Who hasn't wanted to test their limits?
If for some, walking is above all a way to stretch their legs, for others, it constitutes a major sporting challenge.
And some hikes, more specifically treks, give you the opportunity to push your limits, like the Pacific Crest Trail, in the United States, or the Via delle Bocchette, in Italy.
So many paths that allow you to discover grandiose landscapes, but also to test your physical and mental resistance.
And there is no question of mentioning certain known marches, such as that of Mount Hua, in China, which has now become a popular destination for all Instagrammers.
Le Figaro
proposes, with the help of Gérard Guerrier, former director of Allibert Trekking, and author, among others, of
La rando, do you know?
(Ed. du Mont-Blanc) and the
Lord of the Ecrins
(Ed. du Mont-Blanc, to be published on September 14, 2022), to make you discover the most confidential, to which are added some mythical routes.
Overview (not exhaustive) of the most extreme treks to achieve.
Read the fileHiking: itineraries, advice... Our guide
Pacific Crest Trail, USA
Mount Jefferson and its park constitute one of the great stages of the Pacific Crest Trail.
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Many rub shoulders with it, but few manage to cover the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT for the biggest fans) in its entirety.
Because this great hiking trail, one of the most famous in North America with the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, stretches over... 4240 kilometers.
It leaves from the south of California, at the border with Mexico, to arrive at the limit with Canada, and crosses meanwhile three American states.
A gauge certainly insane but which offers a unique experience for those who decide to borrow it.
In addition to the discovery of grandiose landscapes, many remain marked by the generosity of the
trail angels
, these volunteers who will supply, treat, take in hitchhiking and even accommodate the walkers.
What constraints?
The difficulty lies above all in its length and in the adaptation of the body to different climates and terrains.
If we start with the Californian heat, with an almost desert part, we often end with the Canadian humidity and cold.
Extremes that can wear down the mind and body.
Endurance is therefore a point of order, at the same time as organization.
Because you have to regularly get supplies with packages to change your equipment and clothes according to the seasons.
How long ?
Between 4 and 6 months.
When ?
It is advisable to leave in the spring, from southern California, to try to arrive before winter in Canada.
Read alsoWhen to go to the United States?
Weather, climate, activities… The best period by region
Crossing the Drakensberg, South Africa
The Drakensberg Mountains lie at the confluence of three countries, South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini.
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For the most curious, crossing the Drakensberg offers a definite advantage: the discovery of several countries in a single journey, namely South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini.
Long and demanding, this trek also leads to exploring a multitude of peaks with more or less evocative names, such as Mont-aux-Sources (3282 meters), Champagne Castle (3377 meters), Mafadi (3450 meters, one of the highest points of South Africa), or Thabana Ntlenyana (3482 meters, considered the highest mountain in southern Africa).
In addition to the grandiose landscapes, wonders litter the path, like the Tugela Falls, the second highest in the world at 948 m.
What to dream with your eyes open.
What constraints?
Having a good physical condition remains an essential prerequisite.
The walkers evolve in mountainous environments (between 2500 and 3500 meters) and the stages can last between 8 and 10 hours a day on average.
Some even extend to 12 o'clock.
Endurance is therefore the key to a good experience in the Drakensberg.
How many days ?
Depending on the travel agencies and the organization chosen, the duration of the crossing lasts from a fortnight to a month.
When ?
Between February and April.
Read alsoAs a couple, with the family or on a budget: which safari is right for you?
Via delle Bocchette, Italy
The Via delle Bocchette offers spectacular landscapes so typical of the Dolomites.
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Word of the oldest: this trek remains a unique experience for those who try it.
The Via delle Bocchette, located in the Dolomites, in northeastern Italy, is one of the most famous via ferrata, but also one of the oldest.
For many experienced mountaineers, it is an absolute classic of the genre.
Laid out in the 1930s, the Via delle Bocchette combines several routes and guarantees its dose of thrills.
Because the “walkers” often evolve at more than 3000 meters.
Above all, the different sections between the refuges can be more or less demanding in terms of climbing.
However, they will guarantee the most intrepid spectacular landscapes.
To get there, it is possible to start from the hamlet of Madonna di Campiglio.
What constraints?
The altitude remains one of the major difficulties of this trek.
For those who have a certain vertigo, it is better to go your way.
The Via delle Bocchette also requires constant adaptation to weather hazards, especially storms.
In fact, it requires good basic equipment.
How many days ?
Between 3 and 5 days, depending on the rhythm of the people.
When ?
Summer is one of the best times to take the via ferrata.
September can also be a good time to venture there.
Beware, however, of shorter days and storms which require a stricter organization of your trek.
To read alsoTravel in the grandiose mountains of the Dolomites
Tower of Chimtarga, Tajikistan
The peak of Chimtarga is one of the great wonders of the Fann Mountains.
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Who hasn't dreamed of going up the ancient Silk Road?
To the west of Tajikistan, not far from the border with Uzbekistan, the highest paths of the Fann mountains allow you to rediscover a little of the flavor.
The breathtaking views, as well as the wild and unspoiled setting, seduce the most seasoned trekkers.
