Recommend interesting long distance route, ideally with huts?

fergalr

Hi,

I'm looking for recommendations for a long walking route, hut-to-hut, with interesting terrain (scrambles, ridge walking, etc).


I did the 'Tour du Mont Blanc' last August.
I stayed in huts, so I didn't have to carry tent and sleeping gear, and traveled light as a result (5/6kg), which was very enjoyable.

That was the first long walk I've done in an area with sufficient hut infrastructure to make not carrying a tent/food feasible.

While the TMB was very beautiful, and had plenty of climb, it wasn't that interesting underfoot.

I'd love to do a similar route - not necessarily as long - but with a little more scrambling, or high ridge walking, or slightly more interesting terrain.


I'm looking into the 'GR20', and the 'haute route pyrenees'. But both of these lack infrastructure, so I'd probably have to carry overnight kit and food, which makes it a different kind of walk.


I'm wondering if there's any routes that occur to people, that I haven't thought of?
Any long or medium distance routes that people hike, that have an accommodation infrastructure, but are slightly more technical?

I've also thought about trying to do some village to village walking in Via Ferrata country, maybe that's a good solution?

Anything 'classic' come to mind, that I mightn't have come across? I'd be grateful for any recommendations!

loobylou

The Himalayas, maybe taking in one of the trekking peaks in Nepal.
Good basic huts, all pretty cheap once you get there.

eyescreamcone

loobylou wrote: »

The Himalayas, maybe taking in one of the trekking peaks in Nepal.
Good basic huts, all pretty cheap once you get there.

Inca Trail
No huts but tents and food supplied

fergalr

Thanks for the suggestions.

loobylou wrote: »

The Himalayas, maybe taking in one of the trekking peaks in Nepal.
Good basic huts, all pretty cheap once you get there.

That's interesting - are there trails suitable for summer walking, or would I have to go in a group, snow+crampons+crevasses?

eyescreamcone wrote: »

Inca Trail
No huts but tents and food supplied

Thanks for the suggestion; I'm a bit picky, though, the Inca Trail wouldn't really be my thing.

I understand that when people usually go on the Inca Trail, they have porters that carry their kit for them. While I'd prefer not to carry sleeping kit, I'd rather carry it myself than have a porter; I wouldn't feel comfortable going on a holiday where there was someone else to carry my kit along the trail for me.
Maybe that's a little irrational - if I stay and eat at a hut, someone brought in the food after all, and I'm sure the porters are glad of the work - but I think there's a difference in degree that matters to me personally. Have been to Machu Picchu though, thought it was fabulous.


I guess what I'm looking for is long distance trails where there is a hut infrastructure in place, rather than where someone else transports bedding around as I walk, not really into doing organised things like that.

loobylou

fergalr wrote: »

That's interesting - are there trails suitable for summer walking, or would I have to go in a group, snow+crampons+crevasses?

Theres some of everything in Nepal, many travel on their own but it is easy to join a guided group too if thats your thing.
Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and for many people working as a porter is all thats available. It may seem from here to be exploitative to have someone carry your bag but you will be contributing to a very important part of the local economy. There may not be open resentment at you carrying your own gear but you will certainly raise eyebrows. A porter working for a Westerner wll also be earning a lot more than he would working for a local, even though the cost to you will be negligible.

Sev

You say the "haute route pyrenees", but what about just the Haute route?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haute_Route

It's in the high mountains over crevassed terrain, so depending on your level of experience you may need help for the crevassed bits.

On the subject of the inca trail, I came across a tour agency in Peru who did this :

http://www.skyhighandes.com/salkantay-mount-a.html

Seems interesting. I was considering doing it over the summer. I asked if I could do it as light as possible (e.g. without porters etc.) but with his services as a guide. In the end I changed my plan entirely and went to Easter Island, but it certainly looked interesting.

