Hiking tips

In addition to writing about adventure travel and adventure sports like hiking, camping, and biking, I also write about the gear you need for those pursuits. For the last decade, I’ve tested and reviewed everything from ski jackets and hiking shoes to bike saddles, carry-on luggage, stargazing chairs, binoculars, and more. I see new gear pitches and products almost every single day — so when I see one that gets me genuinely hyped up, that’s a good sign that it’s a very cool product.

Fern Canyon, deep within Northern California’s Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, is a rare natural marvel — but not one that has escaped attention from travelers in recent years. Though it’s at the end of a long rutted road in Humboldt County’s coastal wilderness, the narrow gorge is so popular with hikers that the park introduced a permit system in 2022, requiring anyone who wants to access the road to the canyon to apply online for one of 150 Fern Canyon passes.

Madeira has introduced a new fee for non-residents on some of its most popular hiking trails. 

For dwellers of the mountains or high desert, a good pair of hiking boots is essential. As a gear tester and editor at Matador, I’ve worn many pairs from brands both established and new, and given that I hike hundreds of miles per year, have become quite picky about what I want in a pair of boots for the trail. I recently acquired a pair of Oboz Cottonwood Mid Waterproof hiking boots, listed with the term B-DRY on the REI website, after demoing them at a trade show, and after a month of constant trail use, the boots have earned their place in my gear collection as my new pair of go-to hiking boots. Here’s why.

Your boots are your loyal companions on the trail, carrying you through sunshine, rain, and everything in between. But with so many options on the shelf, choosing the right pair can feel daunting. Do you prioritize ankle support for rugged hikes or lightweight agility for speedy ascents? Waterproof protection for surprise downpours or breathability for hot summer treks? This guide will help you navigate the world of hiking boots, ensuring you select the perfect partner for every adventure, whether it’s a leisurely stroll through a local park or an ambitious trek to a mountain peak.

There are multiple hiking trails that lead to the ancient city of Machu Picchu: the Ancascocha Trail, the Salkantay Trail, the Lares Trek, etc. But the most popular of them all is the Inca Trail, and to hike it, you need a permit.

In Scotland, we often experience weather conditions from all four seasons in one day. This can make planning outdoor sports feel like a military operation. If you let the weather dictate your plans, you’ll never leave the house. So this summer, my husband James and I tested some of Arc’teryx’s summer hiking gear to see if the innovative tech would stand up to gale-force wind and pouring rain and understand if the brand’s essentials are worth the investment. The three items — high-rise utility leggings, the Beta lightweight jacket, and the Cerium Hybrid hooded jacket — exceeded our expectations and are now family favorites and go-to grabs for all our outdoor adventures. In fact, we’ve argued more over who can wear the Beta jacket than who’s emptying the dishwasher.

Stifling heat across Europe this summer has made the thought of multi-day mountain trekking an unappealing prospect.

Europe's scorching hot summer is showing no signs of cooling down, with Italy facing its warmest weekend of the year so far and heatwave warnings issued in southern France.

Slovakia’s Mountain Rescue Service introduced a location-sharing feature to its rescue app at the beginning of 2024, amid an increasing number of fatal accidents in the mountains.

Three months ago, 50-year-old Manuela Ferri was a physiotherapist living in the Italian city of Vicenza. Now, she is the manager of a remote mountain lodge in the country’s Trento region. 

Love is in the air as one of Italy’s most famous walking routes is set to reopen after more than a decade.

Plans are afoot to create the world’s longest circular hiking route, the 3,000 km Palmilhar Portugal (Walking Portugal). 

A new hiking trail winding through the wild, nature-rich landscape of Italy’s Dolomites mountain range has just opened.

Destinations across Europe are battling overtourism - visit Venice and you’ll have to pay an entry fee, book for Amsterdam and you’ll be asked to take a quiz about your holiday activities, head to the Canary Islands and you might see graffiti telling tourists to go home.

After a mild yet miserable winter spent hiding indoors, many Europeans are craving some quality time in nature.

As the snow melts, the flowers bloom, and the cows return to their lush-green pastures, the Austrian Tirol gets ready for a vibrant summer season.

Landlocked in the heart of the Balkans, Serbia is the crossroads of different cultures and historical influences, making it a unique and diverse travel destination.

After a four-hour, lung-busting ascent, we climb the last steps up the rocky scree to reach the vertiginous summit of the Valbona Pass.

On January 1, 2024, more than 1,000 hikes will be available in state parks throughout the county. The distance and rigor of the hikes vary from park to park, but they all aim to create a fun experience for the whole family. Savor the beauty of our state parks’ natural, cultural, and historical resources, and be inspired to take advantage of these local treasures all year long.

With landscapes ranging from glaciers to deserts and home to every adventure activity imaginable, it’s no surprise that Latin America is a prime destination for trekkers. If you’re planning a trip, you’re covered with this travel gear for Latin America list. Whether hiking on glaciers in Argentina, trekking to Machu Picchu in Peru, driving 4WD through the deserts of Chile, or swimming with sea lions in the Galápagos, you’ll be ready for any adventure.