Latest news with #TourduMontBlanc
Time Out
06-05-2025
- Time Out
One of the world's best trails is 3 hours from Cape Town
The De Hoop Nature Reserve is a scenic 240km drive from Cape Town - and what awaits travellers there is something truly magical. So magical, in fact, that Time Out Travel named the reserve's famous Whale Trail as one of the 20 best hikes in the world! The 55km trail from Potberg Hut to Koppie Alleen takes five to six days to complete and apart from being able to experience this stunning part of South Africa up close and personal, if you go at the right time of the year, you will likely be able to witness a natural wonder of epic proportions. Between June and November every year, hundreds of endangered southern right whales breech, breed and calf close to shore. This annual event is considered to be among the best land-based whale-watching experiences in the entire world. Pro Whale Trail tips For the best possible chance of seeing these massive creatures, it is advised that you look to visit between mid-August and mid-October, but that's not to say you won't see them throughout the June to November window. We're just trying to maximise your chances. Also, when you reach Stilgat Bay, you can trade in your hiking boots or trail shoes for fins and masks in order to snorkel around tidal pools. This is a glorious opportunity for you to swim amongst the array of marine life. Which other trails and hikes made the cut? If you have already been lucky enough to complete the Whale Trail and want to hike more of Africa, then Time Out Travel believes you will love Mount Meru in Tanzania. Outside of our continent, the Tour du Mont Blanc in Switzerland, Italy and France made the list, while Wales' Mount Snowdon is very much a bucket list hike. For those not able to leave Cape Town for a hike/trail adventure, don't forget that we have some brilliant options spread right across Table Mountain. To find out more, read our guide to Cape Town's best hikes.
Time Out
02-05-2025
- Time Out
A 104 km multi-day hike in coastal Victoria has been named the fifth best in the world
Mother Nature has blessed Victoria with countless spots with amazing trails, from adventurous multi-day treks to breathtaking day hikes. From the Grampians National Park to the Dandenong Ranges National Park – if you're looking for world-class hiking, you don't have to look far. Affirming that our state is home to the best of the best treks, Time Out's global team have compiled an ultimate list of the world's top 20 best hikes – and one in the top five is right here in Victoria. The list spans the globe, featuring everything from the historic Camino de Santiago in Spain to the breathtaking Tour du Mont Blanc in the Swiss Alps and the cliff-hugging Lycian Way in Turkey. It also happens to feature two Aussie gems, including Victoria's windswept Great Ocean Walk and Tasmania's secluded Maria Island Walk. The Great Ocean Walk was named fifth on the list, an impressive feat considering the high calibre of hikes among the rankings. While the Great Ocean Road is well-known as Australia's favourite road trip, many are surprised to discover that you can actually shadow the entire sea-swept stretch from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles on foot. Spanning 104 kilometres, the Great Ocean Walk takes up to eight days to complete in full, but there are plenty of pick-up points throughout the trail that are perfect for shorter overnight stretches. Along the way, you'll pass some of Victoria's most iconic sights, from the lush rainforests of Great Otway National Park to the rugged cliffs of Port Campbell, before finishing up at the world-famous limestone stacks known as the Twelve Apostles. Feeling inspired to take a hiking holiday? You can check out more of the most incredible walks around the world below. These are the 20 best hikes in the world, according to Time Out The French Way, Camino de Santiago The Lycian Way, Türkiye West Highland Way, Scotland The Nakahechi Route, Kumano Kodo, Japan The Great Ocean Walk, Australia Kungsleden, Sweden The Jordan Trail, Jordan Mount Snowdon, Wales Kalalau Trail, USA Dientes Circuit Trek, Chile Gotemba Trail, Japan Waitukubuli National Trail, Dominica Whale Trail, South Africa Wales Coast Path, Wales Mount Meru, Tanzania Ratikon High Trail Hut-to-Hut Circuit, Austria/Switzerland Coast-to-Coast Path, England Maria Island Walk, Australia Paria River Canyon, USA Tour du Mont Blanc, Switzerland/Italy/France
Time Out
01-05-2025
- Time Out
Trailblazing news: Two of the world's best hikes are in Australia
