• E N R O U T E / / A D V E N T U R E T R A V E L
The spectacular Amalfi Coast .
AMALFI COAST , ITALY The spectacular Amalfi Coast is a Mediterranean celebration from start to finish . Old fishing towns tumble down to water ’ s edge , coves offer idyllic swimming breaks and homemade gelato can be found around every other corner . Start your five-day walk in Amalfi and admire its cathedral and castle . From here it ’ s a trek along medieval paths and through a fjord towards Praiano . The next stretch , to Positano , traces wild hillsides , mountain villages and the ocean . Visit an uninhabited monastery en route before reaching your overnight destination . The way to Sant ’ Agate is along a rugged ridge that leads to beautiful Sorrento , where you can spend a few days swimming , sunbathing and sipping limoncello .
Level : medium Distance : 8-15 km per day Best time to go : April , May , June , September , October
THE ALPS , FRANCE Mont Blanc in France rises 4 000 metres above sea level and is a walker ’ s paradise with awe-inspiring trails that lead past meadows , forests and rolling hills . In summer the hills come alive with colourful flowers , and snowfields can be seen at higher altitudes . Start a seven-day walk at St . Gervais and head towards Les Contamines along the Route du Baroque . Historic chapels and valleys mark the way . The path then goes deep into the Chamonix Valley , where the Glacier de Miage comes into view , and then on to Les Houches . From there it ’ s a beautiful walk through forested terrain towards Chamonix . Take a cable car to 3 800 metres above sea level for the best views of the Alps . Along the way , treat yourself to delicious cheeses and top-notch French wines .
Level : medium to hard ( easier options available ) Distance : 6-19 km per day Best time to go : July to September
THE WEST HIGHLAND WAY , SCOTLAND The West Highland Way starts in Glasgow and ends 154 kilometres away in Fort William . It ’ s a stunner of a route that winds past lush , rolling hills , fast-flowing rivers , sparkling lakes and Tolkien-esque forests . Campsites , inns and cosy pubs can be found along the way . Every year over 80 000 hikers walk this way , into the heart of William Wallace ( aka Braveheart ) territory .
Level : medium to hard Distance : 21 km per day Best time to go : April to October
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO , SPAIN The ancient Camino de Santiago is made up of a series of pilgrimage routes that trace the northern parts of Spain . It ’ s the world ’ s busiest pilgrimage route and all roads lead to the famous Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela . The most popular route is the Camino Francés , which starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France and ends 780 kilometres away .
The average pilgrim takes one month to complete this route , but you can choose to walk shorter stretches .
Level : medium to hard Distance : 20-30 km per day Best time to go : April to September
© PIZARRO / ADOBESTOCK
Camino de Santiago remains a perennial favourite amongst hikers of all ages .
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