Six emerging trekking hotspots

BY BEN COLCLOUGH

Thanks to the public exposure from the recent celebrity Kilimanjaro and Inca Trail treks, the big trails have boomed in popularity and that elusive sense of mountain wilderness that so many of us crave is getting much harder to find, writes Ben Colclough who runs adventure travel site tourdust.com. For those preferring trekking in isolation away from crowds there are still many untouched corners of the world where visitors can hike for days without seeing another soul. Here are six superb trekking destinations where you can still enjoy the scenery pretty much by yourself.

Romania

The land of Dracula is still considered an off-beat European destination, yet it is home to some of the continent’s most rewarding walking opportunities. The Carpathian mountains stretch across Romania and are home to many miles of good quality walking paths. The region is also a haven for bird-watchers with around 200 species of bird to look for among the meadows and in the highlands.

Mali

Walk among the Dogon tribes, get lost in the Sahara desert and rest along the banks of the Niger River. Treks in Mali have been available for many years but the difficulty of internal transportation and the sweltering heat have meant that visitor numbers have always been low. Yet Mali does offer some truly memorable experiences with treks typically involving homestays in the Dogon villages.

Ethiopia

Trekking in Ethiopia offers surprises on many levels to the intrepid traveller. First there’s the scenery: mountains over 4,000m, stunning waterfalls and gorges and the many breathtaking vistas of the Simien National Park. Then there’s the wildlife: you’ll quite likely have Gelada Baboons as company for some of the trek and an encounter with a Wallia Ibex is commonplace; you may be really lucky and catch a glimpse of an Ethiopian wolf. And the best thing of all? Tourist numbers are still at a modest level and if you travel at the right time of the year you’re likely to enjoy the trail in relative solitude.

Guyana

Guyana is jungle country and hiking here involves all the thrills and shocks that come with the territory. Those shocks may come in the form of the 200 volt ones delivered by the electric eel, or may be gasps in awe at the incredible diversity of life on all sides as you walk, rest and sleep within the rainforest. Many venture to Guyana in search of the giant anaconda, although your chances of coming face-to-face with one on your trek are thankfully low.

Montenegro

Travel any distance in Montenegro and you’re likely to be blown away by the scenery. Deep canyons, high mountains, monasteries built into impossible rockfaces; you’ll use up every superlative in your vocabulary many times over. Hiking paths are well established around the outdoor centre of Zabljak, with the Tara river gorge offering perhaps the finest of this small country’s many natural wonders. Be prepared for any weather up in the Montenegrin hills, where visitors can arrive from the warm beaches just down the road and find themselves facing fresh snowfalls.

Philippines

Hiking in the Philippines has only recently gained in popularity among the young Filipinos, and it’s still easy to get off the beaten track. This is a volcanic landscape and it is the craters and mountains that form the most celebrated hiking routes. Mount Apo and the infamous Mount Pinatubo are very popular treks, with crystal waters, crater lakes and spectacular waterfalls. Finally the Chocolate Hills in Bohol are one of the Philippine’s most scenic spots, yet hiking in the region is still not a common activity, allowing those who do choose to get out onto the hills plenty of room to roam.-Tourdust.com