Europe is rife with excellent destinations for a walking holiday. These destinations are also thankfully very easily accessible from within the EU due to the Schengen rules, which in 1997 were incorporated for the first time into European Union law. These rules essentially have relaxed the border controls between member states in order to provide citizens with free travel between EU members whilst tightening security at the borders between non-member states.
This is great news if you're on a walking holiday in Europe and want to move in between neighbouring countries with minimal fuss- something that's not really possible on other continents.
A few years back a survey was carried out on the purpose of visits to neighbouring countries in Western Europe. You may be very surprised to learn that for the year 2008-2009, 27% of European holiday makers classed themselves as on Walking or Camping Holiday!
Western Europe
Some of the better camping opportunities in Western Europe are located in France. France itself is a good place to start because it contains a good mix of easy terrain (and warmer temperatures) and mountainous, much colder areas (at higher altitudes). At its North/Eastern borders lay Germany, Belgium and Switzerland.
Switzerland is famed for skiing holidays, but might also present some excellent places to walk and even camp if you make an effort to stay in the lower-lying areas. There are some fantastic routes that are accessible all year round, however, it always pays to do your research first and plan your routes carefully and sensibly, sticking to your skill and experience level.
Southern Europe
The term “Southern Europe” covers many countries, but those of most interest to family campers will be the South-Western locations such as Spain, Italy, Portugal and Gibraltar. These are all recognisable as typical holiday destinations for party-goers, but also have a wealth of really picturesque locations for camping and hiking if you want to stay out of the cities.
Of course, the mostly warm weather in these countries does nothing to damage their worth as potential camping and walking destinations. Some walkers find the change in weather refreshing; coming from a part of Europe where hiking often involves getting wet and cold, a warm sun on your face can be very uplifting!
Northern Europe
It would be ill advised for anyone to venture out on a walking holiday in northern Europe without a considerable amount of planning and preparation. Certain Scandinavian countries become extremely cold at points during the year due to their proximity to the Arctic Circle, and it would be safe to assume that much of the terrain is difficult to traverse for all but the most experienced hikers.
There are, however, some excellent locations in the United Kingdom (Snowdonia, Cumbria, County Mayo and the Scottish Highlands to name a few) where there are camp sites aplenty and well known routes to challenge every level of walker. The Channel Islands (Alderney, Jersey Guernsey) are also very much worth visiting if you get the chance, with lots of unspoilt areas to explore, not to mention the French influenced micro-climate which leaves the islands very warm for much more of the year than mainland Britain.
Eastern Europe
Some Eastern European countries have delicate political situations which should be reviewed thoroughly before planning any holidays. A good tool to use in the first instance is the foreign office website which has regularly updated information on destinations worldwide. However, there are also some astounding areas of beauty in these countries which are well worth the effort it costs to visit them. The Czech Republic in particular is very tourist-friendly and has a great mix of spectacular architecture and great natural beauty.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Monday, 17 January 2011
What are Hiking Gaiters?
A gaiter is a handy piece of kit that effectively bridges the gap between your boots and your trousers in order to maintain the waterproofing effectiveness of both. A pair of gaiters will serve several functions:
Most gaiters used by hikers are short, and reach from the heel (where they are attached to the foot by an elastic strap) to the mid shin, where they are attached to the leg by an adjustable strap. There are longer gaiters available (mainly for use in more extreme weather conditions) that reach from the heel to the upper thigh in order to protect the user from moisture cause by deep snow drifts and fording rivers at deeper points. They are generally made from waterproof but breathable materials such as Gore-Tex, which is the most popular fabric with which to make gaiters.
To be perfectly honest, the difference in quality between the least expensive pair of gaiters on the market and the most expensive is not as noticeable as it might be if you were buying a jacket, perhaps. However, this doesn't mean that you should necessarily buy the first pair you come across- as with most consumer products these days, there is always a risk of buying a hastily sewn together piece of rubbish. Here are some of the better available pairs of gaiters for your consideration:
Berghaus Yeti Extreme
These are some of the most expensive short-length gaiters on the market. The Berghaus badge probably costs a little more than it should, but there can be no doubt that this is a top quality gaiter that will last for many moons of hiking given the proper usages and care.
Mammut Nylon
Made from Nylon and Cordura as a pose to Gore-Tex for a change, these are middle of the road gaiters. Good for moderate use, and still good enough to tolerate most conditions you're likely to encounter.
Regatta Cayman
This is an excellent gaiter for a part time hiker. It represents brilliant value for money, and although it may not be manufactured to the highest standards, it is certainly produced by a trusted manufacturer and is unlikely to let you down.
- Added warmth for the often under-insulated lower part of the body
- Preventing stray debris from entering the boots/shoes and causing discomfort and irritation.
- Stopping water from dampening the boots and socks during stream crossings.
- Helping to prevent ticks, leeches, and other large parasites from attaching themselves to a hiker by adding another layer of material to the legs.
- They can make handy waterproof mats in a pinch when you need to place something on the ground without getting it wet.
