Val di Sole (literally “Valley of the Sun”) is one of those places that stays with you long after you’ve left. Tucked away in the mountains of northern Italy, this little corner of Trentino is a dream for hikers—whether you’re after jaw-dropping alpine views, peaceful forest trails, or a bit of history underfoot. Years ago … Read more

Sometimes, the best hikes are the ones close to home. This week’s adventure took us into the heart of Heathcote National Park, tucked away in southern Sydney. Often overshadowed by its big sister, the Royal National Park (or “Nasho,” as we Aussies affectionately call it), Heathcote offers peaceful bushwalking, scenic lookouts, and beautiful waterholes without … Read more

Scotland is home to some of the most breathtaking day hikes in the world, from gentle lochside strolls to challenging mountain summits. Whether you’re after dramatic coastal cliffs, serene glens, or rugged peaks, there’s a hike for you. Here are 10 of the best day hikes in Scotland for all levels. Easy Hikes Loch an … Read more

Patagonia is a land of wild landscapes, jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, and endless hiking opportunities. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned trekker, there’s a day hike in Patagonia for you. From easy lakeside strolls to challenging mountain climbs, here’s a roundup of the best day hikes in Patagonia—grouped by difficulty to help you … Read more

Navigating with a map and compass is a fundamental skill that every hiker should know. While GPS devices and smartphones are convenient, they aren’t always reliable—batteries die, signals drop, and technology can fail at the worst times. Learning to use a map and compass ensures you can navigate confidently, stay on track, and find your … Read more

Another week, another amazing day hike—this time, like last week, we’re back in the stunning Blue Mountains National Park, starting from Wentworth Falls train station and making our way to Lawson. This lesser known hike has it all: waterfalls, dells, creek crossings, and even a slippery surprise. If you’re looking for a moderate hike with … Read more

On a recent hike (which you can read about here) we had some rain forecast, so I had to pack wet weather gear. When it comes to staying dry on the trail, hikers typically choose between two options: a hiking poncho Vs rain jacket. But which one is better for wet weather hiking? In this … Read more

Sometimes the best adventures happen when plans go awry. This hike in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, was our Plan B after track closures on the Six Foot Track due to aerial pest control forced us to rethink our original route. Lesson learned—always check for track closures with National Parks before setting off! A … Read more

Exploring new trails is always exciting, and this hike took me through a part of Sydney I hadn’t explored before. Normanhurst, a suburb on the Upper North Shore, is about 22 km northwest of the CBD. The route promised a mix of bushland, rock formations, and creek crossings—all the ingredients for a great day hike. … Read more

I recently decided to brush up on my navigation skills and took a training course run by my hiking club. The first part of the course was in a classroom, where we covered topographic maps, their features, and how to read them. (I’ve written a blog post about that—check it out here!) We also learned … Read more