When you’re ready to set off on the adventure of a lifetime, there are treks all around the world that you can complete within a month. The post Epic Treks You Can Complete in a Month appeared first on...
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Epic Treks You Can Complete Within a Month
We all dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail or PCT – okay, maybe not all of us – but few have the luxury of spending half the year offline in the wilderness. For those of us with family and work obligations we can’t easily leave behind, even taking a month off can be a stretch. Yet the pain of saving up and securing that time away can be just as worth it as the pain experienced on the trail. The feeling of being days away from civilization, immersed in raw nature, will make you remember why you are alive. When you’re ready to take the leap and set off on the adventure of a lifetime, there are treks all around the world that you can complete within a month, just waiting for you to discover them.
At 28,250 feet, K2 is the world’s second-highest peak, but those who have climbed to the K2 Base Camp claim the sights are unparalleled. There are fewer people on K2 than at Everest Base Camp, and the approach is more challenging. If you take the Gondogoro La path, you’ll have the opportunity to use crampons and an ice axe. However, this isn’t the place to learn how to use them, so make sure you’ve done some mountaineering and high-altitude hiking before coming. Make sure your route includes Concordia, as it offers spectacular views of four Himalayan giants: K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I, and Gasherbrum II.
K2 is a world away from Pakistan’s most volatile regions, where safety is a major worry. It is located in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan’s northernmost region. Of course, you should (i.e., must) hire and follow the counsel of local guides in this area. Most visitors to Pakistan, however, are pleasantly surprised by how kind the locals are. This is particularly true in the mountainous areas, where Pakistanis are happy to see their world-class climbing routes getting recognized. K2 remains a dangerous peak, however this is primarily due to dangers beyond the base camp, such as avalanches and falls. Trekking on a glacier, as you will do to reach K2 Base Camp, carries inherent risk. But these risks can be mitigated by going through glacier travel training before the trek, and then hiring high-quality climbing guides who are well-versed on the Baltoro Glacier.
The Grande Randonnée (GR) is a hiking trail network in Europe that spans Spain, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. The GR20 in Corsica is the most demanding and picturesque of the GR routes. It runs diagonally over Corsica from north to south, covering 110 miles and 32,800 feet of elevation gain. The journey takes most people about 15 days, however it depends on your speed, endurance, and experience with rough terrain. You may also want to take extra time simply to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
The GR20 is known for its dazzling glacial lakes, such as Lac de Nino, Lac de Melo, Lac de Capitello, and Lac de Creno, as well as countless summits with spectacular views, such as Monte d’Oro (7,850 ft) and Monte Incudine (7,000 ft). If you can’t get enough of the views up high, the peaks of Monte Corona (7,025 ft), Monte Cinto (8,875 ft), Paglia Orba (8,275 ft), Monte Rotondo (8,600 ft), or Monte Renoso (7,725 ft) make for great side trips. Of course, the most memorable aspects of the journey may be the Cirque de la Solitude, the most difficult section of all on the GR20. Trekkers must scramble up steep rocks, using old chains and cautious balance, to ascend this notoriously exposed route.
Bhutan’s Snowman Trek has to be one of the world’s most remote and seldom visited trekking paths. This is due in large part to the fact that visiting Bhutan is costly and requires considerable planning months before your trip. Of those who visit Bhutan, most focus their time on the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Punakha, Thimpu, and other easily accessible cultural gems. But for those who like to go beyond the ordinary, the Snowman Trek makes up for its lack of accessibility with unreal natural beauty. Besides being immersed in some of the world’s most remote mountains, Bhutan’s intense focus on environmental conservation ensures that air quality is excellent across the country, making for unparalleled pristine views. Plus, unlike some other parts of the world, you’ll see how your tourism dollars are helping to safeguard the mountains, rather than destroy them.
