Top 5 trails to hike and bike

There are some wonderful walking and cycling trails around the world, and these sorts of holidays can be an excellent way to enjoy the unique and stunning scenery each destination has to offer. Here is a list of the top 5 most beautiful hiking and biking trails across the globe:

5. Corsica - this island is reputed to be the birthplace of Napoleon and Christopher Columbus and is a beautiful Mediterranean paradise with a unique mix of both Italian and French heritage. The landscape is rugged and wild with a stunning coastline, and though it is a popular tourist destination the island has firmly retained its natural charm and identity. The benign climate combined with the varied landscapes makes this an ideal spot for walking and cycling holidays, and spring is an excellent time to visit the island as the gorgeous red cistus flowers and white asphodels all burst into bloom at once, covering the island in a blaze of colour. There are some good paths for walking, but the terrain is often hilly and rocky, so most tracks are of a moderate difficulty and you will need some good strong walking boots. Cycling trails have some steep climbs in places, but the varied landscape makes for a very interesting and engaging ride, and you will be able to make as many stops as you like along the way to sample the wonderful local cuisine.

4. Krkonoše National Park, Czech Republic - there are plenty of walking trails around the beautiful Krkonoše National Park, which creates a natural border between the Czech Republic and Poland. Krkonoše contains some of the Czech Republic most stunning scenery and wildlife, and was proclaimed a national park in 1963. There is a wonderful 14km trail around the peak of Cerna Horna (the Black Mountain) and neighbouring mountain ranges, with breathtaking views of the beautiful spa town of Janske Lazne in the foothills. Cable cars will take you up to the top of steep mountainsides, and there are several mountain lodges to stop off in for a breather as you follow the trails. The Czech Republic is also very popular for its cycling tours and recently a whole host of ancient hiking trails have been updated to provide a wonderful route now called ‘Greenways’ which stretches over 250 miles from Vienna to Prague, and follows the Dyje and Vltava rivers. There is some truly lovely scenery along this route, with miles and miles of unspoilt countryside and various historic towns, churches and even castles along the route.

3. Kondalilla National Park, Australia - this national park is a lush rainforest paradise and offers some of the most beautiful walking adventures in the world. There are also plenty of cycling tracks around the forest pathways and just a short distance away is the popular Coastal Track that takes you round the lovely beach town of Noosa, which has some of the most stunning coastal landscapes in Australia. Throughout the various walks you will have the opportunity to see some of Australia’s unique wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, kookaburras and the beautiful rainbow lorikeets. The difficulty of the walking and cycling trails varies, and the coastal trails are moderate, with some different terrain such as hills, sand and rocky paths. Most of the guided walks around the park are at least 12km (7-8 miles), so you should be comfortable walking this distance and have the appropriate equipment such as sturdy shoes, hat and a backpack for food and drink supplies. This area is subtropical and in the height of summer the weather can be intense, and this is the reason why most of the guided walks are only available from autumn through to spring. At night it can get very cool, so if you are intending to go out on one of the night walks then warm clothes are recommended.

2. New Zealand - These islands in the Pacific ocean have some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, with miles and miles of lush green pastures, rugged coastlines, sandy beaches and even volcanoes. Hiking varies from moderate to difficult, and North Island has some challenging routes up into the Waitomo caves and through the volcanic landscape in Rotorua. New Zealand is also culturally rich and as you walk around the islands you can learn more about local Maori culture. There are also some fantastic cycling routes around New Zealand, and one of the most popular is the famous Central Otago Rail Trail. This trail follows the old Maniototo rail line, which ran from Clyde to Middlemarch, and is steeped in history with many old gold mining outfits and small towns dotted along the way.

1.France - one of the best places in the world for combining cycling and hiking holidays, France has a varied terrain that will suit all fitness levels. The Dordogne region is excellent for moderate hiking, with a stunning rural landscape that has barely changed for centuries. The combination of natural beauty, charming villages and wonderful food is irresistible, and has visitors returning year after year. There is a wonderful walk that follows the old Pilgrim Routes of St James, which starts in the charming medieval towns of Figeac. This route is dotted with some beautiful villages and amazing landmarks, such as megaliths, castles and caves. This walk ends at another lovely medieval town, Sarlat La Caneda and is a moderate trail, with some hilly areas. If you take a guided walk you should be prepared to hike from anywhere between 14-28 km per day, so ensure that you choose a tour that will suite your fitness levels (some tours also organise local taxis to shorten the walk in places and make it accessible for less able walkers). You can also cycling along the St James route, and there are many other cycling tours across France, including some challenging routes through the French Alps and around the foothills of Mont Blanc.

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