Three Classic Hikes Abroad
by Kathy Burns-Millyard
Paul Scott Mower once said, "There is nothing like walking to
get the feel of a country…" If you've ever contemplated going
abroad to find your next trail, here are 3 classic hikes to consider.
New Zealand's Milford Track: The best known "track" through
New Zealand's beautiful fjords, this 32.9 miles (53 km) easy 4-day
hike, starts at Glade Wharf (Lake Te Anau), winds over Mackinnon
Pass and ends at Sandfly Point (Milford Sound). The scenery includes
rainforests, alpine meadows and waterfalls at every turn, including
the worlds third highest, the 3-leap Sutherland Falls. With its
ethereal, dream-like scenery, some have described this hike akin
to "walking through a Lord of the Rings movie."
Milford track is highly regulated for tourism and restricted
to a one-way route during summer season. All hikers (independent
or guided) are required complete the track in 3 nights/ 4 days
and stay in the designated commune-styled huts along the way.
Day-specific reservations and trail permits are required
Peru's Inca Trail: This 30 mile trail attract hikers from
all over the world seeking to walk the ancient, ruin-studded path
to the sacred site of Machu Picchu. The trail meanders over high
passes, offering breathtaking views of glaciated mountains and
lush green valleys of cloud forest. Along the trail, you'll pass
early Inca stonework and abandoned outposts and villages until
you reach the trail's end at Machu Picchu. There you'll pass into
the sacred site through the Sun Gate, just as the Incas did centuries
ago. This walk involves considerable climbing (at altitudes up
to 14,000 feet), especially during the first half of the trail,
and takes about 4 days.
Most trips start at the 88km mark (also known as (Qoriwayrachina)
on the Cuzco to Machu Picchu rail line. Due to over-use (and abuse),
the Peru's government no longer allows independent hikers on the
trail. You are now required to go with a licensed tour operator
and reservations need to be filed with the government 30 days
before your arrival.
China's Great Wall: Hiking sections of China's Great Wall
is a fantastic way to see and experience some of China's most
significant and best-known sites. For centuries, the 4,163 mile
long wall served several dynasties as an efficient military defense.
Now, with a history spanning over 2,000 years, many of the Great
Wall's sections are in ruins or have completely disappeared. Still,
depending on where you start your trek, you'll pass through rugged
mountain scenery, areas of unforgiving desert and glimpse traditional
Chinese culture in a way most tourists will never experience.
Unless you have a friend in China that can round up all the difficult
to obtain, but necessary permits, you'll need to hire a guide
or tour company that specializes in hiking sections of the wall.
Many Chinese tour companies include wall hiking in combination
with other sightseeing tours or offer the opportunity to hike
several sections over the course of a few days or weeks. In any
case, each step along this ancient monument will be a hike back
through China's history.
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