Aside from its remoteness, the Snowman Trek is difficult since it demands spending 3 weeks at altitude in inclement weather. The trail crosses 11 high passes near the Tibet border, 4 of which are over 16,400 feet elevation. In short, this is not a trip to be taken lightly! If you can make the journey, you’ll discover it’s about much more than spending time in nature. The surrounding mountains are peppered with chortens and Buddhist monasteries, demonstrating how religion pervades Bhutanese life, even deep in the Himalayas.
The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a 2- to 3-week thru-hike in the Sierra Nevadas that is part of the longer Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). It runs through some of America’s most spectacular national parks, such as Sequoia, Yosemite, and Mt. Whitney. With no direct road crossings for extended sections, you’ll be fully immersed in wilderness on the JMT. But this does not mean that you have to carry everything the whole way. For the most part, there are water sources every 2 to 5 miles, and pack mules (yep, donkeys) available for replenishment supplies. The JMT’s only drawback is the difficulty in acquiring a permit, as it is one of the country’s, if not the world’s, most popular long-distance hikes.
The JMT begins in Yosemite and officially ends at Mt. Whitney’s peak (14,500 ft). It’s the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states, and climbing it is a significant accomplishment in and of itself. Early morning sunlight from the summit is a JMT thru-hiker tradition, and it’s a memory you’ll enjoy for a lifetime. Bathing in swimming holes along the way is another, more relaxing rite of passage. The JMT offers ample opportunities to unwind at the end of each long day, with its wealth of turquoise lakes, bubbling rivers, and even hot springs.
The Slovenian Mountain Trail (SMT) is a popular hiking route that runs from Maribor in the mountains to Ankaran on the coast. The Julian Alps, Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Pohorje Massif, and the Karawanks are among the most spectacular mountain ranges in Slovenia, and the SMT traverses them all. It also involves a hike up Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak (9,400 ft).
The entire SMT takes around 30 days to hike, but you can break it up into sections because there are many easy access sites. Depending on where you are in relation to the treeline, the environment changes from green and forested to grey and snowy. However, no matter where you are on the trail, there will almost certainly be a quaint mountain lodge nearby where you can rest. As a result, you won’t need to bring a tent with you. By joining the Alpine Association of Slovenia (AAS), you can even obtain considerable reductions on hut rates.
Containing 29 of Norway’s highest peaks, Jotunheimen National Park is known as the “Home of the Giants.” While there is plenty of trekking to be done within the park, the Jotunheimstien – a 200-mile wilderness trail that connects the park to Oslo – can be an unforgettable excursion in itself. The first half of the track is mostly forest, but the final 50 miles through Langsua National Park are pure mountain pleasure. It all comes to a close in Gjendesheim, the gateway to Jotunheimen, on the banks of Lake Gjende.
There are shelters along the Jotunheimstien and within the park, so you won’t need to bring your tent. There is also lots of food available within the park. As a result, you won’t need to bring everything with you. Instead, you can spend your day trekking some of Norway’s most breathtaking paths. The most well-known is Besseggen Ridge, which stretches for 8.5 miles between Gjendesheim and Memurubu. It’s recommended to take the ferry from Gjendesheim to Memurubu and then walk back. For stunning views, trek up to Galdhpiggen (8,100 ft) or Glittertind (8,050 ft), two of Norway’s highest peaks.
From Denver to Durango, the Colorado Trail (CT) spans over 500 miles of the Rocky Mountains. The hike has an average elevation of 10,300 feet, but the gradient is mild. Unlike the Appalachian Trail, which travels through the region’s highest points, the CT traverses beside high peaks including San Luis Peak, Mt. Harvard, Mt. Yale, and Mt. Massive while still providing spectacular views.
Despite being in a single state, the CT travels through 6 separate wilderness zones, 8 mountain ranges, and an abundance of picturesque alpine communities. Lake City, Twin Lakes, and Durango, the final destination, are all favorites. Most individuals take about a month to complete the trek, though you can alter the timing to suit your needs. You may also require a few more days to wait out inclement weather. The weather in Colorado is sunny for the majority of the year, but storms can sneak up on you when you least expect it.
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