Hiking a special kind of activity that requires some remarkable training and a huge amount of strength and willpower. An untrained person will tire themselves after the first few kilometres walked, and will probably consider turning back and abandoning their trip altogether. Those that persist, however, will find that it can bring a lot of pleasure and peace.
First off, to guarantee a nice trip, you need to keep some good locations for hiking in mind. The difficulty on the several routes all vary, of course, but they all provide you an amazing experience, amidst all different kinds of natural environments and cultures. So grab your sturdiest pair of shoes, and get ready to go hiking with our list of the 5 best hiking sports in Asia!
Contents
1. Sapa, Vietnam
This is a great place for those who love hiking. The variety in the scenic mountain valleys and the rice terraces will definitely impress you. If you are planning on a single day trip, then you don't need a guide. If your trekking route involves a stop for a night, it's best to properly prepare, and perhaps even take a local guide to help.
The closest town to Sapa, Cat Cat, is located 3 km south from Sapa. The path that descends to the village passes through some picturesque mountain trails, but the road is quite steep. If the descent tires you, you can take a moto-taxi to return to the top. Another popular route is the walk to the ethnic group settlement of Zao - the village of Ta Phin, which is located 10 km from Sapa.
2. Ladakh, India
Ladakh is a mountainous area located in the middle of the northern Indian state of Jammu-Kashmir, in the western part of the Himalayas. It is also sometimes referred to as a smaller Tibet, a mountainous country, situated at an altitude of above 3000m, but with landscapes similar to Nepal that you can't find anywhere else in India.
If you want to be surrounded by incredible scenery, filled with fascinating ancient structures and history, pay Ladakh a visit. The cultural heritage of the region is enormous. Almost everywhere, even in the most remote places, there are Buddhist temples and monasteries. You can easily spend a few weeks simply exploring all the different attractions around Leia - it's a truly amazing place.
For accomodation, you can rest in a tent camp which consists of separate tents for sleeping, kitchen, dining room, and toilet. All that will make certain that you will enjoy your time in Ladakh.
3. Gangotri - Badrinath, India
This trail connects the two fundamental Hindu worshiping temples - Gangotri and Badrinadh. Both are at the deepest sources of the Ganges, and the path that goes through it passes the Kalindi. There are no villages, no people, and no pastures around. Only the highest peaks and the silent, pointed gods living somewhere on them.
The track runs completely off the grid, with minimal support for mountain trekkers. It is considered one of the most difficult routes because of its autonomy and height. A lot of experience hiking is required.
4. The Kingdom of Happiness, Bhutan
It may not be an exaggeration to say that the best place to trekkers is the Himalayas. They are very welcoming, both for those who are just taking their first tentative steps into trekking and those that already have a fair amount of experience. If you still have a great desire to visit the Himalayas, but you would prefer more exotic locations and less crowds, you should take a look at the mountain kingdom of Bhutan.
When you visit Bhutan, you will immediately feel a little happier just from the sights. If you hire route guides, they will sure tell you all sorts of fascinating stories that the children in Bhutanese schools learn high in the mountains. Then, in the evening, you should prepare for lessons in the amazing world of Bhutan myths and legends, and what to do if you get confronted by a snow leopard.
5. Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Reaching an amazing height of 5,545 m, this path, with a length of passage of around three whole weeks, is extremely popular with those who like to go amazing lengths to break records, and then boast about how "I was at the foot of the highest mountain in the world!" This difficult trail passes through an expansive landscape that is undeniably beautiful. The heights on this trail will literally make dizzy you if you're not used to them.
6. Baltoro Glacier, Pakistan
This route leads to the top of the grand K2 Mountain (8,611 m), the second highest peak in the world. This incomparable trail crosses through some of the most beautiful and unsurpassed scenery in the world.
At the end of the route, you arrive at a place with some granite pyramidal mountains, including Paiju (6,610 m), Uli Biaho (6,417 m), the Great Trango Tower (6,286 m), and finally the K2.
7. Pamir-Alay, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
Pamir-Alai is one of the most mysterious and little explored Mountain ranges in Central Asia, which stretches for hundreds of kilometers from the Takla Makan desert to the east, to the Kyzyl Kum desert in the west, and also from the mountains of the Tien Shan in the north to the Hindu Kush mountain range in the south. Numerous peaks, many of which reach 7,000 meters in height, form a strong a relief line.
This unforgettable track runs along the northwestern region of the Pamirs, in the region of the famous Aksu peak and the valley of the river. During the track, you will pass through picturesque valleys, uncomplicated passes, a few spectacular canyons, fragrant alpine meadows, and the foaming streams of the mountain rivers.
This track is designed for travelers who enjoy outdoor activities and trekking through unfamiliar terrain, who love to sit by the fire and watch the starry sky, and who eager to learn new things about the local cultures.
