Trekking tours. Hiking and trekking in Europe. Routes pass through the most beautiful regions of Austria, Italy and Spain

The really interesting trekking routes are not only the path under your feet, but also the rich history and culture of the place. National Geographic magazine named the 20 best trekking routes in the Epic Trail nomination.

Pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, Tibet

Best choice for: yogis and other seekers of spiritual enlightenment. Length: 51 km. Hindus believe that on the top of Kailash, at an altitude of 6680 meters, there is the abode of the god Shiva, where he meditates. According to the Vishnu Purana, the peak is a reflection or image of Mount Meru, the cosmic mountain at the center of the universe. The mountain is also a holy place for Buddhists, Jains (a branch of Hinduism) and followers of the ancient Tibetan Bon religion, who consider this unusual mountain to be the “heart of the world”, the “axis of the earth”. The top of the mountain remains unconquered, although in recent years the Chinese government has begun building a road to a sacred pilgrimage route known as the kora. As the Earth makes a circle around the luminary that gives it life, so Tibetan pilgrims make a detour around the sacred Mount Kailash. Kora (ritual detour) around Kailash. Most pilgrims and pilgrims get to Kailash precisely for the purpose of making a kora. Before starting the tour, make a wish.

Israeli National Trail, Israel

Best choice for: Long-distance hikers interested in ancient and modern history. Length: 940 km
The famous route, opened in 1995, provides an opportunity to see the sublime beauty of the Middle East's wildlife and the daily life of modern Israelis, visit biblical sites and the cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The route allows tourists to see everything that is of great value to Jews and Christians. He walks through the area Sharon descending to the lake Kinneret, runs parallel to the biblical Jordan River and gets to the Khatsbani stream in the very north of the country. The trail consists of 12 small pieces, each of which is a self-sufficient route. As a one-day trek, you can take a five-kilometer climb up the mountain Tavor (Favor), To Basilica of the Transfiguration overlooking the Jezreel Valley ridge Carmel, Mount Hermon, walks in the Galilee and the Golan Heights. The biggest blessing here comes in the form of "path angels" - volunteers who are ready to lend a helping hand and offer free accommodation and food.

Cinque Terre (Five Lands), Sentiero Azzurro, Italy

Best choice for: families; seekers of romance; lovers of Europe; older tourists.Length: 12 km. Travel time is 3-4 hours.
Start / Finish: Riomaggiore(Riomaggiore) Monterosso(Monterosso al Mare). Both points are accessible from regular rail links. No map needed, just follow the coastline. The Sentiero Azzurro (Cote d'Azur) strings five towns like beads on a string: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. Bring a bottle of water, sunscreen, a good appetite and a hat.

Yoshida Trail, Mount Fuji, Japan

Best choice for: Those who want to take part in what is a cultural tradition in Japan. Distance: There are several trails to Mount Fuji, but the most popular is the Yoshida trail is about 13 km long.
Many hikers would put Mount Fuji on their list of worst climbing routes because of the crowds that can be found here. 3776-meter volcano - the highest point in Japan, one of the most visited places in the world, more than 300.000 tourists try to reach the summit every year. Whatever it was, it will be an unforgettable ascent. You can stop for a bite to eat or sit by the fire at the huts along the way, and if you want to watch the sunrise from the top, you'll likely be doing so with over a thousand new friends. Crazy experience? Of course not. But this can only be done once in a lifetime. Just remember what the Japanese say: "A wise man climbs Mount Fuji once in his life, only a fool climbs it twice." Tip: You won't avoid the crowds, but there will certainly be fewer people ahead of you on the trail if you take a less frequented route to the summit, such as the Gotemba trail, which is about 16 km long and has a vertical drop of 1,400 meters.

Dragon Mountains, South Africa / Lesotho, Drakensbear Park

This is a big, long backcountry route without a real trail that requires outdoor skills and some familiarity with African travel. Many people travel here with guides. Length: round trip 64 km, from Mont-Aux-Sources to Cathedral Peak. The Dragon Mountains are a mountain system located in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. The highest point - Mount Thabana-Ntlenyana (3482 m) in Lesotho. The Zulus (Zulu tribe) call them "Ukashlamba", which means "ridge of peaks". Dizzying slopes of volcanic basalt rise above ancient sedimentary rocks. The Dragon Mountains is the highest mountain range in South Africa, which is crowned with an amphitheater - a stone wall a kilometer high and 5 kilometers long. This mountain range forms a natural border between South Africa and Lesotho.

Laugavegur route (Fimmvurduhauls pass), Iceland

Best choice for: volcanologists and hikers who wish to admire the wild beauty of Iceland while spending the night in huts. Length: round trip 80 kilometers. The opportunity to see what is left of the recent volcanic eruption is not the only thing that attracts tourists to these places. A quarter of Iceland's population says they believe in elves and other mythical creatures, and if you walk through the hardened lava fields and mountains that you will meet along this route, you will probably begin to believe in them too. These intricate landscapes feature the ice caps of two glaciers and the stretching North Atlantic on the horizon. The road goes deep into Thorsmork, a park where you can find rare trees for these places. The final leg of the path leads to the village of Skogar and the gorge, where you can watch a cascade of waterfalls, including one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland Skogafoss. Shortened route: You can drive only 20-25 kilometers along the Fimmvürduhauls pass, cross the Thorsmörk park and reach the Skogafoss waterfall. This will take one day.

Way of Saint James (El Camino de Santiago), Spain

Best choice for: pilgrims and tourists, lovers of long walks in Europe. Length: 760 kilometers. The main pilgrimage road, the Way of St. James leads to the cathedral in the city of Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain, where, according to legend, the greatest relic of Spain is located, Relics of the Apostle James, the heavenly patron of the country. During the Roman Empire and in the Middle Ages, it was a trade route. Due to its popularity and branching, the route had a great influence on the dissemination of cultural achievements in the Middle Ages. This route is still popular today and is considered one of the best hiking trails in Europe. Along the way, you can stop in small towns, listen to the stories of pilgrims, enjoy a glass of local wine. If you're walking at night, don't forget to look up at the sky: the path of St. James runs parallel to the Milky Way. According to legend, the saint inscribed it in the sky to show Charlemagne the way to the Saracens. Saint James began to be considered the patron saint of travelers. The emblem of this saint is the image shells. Shells were a distinctive sign of the pilgrims who entered the Way of St. James, sewn, for example, on clothes. Shell images decorate the buildings and the road along the entire route.

