Going all-out in Vermont
A few hours' drive from Montreal, Vermont has a charm all its own. This state – which has long played a leadership role in protecting the environment – was among the first to develop an extensive network of hiking trails, including the Long Trail, which now runs all the way from Massachusetts to Quebec.
For Jan Axtell, who organizes custom-guided hikes through his company Fin & Feather Enterprises, the village of Stowe is an excellent departure point. "The network is well organized," explains Axtell. "It offers a great many trails of all lengths and levels of difficulty." It also includes the state's highest peak, Mount Mansfield, which can be reached via a panoramic route named the Toll Road or by cable car. "At 3,800 feet, there are several short- and long-loop trails along the crest, where you'll find rich alpine meadows and you'll often spot 20 bird species in less than two hours," says Axtell.
The nearby Smugglers' Notch Resort also offers a network of trails through the surrounding mountains. Its lodging packages (in fully equipped condos) include access to pools, an aquatic park, tennis courts, a spa and a daily activity program of guided hikes for beginners and experienced hikers alike.
After September 7th of each year, packages start at US$238, including a two-night stay in a condo or a room and access to the activities mentioned above. Canadians receive an additional discount of 20 percent. Call 1-800-419-4615 or go to www.smuggs.com. Fin & Feather offers a variety of packages: call 802-730-4393 or visit www.finandfeathervt.com. For maps and hiking advice, call 802-244-7037 or go to www.greenmountainclub.org. For accommodations, call 1-877-GOSTOWE or go to www.gostowe.com.
Treks and Magic Nights in the Moroccan Desert
If you aren't afraid to walk several hours a day and want to do so far from home, Montreal's Les Karavaniers du Monde offers an exotic option. "For first-timers, we highly recommend Sarho trail in Morocco," says Frédéric Germain, a consultant with Les Karavaniers. "Our itinerary combines an ideal length of time (nine days) with a low level of difficulty (level 2 out of 5)."
The trail starts in Ouarzazate, which is on the edge of the desert and the old Kasbah Route, and ends in the imperial city of Marrakesh, famous for its bustling medina. En route, participants hike along the Igli gorges amid desert mountains 1,000 to 2,400 metres high and a variety of landscapes, vegetation and climates.
After a long climb on the first day, the rest of the trail is mainly downhill. "When the hikers arrive at the end of the day, the tents are usually pitched, the mint tea ready to serve," explains Germain. "In the desert environment, colours and moods are unique, and evenings and interactions with people are just as special."
Camping is the watchword on this particular trail: Participants spend six nights camping out and only two nights in a hotel. Local guides usually speak both French and English. Group departures are slated for October and April, though specific dates have yet to be announced. Packages start at $1,730 per person and include meals, guides and lodging ($200 less if there are more than six participants in the group) but not airfare. Call 1-877-477-0799.
Learn more about Canadian hiking adventures:
Hiking highs in the rocky mountains
Hiking the West Coast Trail
Family fun in British Columbia and Alberta
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