8. Belukha, Russia
This is one of the biggest mountain tops in Russia, reaching 4506 m in height. In 1998, it was awarded with the status of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A majestic silence and the beauty of the wilderness reign supreme there causes all sorts of people to rush to it both for sports and for moments of inner spirituality and peace.
Belukha peak is crowned by the powerful Katun ridge, tying it into a single mountain system. There are 169 glaciers on the slopes and the valleys that feed many rivers, the main one being the Katun river. This is one of the most popular routes in Altai, and it does not have a sports category of difficulty, meaning it is accessible to all people in a good physical shape. In the upper part of the route there is the Ak-Kem lake, where you can relax and collect food for the remainder of the trek.
9. Valley of the Volcanoes, Russia
It is a terrific place with entirely untouched nature. The valley is a huge area of lava fields with bright colored spots, filled with creeping mosses and lichens. There are streams and rivers that form in cracks in the lava lakes and a few unique swamps.
The place counts a wide variety of thermal springs. The Eastern Sayan area is a majestic and untamed beauty, and the chance to really see, feel, and breathe the pristine air of nature is priceless for any city folk. The tour of the Valley of the volcanos is one of the most interesting tours in the region of Baikal Lake, as well.
10. Langtang Valley, Nepal
Hiking in Langtang Valley, around the Gosaikunda lakes, is very pleasurable - the amazingly beautiful mountainous region around the Himalayas is a great sight to see. The Langtang National Park is located to the the north of Kathmandu Valley on the border with Tibet, passing through the main Himalayan ranges.
The road to the Langtang Valley is scenic and gorgeous, and it is where the indigenous people of the Nepal mountains, the Gurung and Tamang tribes, live and practice their Tibetan Buddhism with elements of the Bon religion.
During the trek, you will conquer the high passes and see the eternal ice of the Himalayan peaks, the waterfalls, the wild rivers, and enjoy peace and tranquility, far away from civilization.
11. Tien Shan, China
Bogda Shan or Bogd Shan - the mountain range and the mountain with the same name in eastern Tien Shan in Xinjiang, to the east of the city of Urumqi. The range stretches from west to east for about 300 km, dividing the Turfan basin (south) and Jungar plain (north). The highest point is Mount Bogda Shan (5445 m).
The slopes are on a steep ridge at the top, with many glaciers and permanent snow. In the middle belt you see coniferous forests and alpine shrubs and meadows, and in the bottom, deserts and steep landscapes. In the northwestern slope of the Bogda Shan peak is the Lake Tianchi mountain - "the pearl of the Tien Shan." The tour includes a weeklong track on the slopes of Bogda Shan, with rises to height levels of over 4100 m, exploring glaciers and mountain lakes, as well as the local endemic flora and fauna.
12. Kirishima national park, Japan
Kirishima National Park - a collection of spectacular volcanic peaks, crater lakes, and hot springs. If you need a simple hour long walk, go towards the Shiratori mountain along the trail, which runs next to the shores of the lakes. If you want to reach the top and see the spectacular scenery, be prepared to spend a few hours there. And then another 45 minutes, you will reach the crater of Oonami-Ike, where you will find the emergency hut. Behind the hut begins the descent to the buses. If you decide to go the full route (from Karakuni to Takachiho), note that the top of the Shinmoe mountain is often closed due to volcanic activity.
13. Hokkaido National Park, Japan
It is a national park, located in the central part of the island of Hokkaido; it contains arctic and alpine floras as well as many volcanic hot springs. The starting point of the trip is the city of Asahikawa, reachable by car or bus. You can start the route from the Souikё Gorge Resort. With its cascading waterfalls, Ginga Ryusei is the best location to explore on foot or by bike. Moving along, you can continue the route by cable car, which offers fantastic views. The whole trip takes about 7 hours with a length of about 100 km.
14. Huangshan, China
Go only 300 kilometers from Shanghai, and you will find yourself in a pine tale, very close to rugged granite cliffs. Dizzying views, endless stairs, and indescribable beauty make this a worthwhile place to visit. It can be reached by lift and it is possible to climb on your own as well, while continuing to explore the challenging routes after reaching the top. Mount Huangshan is certainly majestic!
15. Kii Mountain Range, Japan
If you follow the net of pilgrim trails on the peninsula of Kii, you will be led to the "Three sacred mountains of Kumano": Hong Kumano Taisha, Kumano-Hayatama-Taisha, and Kumano Nachi-Taisha Shrine. The roads are laid by overgrown grass amidst a dense forest, and it trails down to the rivers Totsukawa and Kumanogawa, which run to the open ocean. The track is extremely comfortable: the trails are clear and lined with stone tiles. Along the street are several sacred tombs and monasteries. The five trails of the Sacred Sites and the Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range have received the status of a UNESCO World Heritage.
And what are your pavorite tracks in Asia? Share your thoughts in a comment below!
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