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Walking tracks & hiking

Discover beautiful walking tracks and challenging hiking routes. Mountains, volcanoes, coastal tracks and more. All of these articles include lots of photos, maps and practical information.

Climbing up a ridiculously steep mountain with an unpronounceable name.

Scrambling up to prehistorical views.

A coastal track with wild cliffs and puffin colonies.

Sunrise on Mount Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand.
Ode to the mountains – The magic of Mount Taranaki

Ode to the mountains – The magic of Mount Taranaki

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Mount Taranaki looms majestically over New Plymouth, on its own peninsula on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. The mythical mountain is obscured from view most days of the year, shrouded by its low-hanging clouds. But now it stood there, clearly visible and beckoning in all its glory. I literally skidded to a halt when I saw it, and changed my direction there & then. It was calling me and I had to go. Mount Taranaki draws you in to explore its lofty top and many hiking tracks.

Eldfell volcano and lava fields, Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland.
The walking track to Eldfell – The Fiery Mountain

The walking track to Eldfell – The Fiery Mountain

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The hike to the top of Eldfell is the one every visitor to Heimaey wants to do. It’s the famous volcano that erupted out of nowhere in January 1973. Eldfell is very colourful, the track is easily accessible, and the views are absolutely stunning in all directions. From the top you can gawk onto the impressive lava flow that was furiously roiling & boiling only a few decades ago, and single-handedly enlarged the island by several square kilometers. It’s incredible to think it didn’t even exist just over 50 years ago.

Kalapana coastal lava flows from Kilauea, Hawaii Bg Island.
Hawaii (Big Island) – Volcanic fields of fire

Hawaii (Big Island) – Volcanic fields of fire

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The enigmatic Big Island of Hawaii, where flows of lava tumble down its rocky shores into the sea. I walked across the fields of fire from Kalapana to the Kilauea coastal lava flows, and stood utterly mesmerized looking upon the creation process of Earth itself. It is one of the most mindblowing things one could ever hope to see. In this article you can read about the Kilauea lava field hike and the dynamic volcanic activity on the Big Island.

Stafsnes beach, Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland.
The zen of Stafsnes – The hidden beach

The zen of Stafsnes – The hidden beach

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The walking track to Stafsnes, a beautiful hidden beach on Heimaey. Stafsnes beach is peacefully nestled in a cove behind the impressive folded cliffs of Blátindur. It’s almost like Hawaii – but without the palm trees. It can be blissfully sheltered and significantly warmer than the rest of the island. The only way to get there is to hike down the steep slopes behind Herjólfsdalur. On the way you’ll pass by the little house on the giant plug that makes you want to stay overnight and enjoy the sunset in this idyllic location.

Fagradalsfjall volcano, erupting craters, Reykjanes, Iceland.
Fagradalsfjall – The spectacular Iceland volcano

Fagradalsfjall – The spectacular Iceland volcano

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The greatest show on Earth ignited in Iceland in March 2021. Reykjanes kicked into action and coughed up a new volcano in Geldingadalur, a secluded valley below Fagradalsfjall. What followed is a series of breathtaking events so incredible it has blown the minds of people around the world. Multiple craters appeared, erupting simultaneously, until one of them took over and turned into a giant lava geyser. Fagradalsfjall is the beauty queen of Reykjanes and one of the most versatile eruptions the world has ever witnessed. Read all about this extraordinary volcano (and how to get there) in this extensive article.

Streams flowing from the jungle into the sea at Mulligan Bay. Hinchinbrook Island, Queensland, Australia.
Hinchinbrook Island – Unspoiled tropical wilderness

Hinchinbrook Island – Unspoiled tropical wilderness

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Hinchinbrook Island in Australia is pure bliss. Rugged mountains covered in lush jungle vegetation, broad sweeping beaches and meandering estuaries. Unspoiled wilderness that can only be explored on foot. The Thorsborne Trail follows a 32 kilometre route along the east coast of Hinchinbrook Island. It’s one of the most beautiful hikes in the world.

Cumbre Vieja volcano route, La Palma, Canary Islands.
La Palma – Cumbre Vieja Volcano Route

La Palma – Cumbre Vieja Volcano Route

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Cumbre Vieja Natural Park on La Palma offers stunning hiking routes amongst volcanic cones and giant craters. On the same day that Fagradalsfjall in Iceland subsided, the Cumbre Vieja volcano cracked open a new crater and roared into life on 19 September 2021. Now that this fierce volcano has settled down again, the Cumbre Vieja Ruta de los Volcanes (Volcano Route) is one of the finest walks you can do on La Palma.

Heimaklettur, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland.
The walking track to Heimaklettur – The Home Rock

The walking track to Heimaklettur – The Home Rock

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Heimaklettur is the iconic Home Rock of Vestmannaeyjar. It may look a bit inaccessible at first sight, but there are ladders and chains to help you up the path to the top. I made a detailed description of the Heimaklettur hike, including lots of pictures of what the track is like. In the darker days of the year, people like to light candles on Heimaklettur. And around Christmas and New Year they get totally out of control, with a multitude of candles all over the upper slopes. It’s an incredibly beautiful sight.