Trekking peaks

One of the most popular hikes in Norway is the relatively short, but strenuous, hike to the summit of Reinebringen Peak. The trail is steep and made up of giant granite steps laid by Nepali sherpas in 2019. There are 1566 steps (we didn't count) and then some scrambling for the last 150 meters before reaching the peak and the incredible rewarding views over Reine village and parts of Lofoten archipelago. Be careful at the summit, because the drop is deadly. Don't be fooled by the short distance (6 km return from the parking lot in Reine), the hike feels more like a 2 hours non-stop session on a stairmaster.

Palau highest point is the summit of Mt. Ngerchelchuus (217 m). There is a turn off at the road, where a sign says Mt. Ngerchelchuus. From here it looks like an easy hike, but we never ventured up to the top, as the view was already good enough for us.

At the summit of this mountain peak is a rock with a huge "footprint" in it. The legend goes that it was Adam's when he was kicked out of heaven. Others believe it belongs to Buddha or Shiva, but in any case it's a major sacred site that many, old and young, visit at least once in their lifetime. It's a 7 km (normally about 3-4 hours) ascent on stairs with several fellow pilgrims. Many choose to do it at night, so they can experience the famous sunrise from the summit. Though the sunrise is nice and anticipated after a very cold night, the shadow the mountain casts in the early morning light is even more spectacular and so is the view over a good chunk of Sri Lanka. It's a magnificent experience, especially on Poya (holy) days, where the number of pilgrims can exceed 20,000 and extend the journey by several hours.

St. Lucia's landmarks are the two volcanic spires, so-called pitons, rising high over the town Soufriere on the west coast. The smallest, Petit Piton, is is 743 m (2,438 ft) high while the tallest, Gros Piton is 771 m (2,530 ft) high. Both peaks can be hiked and/or climbed. Gros Piton is the most doable and can be done in 4-6 hours return and is not too difficult. A guide is required and hired at the park center. Scaling Petit Piton is a different story as it's steep with some challenging sections with fixed ropes. The pitons are UNESCO World Heritage site and depicted on St. Lucia's flag and national beer.

Mt Talau (131 m) is the highest mountain on Vava’u Island. There are slippery stairs from the road to the flat forest covered top. From here a trail circle the top with four viewpoints along the way; two man-made platforms (next to the antenna to the right after the stairs) and two natural ones, which are more difficult to reach. Though there are red ribbons here and there to mark the trail, it can be hard to follow - but if you haven't fallen off the top, you are still good. The natural viewpoint over the southern part of Vava'u is tricky to get to. The trail is muddy and steep with ropes to cling to, but the amazing panoramic views is worth the effort. A full circle takes about an hour or so without breaks and it's recommended to do it clockwise (turn left at the top of the stairs), so you end up at the antenna.

Irregardless of religious allegiances, nearly everyone has heard of the story of Noah. Told by God to expect some rain, he built a massive ark to save two of every animal. Eventually, as the waters subsided, the ark came to rest on dry land. Today, many theologians believe that the ark came to rest on the slopes of Mount Ararat in Eastern Turkey. Quite a sight for the religiously inclined. However, the mountains has plenty to offers others. Climbing Mt. Ararat is quite popular in the summer months, although it has to be done as a tour due to he number of permits required. And for those not wanting to exert themselves, the snowcapped mountains seemingly erupting for the valley floor is wonderfully photogenic. Ararat has something for everyone.

Three of the eight Virunga volcanoes can be trekked from Mgahinga National Park, and of those, Mt Sabinyo is easily the most interesting. Reaching its highest peak (3669m) takes a while - count on an 8-10 hour round trip - and you have to scale two lesser peaks on your way there ('Sabinyo' means 'old man's teeth' in reference to its many peaks). The hike begins through buffalo and elephant country in the lower areas of the park (bringing an armed ranger is mandatory), rises steeply through the bamboo zone before finally opening up to reveal a surreal montane world of alpine vegetation. Depending on the season, much of the mountain can be completely engulfed in low clouds, and it can get very, very cold and wet. Reaching the top entails climbing up several long, slippery ladders and stairways. The rewards - especially if it clears - are well worth the effort though. Not only are the views breathtaking - volcanoes, valleys, forests and lakes as far as the eye can see - but the peak of Mt Sabinyo also marks the border of Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo, so this is your chance to enter those countries without a visa!

Britain's highest peak is Ben Nevis (1,344 m). It can be trekked by well-equipped hikers (it can get seriously cold and wet up here), but you don't need to go to the top to enjoy this magnificent area. There are lots of trails and shorter walks to keep any nature lover happy. Even the road (A82) that passes by offers amazing views of the Ben Nevis massif. In wintertime, the Nevis Range turns into a full blown ski resort with pistes and lifts on the northern slopes of Aonach Mor (1,221 m), Ben Nevis' little sister.

Snowdon means Snow Mountain, therefor the lack of Mt infront of the name. It's the highest mountain in Wales and the highest mountain in UK south of the Scottish Highlands. There are two ways to scale Snowdon; either take the scenic train from Llaberis all the way to the summit (who says cheating?) or hiking along one of the six trails leading to the summit. The most popular trail is the Llaberis, starting from the train station in Llaberis. It normally takes 3-4 hours one way, but can be done in 2.5 hours (one way) if you set a good pace.

The highest mountain in Indochina (Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) might seem as a easy trekking peak due to the not so impressive height of only 3,143 m, but don't be fooled. The are several routes to the top, but every track is difficult and involves a overnight stay unless you do commando raid (record is around 10 hours up and down from Heavens Gate at 1,949 m). A lot of scrambling on slippery rocks and zigzagging through dense bamboo forest is the norm, and expect bitterly cold and wet nights. To get the full experience, it's highly recommended to descend on the southeast side into the Sapa valley over multiples days. Coming down from the top covered in dense forest and trekking into the farmed valley with rice terraces and villages is a rewarding finish.
Since the beginning of 2016 you can just take the almost 6.3 km long cable car straight from Sapa.