Bigfoot Trail, Bhutan

Best choice for: the most experienced thrill-seekers. Distance: over 320 kilometers, as a rule, this is a 25-day trip. You must travel with Bhutan tour guides. The Bigfoot Path is one of the hardest long trails on the planet. Although it covers a little over 320 km, most of the route lies above the highest points of the continental United States, crossing 11 passes over 4900 m and climbing the Rinchen Zoe La pass (5300 m). The track passes through places like Laya, Layap Indigenous House, and Village Tanza at an altitude of 4200 meters, where the guides change horses for yaks to pass even more difficult terrain ahead. Here, above the clouds, 7000-meter giants such as Zogophu Gamp and Masang Gang rise. Trek around the soaring Jomolhari peak(7350m) is a challenging week-long adventure in the high Himalayas. The Dragon Trail takes five days and crosses the highlands between the city of Paro, where the country's international airport is located, and the capital, Thimphu, which is famous for its lack of traffic lights. The government of Bhutan has introduced a minimum rate of $250 per day for foreign tourists staying in Bhutan. While this price includes accommodation, prepare to spend at least $8,000 on the Bigfoot trail. There are no budget options here, and you cannot travel on your own.

Bibbulmoon Trail, Australia

Best choice for: Just about everyone, from families to brisk walkers looking for an adventure to see the Australian Southwest. Length: 965 km from Calamunda to Albany in Perth on the south coast. The route is divided into 58 parts. There are 49 hideouts along the trail for real hikers. The Bibbulmun Trail, named after the indigenous peoples of the area, will allow you to observe the wonders of Australia's endemic flora and fauna. Starting in Kalamunda, 45 minutes east of Perth, the trail passes through eucalyptus forests where snakes abound. Along the way, you can also see many rare animals, poisonous cane toads. This route has another social aspect that makes it truly Australian. in campsites, you can meet tourists from all over the world and Australians who travel for weeks to test themselves and get to know the unique places they live in.

Copper Canyon, Mexico

Best choice for: those who want to see wildlife and local culture. Length: about 65 kilometers with a vertical height difference of 6 thousand meters.
Copper Canyon, about 1500 meters deep, is one of the best places for hiking, especially due to the thermal springs at its bottom, an ideal opportunity to recuperate during long hikes. The path through the canyon and back lies in places where rivers meet on the way, and requires the skills of crossing such obstacles. There are also steep detours where ropes are needed. The Tarahumara inhabited the canyons long before the conquistadors and continue to live there according to ancient tradition.

The Undiscovered World also organizes trekking through the Copper Canyon in Mexico.

Western Highland (West Highland), Scotland

Best choice for: Anyone who is in decent shape and wants to feel the taste of remote mountain areas. Length: 155 kilometers from Milngavie to Fort William.
The trail goes through the Scottish Highlands, which helped the Scottish highlanders in antiquity to stop the onslaught of the Romans and maintain their independence throughout history. At times, the route may seem very long and windy, but along the way you can admire the rocky peaks and the fabulous beauty of the Glencoe Gorge, climb the Devil's Staircase Pass (ascent 700 meters above sea level and descend) and pass by the calm Loch Lomond.

Great Himalayan Way, Nepal

Best choice for: epic adventurers. Length: The Nepalese part of the route spans 1,700 kilometers in the high Himalayas and is divided into ten relatively easy-to-travel sections. With good weather, the entire journey can be covered in 4-6 months if everything goes according to plan. Although the concept of the Great Himalayan Way (GHT) is new, the hiking route has been known for a long time. In fact, the VGP is not a track, but a vision that connects the alpine way through the Himalayas - through India, Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and - along existing footpaths and ancient trade and pilgrimage routes. Remaining just a concept in other countries, in Nepal the VGP has been made a reality: the 1600 km adventure route includes difficult trails near many of Nepal's 8000 m peaks, including Everest, Makalu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Annapurna and Kanchenjunga . Along the way, the trail passes through famous peaks and passes, including a trio of passes. Sherpani (6146 m), West Kol (6148) and Amfu Labst (5845) between Everest and Makalu


"Unknown World" also organizes on various routes

Shipwreck Bay, Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA

Best choice for: Almost any traveler. It's an easy hike in good weather and the perfect family adventure. The route goes mainly along the Pacific coast.. Length: 3 2 kilometers from the beach of Rialto to the forestry on Lake Ozette. The place is not in vain dubbed "Shipwreck Bay". If you go up from Rialto Beach, you will pass the Norwegian memorial, erected in honor of 18 young people who died and were buried here in 1903 in the wreck of the sailing ship Prince Arthur, and the Chilean memorial, the burial place of dozens of other sailors who died in 1920- m as a result of the wreck of the ship WJ Pirrie. But not everything in this route is sad. The beaches, which are part of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, are full of life and change. Spend a few days here and you'll feel like you've traveled back in time before America knew Europeans. There are many raccoons along the coast. It is better to hang products at night higher.

Hayduke Trail, Utah and Arizona, USA

Best choice: for those who like to travel alone in the wild, lovers of red rocks. Length: over 1300 kilometers, the path is divided into 14 sections. The trail passes through six Colorado Plateau National Parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon and Zion. She climbs to a height of about 3480 meters on Mount Ellen near Capitol Reef, and then descends to the bottom of the Grand Canyon to a height of 550 meters.
If you can only get through one of them, choose the second one, covering 75 kilometers along the Colorado River and the Needles area of ​​the Canyonlands National Park. The trail crosses numerous highways and dirt roads, providing an opportunity to stock up on food and water.