Most gaiters used by hikers are short, and reach from the heel (where they are attached to the foot by an elastic strap) to the mid shin, where they are attached to the leg by an adjustable strap. There are longer gaiters available (mainly for use in more extreme weather conditions) that reach from the heel to the upper thigh in order to protect the user from moisture cause by deep snow drifts and fording rivers at deeper points. They are generally made from waterproof but breathable materials such as Gore-Tex, which is the most popular fabric with which to make gaiters.
To be perfectly honest, the difference in quality between the least expensive pair of gaiters on the market and the most expensive is not as noticeable as it might be if you were buying a jacket, perhaps. However, this doesn't mean that you should necessarily buy the first pair you come across- as with most consumer products these days, there is always a risk of buying a hastily sewn together piece of rubbish. Here are some of the better available pairs of gaiters for your consideration:
Berghaus Yeti Extreme
These are some of the most expensive short-length gaiters on the market. The Berghaus badge probably costs a little more than it should, but there can be no doubt that this is a top quality gaiter that will last for many moons of hiking given the proper usages and care.
Mammut Nylon
Made from Nylon and Cordura as a pose to Gore-Tex for a change, these are middle of the road gaiters. Good for moderate use, and still good enough to tolerate most conditions you're likely to encounter.
Regatta Cayman
This is an excellent gaiter for a part time hiker. It represents brilliant value for money, and although it may not be manufactured to the highest standards, it is certainly produced by a trusted manufacturer and is unlikely to let you down.
Friday, 14 January 2011
Hiking Food For Your Journey
At a steady pace, the average hiker can expect to burn somewhere in the region of 300 calories for every hour spent on the trail. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that this number soon stacks up if you're out in the wilderness for several nights, and the more calories burnt the less energy you have left to complete your journey. This is where hiking food can be of crucial importance!Obviously, it's not convenient (or possible, really) to consume the same food whilst on an expedition that you would in everyday life- fresh food spoils quickly inside a backpack, and is difficult to cook, and your low calorie, low fat ready meal isn't really appropriate sustenance at the end of a hard day's walk. So what is the right kind of food for consumption on the trail?
The majority of all hiking food you take walking with you should be calorie-rich. As a guide, aim for foods that contain a minimum of 400 calories per one hundred grams. The majority of these calories, at least in hiking circumstances, should come from complex carbohydrates (such as those found in bread, oats and rice) which are released more slowly than sugars and so should provide a steadier controlled release of energy over a longer period of time.
A great source for these carbohydrates are porridge oats (or instant porridge, which is more convenient to make in less-than-ideal conditions) which you can sweeten or salt according to preference. Dried fruits are great for packing many calories into a very small space, and can be snacked on whilst on the move.
There are plenty of pre-packaged hiking foods available from camping stores, and they usually come in “boil in the bag” form. If you can afford to pay the often inflated prices for this type of meal they do make it incredibly easy to plan for the exact number of meals you'll require on your trip. They're also some of the easiest and cleanest meals to cook because you can simply place the pack into a pan of boiling water and remove when it's thoroughly heated- cutting down the time spent cleaning up after dinner drastically.
A more affordable option, if you have access to them (and many people do) is to opt for freeze dried ration packs as used in the past by the British Army, amongst others. These are slightly trickier to prepare but essentially still only require the application of a little hot water before they're ready to eat.
Thursday, 13 January 2011
What Hiking Supplies do I Need on My Trip?
It can be hard to prioritise when packing for a hiking trip. The space and weight restrictions that a backpack places on you mean that one of a hiker's primary concerns is making sure that before he/she sets out, everything they might need is squared away neatly.
Unfortunately, this means that a lot of equipment and supplies that are surplus to requirements have to be offloaded, but how do you choose what to keep and what to get rid of? I like to make my list as follows:
Supplies You Must Take
These are the supplies that no hiker should be without. The list includes some items that you may not ever need- things are only ever required in the case of the emergency. You should never be tempted to forego the inclusion of these items in order to save space or reduce weight- the likelihood is that the one occasion you don't take it will be the first occasion that you need it. There are also some items in this list that you will use constantly- water and food, mainly, but also things like waterproof clothing that you should never be without.
• Food
• Water bottle
• Some kind of stove
• Matches
• First Aid kit
• Emergency Whistle
• Torch
• Mobile Phone
• Map
• Compass
• Waterproof clothes
• Sleeping bag
Supplies That Are Nice To Have
This list is comprised of gadgets and tools etc. that might make your hike run a little more smoothly. In theory you should have plenty of room to allow you to take a few (or more of these things) so it's up to you to choose the items from this list that are best suited for the type of hike you're planning, your surrounding environment, and the people you're walking with. Some of these will also depend heavily on whether or not you intend to spend the night outdoors.
• Wire saw
• Hat
• Insect repellent
• Swiss Army knife
• Lighter
• Camera
• Two way radio
• Gloves
• Toilet paper
Things You Probably Won't Need
There are very few items that have never have any place on a hiking trip. However, there are items which are very often carried that are very rarely required for use. Things such as combat shovels, axes and full sized saws are heavy and take up a lot of space in any backpack. Similarly, you can't really afford to pack a spare for every single piece of equipment you take. You should really try to assess which items are essential, but also likely to require a back up.
