Walking through a city is an original way to discover what surrounds us. In this article we propose 2 itineraries to do on foot, both of which offer spectacular views of Prague.
All our best hikes and treks around the world
Do you like hiking? Are you looking for inspiration to prepare your next hike? So don't move, you've come to the right place! :) We have always loved hiking, but it was really during our round the world trip in 2013 that the virus totally bit us. Hiking is the best way to discover a destination "off the beaten track" and at your own pace.
We walk for the landscapes, to reach a viewpoint, to find ourselves alone in the middle of nature or simply to "get some fresh air" and unwind a little.... On this page we share with you our most beautiful hikes around the world as well as tips and tricks to prepare your next adventure.
At the end of the page you will also find all our blog posts dedicated to hiking. As I write these lines, there are more than 75 articles on hiking in France, Switzerland, elsewhere in Europe, Asia and South America!
Note: our website is currently in the process of being translated. Not all articles might be available yet, but we're adding more content every week!
Map of our hikes around the world
More or less everywhere we go, we always try to fit at least one hike into our program. Walking has really become over the years our favorite way to discover a destination (and incidentally it is also a very cheap hobby);)
If you are looking for a hike in a particular region you can use the map below to see if we have already published something that might meet your expectations.
Click on the button to display the map:
Day hike: Equipment and preparation tips
Going for a day hike (or a half-day hike also works) is the best way to get some fresh air without having to think about the logistics of camping in the wild or planning your itinerary in a refuge. It is not for nothing that day hikes are the most popular!
On our side we are fond of "through hikes" but we also particularly like these days when the weather is nice and we decide quite spontaneously to go for a hike! (You will find a lot of day hike itineraries on our blog)
In terms of equipment, we no longer have many questions. When we leave for the day we put on comfortable clothes, we put on adapted shoes (often we opt for trail running shoes when we leave for the day unless we plan to cross large rock outcrops, there we take our hiking boots).
For the rest the equipment is quite basic:
- A small backpack: we usually take a 20L backpack. It allows us to put everything we need in there.
- A picnic and water (for the last 2 years we have only used our Lifestraw water bottles, this allows us to easily take water from everywhere). Greener, lighter, in short, we always have them with us.
- A sweater and possibly a windproof or rain jacket according to the forecasts
- our Swiss army knife ;) (this one is always with us)
When we leave for the day we rarely take our hiking poles... We have gotten used to using them when we have heavy loads on our backs, but if you have knee problems it can be a good addition to the backpack (personally I always take them if I know the trails will be super steep).
Orientation: When you go hiking we recommend that you always bring a map (paper or digital format). For our part we have been using the AllTrails app since 2018. We use this app to integrate hiking routes into our site as well. To read our full review of the app and why we chose it, go to this blog post
Bonus for our readers: If you want to subscribe to AllTrails+ (to have access to offline maps in particular), you can use this link and get 30% off the first year (20,99€ instead of 29,99€ for one year)
Multi-day hike: what equipment to bring?
Multi-day hikes with hut or cabin stages (the Swiss name) are very often the first step between day hikes and larger scale treks. For our part, we love alpine hikes with small stops in these refuges. The atmosphere amongst hikers, the limitless passion of the refuge guards, the good local dishes served in the evening and even the atmosphere in these large dormitories which smell like old wood (and a little like feet too)!
Here are some of our favorite multi-day hiking experiences:
- The tour of the Val d'Hérens: our heart has remained a little crooked in this magnificent Swiss valley which is a little out of time...
- The tour des Dents du Midi: This is home! We grew up in front of these mountains and so it was only natural that we should go around them! Have we already told you that these "Dents du Midi" are the most beautiful mountains in the world? :)
- The "tour des dents blanches": That's right next to the dents du Midi (chauvinist you said????) but it's a slightly more sporty version.... A hike reserved for hikers who are already a little more experienced.
