11 Hiking Trails You ve Never Heard Of

11 under-the-radar hiking trails you that you should know about.via Uncornered Market

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. — John Muir

When we first set out on our journey years ago, treks — especially of the long, multi-day variety — weren't a priority on our activity list. Sure we enjoyed hikes and walks, but trekking wasn't something we actively sought out. Instead, over the years we've found ourselves increasingly drawn to long walks in the mountains that allow us to disconnect from the busy world while connecting more with nature and ultimately ourselves. These days, we make an effort to take at least one long trek annually as a way to recharge and refresh.

We don't always wish to disconnect entirely from humanity, though. Instead, we are attracted to treks that feature a cultural component, one where we encounter and engage with local people, often through homestays. These types of treks not only challenge us physically by pushing us to do more than the usual, but they often stir us emotionally by forcing us to widen the cultural lens through which we view the region and our world.

Finally, this approach provides us the opportunity to contribute to the local economy and community by staying with local families.

Having recently finished two treks this year, we began fielding questions about others we'd recommend, especially as we tend to choose ones that are lesser known, in unusual destinations. Taking a homestay mekong delta vietnam cue from the Offbeat Travel Destination List we published earlier this year, we offer our Offbeat Treks List, this time in conjunction mekong delta tour with homestay the adrenaline junkies over at Expedia.

Without further delay, we offer 11 of our favorite offbeat treks — some multi-day, others daylong — from around the world. We believe the following are worth a look if you are interested in unusual and immersive experiences, both in nature and local culture.

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