Unfortunately, this means that a lot of equipment and supplies that are surplus to requirements have to be offloaded, but how do you choose what to keep and what to get rid of? I like to make my list as follows:
Supplies You Must Take
These are the supplies that no hiker should be without. The list includes some items that you may not ever need- things are only ever required in the case of the emergency. You should never be tempted to forego the inclusion of these items in order to save space or reduce weight- the likelihood is that the one occasion you don't take it will be the first occasion that you need it. There are also some items in this list that you will use constantly- water and food, mainly, but also things like waterproof clothing that you should never be without.
• Food
• Water bottle
• Some kind of stove
• Matches
• First Aid kit
• Emergency Whistle
• Torch
• Mobile Phone
• Map
• Compass
• Waterproof clothes
• Sleeping bag
Supplies That Are Nice To Have
This list is comprised of gadgets and tools etc. that might make your hike run a little more smoothly. In theory you should have plenty of room to allow you to take a few (or more of these things) so it's up to you to choose the items from this list that are best suited for the type of hike you're planning, your surrounding environment, and the people you're walking with. Some of these will also depend heavily on whether or not you intend to spend the night outdoors.
• Wire saw
• Hat
• Insect repellent
• Swiss Army knife
• Lighter
• Camera
• Two way radio
• Gloves
• Toilet paper
Things You Probably Won't Need
There are very few items that have never have any place on a hiking trip. However, there are items which are very often carried that are very rarely required for use. Things such as combat shovels, axes and full sized saws are heavy and take up a lot of space in any backpack. Similarly, you can't really afford to pack a spare for every single piece of equipment you take. You should really try to assess which items are essential, but also likely to require a back up.
Deciding on Best Hiking Jacket Suitable For Your Needs
Protection from the elements is crucial whilst hiking, because unless you're very experienced you never know exactly when you'll become lost, or caught in a storm of some kind. Having the best hiking jacket, therefore, should be one of your main priorities when planning an expedition with your friends and/or family.
The right jacket will provide significant shelter against Mother Nature’s wrath whilst fitting comfortably and possibly even having a few nifty features to make your hiking experience a little easier.
Buying a jacket for hiking is probably not something you should be doing with a tight-fisted attitude. Whilst I understand fully the need to save money in these difficult times, cheap jackets are notoriously easily damaged by the kind of routine wear and tear that a higher-end jacket would bear easily. This means you'll only end up forking out again in the near future when your new coat rips or the waterproof seals are compromised. In the end, strangely, you'll end up paying more for a cheaper jacket.
Your requirements from any given jacket will be different, depending on the type of hiking you want to do. If your hiking will be done in predominantly dry conditions then paying for a top notch Gore-Tex jacket might be a waste of money as your waterproofing requirements will be less significant.
However, if you're in more changeable conditions (such as those found here in the UK) waterproofing will be much higher on your list. Similarly, pocket space and placement will not be very important if you are planning mainly short hikes. On the other hand, pocket placement is vitally important on longer navigational hikes where constant access to a map and compass is vital whilst simultaneously carrying a backpack!
Like sleeping bags, most jackets have a “seasons” rating, from 1-4. This refers to the number of seasons (starting from spring) that the jacket will give enough shelter from the cold. For example, a one season jacket will only be usable in the hottest months of the year. However, a four season jacket should keep you comfortably warm all year round.
I find that in most conditions I'm faced with a three season jacket is sufficient (in combination with other sensible layers of clothing) to keep me warm. However, in comparison with some locations the UK climate is generally mild, and so your own discretion must be used when you're picking the best hiking jacket for you!
The right jacket will provide significant shelter against Mother Nature’s wrath whilst fitting comfortably and possibly even having a few nifty features to make your hiking experience a little easier.
Buying a jacket for hiking is probably not something you should be doing with a tight-fisted attitude. Whilst I understand fully the need to save money in these difficult times, cheap jackets are notoriously easily damaged by the kind of routine wear and tear that a higher-end jacket would bear easily. This means you'll only end up forking out again in the near future when your new coat rips or the waterproof seals are compromised. In the end, strangely, you'll end up paying more for a cheaper jacket.
Your requirements from any given jacket will be different, depending on the type of hiking you want to do. If your hiking will be done in predominantly dry conditions then paying for a top notch Gore-Tex jacket might be a waste of money as your waterproofing requirements will be less significant.
However, if you're in more changeable conditions (such as those found here in the UK) waterproofing will be much higher on your list. Similarly, pocket space and placement will not be very important if you are planning mainly short hikes. On the other hand, pocket placement is vitally important on longer navigational hikes where constant access to a map and compass is vital whilst simultaneously carrying a backpack!
Like sleeping bags, most jackets have a “seasons” rating, from 1-4. This refers to the number of seasons (starting from spring) that the jacket will give enough shelter from the cold. For example, a one season jacket will only be usable in the hottest months of the year. However, a four season jacket should keep you comfortably warm all year round.
I find that in most conditions I'm faced with a three season jacket is sufficient (in combination with other sensible layers of clothing) to keep me warm. However, in comparison with some locations the UK climate is generally mild, and so your own discretion must be used when you're picking the best hiking jacket for you!
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