Walkers enjoy sitting on the beach sipping chilled refreshments, but we know that it is all much more enjoyable when it caps a day of walking. When planning your summer activity, consider these options
Walk a Big Event
The Black Hills of South Dakota are a great destination, but make the trip even more special by walking the Crazy Horse Volksmarch the first weekend of June. Over 12,000 walkers take the only opportunity of the year to walk 10K (6 miles) up and around the emerging monument. Come join them and then go on to see Mount Rushmore, Deadwood, Devil's Tower, or drive east to the Badlands.
If that's not big enough or long enough for you, maybe it's time for you to travel to Nijmegen, Netherlands for the Vierdaagse - International Four Days Walk in July. The full distance is an ultramarathon of 50K each of four days. Over 35,000 people walk each year. This non-competitive IML Walking Association event is the mecca for distance walkers.
Still not far enough or too flat? The annual Great Walk in Tahsis, British Columbia on Vancouver Island should be your destination in early June. This 40 mile (63.5 kilometer) walk on gravel logging roads along the spine of the island features rugged and beautiful scenery.
Alone with Your Llama or Lama
Get away from the crowds, up in the mountains breathing thin air.
Llama packing is a great way to get away into the high country far from car campers. I have lists of llama outfitters throughout the US and Canada. Llamas carry your gear so you can walk lightly.
If you, like me, have been reading too many books on climbing Everest, you need to visit the Trekking in Nepal page to find outfitters, books, and other resources for planning a Himalayan hiking vacation. I was please to see Tenzing Norgay Adventures. Tenzing was the Sherpa who, along with Sir Edmund Hillary, accomplished the first summit of Everest. His son Jamling reached Everest summit with the IMAX Everest film crew in 1996 and now leads a trekking company.
Add Walking to Any Vacation
Whether you want to vacation at the shore, in the mountains, or to exciting destinations, there are walking trails for you to enjoy if you look for them. Starting Point leads you to over 1500 self-guided walks throughout the USA. At these walks you pick up the map and directions and enjoy a 10K trail laid out by local walkers. More information on the events can be found within the individual state pages or club pages at the AVA Calendar site.
To walk Britain, visit the British Walking Association's Permanent Trail page. You can view and print out guides for many of their trails.
Lists of walks in Canada, Finland, Germany, and Denmark are also available on the web.
Your Dream Vacation - Plus Walking
Walking tour companies abound. Visit our Trek and Tour page or the extensive list at the Hiking and Walking Homepage. Tours can provide the convenience of arranging transportation and lodging while you enjoy the freedom of walking the trails each day.
