Hey all! I'm up in Maine, USA, and I've been getting more into hiking recently. Last year I didn't hike as much as I wanted to, but I got four pretty good hikes in; this year I'm aiming to do one hike a month from May-October (I do not enjoy snow hiking).

Unfortunately, due to some personal medical issues I'm presently unable to safely do overnight hikes. I'm working on fixing that, but for now I gotta keep it with day hikes. So: does anyone have good suggestions for sub-15 mile loops in central/western/southern Maine (within a hundred miles or so of Cumberland if you want details)? I'm already planning on the Chairback Loop, plus heading back up to Grafton Notch (beautiful area and I try to hike it every year). I don't mind steep trails or even bushwhacking as long as there's a good view at the top. Bonus points for fire towers.

Weighing my options between the Subaru outback premium 2025 versus the 2025 rav4. 2.9% is hard to beat but everyone around me has always been a Toyota owner - are there downsides to either? Are there any issues I should be aware about for Subaru that I should consider and vice versa.

I am an avid adventurers/car campers/snowboarders and live in snow conditions. Hoping to get an all wheel drive vehicle.

And is there a downside to push to start? We live in cold/snow climate.

I’m an experienced hiker, having completed trails like the John Muir Trail and other alpine hikes. I’m planning a hut-to-hut trip in the Italian Dolomites with my partner, who is relatively new to hiking. We’re focusing on the Alpe di Siusi area in Val Gardena and have outlined the following itinerary:

1.	Compaccio to Rifugio Bolzano

2.	Rifugio Bolzano to Alpe di Tires Hut

3.	Alpe di Tires Hut to Rifugio Sasso Piatto

4.	Rifugio Sasso Piatto to Rifugio Venezia

We’ll be embarking on this journey during the last week of June and the first week of July. While the distances and elevation gains seem manageable for us, I’m particularly concerned about trail exposure, technical challenges, and the potential presence of snowfields, especially given my partner’s beginner status. I’ve heard that the section between Rifugio Bolzano and Alpe di Tires might be tricky, possibly involving via ferrata segments.

Could anyone provide insights into the following:

•	Are there exposed or technically challenging sections on these routes?

•	Is via ferrata equipment necessary for any part of this itinerary?

•	Given our travel dates, is there a high likelihood of encountering significant snowfields on these trails?

•	Any alternative route suggestions that might be more suitable for a beginner?

Thank you in advance!

I'm a female hiker and often struggle with the age old problem of having to pee on the trail. I'm curious how many women use those standing urinals vs. finding a place to squat on a trail? I've tried both methods but I'm curious about other womens' preferences.

Any ideas for obscure trekking destinations? Something off the tourist path?

Has anyone completed this route in winter? If so what grade is it as I can’t find much information on it.

Planning my next section hike on the AT, and remembering this sunrise on Siler Bald. Except for the 10,000,000 spiders that come out when the sun goes down, this was a great camp spot. 😅

Hey, so I went on my first hike on april 2024, it was 4 days long and I brought my Sony A7III + a 17-28mm along with me, so my setup was around 2kg, at the start of the hike I started carrying it with a capture clip on one of my shoulder strap but after a few minutes it started hurting way too much and I had to put it back into my backpack for the rest of the trip which was a bummer as I'd have to stop everytime I wanted to get a picture. I was thinking about either getting another gear, maybe a belt one however I'm already kind of on a budget as I plan on buying more important stuff, sooo I'd like to know if there are any photographers who have a favorite accessory to ease their access to their camera on hikes while making it bearable to carry on a few kilometers/ tips to make the capture clip more comfy?
(I currently only own a wrist strap and a capture clip, I got the neck strap which sony give but I don't use it at all)

Made a mistake this weekend and trusted AllTrails a little too much lol was looking for a moderate hike to do with my pup and after doing some research found a new trail that had recent reviews as a few days ago. No one mentioned how icy it actually was.

Now I realized I need to add crampons to my hiking bag for these winter hikes lol the trail was wide enough that I could walk on the edges of the trail but it was a long 3 miles lol luckily I went slow enough to not fall on my face but what a challenge that I never want to face unprepared again!

I saw a post about funding for national parks being stopped possibly. I'm not here to discuss the politics of all of that

But hypothetically if for some reason they are not accessible in August, what are some other recommendations for a 30 to 40 hike or loop that aren't at a national park in the continental USA?

Looking to do a 3 to 5 day hike that isn't terribly hard. I'm ok with hard but not liking for the extreme.

I am trying to go hiking somewhere in Europe this march- I have looked into the Dolomites and really like what ive seen about the multiday hikes, but I hear the weather may not be conducive. I would appreciate any tips on this region or other hiking recommendations in Europe!

Any suggestions for extra wide women’s hiking boots besides from OrthoFeet? I bought 2 pairs from OrthoFeet and the extra width is great but they both had heel slippage. I’m finding a lot of wide hiking boots but they’re never wide enough for my feet, so I absolutely need extra wide, but don’t know where else has a good selection.

im fairly new to solo hiking looking for a watch/gps thats not to pricey to help with navigation

Thinking of getting a pair of Katabatics for hiking here in the PNW, does anybody own a pair? How’s the durability/brand?

Hi there! I am planning to do cross the Lencois Maranhenses later this month from Atins to Santa Amoro or Betania.

Few questions:

• Is the water from the pools able to be drunk if filtered? I have a Sawyer Squeeze with me. If not is there potable water along the way? E.g at Oasis Baixa Grande/Queimada Dos Britos.

• Can you camp anywhere in the park? Is it possible to pitch a freestanding tent such as the Durston X Mid in the sand there?

I am planning a hike in the dolomites for early September, and have created a route based on hut availability. I have mapped out my route and everything looks manageable, with the exception of Vazzoler Hut - San Sebastian Hut. I am reading reviews that it is challenging and has exposed sections, with “missteps that have serious consequences”. Can anyone provide and insights on this route? It is about 12km and ~650 m elevation gain. For reference my route is as follows:

Day 0: Start from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Fedare Day 1: Fedare - Citta de Fume Day 2: Citta de Fume to Vazzoler Day 3: Vazzoler to San Sebastian Day 4: San Sebastian to Agordo

Any advice or recommendations on my route is appreciated.

Hey everyone. I will visit Andalucia in March and I’m looking for a two or three-day trekking. I love to walk in nature and see a bit of authentic countryside. I’m not sure where I’m traveling to but I’m thinking about Cordoba or Granada. I’m open for anything.

Does anyone have recommendations about a two or three-day trekking?

Does someone know what model meindls these are? I cant find anything slightly similar looking online….