- Pirin national Park in Bulgaria: A beautiful mountain range near Bansko in Bulgaria. We did a very nice 3-day hike with 2 nights in a hut and it was a great experience (Bulgarian huts are something)
Hiking equipment for several days with overnight stay in a refuge
When you go to sleep in a refuge, the "daily" equipment does not differ much from the equipment for day hikes, except perhaps you will have to bring a slightly larger bag (even if this point is not even necessarily true...).
In regards of the backpack, I recommend that you stick to something like 30L or 40L at most. This will be more than enough to hold the few extras.
The essentials to have with you for a night in a refuge:
- A silk bag: some huts offer to rent them, but seriously it is really better to have your own! Unless otherwise specified you will need nothing more than a silk sheet, as blankets and pillows are provided.
- Small toiletry bag: toothbrush, toothpaste and possibly wet wipes to refresh you a little when you arrive (some shelters offer showers but this is very rare)
- A change of clothes: ideally it should be something to change in case you get wet. Personally I often take a leggings and a spare T-shirt. The leggings are perfect spending the evening in the hut and act as pajamas in the dormitory ;)
- Earplugs: If you only have a little light sleep, it is better to plan for it... in large hiking dormitories there is often at least one that snores a lot (and strangely enough, it is always the one who falls asleep first). To me, the best earplugs for sleeping are the wax earplugs.
- A Headlamp: It can be used to go to the toilets at night or if you want to go admire the stars at night (the refuges being often in spots without light pollution it would be a shame not to go outside to watch the sky)! :)
- A small power bank (solar powered) to charge your mobile phone or camera: this may not be a priority for everyone, but for us it is true that it has become a bit of a reflex to have a power bank with us. Electricity is only rarely available to clients in huts. This can also be combined to a solar panel like this one for even more power.
Trekking: all our advice to start well prepared
To go on larger treks and especially with a tent and food on your back the organization is a little different! Here the watchword is MINIMALISM! In order to lighten the pressure on your back but also to be able to enjoy your walk as much as possible, you must really try to limit the weight you carry on your back. In theory, it is said that the weight of the backpack should never exceed 15%-20% of the hiker's weight (15% is ideal, 20% is the limit).
You asked us many questions about bivouacking during long hikes (gear, tips, rules...). So we decided to write a complete guide about this topic:
Read our guide about bivouacking and wild camping during a hike
If you want to see our hiking gear, we won't go into too many details here. Instead, I invite you to read the different posts we wrote about this:
- Our complete equipment for the via alpina: a one-month trek in August 2017 in our beautiful Swiss Alps. We had our tent and all the hiking gear, but as we used to go through villages regularly, carrying food was not too much of an issue.
- Our complete equipment for the Kungsleden trek: a one-week trek in October 2018 in Swedish Lapland. A colder climate and almost total autonomy in terms of food. In this article you will find our tips to limit the weight of food and optimize calories for weight.
- Our trekking gear when travelling around the world: We shared the equipment with which we do our treks independently during our trip.
- Our equipment for the Torres del Paine trek: also during our world tour but there we had to carry the equivalent of 10 days of food... We had done without freeze-dried food and had to be a little more creative for the menus.
Hiking danger: What should I pay attention to?
Hiking is not a very dangerous activity overall (at least compared to other sports activities). Nevertheless, there are still regular accidents. Sometimes it is inevitable, but often they are also the result of a lack of vigilance or preparation.
The mountain world has a rather good reputation and there are therefore more and more people who want to discover it. It's quite logic right?.... But then you have to be aware of your limits and don't underestimate the dangers of the mountain just to take a nice picture for your Instagram account!
Anecdote:
We have already met people a few times in places where they should never have been.... I think in particular of these 2 Asian tourists who were climbing to the top of a peak in the Lofoten Islands. The path was far from easy, the night was starting to fall and they were wearing jeans, CONVERSES and a T-shirt. So let's skip the shoes, their behavior was totally irresponsible! Without a bag, without a jacket, without water, without a headlamp, it is simply stupid to climb a steep peak just before nightfall...