In Nepal, you can trek all over the Everest region staying in huts the whole time. I'd expect it's fairly difficult to get lost on the way to EBC, or in the general region where there are well trodden trails and a lot of people on them. With a map and some sense you could do it independently if you can figure out how to book the little sherpa hostels in advance.

Sev

Another idea : the Bregaglia range

I did a big climb in Italy a while back in the Bregaglia range. We started out in the Sasc Fura hut, climbed the Badile and descended into Italy to the Gianetti hut. The next day we had to return to the Sasc Fura by the "normal" way.

It was non-technical, no climbing or rope required, but involved some tricky scrambling. After you surmount the first pass the trail takes you over a glacier (though it's safe and morrain/boulder covered, but crevasses visible here and there). I remember thinking that it was a "hike" that really took you into the realm of mountaineers.

The only problem is it probably isn't doable except in the height of summer when the snow has receded as much as possible, otherwise the climb up to and down from the passes may be tricky and require axe or crampons. We didn't have them, and we didn't need them when we did it in August.

It's only a one day trek hut to hut, but I'm sure you could extend the trek, plan an itinerary that takes you to a few of the huts in the area, like the Albigna and the Allievi

My own preference would be the Dolomites of Northern Italy, really beautiful mountains, nice huts, mix of cultures with different areas speaking German, Italian or Ladin. Lots of opportunities to do more exciting stuff if interested.
I would recommend the following guidebook as a general guide to trekking in the Alps, (and then buying the more detailed guidebook for the trek you are interested in)

http://www.cicerone.co.uk/product/detail.cfm/book/600/title/trekking-in-the-alps

Tabnabs

You could have a look at Norway,
http://www.visitnorway.com/en/What-to-do/Active-holiday/Hiking-in-Norway/Top-10-iconic-mountain-hikes-in-Norway/

http://www.visitnorway.com/en/Where-to-go/Fjord-Norway/Sognefjord/What-to-do-in-the-Sognefjord-area/Walking-the-Aurlandsdalen-Valley/

http://www.visitnorway.com/en/Where-to-go/East/Rondane-National-Park/

for example

Tabnabs

Tabnabs wrote: »

You could have a look at Norway,
http://www.visitnorway.com/en/What-to-do/Active-holiday/Hiking-in-Norway/Top-10-iconic-mountain-hikes-in-Norway/

http://www.visitnorway.com/en/Where-to-go/Fjord-Norway/Sognefjord/What-to-do-in-the-Sognefjord-area/Walking-the-Aurlandsdalen-Valley/

http://www.visitnorway.com/en/Where-to-go/East/Rondane-National-Park/

for example

I would also recommend Norway, very different to the Alps, nice people, and the food in the huts was excellent, even if the beer is very expensive.
If you want to walk with other people the Norwegian Trekking Association run very well organised English speaking trips,it was nearly all Norwegians and a few Germans the time I did it.
Cheap Ryanair flight makes it very affordable
http://www2.turistforeningen.no/files/DNT-Oslo/publikasjoner/Engelsk/Summer2013_siste.pdf

fergalr

loobylou wrote: »

Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and for many people working as a porter is all thats available. It may seem from here to be exploitative to have someone carry your bag but you will be contributing to a very important part of the local economy. There may not be open resentment at you carrying your own gear but you will certainly raise eyebrows. A porter working for a Westerner wll also be earning a lot more than he would working for a local, even though the cost to you will be negligible.

I'm not sure Nepal would be the place for me, from the sounds of it.

I don't think I'd like to go on holiday somewhere very poor; I don't think I'd be comfortable with someone carrying my bag around for me on holiday. There's no value created in someone carrying a bag I could carry myself, just because I'm randomly born into a wealthier country, I'm not sure that's economically helpful.

Sev wrote: »

You say the "haute route pyrenees", but what about just the Haute route?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haute_Route

It's in the high mountains over crevassed terrain, so depending on your level of experience you may need help for the crevassed bits.

Had a look at the haute route. There seems to be quite a few variations. Crevassed terrain means going in a group, which is harder to organise. While I'm very comfortable with navigation, I've no experience with crevasses. Something to think about though.

Sev wrote: »

Another idea : the Bregaglia range

I did a big climb in Italy a while back in the Bregaglia range. We started out in the Sasc Fura hut, climbed the Badile and descended into Italy to the Gianetti hut. The next day we had to return to the Sasc Fura by the "normal" way.

It was non-technical, no climbing or rope required, but involved some tricky scrambling. After you surmount the first pass the trail takes you over a glacier (though it's safe and morrain/boulder covered, but crevasses visible here and there). I remember thinking that it was a "hike" that really took you into the realm of mountaineers.

The only problem is it probably isn't doable except in the height of summer when the snow has receded as much as possible, otherwise the climb up to and down from the passes may be tricky and require axe or crampons. We didn't have them, and we didn't need them when we did it in August.

It's only a one day trek hut to hut, but I'm sure you could extend the trek, plan an itinerary that takes you to a few of the huts in the area, like the Albigna and the Allievi

That sounds interesting - will look into the area.

Deleted User wrote: »

My own preference would be the Dolomites of Northern Italy, really beautiful mountains, nice huts, mix of cultures with different areas speaking German, Italian or Ladin. Lots of opportunities to do more exciting stuff if interested.
I would recommend the following guidebook as a general guide to trekking in the Alps, (and then buying the more detailed guidebook for the trek you are interested in)

http://www.cicerone.co.uk/product/detail.cfm/book/600/title/trekking-in-the-alps

Thanks for the suggestion of that book. I might buy a copy.
Was thinking of heading to the dolomites to do some via ferrata - haven't been in that area yet.

Tabnabs wrote: »

You could have a look at Norway,
http://www.visitnorway.com/en/What-to-do/Active-holiday/Hiking-in-Norway/Top-10-iconic-mountain-hikes-in-Norway/

http://www.visitnorway.com/en/Where-to-go/Fjord-Norway/Sognefjord/What-to-do-in-the-Sognefjord-area/Walking-the-Aurlandsdalen-Valley/

http://www.visitnorway.com/en/Where-to-go/East/Rondane-National-Park/

for example

Deleted User wrote: »

I would also recommend Norway, very different to the Alps, nice people, and the food in the huts was excellent, even if the beer is very expensive.
If you want to walk with other people the Norwegian Trekking Association run very well organised English speaking trips,it was nearly all Norwegians and a few Germans the time I did it.
Cheap Ryanair flight makes it very affordable
http://www2.turistforeningen.no/files/DNT-Oslo/publikasjoner/Engelsk/Summer2013_siste.pdf

Hadn't thought of norway - again, will look into it, thanks. Would also love to go hiking in Iceland some time.


Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions, much appreciated!

DeepSleeper

You could also check out the King's Trail in Sweden...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kungsleden

Mitch Buchannon

http://www.arcticcircletrail.com/
http://www.cicerone.co.uk/product/detail.cfm/book/624/title/trekking-in-greenland
http://www.walkmag.co.uk/features/greenlands-arctic-circle-trail/

There are huts along the route but they dont do food. The third link above has a description of the route from Paddy Dillon, the dude that wrote the cicerone guide book for the route.

Sev

fergalr wrote: »

That sounds interesting - will look into the area.

Btw, that hike between the Gianetti and Sasc Fura hut took you over the "Porcelizzo" and "Trubinasca" passes ("passo porcelizzo/trubinasca"). I really liked the area... from the swiss side the big granite faces are very steep and impressive, reminded me of Patagonia.

Sev

This may also be of interest :

http://www.summitpost.org/jubil-umsgrat/454503
http://www.summitpost.org/jubil-umsgrat-ridge-massif/150731

I get the impression that in summer it's non-technical. That is, you can climb it without a rope, but don't hold me to that!
It would still be a serious alpine challenge, a bold undertaking alone, and dangerous if you are not an experienced scrambler/climber. Perhaps I'm suggesting ideas that are too technical/climby!

fergalr

Sev wrote: »

This may also be of interest :

http://www.summitpost.org/jubil-umsgrat/454503
http://www.summitpost.org/jubil-umsgrat-ridge-massif/150731

I get the impression that in summer it's non-technical. That is, you can climb it without a rope, but don't hold me to that!
It would still be a serious alpine challenge, a bold undertaking alone, and dangerous if you are not an experienced scrambler/climber. Perhaps I'm suggesting ideas that are too technical/climby!

I'm not a great climber, but have the protection basics; I have led ~severe, vdiff multipitch, but would be quite nervous about higher grades, as I'm quite risk-adverse and cautious at a certain level.

I'm generally quite comfortable on low grade scrambles though, quite surefooted (orienteering+mountain running experience helps), good navigation day and night, reasonable route-choice judgement (I know; famous last words).

I'm hoping to get a bit better at scrambling and work up to longer routes; would love to work up to something like the cuillin traverse, but that's a process. Need more scrambling practice, also practice at moving together, and that extremely tricky area where you aren't pitching it, but its not quite a scramble.


That's where I'm coming from, and I love long distance hikes, but also want to build general scrambling experience, so looking for suggestions that are a bit scrambly.

But I'm just gathering suggestions at the moment - I'd thoroughly research any route before going on it, and make sure it seemed like it was well inside my range, so don't worry about suggesting things that are a bit on the hard side.

I think I'll be trying to work up my technical skills on shorter routes, but if there was a long distance hiking route with lots of grade 1/2 scrambling, that'd be a great holiday. Maybe via ferrata is a good starting point, or some of the alpine routes suggested here.

fergalr

Mitch Buchannon wrote: »

http://www.arcticcircletrail.com/
http://www.cicerone.co.uk/product/detail.cfm/book/624/title/trekking-in-greenland
http://www.walkmag.co.uk/features/greenlands-arctic-circle-trail/

There are huts along the route but they dont do food. The third link above has a description of the route from Paddy Dillon, the dude that wrote the cicerone guide book for the route.

That greenland route looks very beautiful - have you done it? It doesn't seem very technical, but looks spectacular and remote, but with shelters - sounds great.

Mitch Buchannon

fergalr wrote: »

That greenland route looks very beautiful - have you done it? It doesn't seem very technical, but looks spectacular and remote, but with shelters - sounds great.

No unfortunately I havent done it. Myself and some friends have talked about it so it maybe on the cards in the future.
Im a member on outdoorsmagic.com and so is Paddy the author of the guide book. I remember him talking about heading off to do the route and when he returned he gave us the run down of it.
Like you said, the place looks amazing and its certainly different from the "run of the mill" long distance routes.

Sev

FYI: here's a map I found on google image search with the trail from the Gianetti (off the map) to the Sasc Fura over the Porcelizzo and Trubinasca passes. It also shows trails to some of the other huts in the area like the Sciora, Albigna and Allievi

http://appetitemag.co.uk/map/user_guide/helpers/bergell-i11.jpg

burly

Have a think about the Sierra Nevadas in southern Spain too, often overlooked.

I climbed Mulhacen (highest mountain in Spain) staying 2 nights at the Pocqueira hut, beautiful well equipped hut.

There is a couple of 3-5 day treks around the 3 highest peaks in Spain, all in the Sierra Nevadas, namely Mulhacen, Valeta and Alcazaba.

Check out this itinerary here I found: http://www.spanishhighs.co.uk/trekking-sierra-nevada-3000m-peaks.html

Also if you interested in seeing the trip I did last year, here is a link. http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1451646

Halloween Jack

fergalr wrote: »

Hi,

I'm looking for recommendations for a long walking route, hut-to-hut, with interesting terrain (scrambles, ridge walking, etc).


I did the 'Tour du Mont Blanc' last August.
I stayed in huts, so I didn't have to carry tent and sleeping gear, and traveled light as a result (5/6kg), which was very enjoyable.

That was the first long walk I've done in an area with sufficient hut infrastructure to make not carrying a tent/food feasible.

While the TMB was very beautiful, and had plenty of climb, it wasn't that interesting underfoot.

I'd love to do a similar route - not necessarily as long - but with a little more scrambling, or high ridge walking, or slightly more interesting terrain.


I'm looking into the 'GR20', and the 'haute route pyrenees'. But both of these lack infrastructure, so I'd probably have to carry overnight kit and food, which makes it a different kind of walk.


I'm wondering if there's any routes that occur to people, that I haven't thought of?
Any long or medium distance routes that people hike, that have an accommodation infrastructure, but are slightly more technical?

I've also thought about trying to do some village to village walking in Via Ferrata country, maybe that's a good solution?

Anything 'classic' come to mind, that I mightn't have come across? I'd be grateful for any recommendations!

Howdy, sorry to bump an old thread, but i am struggling to find info regarding costs on the tour du mont blanc.

Can you tell me what kind of prices you were being charged for demi pension in the huts? ANd how much you paid for beer/coffee etc along the way?

Just want to make sure we have enough cash on hand while over there. Many thanks.

fergalr

Halloween Jack wrote: »

Howdy, sorry to bump an old thread, but i am struggling to find info regarding costs on the tour du mont blanc.

Can you tell me what kind of prices you were being charged for demi pension in the huts? ANd how much you paid for beer/coffee etc along the way?

Just want to make sure we have enough cash on hand while over there. Many thanks.

It depends on the place. Switzerland is particularly expensive, or at least was when I was there, due to the strength of the swiss franc.

I think it also changes. Probably the best thing for you to do would be to quickly call up about 3 huts you might stay in, and ask them the price for their demi pension.


From memory, the price varied, but somewhere in the range 45-60 for demi pension, probably most often around 50-55.

That isnt particularly cheap, considering the bed you get is very basic - but you are paying for the location of the hut high up on the hill. On the plus side, I found that the food was often very good, and that the portions were decent - they know they are feeding people who have been walking all day. Im pretty big, so that was something I appreciated. And, I found you can often get seconds! :-)

I would often get almost all my days food from the demi pension, as they serve a good sized dinner, and you can generally get a big breakfast too, especially if you are willing to eat lots of bread and cheese :-)
I'd often just buy bread and cheese, or bananas, or something like that for lunch in a shop, and eat that as I went. Mmm, taste of a nice banana during a long days walk...


I didnt drink a lot of coffee and beer on the way, so cant really say the prices - maybe 3 euro for a hot chocolate? Expect things to be expensive - though not outrageously so. Except in switzerland, where things are, in fact, outrageously expensive. I expected hut fare to be expensive, but I really got the impression that it was just expensive to provide, rather than that they were trying to rip walkers off.

There are cash machines in the bigger villages/towns. Some of the huts even take credit card, afair. You can also spend some nights in accommodation in the villages and towns where prices are generally cheaper than the huts. And you get more room in the bed! And a break from other walkers putting their arms around you in their sleep!


Huts do fill up. I typically rang ahead the day before, or 2 days before... or even on the day... (which I dont recommend :-)
A lot of people book their huts a long time in advance, which is safer, but ties you in to a schedule. I only had a problem where I was told the hut that I wanted was full once, which meant my walk to my nights accommodation was going to be a lot longer, but I decided to try and call in on the hut as I passed it by anyway, and it turned out they had space in the end! They do get cancellations on the day. But its safest to book a good while in advance, especially for the weekends.

Halloween Jack

Many thanks for the info fergal, looking forward to it:)