"Unknown World" organizes

Benton McKay Trail, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, USA

Best for: Long-distance hikers looking to replicate the founder's experience Appalachian trail. Length: 480 kilometers
The lonely, steep, sometimes foggy route starts at Springer Mountain in Georgia and crosses the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On the way, there are eight protected areas, as the embodiment of the desire of its founder to preserve ecosystems without human intervention. This is a route for creative tourists. Because starts and ends at the Appalachian Trail and crosses it before entering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, forming a big eight, this allows hikers to take different trails.

International Appalachian Trail, USA, Canada, Greenland, Scotland, Spain, Morocco

Best choice for: Those travelers with experience of the Appalachian Trail who are looking for new adventures with a love of geology. Length: The current route is approximately 3,000 kilometers from the end of the Appalachian Trail in Maine to where the North American Trail ends at Crown Head, Newfoundland. Appalachian Trail- an attempt to link an ancient mountain range that crossed part of Pangea more than 200 million years ago before splitting into several mountain ranges. What remains of these peaks in North America has become the famous Appalachians of the United States, but few who have climbed the American Appalachian Trail will want to admit that the mountains continue in Canada and will not stop there. The remains of those mountains stretched from Labrador to Greenland and on to the European continent - Scotland, France, Spain, and even through Gibraltar to Morocco. MAT can be symbol of the globalism of the new millennium

Trek Santa Cruz, Cordillera Blanca, Peru

Best choice for: South American travelers and those interested in inca experience; lovers of high-altitude hiking trails other than the Himalayas. Length: over 48 km. While the Himalayas are the focus when it comes to high-altitude hiking, Peru's Cordillera Blanca offers big-mountain retreats with much less hassle compared to routes in Asia. It is also a less touristy alternative for those on their way to Machu Picchu on the Road of the Incas.

Laugavegur route, Iceland

Suitable for: volcanologists and hikers who want to admire the wild beauty of Iceland.
Distance: about 80 kilometers. One of Iceland's most popular hiking trails was closed when the Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted in the spring of 2010, blocking all air traffic over the Atlantic and Europe. A quarter of Iceland's population claims to believe in elves and other fairy tale characters, and if you walk through the hardened lava fields and see the mountains that you meet on this route, you will probably begin to believe in them too. These intricate landscapes with the ice caps of two glaciers and the stretching North Atlantic on the horizon will blow your mind. The road goes deep into Tormerk, a park where you can find very few trees, which are very rare in these places. Along the way, you can meet well-equipped huts and many locals. The final stretch of the path leads to the village of Skogar and the gorge, where you can see one waterfall after another, including the stunning giant Skogafoss waterfall, 60 meters high. If the volcano does erupt, then this route will be closed again or changed, so it's worth going to Iceland before it's too late.

The main hiking routes in Russia and the CIS countries- this is a selection of the best routes for tourists who prefer to walk through the unexplored places of our planet.

Hiking trails - who are they for?

Hiking is a very special kind of travel.

Hiking is a special type of travel

Such journeys require remarkable preparation, great strength of mind and will. An ordinary unprepared person, after the first kilometers traveled on his own two, will think a dozen times whether it is worth it or not to travel on foot in the future. Previously, I myself walked along some routes, wound more than a dozen kilometers on them, saw a lot of beautiful places, received a huge number of positive emotions. On some trips I took friends with me, along several routes, where the path is not the longest and most difficult, my friend and I took our classmates.

Hiking in Russia

  • Kola Peninsula

The climate of the peninsula ranges from subarctic maritime (north-west of the peninsula) to moderately cold (center, south-west and east of the peninsula). Most of this territory of Russia is located beyond the Arctic Circle and consists of terraces, mountains (rising more than 800 meters above sea level), depressions, reservoirs (rich in a variety of fish) and plains from numerous lakes and swamps. The climatic conditions of the peninsula make it possible to enjoy the polar day (solstice) in summer, and the polar lights in winter.

  • Karelia

This region is called a "pioneer" in active recreation and tourism in Russia. The purest air, mixed forests with rich flora and fauna, rivers and lakes attract tourists from all over the world. The climate varies throughout the territory from maritime to continental. The territory of Karelia - hilly plains, turning into hills, lake basins, ramparts (up to 2 km high and up to 200 meters wide), kams.

  • Komi Republic and Arkhangelsk region

The Arkhangelsk region is located along the coast of the Arctic seas, which makes the climate changing from subarctic to maritime to temperate continental. The island part of the territory and some areas of the coast are assigned to the region of the Far North. The territory is a plain with hills on the coast, depressions and lakes in the continental part (Summer Mountains of the Onega Peninsula), creating chains of mountain ranges, highlands in the south (Konoshsko-Nyandoma Upland), low mountains with peaks up to 450 meters high in the east (Timan) and plateaus (ridge) in the west of the region (Vetreny Belt). The region has a huge number of rivers and lakes. Especially large lakes and rivers are Lacha, Kenozero, Kozhozero and Northern Dvina, Onega, Mezen and Pechoga. The forest area of ​​the region is presented in the form of mixed forests. It should be noted that such famous reserves as Pinezhsky Reserve, Vodlozersky National Park and Kenozero National Park are located here.

The Komi Republic is a continuous forest area, as forests occupy almost 70% of its entire territory. The famous reserve Pechoro-Ilychsky Reserve (the territory is represented by forests that have never been subjected to man-made impact) and the Yugyd Va National Park are protected by UNESCO and included in the list of "Virgin Forests" of the Komi Republic. The climate is temperate continental. The relief is flat, sometimes turning into mountains, washed by rivers.

  • Leningrad and Vologda regions

The Leningrad Region is located on the territory of the Russian Plain, with small hills up to 150 meters above sea level, and lowlands on the coast of Lake Ladoga and the Gulf of Finland. The climate is Atlantic-continental. Nature - mixed forests, rare species of animals and plants, glacial lakes, rocks, caves and moraine ridges.