It's a little wild to consider the fact that people drop thousands of dollars or travel hundreds of kilometres just to go for a walk. But when you actually think about it – something to ponder on your next stroll, perhaps – it's one of the most rewarding ways to spend your money and time. From guided multi-day pilgrimages to calming coastal walks and backyard bush bashes, Mother Nature has blessed us with millions of epic trails. Picking the best of the best is about as challenging as summiting Mount Kilimanjaro. But lucky for you, Time Out's global team has done the hard yards to bring you the ultimate list of the world's top 20 best hikes – and two of them are right here in Australia. The list spans the globe, featuring everything from the historic Camino de Santiago in Spain to the breathtaking Tour du Mont Blanc in the Swiss Alps and the cliff-hugging Lycian Way in Turkey. It also happens to feature two Aussie gems, including Victoria's windswept Great Ocean Walk and Tasmania's secluded Maria Island Walk. The Great Ocean Walk, Victoria While the Great Ocean Road is well-known as Australia's favourite road trip, many are surprised to discover that you can actually shadow the entire sea-swept stretch from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles on foot. Spanning 104 kilometres, the Great Ocean Walk takes up to eight days to complete in full, but there are plenty of pick-up points throughout the trail that are perfect for shorter overnight stretches. Along the way, you'll pass some of Victoria's most iconic sights, from the lush rainforests of Great Otway National Park to the rugged cliffs of Port Campbell, before finishing up at the world-famous limestone stacks known as the Twelve Apostles. The Maria Island Walk, Tasmania Recently named one of the world's most beautiful destinations, Maria Island is a hiker's paradise, shaped by honeycomb-coloured cliffs, pristine white beaches and protected national park. The island's cross-country trek, The Maria Island Walk, stretches between 25 to 43 kilometres from Darlington to Robey's Farm and back. The full hike takes four days for the average Joe to finish, with plenty of wildlife encounters along the way, including Forester kangaroos, Bennett's wallabies, wombats and even fairy penguins. Feeling inspired to take a hiking holiday? You can check out more of the most incredible walks around the world below. These are the 20 best hikes in the world, according to Time Out The French Way, Camino de Santiago The Lycian Way, Türkiye West Highland Way, Scotland The Nakahechi Route, Kumano Kodo, Japan The Great Ocean Walk, Australia Kungsleden, Sweden The Jordan Trail, Jordan Mount Snowdon, Wales Kalalau Trail, USA Dientes Circuit Trek, Chile Gotemba Trail, Japan Waitukubuli National Trail, Dominica Whale Trail, South Africa Wales Coast Path, Wales Mount Meru, Tanzania Ratikon High Trail Hut-to-Hut Circuit, Austria/Switzerland Coast-to-Coast Path, England Maria Island Walk, Australia Paria River Canyon, USA Tour du Mont Blanc, Switzerland/Italy/France
Forbes
08-04-2025
- Forbes
Celebrate Mother's Day In Mother Nature On These 5 Hikes
Celebrate Mother's Day while exploring in the outdoors. For many moms, there's nothing better than spending time in the outdoors, ideally with family, to celebrate Mother's Day. Just picture her happy face as she hikes on a tree-studded trail, leading to a grand viewpoint, waterfall, or picturesque valley. From challenging multi-day backpacking trips to lovely day treks that would be perfect for wandering slowly and with intention, the below five hikes offer something for everyone. Lace up your boots, pack provisions, and hit the trails to honor your nature loving mama. The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most beautiful long-distance hikes in Europe. One of the most admired long-distance trails in Europe, the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), which circles the stunning Mont Blanc massif and travels through Switzerland, Italy, and France, is so majestic that you'll likely want to do it all over again once you've finished. From charming villages and alpine huts to bell-clad cows to otherworldly views of glaciers, meadows, and forests, this adventure, while challenging, packs a lot in. To take out the guesswork, enlist in the professional guiding services of Wilderness Travel. They'll plan all of the logistics, help you safely travel from point A to point B, and provide informative and fun context along the way. Death Valley National Park if full of grand wonders, flora and fauna. Death Valley National Park, which hugs the border of Nevada and California, might be one of the most underrated national parks in the country. Expect incredible star gazing at this gold-tier Dark Sky Park, as designated by DarkSky International. Hiking here rewards adventurers with not only incredible views in the land of extremes, but also the chance to see feral horses and other wildlife. You'll marvel at the natural landscapes and diverse ecosystems on a three-night backpacking trip in this dazzling park on the Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop. In a few sections, the trail can be tough to find, making bushwhacking necessary. Utilizing the expert guiding services of Wildland Trekking is a smart idea. They'll not only handle all of the logistics, but also, they'll prepare the meals and do the clean up as well. If you need gear—backpacks, trekking poles, sleeping bags—they have that to borrow as well. Mothers will certainly get their steps in while on a walking trip in Greece. For a sojourn that your mom will adore, take her to Greece on a guided walking tour. She'll