Hiking Guides
Welcome to my Hiking Guides
Whether youโre dreaming of alpine ridgelines, historical trails, or peaceful forest walks, this page is your gateway to thoughtful, soul-stirring hikes across Europe and beyond. Discover the best hiking guides that I have to offer to enhance your adventures.
As a solo traveler, military spouse, and expat whoโs lived in Italy, Poland, and Korea, Iโve walked trails that have left an imprint on my heartโand I want to help you do the same. These arenโt just hikes. Theyโre reflections, moments of healing, and deep connections to place and past.
Here, youโll find trail guides designed for beginner to intermediate hikers who want more than just distance covered. These hikes offer cultural context, natural beauty, and just enough challenge to make you feel proud of what your legs (and your heart) can carry you through.

Hiking Guides
Write a brief description of this category silo and your personal experience with this topic.
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Best Hiking Guides
Tips for Hiking Solo:
My Favorite Hiking Destinations:
Alta Via 1, Day 1: Lago di Braies to Pederรผ Berggasthaus
I stood at Lago di Braies, ready to embark on Alta Via 1 Day 1, with a full pack, sore ankles fromโฆ
Easy Day Hikes in the Dolomites: Val Venegia & Sentiero Marcio
My mother-in-law sent me an article about a forest in the Dolomites where Stradivari sourced wood for his violins. I then foundโฆ
How to Make a Reservation at a Rifugio (2025 Guide)
Thereโs nothing quite like waking up in a mountain hut in the Dolomitesโfog curling around the peaks, warm coffee in hand, andโฆ
How to Get to Aquila Vaia: Guide to Marco Martalarโs Eagle
Perched above the tranquil Marcesina Plateau in Northern Italy, Aquila Vaia is far more than a sculptureโitโs a profound symbol of rebirthโฆ
The Ultimate Alta Via 1 & 2 Packing List for Solo Female Hikers
Packing for the Alta Via 1 or 2 solo? Iโve been thereโstaring at my gear, second-guessing everything.Do I need a second pairโฆ
Is Cadini di Misurina Worth the Hike? An Honest Review
Youโve seen the dramatic photos of hikers standing on a razor-thin ledge high in the Dolomites, framed by jagged peaks โ aโฆ
How to Hike to Munjangdae Peak in Songnisan National Park (์๋ฆฌ์ฐ)
Hiking in South Korea? Donโt skip Songnisan National Park (์๋ฆฌ์ฐ). This scenic gem is home to Beopjusa Temple, peaceful forest trails, andโฆ
Solo Hiking the Stunning Alta Via 1 & 2 with Bookatrekking
If youโre dreaming of hiking the Alta Via 1 and 2 in the Dolomites but feel overwhelmed by the logistics, youโre notโฆ
Lago Di Sorapis Hiking Guide: Passo Tre Croci to Sorapis
After seeing photo after photo of the lakeโs otherworldly turquoise water framed by jagged Dolomite peaks, I finally set out to findโฆ
Where to Stay in the Dolomites: Hotels I Loved as a Solo Traveler
Real stays. Honest reviews. Cozy corners of the Dolomites youโll actually want to book. Planning a trip to the Dolomites and feelingโฆ
Sentiero Dei Grandi Alberi:โTrail of big treesโ Hike Near Vicenza, Italy
If you are looking for a hike near Vicenza that offers stunning views, look no further than Sentiero Grandi Alberi! This hikeโฆ
Dolomites Rifugio Guide: Mountain Huts, Booking, & Packing Tips for 2025
Dreaming of waking up to mountain views and a fresh Italian breakfast at 2,000 meters? Same. Every day I look back onโฆ
Hikes Near Cortina dโAmpezzo: 5 of the Best Scenic Trails
Looking for breathtaking hikes near Cortina dโAmpezzo that wonโt be packed with tourists? Whether youโre visiting in the heart of summer orโฆ
How to Get to the Strada delle 52 Galleries (Road of 52 Tunnels): Map, Tips & What to Expect
Tucked into the rugged cliffs of Monte Pasubio in Northern Italy, the Strada delle 52 Gallerie (Road of 52 Tunnels) is oneโฆ
Your Guide to Exploring Bukhansan National Park in Seoul
Imagine a stunning panorama of Seoul below you, framed by jagged granite peaks and lush forestsโthis is what awaits you at Bukhansanโฆ
Hiking Gwanaksan: A Complete Guide to One of Seoulโs Best Mountain Trails
For my last and final hike in Korea, I wanted to make sure it was as special as possibleโฆ Leaving Korea wasnโtโฆ
Hiking the Dolomites
The Dolomites are where my soul feels most alive. From multi-day treks like Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2 to beginner-friendly day hikes with rifugio stops and panoramic views, this region is pure hiking magic.
Popular Guides:
- Alta Via 1 Packing Guide (with my real gear list!)
- What to Expect in a Dolomites Rifugio
- AV1 vs. AV2: Which Should You Choose? (Coming Soon)
- Monte Cengio: WWI History Meets Alpine Views (Coming Soon)
- Hikes Near Cortina DโAmpezzo: 5 of the BEST Scenic Hikes
Northern Italy Day Hikes
Based near Vicenza? Youโre in luck. Northern Italy is full of stunning yet underrated trails.
Favorites Include:
- Strada delle 52 Gallerie (52 Tunnel Road)
- Monte Pasubio & WWI Routes (Coming Soon)
- Madonna della Corona Trail (Coming Soon)
- How to get to Aquila Vaia Hike: Marco Matalarโs Wooden Eagle
These trails are perfect for day trips, solo adventurers, and anyone looking to combine natural beauty with deep history.
Hikes Beyond Italy
Iโve been lucky enough to walk trails outside of Italy, tooโfrom peaceful pine forests in Poland to desert canyons in Jordan. These guides are growing as I go.
- Songnisan National Park (์๋ฆฌ์ฐ): Hiking to Munjangdae Peak
- Mt. Inwangsan & HoneyTrail: An Epic Experience in Seoul
- Your Guide to Exploring Bukhansan National Park in Seoul
- Hiking Gwanaksan: A Complete Guide to One of Seoulโs Best Mountain Trails
Coming Soon
- Hiking the Dana Biosphere, Jordan
- Bieszczady Mountains, Poland
Hiking Resources
Everything you need to prepare for your next hike, including:
- Solo hiking safety tips for Solo Female Travelers
- Best apps for offline maps (and why I love Komoot)
- Travel insurance for hikers
- Is it Safe to Hike the Dolomites Solo?
These are all Coming Soon!
Where to Next?
If youโre here, youโre probably like me: not just looking for a hike, but looking for clarity, meaning, and maybe even a little bit of peace. I hope these guides help you find it, wherever the trail takes you.
Letโs lace up and go.