On the way to the summit of Chimtarga, perched at more than 5480 meters above sea level, you can observe constellations of brightly colored glacial lakes, at the same time as crossing passes at more than 4000 meters.
Thrills guaranteed.
What constraints?
The altitude and the difficult terrain, not always marked out, can constitute major obstacles for those who would like to risk it.
Again, good physical condition is necessary because excessive fatigue could lead to poor acclimatization.
This trek is generally carried out in conjunction with a travel agency for more security.
How many days ?
Ten days.
When ?
Between July and October, depending on the travel agencies.
Read alsoTravel to Uzbekistan, a long forbidden land
Haute Traversée of Belledonne, in France
The Haute Traversée de Belledonne (Isère) gives the opportunity to discover still wild landscapes.
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Many decide to travel only part of it.
Indeed, the whole of the Haute Traversée de Belledonne, one of the three massifs which encloses Grenoble (Isère) imposes a great physical condition.
This route has nothing to envy to the GR 20, in Corsica, or the Tour du Mont-Blanc.
Because to discover the GR 738, its other name, you will have to travel 130 kilometers and face the 10,000 meters of drop.
An adventure reserved for great sportsmen and nature lovers.
The Haute Traversée de Belledonne offers those who travel it magnificent high mountain landscapes, with rocky valleys or steep cliffs.
What constraints?
With its steep drops, the Haute Traversée de Belledonne can give a hard time, even to the most seasoned athletes.
Depending on whether you are camping or staying in a refuge, the weight of the bag will be a constraint.
Even if you want to travel light, you still need at least two days of autonomy, with a mini-blanket and a mini-duvet to spend a night outside.
How many days ?
Ten days.
When ?
Between mid-June and early October.
In mid-June, crampons and ice axes may sometimes be needed to tackle the remnants of snow.
Read alsoHiking in the Alps at Grand-Saint-Bernard, the other Napoleon route
Tour of Lake Baikal, Russia
Lake Baikal is 1800 kilometers long.
Part of the outline of the lake has been developed for hiking.
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The greatest hiking enthusiasts will say it: trekking in Siberia is a challenge that few people can take up, as the weather conditions are difficult.
However, the Russian region offers breathtaking landscapes and natural gems, such as Lake Baikal.
In winter, the latter even turns into a gigantic ice rink.
If it is for the moment impossible to make the outline in full (projects are in progress to constitute the 1800 kilometers of hiking trails), sections are however available for those who would like to venture there.
The opportunity also to discover part of the taiga in all its splendour.
What constraints?
Depending on the chosen season, the weather conditions are more or less difficult.
Some trails may be less passable and marked.
How many days ?
From ten days to a few weeks.
When ?
The geopolitical news, linked to the war in Ukraine, makes it difficult for the moment to carry out this trek.
Upper Dolpo, Nepal
Haut-Dolpo offers unique landscapes, far from the pangs of modern life.
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Some landscapes invite a form of introspection.
Those of Haut-Dolpo belong to this category.
The region, located on the Nepal-Tibetan border, shows a culture spared from the pangs of modern life.
Tibetan culture has persisted there despite geopolitical tensions.
Isolation, linked to the difficult terrain, is the law there and offers passing visitors a more authentic Nepal.
Haut-Dolpo also gives the opportunity to discover unique natural treasures such as the turquoise blue lake of Phoksumdo and the Mustang path.
Amazement guaranteed.
What constraints?
The challenges are multiple to discover Haut-Dolpo, known to be a difficult terrain.
“Walkers” must have good physical endurance.
Some stages require 6 to 8 hours of walking.
In addition, the multiplication of passes, located between 4500 and 5500 meters above sea level, requires good self-control.
In general, this trek requires calling an agency to help transport the equipment.
How many days ?
From ten days to several weeks, depending on the travel agencies.
When ?
In summer, with possibilities of leaving in autumn according to travel agencies.
Read alsoZen hike in Nepal
How (well) to prepare?
Before undertaking these pedestrian challenges, good anticipation is essential.
"Several criteria must be taken into account, such as distance and elevation
," explains Gérard Guerrier.
The elevation will cause extra effort.
The general rule is that 100 meters of elevation gain corresponds to the time to cover one kilometer flat.
The more this increases, the more the number of “effort kilometres” increases.
Preparing physically is therefore more than essential.
“
The land is also important.
You have to know if it's a hiking trail or a trail, if it's rocky, slippery or even muddy
,” underlines Gérard Guerrier.
If the path turns out to be marshy, for example, the effort required will be increased tenfold.
The trek specialist also recommends checking the markings.
"If you come across an unmarked path, you have to use orientation skills, which is not always within everyone's reach
," he continues.
So many elements to which are added the weather conditions, as well as autonomy and commitment.
“It's not the same to walk with a 5 kg bag than with a 20 kg one.
You have to know if you are going to bivouac, or if you are going to go to a refuge.
Depending on these data, it will be necessary to adapt the equipment that we take
, ”explains Gérard Guerrier.
Essential rules to enjoy (safely) these extreme experiences.
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