Hiking

How to Find Great Hiking in Bansko in the Pirin Mountains

The title might make you think it is difficult to find great hiking in Bansko in the Pirin Mountains of Bulgaria . . . but it’s not really. Pirin National Park is designated a UNESCO World Heritage area and it has a huge variety of flora and fauna. The area is stunningly beautiful with high, rugged mountains and beautiful, clear mountain lakes. And in the summer, there is a lot of sunshine. So the whole thing is a bit sarcastic … Read More

Destinations|Hiking|Rest of the World|Switzerland

The Best Things to See and Do at Lake Lucerne

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The Best Things to See and Do at Lake Lucerne Lake Lucerne’s crystal clear waters, lush green vegetation and the dramatic backdrop of the Swiss Alps combine creating a stunningly, beautiful landscape. If you have a few days to spend in the area here are the best things to see and do at Lake Lucerne. Along the lakeshore, you will find the town of Weggis, known as the “Riviera of Switzerland”. This small village is an excellent place to stay … Read More

Destinations|Famous World Heritage Sites|Hiking|Peru|Travel

In the Footsteps of the Incas: The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

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Machu Picchu is on many people’s bucket list. For some it is just a desire to visit the archaeological site, for others it is the desire to actually follow in the footsteps of the Incas, and walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or follow “Caminos Del Inca” as it is known in Spanish. As keen hikers, we wanted to hike this 26 mile, 4 day trail for a long time. Finally we did! Just us and 500 others; 200 … Read More

A Foodies Guide to the Best of Vietnam authentic grilled pork from Sapa www.compassandfork.com

Destinations|Hiking|Lunch|Recipes|Vietnam

How to Make Authentic Five Spice Grilled Pork from Sapa

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Today we feature how to make Vietnamese-style, five spice grilled pork from Sapa Town in northern Vietnam. Photographers, tourists, and hikers all love Sapa and with good reason. Colorful markets, the vibrant dress of the local hill tribes, spectacular rice terraces throughout the valleys, great food, and fantastic hiking are easy to find. The local traditions are strong and it is a bit different to the rest of Vietnam. Sapa is a town (as opposed to a city) and the … Read More

El Chalten and Mount Fitz Roy: Argentina’s Hiking Capital

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El Chalten and Mount Fitz Roy If you are into hiking, El Chalten and Mount Fitz Roy need to be on your Patagonia itinerary. Located just north of Los Glaciares National Park, El Chalten is Argentina’s hiking capital. It was founded in 1985 to cater to hikers in the area. You can day hike from the town or overnight hike whichever you prefer. It is a small town and you can walk to everything. And as an added bonus, the … Read More

View down French Valley in Torres Del Paine National Park www.compassandfork.com

Torres Del Paine Hike: Conquering the ‘W’ Trek

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There are a lot of options for hiking in the Torres Del Paine National Park. The first one that comes to mind as the ultimate Torres Del Paine hike is the ‘W’ Trek. Considered one of the best hikes in Patagonia and definitely one of the most popular, the ‘W’ is a four-day, four-night, 65-kilometer hike, shaped roughly like a W – hence the name. We had the pleasure of hiking the ‘W’ and it is hands-down, one of the … Read More