{"id":19994,"date":"2017-06-26T20:29:38","date_gmt":"2017-06-26T20:29:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wildernessmastery.com\/?p=19994"},"modified":"2022-09-28T21:25:57","modified_gmt":"2022-09-28T21:25:57","slug":"best-hikes-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hikingwithbarry.com\/best-hikes-in-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Hikes in the World: How to Prep For Them?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The outdoors are pretty addictive, this is why a lot of people are really getting into it. If you\u2019re like most outdoorsmen, once you\u2019ve gotten a taste of hiking or trekking, you inevitably want more.<\/p>\n

At the onset, three to five-mile hikes into backcountry seemed like an interesting and challenging prospect, but it leaves you yearning for more. Eventually, you will want to take on the challenge of the best hikes in the world.<\/p>\n

Can you imagine taking on the Inca trail in Peru?\u00a0 26 miles through ruins, jungles, and breath-taking mountain scenery, all culminating at MacchuPichu? Perhaps you\u2019ve considered going up Africa\u2019s tallest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro?<\/p>\n

See also:<\/strong> Ankle Strengthening: Exercises to Get Ready for the Trail<\/a><\/p>\n

Maybe you\u2019ve thought about taking on the Grand Canyon rim to rim? Have you thought about experiencing the most beautiful scenery that Yosemite has to offer? These and so many more of the world\u2019s wonders can be experienced through a multi-day hike.<\/p>\n

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As with a lot of things in life, the more difficult a task is, the greater the fulfillment that stems from its accomplishment. In the same breadth, the world\u2019s most incredible hikes aren\u2019t for the faint of heart. It will take a lot out of you to accomplish these tasks. So before getting into it, here are a few things you should do to prepare for the best hikes.<\/p>\n

Knowing what you\u2019re up against<\/h2>\n

The first bit of prep anyone needs to do is research. Hearing your buddy talk about this amazing trek took in Southeast Asia might pique your interest. But you can\u2019t rely on that alone to make your decision on making the trip. There are a lot of considerations on when, whether or not to make a trip.<\/p>\n

The degree of Difficulty<\/h3>\n

Some really good hikes are potentially very difficult to complete. You\u2019ll have to consider your outdoor experience vis-a-vis the difficulty of the trek you intend to take on. If you haven\u2019t experienced high-altitude climbs, you can\u2019t expect to be ready to take on Mt. Everest right away.<\/p>\n

\"hiker<\/p>\n

Get feedback on the degree of difficulty of the trek, the conditions you can expect on the trail and try to see whether it\u2019s reasonable for you to attempt. No this isn\u2019t telling you not to challenge yourself. Just be sure that you can come back unscathed from the trip you intend to make.<\/p>\n

Length<\/h3>\n

This is pretty obvious, and correlates to the degree of difficulty. Longer treks will tend to take a larger toll on you. The best trails will take several days to complete at the least. And some trails like the Appalachian will take months should you decide to traverse it end to end.<\/p>\n

So how long you take on the trip has to factor in. If you\u2019re like most people, you probably have a job and\/or a family that requires you to be around. Leaving for an undefined period of time is not a good idea. You might want to keep your job. So plan ahead, and file your leaves accordingly.<\/p>\n

Safety<\/h3>\n

Needless to say, survival skills are required if you\u2019re intending to take a serious hike and some of the best hikes in the world can potentially take you to some remote locations. However, safety considerations have to be one of the first things you check.<\/p>\n

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indiahikes.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If it\u2019s abroad, you will have to check ahead on the political situation. Are there potential security threats in the area you intend to hike? Politically volatile locations might deserve more scrutiny.<\/p>\n

Checking on the weather right before the trip should be mandatory as well. Sure you can check forecasts a week ahead, but those can change. You definitely don\u2019t want to get stuck out in the wilderness when there\u2019s a storm brewing. Getting back home safely is a top priority after all.<\/p>\n

