the northern coast of the island and is the shortest of the walks in this area at only 850 meters. The Okupe Look Walk is a 4.8 km hike through regenerating forest to the north-wester lookout point. The Boulder Bank Loop takes you along the northern coast around the Boulder Bank but it is closed from October to March due to seabirds that nest in the area of the trail.

Stay on the tracks and respect the birds while on Kapiti Island, keeping on the marked tracks so you don't disturb the natural order of the bird life here. That being said, watch yourself as two species of bird, the weka and kaka, are known pickpockets and will scround around in your bags if left un-attended. Book in advance to get your permits and decide if you want to stay a night at the Kapiti Nature Lodge for the full experience. Anybody visiting Wellington should consider this little island sanctuary for a day tour as its proximity to the city and unique bird life make it well worth the visit.

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Top Sites to Visit on Walking Holidays in Spain

There are some excellent walking routes across the rugged mountains and gently meandering rivers of Spain. The most interesting of these pathways lead to the sites of historical and archaeological importance highlighted below.

The Valley Of Great Kings

This path is idyllically situated on the pretty island of La Gomera, in south-west Spain. It is a major attraction, often visited by people on European walking holidays. To learn more about the fascinating terraces and plantations, you are encouraged to head out on an organised walk in this area.

Old Town Of Iznajar

It is easy to imagine the scenes of times past during a visit to the restored castle of Iznajar. And after exploring the huge vault and dressing room you are encouraged to walk down to the waterfront, where a variety of Italian bird species can be seen.

The Tomb Of Santa Teresa

Anybody wanting an insight into the history of central Spain is encouraged to take a stroll through the charming town of Avila. You might choose to follow the protective walls that were built during the 11th and 12th centuries. A tour of the religiously significant church of Carmelite and tomb of Santa Teresa may also be of some interest.

Goater's Hut

The signposts that bear the name 'Sendero Local' on the ridge of Sierra de Villafranca point you towards this much used travellers hut. Today it acts as the ideal stop off point for people on Mediterranean walking holidays. However, in times past it was used as a shelter by Spanish shepherds and goat herders. Stay here for long enough and you might spot animals such as the roe deer and elk.

The Duke Lagoon

This gigantic lake is located in an area known as the Gredos Western Massif. Since being expanded in the early part of the 20th century it has become a major attraction for those on walking holidays. You might like to stop off beside the shore for a delicious picnic; alternatively you can watch the water wildlife from the Sierra de Bejar hills. Remember to bring your waterproof boots as it is impossible to complete the hike without navigating some flowing streams.

Santa Barbara Cascade

Anybody who takes the hike from Santa Barbara Loja will soon hear the sounds of this impressive waterfall. Upon arrival you may be tempted to take a quick exhilarating dip. On the other hand you may opt to sit comfortably on the shore, watching the Collared Pratincoles and Greenshanks fly overhead.

Castell d'Alaro

Prior to commencing the walk to the once magnificent Arab fortress you are encouraged to stop off at the marketplace of Alaro. Here you can purchase some tourist souvenirs as a reminder of fabulous walking holidays in Mallorca. Once you've explored the ruins and had a drink at the chapel bar you'll be ready to walk back to Alaro. If you feel a little peckish en route then it's well worth visiting the Es Verger restaurant.

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Satellite Phone Vs GPS For Hiking Trips In The Wilderness

Every hiking trip that is going to last overnight or longer should have at least one of the following on the trip for each person or group that heads into the wilderness. A GPS with maps of the area or a basic satellite phone, compass, and map.

At least one should be on the trip so that you can always find your way out if you get lost or disoriented. This is the number one cause of search and rescue teams to be deployed. The best of the best of top survivalists will state without hesitation that even they are not exempt from getting lost in the wild.

This should be a strong hint that the average person should also take heed of the inherent dangers of trekking off into the wild without some sensible safety precautions in place. A GPS or a satellite phone can save your life if you are lost. What we have to do is figure out which is the best one for our situation.

Let's start with a comparison of each one's abilities and how they are used. The GPS is a global positioning system that can pinpoint your current location by receiving a signal from satellites and triangulating your position within a few meters.

Modern technology has now come up with services that can send messages that you are OK, give your position, and even send an emergency location and call for help. The problem with this product is it is a one task unit and does not give you maps and way points so you can navigate while you are in the wild.

A hand held GPS only gives you maps and way points so that you can navigate out in the wild. So, it is also a one hit wonder, also.

The satellite phone gives you a way to communicate from any location you might end up in, but they are costly. You can also get your coordinates to use with a map or your GPS, but you could buy a hand held GPS and a GPS beacon for a fraction of the cost of a satellite phone.

Either way, if you are on a long hike, you will still need a good solar charger for hiking to charge any configuration that you choose, so don't forget to calculate that cost in your setup.

To most avid hikers, a hand held GPS and a GPS beacon is the best match for hikers who are taking overnight or longer trips into the great outdoors.

This ensures you can press one button and signal for help with the beacon and have the standard GPS for your personal navigation to prevent you from getting lost while enjoying the great outdoors.