It is increasingly easy to get engulfed in all the hustles of the current fast moving world. I mean, most of us are working several hours a week with little time for anything else. We even don’t have time to spend with the ones we love. Especially our soulmates.
One of the best ways of getting away from it all is to embark on a romantic hike. You get to unplug, spend some quality time with each other, and connect deeper. You also get to share in a challenge. Fortunately, there are a variety of places all over the world that offer the perfect spot for a romantic hike. Here are some of the best.
Laugavegur Trail
Laugavegur is a hiking route in Iceland – specifically, South – West Iceland. It is the best hiking trail in Iceland. Its popularity is due to the variety of landscapes that spread out all through the trail’s 55 kilometers. The hike takes two to four days to complete.
It starts in Landmannalaugar. This area is famous for its geothermal activity. You will experience hot springs and take in the beauty of the Rhyolite Mountains. From Landmannalaugar, the adventure goes deeper into the highlands where more breathtaking sceneries will great you.
The trail stretches past glaciers, geysers, volcanoes, more hot springs, Glacier Rivers, black sands, and waterfalls. Simply put, this is a hiker’s paradise. No wonder it was voted one of the top twenty global hiking routes. Thorsmork – a beautiful, fertile, green valley, signals the end of the trail. Thorsmork is named after Thor (the god of thunder), who local legend has it that he curved out the valley by striking his hammer.
Owing to Iceland’s somewhat hostile climate, the Laugavegur Hike Trail is open from June (depending on the weather) to late August. Prepare adequately, bring the right gear and you’re in for the treat of a lifetime.
For convenience, it is advisable to liaise with a local travel agent. Many travel agents will provide you with tour guides who will guide you through the hike, rest areas for the night, as well as food. Also, having someone who knows the area is an invaluable asset that will ensure a seamless romantic hike.
Grand Canyon Rim – Rim Hike
The Grand Canyon is in the state of Arizona in the United States. The Canyon is popular with those seeking intense adventure. For your romantic hike, the best option would be to go for the Rim to Rim hike. It starts from the North Rim at the North Kaibab Trail. You then descend 6000 feet to the bottom covering a distance of 14.3 miles.
Once at the bottom of the Canyon, you can opt for an overnight stay at the Bright Angel Campground where you will enjoy a good meal, good drink, and a comfy rest. In the morning, you embark on a climb of 9.6 miles up 4,500 feet.
The climb is through the Bright Angel Trail. It leads you out of the Canyon to the South Rim. The distance of the hike is 24 miles one way. The trek is strenuous, and therefore, you need adequate preparation. Prepare the right gear and get proper physical training in advance. The best time to take the hike is between May and October.
Only about one percent of the 5 million people who tour the canyon attempt this hike. For the few who do, the experience of immersing themselves in the pristine nature is one to remember for ages.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The Inca trail is in many ways a Peruvian gem and a hiker’s dream. It is not that long a trek – 43 kilometers. But throughout its length, the sceneries are breathtaking. There are beautiful mountain sceneries, forests, sub-tropical jungles, ruins, tunnels, and the incredible mix of the Inca paving stones.
I should point out that this is a strenuous hike owing to the never-ending climb. I guess it is also the reason it’s called the ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’. You will need to prepare physically and get the right gear, especially good hiking boots, quality hiking socks, and high-quality hiking pole with rubber tips.
You may also consider packing electrolyte pills to use with your water. Get to the set-off town of Cusco some days before the start of your trek to acclimatize. And due to the altitude (about 4200 meters at the summit), you may consider taking medication for altitude sickness.
In Conclusion
One of the best ways of building lasting relationships – especially romantic ones, is spending time with each other. You get to know each other better. Understandably, in this age, we are extremely busy beings and getting adequate time to spend with your significant other is not as easy. However, getting on a hiking adventure is one sure way to spend time with each other. You get to bond as you take on daunting challenges together.
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