Wellness

10 MAGNIFICENT TRAILS & DARES TO TRY NOW

by John. Deep-Water Soloing. Summersville Lake, West Virginia.

All sports have a body, mind, and spirit component, but somehow, we find that outdoor sports integrate these three especially well. Today we are sharing a top selection of incredible hiking trails around the world, as well as a new sport that is bound to get you psyched in one way or another, called Deep-Water Soloing.

1. DEEP-WATER SOLOING

Deep-water soloing is an extreme sport that tests the limits of both mind and body. The concept is simple: you’ll climb the face of a seaside cliff until you can’t move another muscle, then free-fall into the shimmering ocean below.

This beautiful sport is popular in places with warm waters, such as Majorca, and is spreading all around Europe. The southwest coastline of England and Wales gives DWS-er lots of hotspots, including Swanage, Lulworth, Portland, Devon, Cornwall and Pembroke.

It’s becoming a cool thing to do in the central lakes of Texas as well.

Advanced climbers will use chalk, rope, and a harness, but otherwise you don’t need much gear. All that’s needed to deep-water solo is a passion for adventure, some craggy cliffs to climb, and the beautiful ocean!

2. TOUR DU MONT BLANC -- SWITZERLAND, ITALY, & FRANCE

The Tour du Mont Blanc, a 105-mile hiking trail which passes through Switzerland, Italy, and France, is one of the world’s most popular long-distance hiking trails. You’ll encounter beautiful vistas of lush green valleys, turquoise lakes, and massive glaciers. You’ll also pass over the highest peak in Western Europe, Mont Blanc Massif, at a towering elevation of 15,770 feet.

This demanding climb, with its incredible views and plenty of fresh mountain air, is sure to reinvigorate your mind, body, and spirit.

3. ZION NARROWS -- UTAH, UNITED STATES

The Zion Narrows is an impressive 16-mile long, 2,000-foot deep, 30-foot wide gorge within the Zion National Park in Utah. It is known for its snaking slot canyons and its gigantic red rock formations, including high towers and monoliths.

There’s no marked trail. You simply follow the river and often have to wade through it. And then stop to admire the majestic waterfalls along the way.

4. PEMBROKESHIRE COAST PATH -- WALES, UNITED KINGDOM

Pembrokeshire Coast Path, located in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales, winds along the beautiful British coastline for 186 miles.

The hike features almost every type of stunning coastal landscape on Earth, from craggy cliff tops, to enclosed coves, to stretches of open beach, to winding estuaries. There are also volcanic headlands, glacial valleys, and plenty of species of beautiful birds and flora to admire.

This trail is said to be the equivalent of climbing Everest, because you’ll climb 35,000 feet altogether. If intense exercise by the water is what you’re looking for, Pembrokeshire Coast Path is the perfect destination.

5. INCA TRAIL -- PERU

If you want to hike in total peace and quiet, the Inca Trail in Peru is perfect for you. Only 200 hikers are allowed on the trail each day, in order to prevent erosion, so you’re likely to have long stretches of the 27-mile trail all to yourself.

The Inca Trail showcases the magnificent Andes Mountains, the subtropical Amazon jungle, alpine tundra, cloud forests, and stunning Incan ruins, making for an incredibly beautiful and meditative hike.

6. KUNGSLEDEN -- SWEDEN

Kungsleden, also called “The King’s Trail,” in Sweden, stretches for 275 miles, between Abisko and Hemavan, through some of the most beautiful mountainous landscapes you will ever find anywhere.

You will gaze upon the white snowy peaks of Kebnekaise, walk through a magical landscape. The valleys, deep precipices, and lakes are reminiscent of the Alaskan wilderness. The birch forests outside of Kvikkjokk are breathtaking.

7. TONGARIRO NORTHERN CIRCUIT -- NEW ZEALAND

If you’re feeling daring, try hiking the Tongariro Northern Circuit in New Zealand. This gorgeous 4-day hike, considered one of the New Zealand Great Walks, will take you through the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a dual-status World Heritage Site, recognized for its cultural and natural significance.

Here, you’ll walk over an active volcano, Mount Ngauruhoe, and see plenty of lava pits and craters. Stay alert -- the volcano could potentially erupt at any moment.

8. ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT -- NEPAL

Annapurna Circuit is hailed as Nepal’s classic trek. The scenery is what dreams are made of, with views of the snowy Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs.

Trek through sub-tropical and arid semi-desert regions. The circuit is dotted with teahouses, where you may spark friendships with both Hindu and Buddhist Nepalese locals.

Some parts of the hike are grueling, but power through them. You have to get yourself to the iconic Thorong La Pass at 17,769 feet where you will reach veritable nirvana.

9. TIGER LEAPING GORGE TRAIL -- YUNNAN, CHINA

Tiger Leaping Gorge Trail, in southwestern China, is a must-do for advanced hikers. It runs along one of the deepest gorges in the world. Its narrow and oftentimes crumbling paths make for a risky hike, as do the possibility of landslides and newly sprung gushing waterfalls that can present obstacles.

The gorge extends 12,795 miles, from the waters of the Jīnshā River, to the white peaks of Hābā Shān in the west and the Yùlóng Xuěshān mountains to the east.

You’ll be rewarded each time you stop to perch yourself on a rock, and take in the extraordinary views.

10. KALALAU TRAIL -- KAUA’I, HAWAII

If hiking in a tropical paradise sounds like a dream come true, you’ll want to head to the Kalalau Trail in one of the most beautiful and most remote areas of Kaua‘i, Hawaii. It’s only 11 miles long, but this hike will treat your body to a major workout.

The trail leads you over Na Pali, “The Cliffs,” in Hawaiian, which are hundreds of feet high. You’ll hike through lush greenery, above the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean.

The Kalalau Trail is the only way to gain land access to the stunning Kalalau Valley, renowned for its natural beauty. You will be surrounded by cliffs more than 2,000 feet (610 m) high, brimming with colorful jungle life. Check out the complex network of terraced fields, where native Hawaiians used to farm taro.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

Image: by John. Deep-Water Soloing. Summersville Lake, West Virginia.
Image: by Udo Neumann. Pontax wide028. Mallorca, Spain.
Image: by walkaboutroute. Deep-Water Soloing. Railey Bay, Thailand.
Image: by Jolyn. Deep Water Soloing in Perth. Blackwell Reach, Australia.
Image: by Mor. Glacial Streams in Val Ferret. Orsieres, Switzerland.
Image: by Jeff Krause. Zion National Park - The River Less Traveled. Utah, United States.
Image: by Barrie Foster. Marloes & Gateholm from the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Wales, United Kingdom.
Image: by Inka Peru Terra. Machu Picchu. Peru.
Image: by Baraliteaids. Kungsleden. Sweden.
Image: by Daniel Pietzsch. Sitting on Mt. Tongariro. Mount Tongariro, New Zealand.
Image: by Jeanne Menj. Nepal - Annapurnas - Région du Mustang. Mustang, Nepal.
Image: by Jeremy Foster. Mountains of China. Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yunnan, China.
Image: by Robert Linsdell. Kalalau Trail, Napali Coast, Kapaa (502906). Haena, Hawaii, United States.
Image: by Emily Berkson. Turning away from Ke’e Beach, continuing along the Kalalau Trail. Hawaii, United States.
Image: by Wanderlust. Deep Water Soloing in Tonsai, Thailand. Tonsai, Thailand.
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Image: by Seth Mazow. P1030452. Tonsai, Thailand.