spend one week hiking on the islands of Santorini, Paros, and Naxos where each of the trails are rated easy to moderate. Your camera roll will be filled with colorful images, especially on the six-mile Cliff Trail in Santorini, which travels from Oia to Fira along the caldera. Experts in facilitating unforgettable vacations, ones that your mother will never forget, Exodus Adventure Travels takes care of all the heavy lifting so that you can simply enjoy spending time together in the outdoors. For a tiny island, Saba has plenty of hiking trails to keep you engaged. If your mom loves to trek in the outdoors but prefers a day hike as well as other outdoorsy activities like farmers markets, outdoor dining, and swimming, then look no further than the island of Saba. This teeny-tiny five-square-mile verdant and rugged Dutch Caribbean island feels incredibly remote and special. The adventure begins when you land on the shortest commercial runway in the world and continues when you hike to the top of Mount Scenery, a long-dormant volcano, and the highest point in the Netherlands. Plan to get a bit wet and muddy on this hike through the cloud forest, which ultimately leads to panoramic Caribbean views at an outlook (on a sunny day). Plan to stay for a few nights on the island to really get a feel for the locale. The Cottage Club Hotel features individual private accommodations, each with an outdoor balcony, access to a swimming pool, and a lovely breakfast. There's plenty to do to keep your mom occupied and happy. Hiking the cable route to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park is a big bucket list adventure for many moms. If you've spent any time in Yosemite National Park, likely you've stood in Yosemite Valley and gazed up at Half Dome, which stretches 8,800 feet above sea level. Perhaps you've wondered what it would be like to stand on top of it. When the cables are attached, which is the safest time to climb the dome, you'll need to secure a permit before heading out on your adventure. You'll want to be healthy and fit to tackle this strenuous 14—16-mile round-trip hike, which will take the entire day—you'll gain about 4,800 feet of total elevation. For those who are able, the views of Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls, Liberty Cap, and Yosemite Valley are worth the effort—in spades. To be properly prepared, bring plenty of water, food, and snacks. Leave before sunrise to give yourself ample time to reach the top before heading back down. Pack a headlight, gloves, boots with great traction like Danner's Mountain 600 EVO, and consider bringing a harness to safely connect to the cables and make the last 400-foot ascent.
National Geographic
14-03-2025
- National Geographic
The Mexican health spa Rancho La Puerta has helped shape modern wellness travel
Before sunrise, I shuffled into a gazebo, clutching a weak cup of coffee and a portioned banana chunk, joining 15 other guests bundled up against the desert chill. After briefly learning about the 5-mile trail ahead of us, the other hikers suddenly bolted forward in a mad rush for the mountain. Welcome to Rancho La Puerta, where the day begins with gusto at dawn. At this Tecate, Mexico, wellness resort, guests are encouraged, if not explicitly instructed, to join daily early-morning hikes during their week-long stay. As avid hikers (my husband Scott and I had recently completed the 10-day Tour du Mont Blanc in the Alps), we expected a leisurely pre-breakfast walk that aligned with the resort's ethos of mindfulness and tranquility. When our fellow hikers sprinted for the hills, we were caught in an unexpected race to the top. For the next six days, we huffed and puffed up and down Mount Kuchumaa, trying to beat our previous day's finishing time (and yes, our fellow hikers, too). Rancho La Puerta's founders might frown at our competitive mission. These daily 'health walks,' which have been part of The Ranch's programming since it opened in 1940, were designed to encourage movement and connection — with the environment, other guests, and oneself. Though there wasn't much talking during the 6 a.m. hike, we had plenty of time to connect during communal meals, where the most common ice breaker isn't 'Where are you from,' but 'How many times have you been here?' Answers of 20 to 30 times are common, as are guests who stay for multiweek (and sometimes multi-month) stints. According to Barry Shingle, director of guest programming, The Ranch boasts a whopping 64 percent return rate. What draws guests back to this wellness oasis in the desert? We'd have to consider its origins. (Related: On the botanical wellness travel trail in St Lucia) Rancho La Puerto has an interesting past, including a diet where people lived on three pounds of grape juice a day. Photograph Courtesy Rancho La Puerta The visionary beginning Rancho La Puerta was founded by an unlikely couple on the Baja peninsula in the mid-20 century. Edmond Szekely, a Romanian philosophy professor with an expiring US visa, and his new wife, Deborah, crossed the southern border to avoid returning to Eastern Europe, where