Prato Piazza is a high-altitude alpine meadow in Fanes-Sennes-Braies National Park. Great day hikes and an excellent vantage point to behold some of the Dolomite’s most spectacular peaks…
All tagged hiking
Day Hike: Trail #19 at Lago di Braies
Loop Trail #19 from Lago di Braies wildly exceeded expectations. We escaped the lake-side crowds with a heart-pumping hike to high Alpine pastures…
Day Hike: Tre Cime via Val di Rienza
Our first hike in the Italian Dolomites set an exceptionally high bar! We hiked from Val di Rienza up to Locatelli Hut and then Path 101 to Tre Cime…
Cultural Immersion: Walking the Olle Trail in Jeju Island (제주올레길), South Korea
Jeju Island is often referred to as the “Korean Hawaii”. In March 2024, we walked the majority of the Jeju Olle Trail (제주도 올레길), a 437 kilometer (270 miles) walking path that circumnavigates the island. Budget, logistics, food, and life on the trail…
Jeju Olle Trail: Daily Log Book Courses 20-21
Daily notes and initial impressions from our first three days of the Jeju Olle Trail. Photos and commentary on courses 20 and 21 from Gimnyeong (김녕리) to Siheung (시흥). Highlights included Woljeong Beach and Sehwa Beach, Haenyeo Museum…
Jeju Olle Trail: Daily Log Book Courses 1 - 2 and Udo Island
We hiked South Korea’s Jeju Olle Trail in March 2024. This post covers days 4-7, courses 1, 1-1, and 2. Scenic landmarks include: Seongsan Ilchubong, Udo Island, and more…
Jeju Olle Trail: Daily Log Book Courses 3-5
We hiked South Korea’s Jeju Olle Trail in March 2024. This post covers days 8-10, courses 3-5. Cultural highlights: Kim Young Gap gallery (Course 3), Jeju Folk Village (Course 4), and Baramseom (바람섬) Sculpture Gallery (Course 5)…
Jeju Olle Trail: Daily Log Book Courses 6-8 (Seogwipo)
We hiked South Korea’s Jeju Olle Trail in March 2024. This post covers days 11-12 along course 6 - 8, including major attractions in and around Seogwipo…
Jeju Olle Trail: Daily Log Book Courses 14, 13, and 12
We hiked South Korea’s Jeju Olle Trail in March 2024. This post covers days 13-15, courses 14, 13 and 12, walking counter-clockwise. Highlights: Hyeopjae and Keumneung Beaches, artist village, and UNESCO Geopark…
Jeju Olle Trail: Daily Log Book Courses 11-10
We hiked South Korea’s Jeju Olle Trail in March 2024. This post covers our final two days on courses 11 and 10. Highlights: Mt. Sanbang, Alddreu Airforce Base, Songaksan viewpoint…
Jungle Pools and Biodiversity in Copalita Ecology Park, Huatulco
The Copalita River tumbles down the mountain and spills into the ocean, creating a unique ecological zone just outside of Huatulco, Mexico…
Hierve el Agua and the Zapotecs
We booked a hiking tour to see the gorgeous pools of Hierve el Agua in Oaxaca; we gained a far better understanding of Mexico’s diverse indigenous population…
Steamy Kirishima Kinkowan National Park in Kyushu
Our final stop during our 17 day winter roadtrip in Kyushu, Japan. The highlight of this steamy landscape was Shankara Lodge…
5 Day Trek in the Japanese Alps
This post series details our 5-day high altitude hut-to-hut trek in the Japan Northern Alps in late September 2023. Our trek started at Murodo and ended at Shin-Hotaka in Chūbu-Sangaku National Park, covering 40 miles and loads of ascent and descent…
Japan North Alps: Budget and Logistics
Japan Alps: This post provides cost, budget and logistical details for our 5-day hut-to-hut trek in the Japanese Northern Alps.
Stage 1: Murodo to Goshiki-ga-hara Hut
Day 1 of our five day Japan Alps Trek started at 8,000+ feet above sea level, with no acclimatization. It was up-and-down over steep, rocky terrain for the next several hours, with swirling mist, rugged ridge tops, and juniper-covered Alpine meadows…
Stage 2: Goshiki-ga-hara Hut to Yakushi-dake
Day 2 of the Japan Alps Trek was the longest and most strenuous section, with several rock scramble peaks, steep descents, and a final ridge-back climb to Mt. Yakushi, one of Japan’s “100 Most Famous Mountains”…
Stage 3: Yakushi-dake to Kurobegoro-dake
Day 3 of the Japan Alps Trek was the highlight of our trek, traversing broad highland meadows with magnificent views. A long descent into the cirque of Mt. Kurobegoro was brilliant with the first blazes of the Fall foliage. Lots of photos in this stage…
Stage 4: Kurobegoro Hut to Sugoroku-goya Hut
Day 4 of the Japan Alps Trek was short and wild as we hiked through gale force winds in a whiteout! Sugoroku-goya Hut offered a festive, safe shelter to weather the storm…
Stage 5: Sugoroku-goya Hut to Shin-Hotaka Onsen
Day 5 of the Japan Alps Trek was a descent to Shin Hotaka hot springs resort area, with a fantastic cloud show and a peak at Yari-ga-dake…