The Vologda region is called the land of "white-stone cities", located in the north-east of the East European Plain. The relief is hills, alternating with lowlands and hills. The area is saturated with lakes, rivers and swamps.

Ural trails

The Ural is a chain of mountains stretching between the East European and West Siberian plains, dividing the continent into Europe and Asia. The climate is sharply continental in the mountains, turning into temperate in the plains. The Ural Mountains can be divided into areas:

  • Polar Urals (mountains Konstantinov Kamen and the upper reaches of the Khulga River),
  • Middle Urals (up to the Yurma Mountains)
  • Southern Urals (from the Yurma Mountains to the southern borders of Russia).

The relief of the Urals is plateaus, hills and plains.

Walking through the European territory of Russia

The territory of the European part of Russia is divided into federal districts:

  1. Central,
  2. Northwestern,
  3. Southern
  4. Privolzhsky.

Hiking in Russia is of course not limited to the routes listed below.

In Russia, there are many routes for lovers of hiking tours

But the lion's share of them falls on the European part of Russia. The variety of natural conditions, the large extent, the flat character of the terrain and other indicators of commonality, make it possible to combine them into a single hydrographic region. Natural conditions are determined by the length of the region with the change of geographical landscapes from north to south. The northern part, passing through Kazan - Ufa, belongs to the forest zone. The southwestern part is mixed, deciduous and coniferous forests, and the northeastern part is taiga. Forest-steppes, steppes, lakes and swamps also predominate on the territory. The relief is a hilly plain with small elevations over 200 meters above sea level. In the east, the plain is bordered by the Ural Range, the central part is represented by the Central Russian Upland, in the south by the Donetsk Ridge with heights reaching 370 meters above sea level, in the southeast there is a vast depression adjacent to the Caspian Sea (Caspian Lowland) and in the northern part there are basins of the upper Dnieper, Upper Volga and Kama. The climate is continental, but due to the length of the region, climatic conditions are different. Climatic differences are manifested in landscape changes from taiga in the north and mixed forests in the northwest to steppes and semi-deserts in the south and southeast.

Southern Siberia

This region of Russia is a mountain range that forms the watershed of the Irtysh, Yenisei and Ob rivers. Climatic conditions are a transition from a sharp continental winter to a short hot summer. The landscape of Southern Siberia can be divided into five relief zones:

  • Alpine alpine belt - the highest peaks of Altai, Stanovoy Upland, Tuva and the Barguzinsky Range with a height of more than 2500 meters with glaciers and snowfields
  • Mid-mountain belt - prevails in most of southern Siberia, the height of the ridges reaches 2000 meters, and in some places 2200 meters
  • The low-mountain belt is represented by ridges of hills turning into foothill plains. An example is Transbaikalia.
  • Plain - wavy plains on the ridges of the Eastern Altai, Sayan and Northern Transbaikalia
  • Intermountain belt of basins - steep slopes of ridges with glaciers

Khabarovsk region

It is located in the eastern part of Russia, washed from the southeast by the Sea of ​​Japan, separated from Sakhalin Island by the Tatar and Nevel Straits, and includes several islands. Climatic conditions vary from north to south (from continental to subtropical) depending on proximity to the sea and landscape. The landscape is mountain ranges (Sikhote-Alin, Coastal and Dzhugdzhur) and a plateau up to 2500 m high. The Khabarovsk Territory is unique in that it is a "country of the taiga". The light-coniferous taiga covers almost the entire region from north to south, where it passes into the spruce-fir taiga.

The territory of the region is rich in rivers, lakes and waterfalls (more than 100), which indicates the diversity of flora and fauna, nature reserves, caves and archaeological sites. The island part of the Khabarovsk Territory is light coniferous and dark coniferous taiga. The main inhabitants are birds that come here to continue their offspring.

Exploring Primorye

The region is located in the southeastern part of Russia and is washed by the Sea of ​​Japan. Its territory is represented by lowlands in the west, turning into mountains in the central and eastern parts of the region. Temperate and monsoonal climate. The sights of the region are caves and waterfalls, reserves and parks (national and natural), rivers and lakes with the purest water. The landscape of the region is rocky peaks with snow caps, rocky slopes and wooded slopes, smoothly turning into plains, steppes and swamps. The forests are mostly mixed and coniferous-broad-leaved with intertwining vines.

Sakhalin island

Sakhalin Island is the largest island of Russia along the eastern coast of Asia, washed by the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and the Sea of ​​Japan. The geographical position of the island makes the climate temperate monsoon turning into a maritime one. The island has a huge number of rivers and streams, lakes and waterfalls, mineral springs with therapeutic mud, volcanoes, sites of primitive inhabitants, natural (Moneron Island) and archaeological (more than 250), monuments (about 1000 objects of cultural and historical heritage) and geothermal springs. The saturation of flora and fauna is amazing.

Kurile Islands

The Sakhalin Region includes the Kuril Islands, consisting of a chain of small islands (more than 30) with a length of 1200 km. The islands have a maritime climate with high humidity. The territory mainly consists of mountains (volcanoes), mineral springs, natural (reserve "Kurilsky") and archaeological sites. The length of the islands from north to south represents the diversity of nature. Due to the harsh climate on the northern islands, the flora is shrubs, and on the southern islands - coniferous forests and broad-leaved species. One of the attractions of the southern islands is magnolia and bamboo.

Kamchatka

Kamchatka is located on the Kamchatsky Peninsula, which is famous for volcanoes (more than 1000, of which 29 are active), geysers in, and on the islands - Karaginsky and Komandorsky. There are many rivers and lakes on the peninsula, which originate at the foot of mountains and glaciers. The peninsula is divided by two ranges: Sredinny (the longest) and Vostochny, between which is the Central Kamchatka Lowland. The coast of the peninsula is dominated by a maritime climate, while the central and northern parts are continental. The flora of the peninsula is coniferous and sparse birch forests, cedar and alder elfin forests, meadows and moss tundra. The animal world is diverse and amazing.

