Trip Guides

Routes & Maps for Real Adventures

What’s a Trip Guide?

Trip guides differ from trip reports because they include map sets, text description/instructions for the route, travel logistics, and other information to enable the reader to plan and execute the trip on their own. Most of these routes fall into a loose category of Adventure Trips. They usually have interesting portions of off-trail travel and other entertaining navigation, and terrain challenges.

Wind River High Route – A Guide

January 27, 2016/by Alan Dixon

The Wind River High Route is mile for mile, the finest non-technical Alpine route in North America. It stays close to the crest of the Continental Divide in one of the most rugged and glaciated mountain ranges in the lower 48. The route is thrilling and the scenery spectacular.

Southern Sierra High Route – an alternative to the JMT

October 25, 2016/by Alan Dixon

The Southern Sierra High Route (SoSHR) is a superb alternative to the JMT for the adventurous traveler. Compared to the John Muir Trail (JMT), the SoSHR is higher and more remote. It avoids the JMT crowds, the landscape is more spectacular, and the travel more challenging.

A Very Different High Route – Escalante Overland Route

March 24, 2017/24 Comments/by Alan Dixon

The Escalante Overland Route is arguably the most exciting high route in the lower-48! It is certainly the most beautiful and challenging trip we’ve done. The beauty of its desert canyons and mesas are equal to the best the planet has to offer, Grand Canyon included. Breathtaking…

2018/19 Torres del Paine W Trek and O Trek – Quick and Easy Guide to Essential Trip Planning

May 15, 2018/418 Comments/by Alan Dixon

We believe this is the best guide to the Torres del Paine W Trek and Circuit Treks, in-print or online. This guide was inspired by Alison and I finding a scarcity of accurate and up-to-date information anywhere…

Patagonia National Park Trek – Guide to a New World Class Trek

August 22, 2018/113 Comments/by Alan Dixon

Chile’s new Patagonia National Park has it all — the high glaciated peaks of the Andes, wide valleys with ice cold glacial rivers, forests of southern beech hanging with moss, & startlingly green glacial lakes. It may soon be the “Yellowstone of South America”

Low Carbon Appalachian Trail Section Hike via Train – Harpers Ferry WV to Harrisburg PA

September 19, 2016/22 Comments/by Alan Dixon

Take the train to the AT—low carbon, low stress. No car, no complicated shuttles. Just great hiking! This AT section hike has it all—an ideal blend of natural beauty, history, small towns, great local parks, and meeting interesting people. It’s a perfect example of what makes hiking on the AT a unique and special experience.

Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon Trek | Africa’s Best Trek without Kilimanjaro Crowds

Trip Guides, Adventure Travel, Semi-Technical Backpacking

Also called the Mountains of the Moon the Rwenzoris have a dizzying array of spectacular plants, trees, animals, & varied landscapes that make you aware, at all times, that you are in a place like no other on the planet. And of course, you can stand on a glacier at over 5000m (16,000 ft) with world class views of Africa below you.

Huemul Circuit El Chalten Patagonia Guide

Trip Guides

The Huemul Circuit El Chalten Patagonia is one of a few ways for mere-mortal for hikers to see the vast Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the 2nd largest non-polar ice field.

Bikepacking GAP Trail & C&O Canal Trail

Trip Guides

Bikepacking the GAP Trail and C&O Trail from Pittsburgh to Washington DC is a superb mix of natural beauty, wooded trails, quaint towns, & American history. It’s the perfect introductory trip for those new to bikepacking. But it’s just as suitable and rewarding trip for accomplished riders. Virtually all of the trail is away from traffic on flat, wide, non-technical dirt trails (double track) that do not require great riding skills.

Finger Lakes Gorges Grand Slam Hike

Trip Guides

The Finger Lakes Gorges should not be missed. And don’t let their popularity dissuade you from hiking and exploring these gems. Like Yosemite or the slot canyons of Utah, these gorges are held in high regard for a reason so hike them!

Cerro Castillo Trek Guide

Trip Guides

The Cerro Castillo Trek might be the best trek in Patagonia you’ve never heard of. It rivals drama and beauty of the Torres del Paine W Trek, yet has far less visitors.

Low Carbon AT Section Hike – Shenandoah to Harpers Ferry – No Car Needed

Trip Guides

This Guide to the AT Section Hike - Shenandoah to Harpers Ferry, is an installment of our no-car-needed, low carbon AT hiking Guides. This beautiful section has the infamous roller coaster, along with great vistas like Raven Rock and…

No Car Needed Appalachian Trail Section Hike – Roanoke to Shenandoah National Park

Trip Guides

As of November, 2017 Amtrak offers service to Roanoke, VA. This makes another stunning section of the AT accessible via public transportation to most of the East Coast. This hike is just south of Shenandoah National Park. It's every bit as…

World’s Newest Long Trail: Cuba’s Ruta de la Revolución

Trip Guides

See a Cuba tourists never see. Hike la Ruta de la Revolución trek which follows the historic route of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara that started the Cuban Revolution—from landing in Cuba in a foundering boat to their famous hideout deep…

Guide to Colombia’s La Ciudad Perdida Trek (Lost City)

Trip Reports, Trip Guides

It's like Machu Picchu, but remote and not overrun by tourists. So definitely put La Ciudad Perdida (the Lost City) near the top of your travel list! La Ciudad Perdida is a vast, ancient city in the jungles of the Sierra Nevada mountains on…

Torres del Paine Circuit Trek Guide 5 to 6 days

Trip Guides

We believe this is the best guide to the Torres del Paine Circuit Trek, in-print or online. This guide was inspired by Alison and I finding a scarcity of accurate and up-to-date information on how to plan for trekking in Torres del Paine. In…

Torres del Paine W Trek Itinerary for 3-4 Days

Trip Guides

We believe this is the best Itinerary/guide in-print or online to do the Torres del Paine W Trek in 3-4 Days. This was inspired by Alison and I finding a scarcity of accurate and up-to-date information on how to plan for hiking Torres del Paine. In fact mainstream, supposedly reputable materials about the trek were missing essential information, were out-of-date, or were just plain wrong. Here is the the information you need to plan a great W Trek in Torres Del Paine

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Trip Guides

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