The main dangers when hiking are:
- Weather elements: Rain, snow, mountain storms, very strong wind gusts on the ridges, etc.... Before leaving for a hike, never forget to check the forecasts and always take a warm layer and rain protection in your backpack.
- Falls: this is probably the leading cause of accidents. So of course we can't predict all cases, but before you go on a hike, always make sure you have shoes adapted to the terrain (hiking boots, trail running shoes, light sneakers... everything depends but you need good soles). Note: hiking poles can be a good complement to give yourself a little more stability (especially during the descent).
- Injuries caused by others or animals: here, precautions depend a lot on the country you are in.... In Switzerland or France, animal and "human" risks are relatively low. Then, in Canada, for example, you have to be prepared to eventually encounter a grizzly bear or a bear depending on the area! In Peru, some valleys are strongly discouraged because drug cartels are established there... in short, here too the golden rule is "Do your research before you leave!" Go informed, but don't panic unnecessarily either;)
- Yourself...
Yes, this is probably the danger that we underestimate the most... The night is approaching and we are "almost" at the top? We are exhausted but we absolutely want to see this viewpoint? Never forget to think about your hike as a whole! A large part of accidents occur at the end of the day. We reached our goal of the day by going to our limits and we almost forget the way back... Sometimes you have to give up your daily objective to finish your hike in good conditions! In short, it's easier said than done, but don't be too stubborn, okay?
The most beautiful hikes and treks in the world: our selection
It is difficult to make a really objective selection, but here is the list of the hikes that we think are the most beautiful. Some of them are those we have already done and you will usually find the link for our article and others are simply hikes that make us look good and, who knows, may one day turn into a future project;)
- The Swiss Via Alpina: yes yes, we are a little chauvinistic but being Swiss and having done this hike during the summer of 2017 we couldn't possibly not start with this one;). The Swiss Via Alpina is 380km across the Alps with good ascents that will for sure hurt your legs! All our posts about this hike here.
- The Choquequirao trek: this one we did it on our round the world tour. A VERY physical but absolutely sublime 10-day trek. It was our very first autonomous trekking experience, so we have to keep a very emotional memory of it! Our article here.
- The Tongariro Alpine Trek: This mythical trek is in New Zealand. We have never set foot on this part of the planet before, but this trek will probably be part of our first plans if we go there (or I should rather say when we go).
- Hike across Jordan: We recently came across a video that presented this itinerary that crosses the country. Apparently it's a little complicated in terms of logistics (especially water supply) but it just seems crazy!
- Kungsleden trail in swedish Lapland: we completed part of the mythical royal road in the fall of 2018. We followed the Kungsleden for a good hundred kilometres between Nikkaluokta and Abisko. We have only one hurry: to see another part of this itinerary. Our article here
- Circus tour on Reunion Island: We've been looking at this itinerary for a while... if only the flights to get there didn't cost a kidney!;) In short, we don't rule out going there if sometimes we find a cheap flight offer to go there...
- Patagonia as a whole: yes yes it is cheating to formulate it like that but spontaneously I would have put the torres del Paine trek, but unfortunately it seems that it is a little victim of its success these days and that there are now really too many people. We were lucky, because in December 2014 it was still relatively quiet. Our article here
- Climbing the Kilimandjaro: Africa is a continent that we do not yet know but volcanoes and us are a bit of a great love story... Anyway, we'd really like to climb on this one one day! After that remains a very high summit, so we will have to see if it is within our grasp...
- Baltoro Glacier and K2 Base Camp (Pakistan): This trek just looks AWESOME! We haven't done much research yet but the pictures we saw of it clearly made us want to see the K2 up close!
- The GR34 - sentier des douaniers: Brittany is one of our favourite regions in France and we had a first glimpse of the GR34 when we went around the Crozon peninsula in 4 days (our article here). We would like to do the 1800km of this trek as a whole one day!
