{"id":8143,"date":"2020-02-25T11:07:37","date_gmt":"2020-02-25T11:07:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slh.com\/?p=8143"},"modified":"2023-06-16T10:02:55","modified_gmt":"2023-06-16T09:02:55","slug":"4-off-the-beaten-track-hiking-destinations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journal.slh.com\/journal\/4-off-the-beaten-track-hiking-destinations\/","title":{"rendered":"Worth the trek: 4 incredible off-the-beaten-track hiking destinations"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Norway\u2019s fjords to the valleys of Morocco<\/h3>\n

Forget the Inca Trail and the Camino de Santiago \u2013 sometimes you want to lace up your boots for somewhere new. So, whether it\u2019s high-altitude beauty in Bhutan or trails fit for a Viking, here are four lesser-known hiking destinations that should be top of your list.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. For beauty on a majestic scale: Norway<\/h3>\n

With its mountains, glaciers and iconic fjords, Norway guarantees get-away-from-it-all feelings and truly spectacular scenery.<\/p>\n

Spring and summer are ideal for outdoor adventures here. \u00c5lesund will give you easy access to some of Norway\u2019s best hiking trails, including famous summits like Mount Saksa in the Sunnm\u00f8re Alps. Those who fancy a gentler approach can meander around the area\u2019s rolling hills or hop on the ferry to explore nearby Sykkylven. If you fancy hanging up your boots for the day, head to \u00c5lesund\u2019s port town for Art Deco architecture, or to Alnes, a pretty fishing village with a protected lighthouse.<\/p>\n

Rest weary legs at <\/em>Storfjord Hotel<\/a><\/em>, a secluded retreat overlooking the fjord that combines traditional Scandi style with stunning views.<\/em><\/p>\n

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2. For volcanoes, rainforests and sacred sites: Bali, Indonesia<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Though it\u2019s known for its beaches and wellness retreats, Bali is also a great destination for keen hikers. Leave your beach towel behind and wind your way through lush rainforests, with only monkeys and tropical birds for company.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s best to hike in Bali between May and September, the country\u2019s dry season. But that doesn\u2019t mean you won\u2019t work up a sweat. Mount Batur \u2013 an active volcano \u2013 is one for the bucket list, with breath-taking views over Lake Batur (especially at sunrise). As is another volcano, Mount Catur, with a starting point at the eerie Gua Japeng caves. Campuhan Ridge, a paved walk near Ubud village, will give you a much more relaxed time. While Munduk jungle offers a choice of 12 beautiful trails past Hindu temples and thundering waterfalls.<\/p>\n

Stay close to the action at <\/em>Viceroy Bali<\/a><\/em>, a luxury hilltop retreat in the foothills of Ubud with a spa, infinity pool and stunning views of Petanu Valley.<\/em><\/p>\n

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3. For heady scents in the desert: Morocco<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sweeping sands. Ancient kasbahs. Nights spent under star-filled skies. Morocco has lured intrepid travellers for centuries.<\/p>\n

But if you\u2019re not quite up to scaling Mount Toubkal, swap it for a few days\u2019 trekking in the M\u2019Goun Valley \u2013 or \u2018Valley of Roses.\u2019 Carved out of the red-pink stone of the M\u2019Goun Massif, it erupts every spring into a riot of colour. If you come in early May, plan your trip around the three-day Festival of Roses, when the honeyed scent of thousands of Damask roses fills the air.<\/p>\n

Take your potpourri back to <\/em>Dar Ahlam<\/a><\/em>, a traditional kasbah on the edge of the Moroccan desert.<\/em><\/p>\n

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4. For remote, untouched adventures: Bhutan<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Booking a trek to mystical Bhutan involves a little more than the usual effort. But its location on the edge of the eastern Himalayas certainly makes it worth it. Far-reaching plains give way to magnificent snow-capped peaks. Monasteries (dzongs<\/em>) perch halfway up cliffs like eyries. And life is infused with the power of ancient Buddhist tradition.<\/p>\n

Head to Phobjikha Valley for an introduction to the country\u2019s stunning natural beauty. The Longtey Hike can be done easily in a day, taking you through copses of bamboo towards Gangtey Gompa, a 17th<\/sup>-century monastery. Or there\u2019s the Gangtey Nature Trail, which descends to a traditional Bhutanese village and may, in winter, give you a glimpse of the country\u2019s famous black-necked cranes.<\/p>\n

Soak it all in from <\/em>Gangtey Lodge<\/a><\/em>, a magical Bhutanese hideaway \u2013 simply get in touch with our destination specialist, who will apply for your Bhutan tourist visa for you. For more information, read our full Bhutan itinerary here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From Norway\u2019s fjords to the valleys of Morocco Forget the Inca Trail and the Camino de Santiago \u2013 sometimes you want to lace up your boots for somewhere…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":20630,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[35,137,20,74],"yoast_head":"\nWorth the trek: 4 incredible off-the-beaten-track hiking destinations - Small Luxury Hotels of the World Journal<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover four incredible off-the-beaten track hiking destinations \u2013 from Norway\u2019s fjords, Bali\u2019s jungles, ancient trails in Morocco and the remote valleys of Bhutan.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Worth the trek: 4 incredible off-the-beaten-track hiking destinations - 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