Szekely, a Jew, was not safe. They settled in a rented shed at the base of Mount Kuchumaa, a land sacred to the Indigenous Kumeyaay people. Fortunately, the couple's new home turned out to be a fertile oasis. Szekely quickly mobilized the small group of followers he'd gained as a speaker to visit him in Tecate. Early guests paid $17.50 a week to pitch tents and listen to the professor's revolutionary ideas about healthy living. His message — emphasizing organic food, clean air and water, safe sunbathing, and a low-fat diet — resonated in the World War II era. A 1949 San Diego Union headline read: "Romanian Professor Founds Cult Across Border at Tecate," describing a "health cult to end all health cults," where guests survived on three pounds of grape juice a day, raw produce, and vigorous exercise and sunbathing routines. Today, that article is placed in every casita with a note from Deborah, who is still involved in Ranch operations at age 102: "I cried when I first read it, but as the years passed, I realized that most of the health precepts he thought so strange have become the accepted way of life today." There's an active daily schedule that includes everything from water aerobics to yoga to arts and crafts. Photograph Courtesy Rancho La Puerta The Ranch today When Edmond left Tecate in 1969, Deborah took over. Today, she and their daughter, Sarah Livia Brightwood, continue to run The Ranch in a slightly softened iteration from its austere beginnings. The founding principles are still present in the morning hikes, lectures, and emphasis on self-growth, with a sprinkle of comfort (and, even wine these days). Perhaps most importantly, the infamous caffeine ban was lifted (coffee lovers should visit the on-site cafe). The once-strict vegetarian menu now includes seafood, and cookies make a splash — and disappear quickly — every Friday. The Ranch diet is lacto-ovo pescatarian, meaning eggs, dairy, and seafood are in, but meat is out. Fruit, vegetables, and legumes are plentiful and often sourced from the property's organic garden, where guests can take cooking classes with visiting chefs. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style and dinner is a pre-set coursed affair. Most guests visit from Saturday to Saturday and enjoy an active daily schedule that includes everything from water aerobics to yoga to arts and crafts. Each week, a rotating cast of visiting experts lead sessions on topics such as gut health, life coaching, and dance. Between activities and spa services, it's easy to become so busy at The Ranch that you forget what's missing: Wi-Fi is limited to a few of the 86 casitas, cell service is nonexistent, and phones are discouraged except for photos. "Health walks' have been part of The Ranch's programming since it opened in 1940. Photograph Courtesy Rancho La Puerta While digital detox resorts are now common, Rancho La Puerta was one of the first escapes to prioritize mindfulness and face-to-face connection, as well as locally grown organic food, daily exercise, and life-long learning. (Related: Why you should head to Tuscany for a spiritual reboot) While we won't miss the grape juice cleanses, repeat guests often cite the friendships they've forged at The Ranch as their top reason for returning — many book the same casita, the same week, every year to reunite with friends made while building prayer arrows or pressing tortillas on their first visit. Those moments of using your hands — and not just for texting — is something we can all stand to do a little more of. The Ranch has successfully shaken off its initial cult label, but the magic that draws people to this desert sanctuary remains as powerful as ever. In an age of constant connectivity, Rancho La Puerta offers something increasingly rare: A chance to disconnect from technology and reconnect with ourselves, each other, and the natural world — just as its founders envisioned more than 80 years ago. How to do it When to go: The climate in Tecate is mild year-round, though summers can get hot and there are occasional frosts during winter. The dry air gets chilly at night and warms up significantly during the day, and the temperature rarely exceeds 90°F. Annual rainfall averages just 12 inches, so you'll rarely need to pack a raincoat. The Ranch is busy all year, but spring and fall are the most popular times to visit, when garden produce is at its peak and the temperature is comfortable for outdoor activities. Getting there: San Diego, the closest airport, is about an hour from the property. The Ranch provides regular complimentary shuttles to and from the airport on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The Ranch is about three hours by car from LAX. In addition to a passport, visitors crossing via land need a Mexican tourist visa, known as a Migratory Form (FFM). You can process the visa online in advance or at the border (this can take some time and is not recommended). The FFM costs $40. Lizzy Briskin is a New York City-based travel and food writer. Her work appears in Real Simple, Food Network Magazine, Bon Appetit, Wirecutter, Insider, and Shape.
