International hiking hotspots

When planning a holiday around hiking you should consider both, your destination and where you stay within that place, carefully. You need to be right in the action, if it’s a popular hiking spot you should be close to where the trail starts, near a gear shop and next to some great places to eat.

You can’t talk about hiking holidays without mentioning the Inca Trail so we’ll start there, in South America, Peru to be precise. It is by far the most famous trek in South America and one of the most famous in the world. It is not a beginners trek and many who undertake are either very experienced or have been training beforehand to ensure their fitness is at optimum levels. Dotted with history it features many Inca paving stones, ruins and tunnels and in 26 miles you will reach the most amazing summit, the ancient lost city of Machu Picchu.If you’re adventurous with your food you can try the Peruvian delicacy of guinea pig, the further on the trek you are the more ‘rustic’ it is served. You’ve been warned.

The Atlas Mountains in Morocco are another popular hiking holiday hot spot as they are within easy reach of the colourful city of Marrakech so your trip can combine culture and a great hike. With great Moroccan food and fantastic scenery, the Atlas Mountains can be undertaken in a number of ways – prior planning or going on an organised trek is key to a successful trip. Another great thing is that you can eat and buy services quite cheaply in Morocco.

North America is renowned for its vast choice of hiking spots, the West Coast in-particular. Los Angeles has many varied treks and is suitable for the less experienced hiker. The Portola Trail, 5 miles, in Elysian Park is popular as it takes in great views of downtown LA, the Grace E. Simons memorial sculpture and Dodger Stadium.

Make sure you wear appropriate hiking shoes when you walk. Whatever your choice of footwear is be it shoes or boots they need to be durable, weather appropriate and comfortable, and Millet Sports have a fantastic range of hiking shoes. When hiking in a foreign country it is advisable to do your research about the weather conditions when you’re there, make sure you have sun lotion, a hat and sunglasses if in a warm country. And as always plenty of water. Carry a map incase the worst happens and you get lost.