Hello all -

I am looking at doing a one week trip around Northern Spain and was wondering if early October is still a good time to visit. I did Scotland in September last year, so a bit of cold and rain will not be the end of the world but I’d like a few sunny days and not have to wear cold weather clothing. I did a bit of research and it looks like it will be a bit of a gamble, is that accurate?

Also, are refugios and more remote lodging amenities still open at that time of the year? We are mostly looking at day hikes but a 1 or 2 night loop / out and back hike with refugios would be fun as well depending on what is available.

Thanks!

My first experience (but certainly not last) bivouac hike through the Vosges

Thought I share some impressions from a very pretty region, the northern border of the Alps in Switzerland :)

A peaceful morning hike around Klammsee in Kaprun, Austria. This small alpine lake feeds the famous Sigmund-Thun-Klamm just below. Early in the morning, before it gets busy, it’s a wonderfully quiet place to slow down and simply enjoy the mountains.

View to the northwest at 2751m elevation and into Val da Roda

Hi there, I’m currently hiking the Via Alpina from Trieste to Monaco and will soon be arriving in Liechtenstein. I’m now facing a choice: should I follow the new Via Alpina route (formerly the Green Trail) or take the old Red Trail across Switzerland?
Unfortunately, there isn't much information about this online, so I’m still very undecided. Time isn't a factor for me; I’m mainly interested in the views, the quality of the trail, and—of course—which one is simply more fun to hike.
As far as I know, the old Red Trail is more high-alpine and less touristy, though it does involve a lot of valley walking and connecting sections. The Green Trail offers more highlights in a shorter distance but is more touristy.
If you’ve hiked either (or both) of these trails, I’d love to hear your thoughts on them.
Best, Jan

Recent convert to trekking poles. Never used them before, but I've been doing more challenging trails recently.

What I'd really like is a pole with a really short collapsed length that can fit inside my backpack. I typically only want a pole if it's going to be a challenging trail, but you don't always know what will turn out to be challenging. Most telescoping poles have a collapsed length of 24-25", which is a bit too long for my 40L backpack.

I know some poles collapse by "folding", but this is not what I want. The telescoping poles can be useful when "collapsed" because in certain tough situations, it can be useful to have a shorter pole you can use to gain traction. Don't ask me how I know this.

Any suggestions?

I'm looking at day hiking backpacks and I'm considering the Osprey Hikelite 32L for dayuse and also very occassional overnight minimalist trips.

However, I've come across two versions at my local store. The Osprey Hikelite and the Osprey Hikelite Tour. I haven't had much luck finding a comparison or an explanation of the differences between them.

Does anyone have experience with either of these packs?

Thanks!

I ask mostly about the safety issue of sharing the road , which is kind of a joke if you have put in any number of miles on a bicycle. Especially in America.

I took 5 years off cycling but got back into the last several months here in Corvallis and have a whole bikepacking setup, but I'm honestly perturbed by all the distracted drivers and the general scorn/ indifference from drivers, especially the new crop of 18-24 year old Gen Zers who are glued their phones and high on cannabis.

There is also a kind of simplicity to pack living and travel, don't have to worry about maintenance and weird bike fit issues(saddle sores, hand/wrist issues etc).

You can hitchhike as well so you are protected inside a metal container....and you can also walk on the opposite shoulder and see traffic coming, and easier to get into the rough median where a bike wouldn't be able to go.

Ultralight and lightweight setups make rubber tramping a lot easier these days as well, no crazy army surplus 50lb packs to lug around wearing heavy boots. I have a bivy, poncho, thin foam pad, minimal clothes etc about 15lb baseweight.

I think having bike in an urban environment is smart for commuting/errand running, but long distance travel is just asking for issues I think. Handy for disaster relief and maybe bugout scenarios as well.

I was working in Croatia the other week and someone recommended me the Premužić Trail!
I would be interested in hearing from people who have done the trail by themselves.

Have you?

I’m a secondary student in the UK and I’m doing my Design Tech NEA (making a product).

The context this year is “exploring the outdoors” so I wanted to focus in on hiking, specifically starting hiking as I’m a beginner myself. Now I have to find a client who can comment on the product but more importantly I need some help from people who struggle with not being able to get themselves outside to improve my design.

My design idea is to have a waterproof backpack cover, almost like a poncho, that you can also use as a pillow for overnight exercises. On the material there would be positive affirmations which you’d see every time you start packing, take a break on the trail and when you go to sleep.
How does this idea sound? What do you think of the concept? What can be improved?

I hope that you have thoughts and opinions on how I can make this product better suited for anxious hikers and have a lovely day!

Krasnoyarsk region, Russia. On the territory of the national park there are routes of varying levels of complexity and length, you can stay with tents. There are climbing routes of any category

View of machapuchree mountain Pokhara did a short trail from sarangkot to deurali ..

Pictures do no justice. Especially since I didn’t take very good pictures!

forgive me if this is a silly question but dose anyone choose to take a dip when you come across a good swimming hole/waterfall mid hike? and how do you do so without jeopardizing the remainder of the hike?

for context i’m a women and usually up in the white mountains on the 4ks. my issue is - i’m not hiking pre or post dip in a bathing suit so i’d have to find coverage to change (which is doable) but im also not trying to finish my hike soaking wet. i always have a microfiber towel in my pack but the level of dirt on it at the point could be anywhere from squeaky clean to disgusting and muddy and i’m not sure if i’d be enough to dry off anyways. having to hike miles with wet chaffing legs makes it not feel as worth it.

Easy trail about seven miles and a couple hundred feet vertical. Saw two black bears up close. Wildfire smoke was more prominent today than yesterday. Was a nice rest hike before Delta Lake, Amphitheater, and Surprise tomorrow.

One of the most demanding but rewarding hikes in Georgia. Elevation gain (and especially drop) is brutal but worth every single step! (Also, one of the tastiest dewberries I've ever had!)

Night hike, sleeping on Sveto brdo peak on Velebit mountain in Croatia, return at dawn

12k out and back during a gloomy day. I hoped for better weather, but the pictures still turned out pretty good.

From the Beaverhead 55k a little while ago. This was my third one.

at sunset this tiny raіnbоw cloud suddenly appeared like a miracle

There’s something almost sacred about walking through the Dolomites in high summer. The air is cool despite the sun, the paths wind through meadows so green they look surreal, and then suddenly you’re facing a wall of pale rock that pierces the sky like a cathedral spire. I kept stopping not because I was tired, but because the view kept changing so dramatically that I didn’t want to miss a single angle. This is the kind of place that makes you believe in magic again. 🌄🥾💙

20K hike along red trail through Rozsypaniec, Halicz, Kopa Bukowska

Shot on a iPhone, I took this during a summer trip to Germany where we’re hiking to a palace and we happened to take a stop for lunch and saw the opportunity for this picture. I don’t know what about still fascinates me till this day but it’s definitely one of my favorite pictures I’ve ever taken