Bonus:
- The PCT - Pacific Crest Trail: THE mythical trek of the USA. This route of nearly 4300km runs along the entire west coast of the USA. Personally I don't think I want to follow it all at once but on the other hand some sections are clearly calling us! Hmmm, I would like to tell you that I would like to cover 1000km on this mythical trek (in 2-3 times probably)
Hiking: all our blog posts
Daytrip from Riga: Sigulda and Turaida Castle
If you are looking for a nature excursion to discover Latvia's landscapes, Sigulda is your solution. Located not far from Riga, you can discover the Turaida Castle and the Gauja National Park
Daytrip idea from Tallinn: The Keila Joa Waterfall
A small excursion less than an hour from Tallinn: the Keila Joa waterfall. A magnificent setting that is definitely one of Tallinn's must-see attractions! Photos and practical information in the article.
Morgins: Our best snowshoeing itineraries
What to do in the mountains when you do not feel like skiing? In this article we share our favorite snowshoeing itineraries around Morgins in the swiss alps
Menorca: our complete guide to discover the northern Coast and the best sunset spots
Hiking idea on the beautiful island of Menorca in the Balearic Islands: walk from Val Algaierens to Cala Morell on the cavalry truck
Best Beaches in Menorca and stunning hikes in the south
Hiking idea on the beautiful island of Menorca in the Balearic Islands. A hike to discover the most beautiful beaches of the island.
Swiss Via Alpina: Facts and numbers after our hike
How much did we spend during our Via Alpina? We tell you everything about the budget to plan to cross Switzerland on foot
Via Alpina: Our last week from Kandersteg to Montreux
We take you with us on the last kilometers of this Swiss Via Alpina, between Kandersteg and Montreux with the magnificent arrival at Les Rochers de Naye
Via Alpina: our first impressions after hiking across Switzerland
First impressions after returning from the Swiss Via Alpina. We followed the green route from Sargans to Montreux through the Swiss Alps.
Hiking Switzerland: from Lauterbrunnen to Kandersteg (Via Alpina)
We take you with us to the 2 highest passes of the Swiss Via Alpina: the Sefinenfurgge and Hohtürli passes between Lauterbrunnen and Kandersteg.
Via Alpina: 4 wonderful stages between Engelberg and Lauterbrunnen
4 fantastic stages of this Via Alpina on which we discovered some of the most beautiful mountains in Switzerland such as the Eiger and Jungfrau
Via Alpina: Our first week from Sargans to Engelberg
Our first week of hiking on the mythical Swiss Via Alpina. 100 km rich in emotions from Sargans to Engelberg - travel diary
A hike between France and Switzerland: Le tour des dents blanches
The tour des dents blanches can be done in 1 to 5 days depending on the chosen itinerary. Description of the steps and story of our 5-day adventure
Hiking gear: what do you need in your backpack for the Via Alpina?
You wonder what hiking equipment we take with us when we go away for several days or even several weeks? All the information is in the article.
Getaway in Ticino: our 3 days in Monte Bre, Val Verzasca and Lavertezzo
A 3-day weekend in Ticino: idea of an itinerary for nature lovers with short hikes and nice views. Including: Lavertezzo, Val Verzasca and Monte Bre
GR34: hiking for 4 days on the Crozon Peninsula
An account of our 4 days of hiking on the GR34 or sentier des douaniers around the Crozon peninsula in Brittany. (Useful information + map)
Welcome to Kreizh Breizh and Monts d’Arree in the centre of Brittany:
Visit of central Brittany, the Monts d'Arrée region and the magnificent Guerlédan lake. Hiking itineraries and advice to visit the area
Trekking in Myanmar: 3 wonderful days from Kalaw to Lake Inle
3-day trek to Inle Lake from Kalaw village in eastern Myanmar! A magnificent trek as close as possible to the local population
Myanmar: Visit Hpa An and sleep on top of Mount Zwegabin
Hiking in Myanmar to spend a night at Zwekabin Monastery above Hpa An to enjoy a crazy sunrise. + other things to do in Hpa An
Hike in Chiang Mai: discover Doi Suthep and Wat Pha Lad, two must-see temples!
Whether by foot, bus or scooter, we give you all the information to go up to Doi Suthep temple from Chiang Mai!