Magadan region, Chukotka

The Magadan region is located along the coast of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk in the North-East of Russia. The region is characterized by a subarctic climate, turning into a maritime one. The region consists of mountains (in the North they are called Sopki) and plateaus, such as: the Verkhoyansk Range, the Oymyakon and Upper Kolyma Uplands, the Yanskoye, Yukagir and Elga Plateaus. The forest area occupies most of the territory and consists of evergreen forests and relic poplar forests.

Chukotka is the most severe and mysterious region throughout Russia. Most of the territory is located beyond the Arctic Circle. Chukotka is located on the entire Chukotka Peninsula and adjacent islands. The subarctic climate is replaced by maritime, on the coast and continental, in the interior. Permafrost covers the whole of Chukotka. Most of the peninsula is mountainous and arctic tundra with shrubs, lichens, grasses and mosses. Occasionally there are light coniferous and relict poplar forests. The peninsula consists of several natural zones (arctic desert, typical and southern tundra, forest tundra and deciduous taiga), which explains the great diversity of flora and fauna.

Such natural phenomena as the Northern Lights and winter, lasting 10 months, are not found anywhere else.

Caucasus (Western and Eastern part)

The Caucasus is a mountainous region of Eurasia, located between the Azov, Black and Caspian Seas.

You can watch an excellent video about a hiking trip of the 4th category of difficulty in the Caucasus.

I always admired the guys who walk such routes. The landscape of mountains depends on the height and distance from water bodies. Starting from swamps and forests of glaciers in the center and in the west and moving to high-altitude semi-deserts, steppes and meadows in the south. Forest range of mountains - fir and spruce forests. The mountain system of the Caucasus is divided into three regions:

  1. Western Caucasus (mid-mountain and high-mountain ranges covered with snowfields and glaciers). For example, Arkhyz and Sofia waterfalls),
  2. Central Caucasus (the highest peaks exceeding 5,000 meters above sea level. For example, Elbrus)
  3. Eastern Caucasus (mountains of low height, running from the mountain from Kazbek to the Absheron Peninsula).

Hiking - Crimea

The relief of the Crimea starts from the plains in the East, to the highlands and mountain ranges in the South-West of the republic. Nature is rich in mixed forests, pine forests, steppes and forest-steppes. Most of the country has a temperate continental climate, turning into a Mediterranean one on the southern coast of Crimea (Crimean Peninsula).

The main direction of tourism in that region is the Crimea. Therefore, it is not surprising that

Tourists in Crimea could always find stunningly beautiful places

and has always been popular. Mountainous Crimea is interesting for historical and archaeological monuments of culture (cities and monasteries in caves, medieval fortresses), palaces, waterfalls, salt lakes (about 50) and landscapes. A distinctive feature of the Crimea is a smooth transition from the mountains to the flat steppes, the change of cool air to the sea breeze.

Kazakhstan and Central Asia

The relief of the territory of Kazakhstan is high mountains, lowlands, hills and plains with drainless basins. The climate is mostly sharply continental. The mountain system is represented by the ranges of the Mangystau mountains, deserts in the Balkhash-Alakol depression, and the Saryarka upland.

We have really gorgeous places in Kazakhstan in their beauty. Having walked many routes, I was convinced of this more than once. I invite everyone to come and see for yourself.

Most of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) is occupied by semi-deserts and deserts, which indicates an arid climate. The mountain range of Central Asia includes: the Ustyurt plateau, the Turan lowland, the Turgai plateau, the Kazakh hills, the mountains: Kopetdag, Pamir-Alay, Tien Shan, Dzungarian Alatau, Saur and Tarbagatai. The relief of the territory of Central Asia can be divided in accordance with its constituent states:

  • KAZAKHSTAN: plains from the Volga to the Altai and from Western Siberia to the oases and deserts of Central Asia;
  • KYRGYZSTAN: Tien Shan ranges with valleys and depressions;
  • MONGOLIA: vast desert and semi-desert plains; mountains in the west and southwest; in the southeast the Gobi Desert;
  • TAJIKISTAN: Pamir and Alai mountains; Ferghana Valley (western part) in the north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh valleys in the southwest;
  • TURKMENISTAN: hilly or flat sandy desert with dunes, turning into mountains along the border with Iran;
  • UZBEKISTAN: flat sandy deserts with dunes; wide and flat, the valleys are abundantly irrigated by the Amudarya, Syrdarya and Zeravshan rivers; Ferghana Valley (eastern part) surrounded by the mountains of Kyrgyzstan.

Tien Shan

Tien Shan ("Heavenly Mountains") is a mountain range located in the Middle and Central part of Asia. The main part of the Tien Shan is in Kyrgyzstan, the northern and western ranges are in Kazakhstan, and the southwestern part of the Tien Shan is in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Geographically, the Tien Shan mountains are divided into regions:

  • Northern (Kyrgyz Ridge, Kungei-Alatau, Ketmen, Chu-Ili Mountains, Trans-Ili Alatau and Issyk-Kul)
  • Western (Chatkal, Sandalash, Pskem, Maidantal, Ugam, Ferghana and Atoinok ridges)
  • Eastern (ridges of Kuilu, Akshiyrak, Dzhetymbel, Naryn-Too, Borkoldoy and At-Bashi),
  • Central
  • Internal (valleys covered with moraine sediments, covered with grass, which creates conditions for pastures (syrts)).

The Tien Shan ranges are characterized by mountain-glacial relief, which indicates a sharply continental climate. The flora and fauna of certain regions of the Tien Shan mountains varies significantly depending on the climatic and relief features.

Republic of Belarus

The republic is located in Eastern Europe, which indicates a temperate continental climate with mild winters and warm summers. The relief is flat and in some areas it is elevated. Nature, rivers and forests, which attracts tourists from all over the world. Routes pass through nature reserves and national parks with minimal impact on the environment.

The path of the tourist passes along specially equipped trails. An example is such parks as "Narochansky", "" and Polessky Reserve.

Carpathians - Ukraine

The Carpathians are a mountain range in Central Europe, passing through such states as Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine (which is why I decided to insert an overview of the Carpathians in this article), Poland, Serbia, Romania and part of Austria, the tops of which are covered with glaciers. The total length of the chain is 1600 km. The relief is represented by turbulent rivers, forests and meadow valleys.

The entire mountain range can be divided into alternating climatic zones: High mountains (cold with high humidity), middle mountains (moderate cold), Carpathian region (warm and moderately humid), Low mountains (high humidity) and Transcarpathia (warm and humid). The climate is mostly temperate continental, warm in places due to the frequent presence of an Atlantic cyclone.

Well, it seems to me that I covered almost all the main hiking trails Russia and CIS countries. Go, explore, admire the great nature and wonderful views.

If anyone has something to add, I would also be grateful for the comments. And please share the materials of the article with your friends using the social network buttons.

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For those who love hiking, kilometers of road and a hiking backpack on their shoulders, “old lady” Europe has prepared a lot of interesting things. In almost every country there are several dozen popular and not very trekking routes.

We choose strong shoes - and hit the road!

St. Olaf's trail

Sweden - Norway

Immersion in the Nordic nature and culture of Scandinavia awaits all travelers who decide to walk in whole or in part the Way of St. Olaf. It starts in the Swedish city of Selanger and ends in the GothicNidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. The trail was abandoned for a long time, but after the joint efforts of the Swedish-Norwegian authorities, it was mapped and marked on the ground, opening a fascinating page of its cultural heritage for pilgrims and tourists. The route runs through forests, agricultural land, waterfalls to the symbol of Norway - the fjords. Medieval churches, monasteries, traditional family farms complete the picture.

Story

Saint Olaf is known in all Scandinavian countries. In the 11th century, he became the first king of Norway, who managed to unite its regions into a single state. A lot of effort was spent on the Christianization of the country and the fight against paganism. Olaf's innovations were met with resistance from the old nobility, and soon he had to flee from Norway to Novgorod. In 1030, the king tried to regain the Norwegian throne, but died in battle. He was buried in the Nidaros Cathedral, and a year after his death he was canonized. Thus, the path of St. Olaf repeats the last path of the Norwegian king Olaf II through the Scandinavian lands.

Route length

The length of the route through two countries, from coast to coast, is 564 km. It is divided into several sections, for each of which detailed maps have been developed. In terms of time, the passage of the entire route takes 25-30 days. Many travelers make the journey piecemeal, others take only the last section that leads from Stiklestad through forests and agricultural fields to Trondheim (7 days).

Suitable season

Due to the geographical location, the trekking season in Norway is short - from June to September. Most pilgrims complete the journey by the end of July to get to the feast of St. Olaf. It lasts several days, and during this time Trondheim hosts many cultural events: medieval festivals, market days, exhibitions and concerts.

Helpful information

The St. Olaf trail is marked with special marks and is convenient for passing. Places to stay overnight are located along the entire route - from budget campsites and farms to comfortable hotels. The most economical option is to take a tent. Of course, it will become an additional burden, but it will give you complete freedom in choosing a place to relax. All points where you can eat and replenish food and water are marked on the maps, so a map and a compass are a must for every tourist. You can use the route planner and find out the details on the websites Pilegrimsleden and Pilegrim.

blue trail

Italy

The Cinque Terre National Park in Italy attracts millions of tourists every year. Hundreds of hiking trails run through its scenic area. One of the most famous is the Blue Trail, which connects small coastal villages and winds its way along the Mediterranean Sea.

Attractions

Former fishing villages - Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore - are located at a short distance from each other. Bright village houses hidden in the rocks near the water, old castles, ancient buildings, vineyards and unforgettable landscapes will give you many pleasant experiences. The trail passes near small beaches and coves, many of which are wild and secluded.

Route length

The Blue Trail is designed for travelers of all ages. Most of the route runs on flat terrain, so it is suitable for families with children and the elderly. The whole way of 12 km can be mastered in 4-5 hours, or it can be divided into two days, stopping for the night in one of the coastal villages. There are many small branches along the main road, which are also worth a stroll.

Suitable season

From mid-March to mid-October, the Cinque Terre has stable, dry weather, conducive to hiking. But July and August are the hottest months. In the other half of the year, the trail may be closed to the public due to heavy rains and small landslides.

Helpful information

The trail is paid. The cost varies between 5-8 euros, the ticket price depends on the number of open sections of the road. During the high season, hotels and private boarding houses are in demand, so it is recommended to book a room in advance.

Ring of Kerry

Ireland

You can see authentic Ireland with its Celtic folklore, fabulous forests, family castles and hospitable locals on a trip around the Ring of Kerry. This is a circular route, passing through the picturesque places of County Kerry, in the south-west of Ireland. The untouched nature of the region has always been especially attractive for tourists, this road is the most popular tourist destination in the country after Dublin.

Attractions

Most of the route winds along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, so panoramic views and beaches are constantly found. And also - small fishing villages where you can take a break and drink a pint of beer. In addition to eye-pleasing landscapes, travelers will see many medieval churches, fortresses, monasteries and other historical and cultural sites. The main attractions of the route:

  • The town of Killarney with the national park of the same name located nearby;
  • Macross Abbey and Ross Ancestral Castle;
  • The 19th-century mansion Muckross House;
  • Derrinan House;
  • The village of Snim and the ancient fort of An-Steg.

Route length

The Ring of Kerry is a 179 km road starting at Killarney and proceeding clockwise to Kenmare and beyond. You can travel along the route by car, bicycle, motorcycle, tourist bus or on foot. Buses run during the summer season and stop only at the main points of the route. The tour takes 5-6 hours.

For walkers, the Ring of Kerry stretches up to 215 km. The road runs a little higher than the highway, opening up beautiful landscapes for travelers.

The passage time depends on the degree of physical fitness and the body's ability to walk for several hours in a row. But, in general, it is worth counting on 9 days.

The path is divided into 9 segments: Killarney - BlackValley - Glencar - Glenbeigh - Cahirciveen - Waterville - Caherdanie - Sneem - Killarney. The route is marked on the ground with a walking man or yellow arrows.

Suitable season

You can walk along the Ring of Kerry at any time of the year. Snow occasionally falls during the winter months. You should also be prepared for rain. The weather in Ireland is changeable, so seeing all 4 seasons on the same day is an absolutely everyday occurrence.


Route “Ring of Kerry”

Helpful information

There is no shortage of restaurants, cafes, hostels, hotels and other tourist infrastructure facilities in this region. They are marked on the map, which can be taken from the tourist offices. Entrance to a number of cultural sites is paid. If you plan to visit each of them, it is better to buyspecial card . It gives the right to free admission to all cultural heritage sites in Ireland throughout the year. Detailed information about the route And .

GR 20

France

You can enjoy the beauty and natural wealth of the Mediterranean island of Corsica on the GR 20 route. Thanks to the coniferous forests, alpine meadows and mountainous areas encountered on the way, it is called the most exciting track in Western Europe. There are 128 mountain peaks on the territory of Corsica, so mountain lovers will especially like it here.

Story

The route was laid in the 70s of the XX century, when in Corsica there was an acute problem of the outflow of the population inland. The goal was to "revive" the mountain pastures and not to let the ancient distillation routes between the villages disappear. Soon a national park was created, and a little later the trail gained well-deserved fame among locals and tourists.

Route length

GR 20, which is 180 km, crosses the island from north to south and consists of two segments. The northern part starts in Calenzana and ends in Vizzavona. Due to the steep slopes and uneven paths, it is considered more challenging, but also more scenic. The southern segment stretches from Vizzavona to Conca and is convenient for beginner trekkers. The entire route takes about 15 days of travel.

Suitable season

The best time to hike the GR 20 is between June and September. The road requires the tourist to be in excellent physical shape and cross-country walking skills. In the off-season, the weather worsens and becomes unpredictable, which is dangerous for beginners. During the winter season, the trail can only be used by experienced skiers with a guide, as most of the trail is covered with snow.


Helpful information

The road is marked with red and white rectangles on rocks, boulders and trees. However, it is easy to get lost on the path, so it is better to take maps of the area with you. Throughout the route, every 4-8 hours there are mountain huts (shelters) that offer basic accommodation and meals. The hut is a special one large room with wooden bunks and mattresses. Seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. A special area for tents is fenced nearby; pitching a tent in other places of the park is not allowed. The cost of accommodation and meals varies, on average it is 15 euros for a bed in a house and 6 euros per person for accommodation in a tent.

The GR 20 is a real hike where you can't do without sturdy boots, so it's worth deciding on the list of necessary things in advance and arriving at the beginning of the path prepared. Information for hikers about the nuances of the route and its updates has been collected Online .

Lycian trail

Turkey

Traversing Mediterranean Turkey on the Lycian Way is an option for those who want to bypass crowded beaches and hyped tourist attractions. Instead, the route is saturated with landscapes of the Taurus Mountains, azure bays, rocky canyons, orange groves and picturesque ruins of ancient cities.

Story

Lycia is an ancient civilization that many millennia ago was located on the southern coast of modern Turkey. For a long time, Lycia remained autonomous, later became a province of the Roman Empire, and after the 11th century it was conquered by the Seljuks. The Lycian tombs carved into the rocks have been best preserved since those times. They are easy to spot when walking along the trail. In addition, you can see with your own eyes:

  • the ancient cities of Phaselis and Olympos;
  • natural attractions - Butterfly Valley and Goynuk Canyon;
  • the famous fires of the Chimera, forever burning on Mount Yanartash;
  • the pilgrimage city of Mira and the Church of St. Nicholas (known in Orthodoxy as Nicholas the Wonderworker);
  • picturesque coastal villages Kabak, Oludeniz, Cirali;
  • endless Patara beach and much more.

Route length

The Lycian trail runs 540 km from Fethiye to Antalya. It runs between the mountains and the coast along goat and footpaths. Sometimes there are steep and rocky slopes. The starting point is located in the village of Oludeniz, a two-hour drive from Dalaman Airport. The final destination is located near the international airport in Antalya. The entire route is designed for 29 days, but usually travelers choose to pass only a few sections of the road. Some of them lie close to settlements and are suitable for day trips.

Suitable season

The best time to complete the route is April-June and September-November. Summers in Lycia are too hot and tiring for long walks, while prolonged rains are possible in winter.

Helpful information

The sign for the Lycian Way is a red and white rectangle. On winding sections of the road, rocks and stones are generously marked; on a flat path, signs are less common. The wrong direction is marked on the ground with a red cross. Although the map is considered optional for short walks, it will come in handy for long distances. The necessary information is recorded on it: places of lodging for the night, settlements, sources of drinking water. Every 10 km there are small villages, equipped campsites or private boarding houses where you can spend the night. But on some sections of the path, your own tent is the only option for recreation, so you should carefully study the information before the trip.

More useful details about the trail and tips for hikers can be found .


King's Trail (Kungsleden)

Sweden

For the harsh northern nature and ringing silence, you need to go to Sweden. Kungsleden is one of the most famous hiking trails in this Scandinavian country, which runs beyond the Arctic Circle through fabulous Lapland. Pine, birch and spruce forests, glaciers, mountain rivers and massifs - all the natural diversity of this region is presented on the King's Trail.

Attractions

Kungsleden owes its origin to the Swedish Tourism Association, which since the beginning of the 20th century has been trying to make the country's Arctic landscapes accessible to local and foreign tourists. The route runs through the picturesque mountains of Lapland and crosses:

  • Abisko National Park with the station of the same name. IN in winter, this place becomes a center of pilgrimage for tourists who come from all over the world to admire the northern lights;
  • most the highest mountain in Sweden - Kebnekaise;
  • the mountain villages of Hemavan and Tärnaby;
  • Treasures of Lapland: Stora Sjöfallet, Pieljekaise and Sareks National Parks.