Physical Preparation<\/h2>\n

Hiking can be pretty demanding. This is especially true if you go on extended treks that last for days, weeks or more. That being said, you will want to prepare your body for the hike. Here are a few of the ways you can build yourself towards physical preparation.<\/p>\n

Hit the gym<\/h3>\n

This might not be the top-of-mind option for many outdoorsmen, it is one of the most accessible options for a lot of urban city dwellers. A good gym will be able to develop several key aspects of physical fitness that will be beneficial for anyone going on a hike.<\/p>\n

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You can make use of a treadmill, elliptical machine, and climber to simulate the effects of the physical strain of the inclines and declines of a hike. These are also great in building cardio-vascular fitness. Resistance and strength training targeting the lower body and back can greatly benefit you, as backpacking will put a lot of strain on those muscles.<\/p>\n

Also, having a jacked upper body might be a liability (as you will be lugging additional weight) but strengthening your upper body is not a mistake because you will have to use these muscles throughout the rigors of camping.<\/p>\n

Calisthenics<\/h3>\n

If you can\u2019t afford to, or don\u2019t have the time to hit the gym, there are ways to get in some exercise no matter where you are, no equipment necessary. There are many programs easily available on the internet that you can avail of for free. The added benefit is that you can tailor fit your daily routine to your time constraints and strength requirements.<\/p>\n

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And if you\u2019re climbing, you can specifically hone in on your back and lower body. Dynamic lower-body exercises such as squats and lunges as well as their variations can help aid your stability and endurance when on the hike.<\/p>\n

Calisthenics programs may not be the closest thing to hiking, but they can get your body used to strain. And you will develop a higher level of cardiovascular through this, something that will definitely be useful for your hike.<\/p>\n

Go on Short Hikes<\/h3>\n

One of the best ways to prepare for any grueling physical task is to expose your body to similar activities at lower levels of intensity. This is also true for backpackers. This is recommended even for experienced outdoors men who haven\u2019t been on hikes in a while.<\/p>\n

\"hiker<\/p>\n

Carrying a day pack and going on a brief walk is a good start. From here, gradually increasing distance as well as pack weight on successive hikes prior to the target hike is a definite way to build your capability to handle the strains of a tough hike.<\/p>\n

If you live in the heart of an urban center, where a good trail is inaccessible or a hassle to get to, you can still do the same thing, towns and cities are bound to have inclined locations. Grabbing a weighted pack and footing it around these localities will work nearly just as well as going on short hikes in the wilderness in terms of preparing your body for the task ahead.<\/p>\n

As the date of your hike approaches, you should be able to carry your full pack weight as you go on hikes\/long walks. If not, then you may encounter trouble when you\u2019re out experiencing the real deal.Those are only some of the ways to prepare your body for the rigors of a hard trek. In addition to these, you can choose to simply live a more active lifestyle.<\/p>\n

\"woman<\/p>\n

Make the choice to push your body when you would normally choose convenience. Take the stairs instead of the lift. Walk to the grocery if it\u2019s nearby instead of taking a car. Cycle to work instead of commuting when possible. There are lots of ways to prepare the body for a hike, even if your schedule is swamped.<\/p>\n

Gear Up<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve been hiking for a bit, then you know that the balance between pack weight and physical capability is different for everyone. Some folks can take on up to \u00bc or even 1\/3 of body weight on their backs for multi-day trips, but that would definitely demand a high level of physical fitness.<\/p>\n

But, the body-weight to pack weight ratio really isn\u2019t the biggest deal. It\u2019s important to have a firm grasp on your needs and how much you can carry. How much food will you be able to bring, and how much gear you will need. This is why it\u2019s very important to dry run taking your pack with you on test hikes, just to see how well you handle the strain.<\/p>\n

Note that the bigger you are, the heavier your gear will tend to be. If you\u2019re bigger, then you\u2019ve got to pack larger clothes, larger sleeping bag, etc.<\/p>\n

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Now, it\u2019s also important to pack the basics. Be certain that you have the following items on you prior to your trip.<\/p>\n