Illampu circuit: independent trekking in the Cordillera Real
Located some 100 km northwest of La Paz, the Illampu circuit is a beautiful 6-7 day trek around the imposing Illampu massif. Here's our complete guide!
The Dents du Midi Tour: A stunning hike in the swiss Alps
Report about our hike around the Dents du Midi, a 3 to 5 days itinerary with breathtaking landscapes
Churfirsten Hike: Get a panoramic view of the Walensee from Selun and Chäserrugg
Our feedback to a 2-day hike in the Churfirsten (German-speaking Switzerland) with a spectacular bivouac over the Walensee
Hike in Switzerland: From Evolène to Nax, Val d’Hérens
3 days of hiking in the Val d'Hérens between Evolène and Nax via the Lac Bleu. On the program one night in Les Haudères then the hut of becs de Bosson
Hiking the Gorges du Verdon – our last days on the trail (Part 3)
Last part of our hike in the Verdon to reach the village of Moustiers Sainte Marie... This is Provence like we have always imagined it
Hiking in Morgins to the Pointe de Bellevue
Proposal of a hike to do in Morgins (Valais) that ends with a Swiss artisanal beer. Destination? The pointe de Bellevue for the view of Lake Geneva.
Gorges du Verdon: the Blanc Martel trail and Grand Margès
Second part of our hike in the Verdon natural park: the Martel trail that passes through the gorges and the ascent of the Grand Margès
South of France: Hiking 4 days in the Gorges du Verdon (Part 1)
A 4-day hike through the gorges of the Verdon. We start in the village of Castellane until the camping of Carajuan at the gates of the gorges
Scenic hikes over Lake Lucerne: From Mount Rigi, Mt Pilatus and Vitznauerstock
Panorama from Pilatus Mountain, Rigi or Vitznauerstock: our best hikes in the region to admire a breathtaking view over Lake Lucerne
Switzerland: hiking in the vineyards of Lavaux
We take you through the sumptuous vineyards of Lavaux, overlooking Lake Leman. A beautiful 10Km walk that will make you fall in love with Switzerland
Hiking in Appenzell: Seealpsee and Hotel Aescher
An easy little autumn hike that we did to discover the Appenzell region and more particularly the Seealpsee and the Aescher
Hiking in Switzerland: all you need to know for the ascension of the Dent de Morcles
the ascent of the Dent de Morcles: a demanding hike but which offers sumptuous views over the entire plain of the Rhône and the Valais mountains
Val d’Hérens Tour: A hike from Thyon to Les Haudères, Switzerland
A 3 to 5 day hike in the heart of the Swiss Alps, in a valley that rhymes with traditions, nature and authenticity. Welcome to the beautiful Val d'Herens!
Hiking to the Panossière hut via the Corbassière footbridge
A cool hike with a night at the Panossière hut offering beautiful views on the Corbassière glacier and the Combins range
Trekking: how to plan for your adventure? Our gear and preparation tips
instructions for preparing an autonomous hike during a round the world trip: tips to take and tips to lighten your bag when going trekking
The five lakes hike in Switzerland: welcome to the Pizol
the Five lakes hike near the Pizol mountain. On the agenda: alpine lakes, spectacular landscapes among the most beautiful in the country
Free pass: Testing the carte Bienvenue in Villars and les Diablerets
A weekend getaway in the Vaud Alps to villars on ollon and diablerets to test the free access card. Trottin' grass, tree climbing, and much more to get the adrenaline pumping
Hiking around Bariloche in the spring – Pampa Linda
Spring in Patagonia lasts until the end of December... and believe us, it is better to know what it implies. Some examples of trekking in Bariloche
Chile: Torres del Paine, a beautiful trek of 10 days in Patagonia
Last trek of our world tour and we kept a piece of choice: 10 days in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia! An extraordinary adventure!
