Who ever said that multi-day trekking experiences have to be comfortless? After hiking through the planet’s most scenic spots, travellers deserve a restful and leisurely overnight stay. That’s why ‘hut to hut’ hikes were invented, for those who want to extend their outdoor explorations without sleeping in a tent and carrying a 30-pound backpack.
Depending on the destination, you can try a self-guided route or opt for a guide to help you through your journey. But be warned, once you have a taste of the luxury amenities and are surrounded by nature’s stunning views, you won’t want to leave. Unless it is to reach the next hut, of course. Here, the experts at Property Turkey have narrowed it down to the top five most luxurious ‘hut to hut’ hikes for your next trip abroad.
1.High Sierra Camps, California
The High Sierra Camps in Yosemite National Park allows hikers to travel through some of the most glorious ranges, without camping overnight. Each hut is spaced 6-10 miles apart over a 51-mile loop, creating a scenic journey that takes six days to complete. Each hut is kitted out with heated tent cabins, hot showers, woollen blankets, family-style dining with options such as wild Alaskan salmon, and some of the huts are surrounded by Sierra’s stunning wildflower meadows. Naturally, reservations are plentiful so have been assigned by lottery. Simply fill out a lottery application online in September and October and wait for availability.
2.Overland Track, Tasmania
The Overland Track is a well maintained 80km track through Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park. As you hike through this ancient landscape, you will get a glimpse of Tasmania’s unique wildlife including wallabies, wombats, and echidnas as well as stunning rainforests, eucalyptus forests and wrinkled peaks. Renowned as one of the best hikes in the world, choose a private, luxury six-day experience and stay in huts discreetly located off the main trail. Each hut offers sustainable shelter, hot showers, drying rooms, bespoke menus and games to be enjoyed out on the deck or helipad. No matter how you feel after a long day of hiking, you will always know you will come home to a hot shower, exquisite food and a room to dry your clothes.
3.Cappadocia, Turkey
In the central Anatolian region of Turkey, Cappadocia is a hiker’s paradise due to its unique lunar-like landscape of fairy chimneys formed by thousands of years of wind erosions. The most popular trails are the Pigeon and Love Valleys, the Rose and Red Valleys and the Zemi Valleys, but really, a trip in Cappadocia can be as long as you want it to be! Stay in small river huts, cabins and cave suites as you explore its vast landscape and abundance of historic sights. Whilst you’re there, you can also take a hot air balloon ride and explore the carved rock churches.
4.Kumaon Region, India
A little-known region known as Kumaon Himalayan lies in the northern hill state of Uttarakhand, promising some of the most stunning mountain scenery in the world. Hikers can awe at the gorgeous snow-capped peaks of the Great Himalaya, to the pretty hill stations at its foothills. Lucky to have escaped the influx of backpackers common in other hill areas, Kumaon Shakti has been able to pioneer the concept of village walks in an unspoiled, offbeat part of India. Take part in a privately guided tour tailored to your personal travel style, love of food and art, combined with a passion for the Himalayas.
5.Presidential Range, New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s White Mountains offer beautiful alpine scenery from summits that hover 6000 ft in elevation. When you reach the highest hut (‘Lakes of the Clouds’at 5012 ft), hikers can look out to stunning panoramas of plunging valleys and rocky summits and every night you will be greeted with freshly baked bread, homemade soup and a gourmet main meal. To complete all eight White Mountain huts, you will need nine days to cover 56 miles of trekking. However, there are shorter 20-mile routes available over the course of three days too.