Route length

About 440 km of the trail stretched between the villages of Abisko in the north and Hemavan in the south. The route is divided into 4 sections (Abisko-Singi-Kvikkjokk-Ammarnäs-Hemavan), each of which involves one week of travel. The most popular tourist part of the trail is the section between Abisko and Kebnekaise.

Suitable season

The summer season, which is considered the best period for conquering the route, lasts from mid-June to the end of September. In winter, namely from mid-February to the end of April, the trail is possible on skis or snowmobiles. During the off-season, the weather can be unpredictable due to early or late snowfall.


Helpful information

The trail stands out in the terrain, and its inconvenient sections are well equipped. Boardwalks cover too swampy ground, bridges have been built between mountain streams, and crossings between lakes work in the summer months. Huts were built almost along the entire route, where you can wait out the bad weather, spend the night and cook food. Or, for a small fee, pitch a tent nearby. Detailed information about the route is

Chamonix - Les Houches - Bellevue pass (1801 m) - Col de Tricot pass (2120 m) - Les Contamines-Montjoie - Bonhomme pass (2329 m) - Lac de Mya lake (2393 m) - Mottets refuel - Col de la Seigne (2516 m) - Miage glacier - Val Veny campsite - Courmayeur - Arnuva shelter - Col de Grand Ferret pass (2537 m) - La Fouli - Champe Lac - Fenetre d'Arpette pass (2665 m) - Glacier du Trient glacier - pass Col de Balme (2195 m) - Le Tour - Chamonix

Duration - 10 days

Kilometer - 110 km

Price: 300 euro

Departure point: Chamonix (France)

Arrival place: Chamonix (France) by 13:00

Upcoming dates:

  • 14.06-23.06.2020
  • 18.07-27.07.2020
  • 22.08-31.08.2020

This is an exciting hike through the most beautiful mountains in Europe - the Alps. Everything that our imagination draws at the word "Alps", we can see with our own eyes: pastoral pictures of green meadows with peacefully grazing cows against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks, mighty glaciers, turquoise lakes... Our hike goes around Mount Blanc (4810 m) - the highest peak in the Alps. A number of scientists also call it the highest peak in Europe. During our trip through the Alps, we will go around the Mont Blanc mountain range - these are 7 valleys of France, Italy, Switzerland and 71 glaciers. Alpine meadows and forests, cute villages, picturesque mountain rivers and lakes, real glaciers and, of course, unforgettable views of the giant Mont Blanc - that's what makes this trekking worth it.

Despite the ever-increasing number of cars on the road, flights, sea cruises, hiking continues to be popular among travelers. This is one of the types of sports tourism and a great opportunity to travel the world.

The “sports” name for hiking is trekking. It allows you to visit the most unexplored and hard-to-reach corners of the globe.

If we talk about the sports component of hiking trips, then, by analogy with, they have 6 levels of difficulty. So, categories 1–3 are weekend hikes, and the highest 6th category implies the presence of serious obstacles on the route - mountain passes or gorges, deep rivers, rocks, etc. It is noteworthy that, while hiking professionally, you can get the title of master of sports.

Currently, hiking is developed throughout the mainland, and even in Antarctica. But it is most popular in Europe, the Himalayas and North America. And if people travel around Europe and America, first of all, to see new places, then climbing Chomolungma (the top of the Himalayas) is far from an easy walk. Hiking in the Himalayas helps a person to challenge themselves, overcome difficult climbs and enjoy stunning views.

Ideal for hiking trips Slovenia. This small country has everything: the beautiful Alps, amazing nature, cities with interesting architecture, and the stunning mountain lake Bled with a small church on an island…

In order to cross the dwarf country of Liechtenstein, you will need no more than 1 day. After all, the area of ​​​​this state is only 100 square kilometers of the most picturesque mountainous area between Austria and Switzerland. And one of the hiking trails in Liechtenstein from the Swiss to the Austrian border is only 12 kilometers.

The Alfred Wainwright Route of Northern England is a hiking classic. You will cross the UK from west to east, most of the way through the territory and moorlands.

The Dublin Dingle hiking trail will take you on a tour of the beauty of Ireland. About 10 days you will travel through the green valleys, coasts, mountains.

Some of the best hiking trails are located in France. On the territory of the country there are about two hundred thousand kilometers of trails and routes. You can walk the paths of Brittany, wander along the rivers, visit the peaks of the Cévennes, etc. Traveling around the country, you will constantly meet white and red GR signs on your way - roads for long hiking trips are marked there, as well as yellow PR signs - they designate roads for walking and hiking.

Benefits of hiking

Affordable price. Traveling on foot, you save impressive sums on travel. In addition, you can sleep in an open-air tent, eat in non-tourist places - a great opportunity to see the world literally for a penny.

  • Do not miss:

Cognitiveness. To get to know the spirit of a city or country, it is not enough to see their main sights. After all, the main color is in residential areas, in bazaars, in cafes and restaurants where local residents eat. You can go off hiking trails and admire the area in its true form, observe nature, relax your soul.

freedom of choice. Hiking does not tie you to the schedule of planes, trains or trains. You can change your route at any time, linger in places you like, visit sights that were not included in the original plan.

Simplicity. Hiking is in many ways easier than other forms of travel. So, crossing the border on foot is much faster than by car. And, living in a tent, you do not have to leave it at 12 noon, like a hotel room.

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Disadvantages of Hiking

Lack of comfort. Of course, it is more comfortable to travel in an airplane or car seat than on foot. Yes, and a hotel room, whatever one may say, is more convenient than a tent. But if you are not picky in terms of amenities, this is not a problem at all.

Physical training. Hiking requires a certain level of physical fitness. Those who lead a sedentary lifestyle, move little and practically do not run, will get tired on the first day.

Binding to weather conditions. Every tourist wants to be warm and sunny during his trip. But, if rain is even more or less acceptable for car and bus tours, then a few hours on foot in the cold and in heavy rain is a very doubtful pleasure.

  • This is interesting:

Despite the shortcomings, hiking is a healthy lifestyle and a unique opportunity to see the most interesting places on our planet, while spending very little money.

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