Bariloche, Patagonia: our favorite things to see and to do
Visit the pretty little town of Bariloche in Patagonia, a blog post about our favourite hikes and things to do. Cerro Campanario, Refugio Frey and more
Chilean Patagonia: a beautiful trek in the Vicente Perez Rosales Park
Patagonia on the Chilean side is a real paradise for lovers of nature and calm. We take you on trekking and thermal baths in one of its jewels: the national park vicente perez rosales
Chile: Hiking in the Huerquehue National Park
first steps in Patagonia! We discover Pucon and the magnificent park of Huerquehue, trekking, thermal waters and beautiful panoramas on the menu!
Bolivia: our hiking guide to climb on top of the Parinacota volcano
The ascent of a 6000 m summit was significant to me. The story of my experience on the Parinacota volcano (6348 m), on the border between Bolivia and Chile.
How to get to Machu Picchu: our travel guide to visit the Inca citadel
Here's the step-by-step guide to planning your trip to Machu Picchu: tickets, transport, accommodation, visits... You name it!
Choquequirao Trek: a memorable hike to Machu Picchu
Reach Machu Picchu in an alternative way while passing through the incredible ruins of Choquequirao. Here is the Choquequirao trek explained and detailed!
Our 11 best hikes and treks in Huaraz, Peru
Huaraz lies in the heart of the Cordillera Blanca in central Peru, and is the ideal starting point for hiking and trekking in the Andes!
Santa Cruz hike in the Cordillera Blanca: our complete trekking guide
Our first hike in Peru took us right into the heart of the Cordillera Blanca. Images, tips and video of our first trekking experience in the Peruvian Andes!
Quilotoa Loop in 3 or 4 days:
This 4-day trek to the Quilotoa lagoon in Ecuador is probably one of our most beautiful round-the-world treks. Find out all our tips for a successful Quilotoa Loop!
Hiking in Cotopaxi National Park: our travel guide
The trek on the Cotopaxi volcano within the eponymous national park left me with lasting memories during our trip to Ecuador. Find all our hiking tips!
Indonesia: our advice to discover Mount Bromo in East Java with or without a guide
Here comes already the moment of our second last story in our adventures in Indonesia: Mount Bromo! We tell you everything about how to do it with or without a guide.
Kawah Ijen: hiking and discovering the blue fire in East Java
We continue our tour of the volcanoes of Indonesia with Kawah Ijen, a crater in the east of Java where the beauty of the blue fire meets the brutal reality of the sulfur miners.
Trekking on the Rinjani volcano: all our tips for a memorable hike!
After enjoying the beaches of Kuta Lombok, what could be better than a trek to the 2nd highest volcano in Indonesia, Mount Rinjani?
Ba Be National Park: trekking in northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam is famous for its beautiful landscapes and ethnic minorities. Come with us around Ba Be Lake for an unforgettable experience!
Trekking in the jungle of Khao Yai National Park in Thailand
Before leaving Thailand, we headed to Khao Yai Park which brought out our adventurous side through a lush jungle full of surprises!
Yunnan Province in China: visit to the Tiger Leaping Gorge
Two days of trekking in the tiger leaping gorge, north of Yunnan in China. Watch your eyes... the landscapes are breathtaking
Mount Emei in China: hiking to the top
Two days of hiking on Mount Emei, the birthplace of Buddhism in China. Be careful, it climbs sharply.... 2 days of walking for the summit!
Mount Hua in China – Huashan: all our tips for hiking
We take you to discover Mount Hua, one of China's 5 sacred mountains... Watch out, it's climbing fast!!!!! Escapade made from Xian
Hike in Appenzell: Our ascent to the Säntis
During our stay in Appenzell we decided to hike the highest peak in the region: the Säntis
Hiking in Switzerland: The Sanetsch
Switzerland is well known for its mountains and chocolate. Today we take you for a hike towards the Sanetsch glacier in Valais
Hike in Switzerland: Le Grammont
Here is the story of a not too difficult hike through Lake Taney to the summit of the Grammont, with a magnificent view of Lake Geneva.
Zurich: Walensee, a little paradise to hike
Switzerland is an incredible country for hiking... We take you to tge Walensee, one of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland