Europe and USA Hiking Trip Reports

The Alta Via 1 is one of the most iconic long-distance hikes in the Dolomites, stretching from Lago di Braies to Belluno across soaring limestone peaks, alpine meadows, and a string of welcoming rifugios. In this trip report, I share my full experience hiking the AV1

The Alta Via 2 is a rugged, remote, and wildly scenic trek through the heart of the Dolomites.

The Cirque du Fer a Cheval hike is an absolutely beautiful, easily accessible hike up a wide canyon enclosed by granite cliffs with numerous water falls pouring down from each side. It’s also a wildly popular trail where finding solitude is difficult. If you keep this in mind and accept the fact that you will often be walking in lines then the scenery is worth it.

The Soča River begins high in the Julian Alps, forcing its way up through cracks in the bedrock as cold, clear spring water. Over thousands of years, it’s carved out gorges, meadows, and canyons. The minerals in the limestone, combined with glacial runoff, are what give the Soča its surreal blue-green color—something between jade and glacier melt.

Lac Blanc is a stunning alpine lake nestled in the heart of the French Alps. This moderate hike offers breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks, making it a popular destination for hikers of all levels. The trail ascends through picturesque meadows, and rocky terrain, culminating in a rewarding view of the turquoise lake.

The Vršič Pass hike is one of the most accessible ways to get high into the Julian Alps without a full-day commitment. As the highest mountain pass in Slovenia, it offers immediate access to alpine views, scree fields, and even a short via ferrata section—all starting just steps from the parking lot.

This version of the Four Pass Loop is a 63-mile high-alpine figure 8 loop that adds 5 passes and 37 miles.

To experience the grandeur of this geological masterpiece firsthand, I hiked below the rim, gazing into the abyss and marveling at the sheer scale of this natural wonder.

Over a year later, Hurricane Helene’s havoc is still present in Linville Gorge. This was my first time back, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I really wanted to do my typical loop; the ITAYG trail, but that still isn’t possible due to trail closures on the LGT. The trail was either washed away as the flood reformed the riverbank or is simply covered in blowdowns.

Virginia's Triple Crown - McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs, Dragon's Tooth - offers some of the best scenery in the southeast while checking off 3 beautiful rock features on the Appalachian Trail.

The Zion Traverse offers a challenging yet rewarding 55ish mile backpacking adventure through the heart of Zion National Park.