Sep 13 2018

Find the Best Trail Books on Trailsnet

Trail Books for Kids and Adults

Welcome to the latest feature on Trailsnet.com. Now you can find and purchase your favorite trail books right here on the internet’s best trail website. Whether you’re looking for books about bike paths, books about through hiking or kid’s books about fun on the trail, check out these fun trail book options. So far, we have a page for kids trail books and popular trail books, but we’ll soon have more trail book pages available on Trailsnet.

Whether you’re looking for books about the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail or just a fun fiction trail book to read in your backpacking tent at night, you’ll love the trail book selection on Trailsnet. Simply click on the trail book icons and be taken to a page that describes the best trail books and gives you an option to purchase them in paperback, hardback or e-book formats. Why shop for trail books anywhere else when your best trail book selection is right here on Trailsnet.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2018/09/13/find-the-best-trail-books-on-trailsnet/

Jul 18 2018

New Zealand Hiking Trails

The Best Family-Friendly Hiking and Walking Trails in New Zealand

Walking in nature is the perfect way to spend a family holiday. Not only is it a chance to reconnect with the natural world and teach the kids about the wilderness, but it’s also a fantastic way to get your family active. The best part about walking is that it’s so much fun it doesn’t even feel like exercise!

Photo Credit: Arthur Poulin via Unsplash under Licens

New Zealand is home to a wide variety of walking and hiking trails that will give your family a great workout. With breathtaking natural scenery all around, New Zealand is the ideal destination for a walking holiday. You are guaranteed to find something for all ages and fitness levels, from 10-minute bush walks to 3-day hikes. Here are some of the best New Zealand walking trails to explore during your family’s next vacation.

Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman National Park is renowned for its world-famous coast track. The mild climate, lush native bush and gorgeous golden beaches have made it one of the beautiful places to walk in New Zealand. You can either choose to walk a portion of the trail for the day or walk the entire length over 3-5 days. The park features 4 huts and 19 campsites where visitors can stay overnight.

Mount Crichton, Queenstown

Hooker Valley Track
Photo Credit: Andrea Schaffer via Flickr under License

The Mount Crichton loop track starts at 12 km from Queenstown. This track is ideal for kids, as it is well-formed and easy to walk. The loop usually takes 2-4 hours at the most. There is plenty to keep the kids interested during the journey. The track features a waterfall, lots of lush New Zealand native bush, and historical remnants of a gold mining rush.

Hooker Valley Track

This 10km track leads through the Topuni area of the Hooker Valley. The walk itself isn’t hard or challenging, making it suitable for kids and families. The best time to walk this track is dawn – when you can see the first glimpse of sun peeking over the stunning Southern Alps. The track is especially peaceful and quiet in the morning – you won’t regret waking up early!

Queen Charlotte Sounds

Hiking trails in New Zealand

Photo Credit: @chiro via Unsplash under License

Located in the Marlborough Sounds at the top of the South Island, the Queen Charlotte track stretches a total of 70 km from Ship Cove to Anakiwa. The track combines the best of New Zealand walking with a unique environmental and cultural experience. It is well known for its breathtaking views, distinct landscapes, native wildlife, lush coastal forest and historical landmarks.

 

 

White Pine Bush Reserve Walkway

White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve is located in North Island’s Hawkes Bay. This short loop track only takes about 30 minutes. The track features an abundance of Kahikatea, Tawa and Pukatea trees, as well as beautiful Nikau palms. Also visible from the track are a small waterfall and picturesque stream, where you can often see small fish, koura (crayfish) and eels. About halfway through the walk, there are tables and chairs where you can enjoy a peaceful family picnic while listening to the gorgeous calls of native birds.

Tawhai Falls Walk, Mt Ruapehu

The Tawhai Falls walk is located in Tongariro National Park on the way to Whakapapa Village.
This quick, easy track leads you right to the waterfall’s lookout, and then to the base of the waterfall. The rocks at the base of the waterfall have been described as looking like the trolls from the Hobbit film trilogy, which the kids will surely love. The walk is suitable for people of all ages and abilities, only taking about 10 minutes each way.

Allison Hail is a freelance writer from Wellington, NZ who has always loved the outdoors. She enjoys hiking with her best friend, especially through forests during autumn’s wonderful display of colours. See more of Allison’s work here.

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Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2018/07/18/new-zealand-hiking-trails/

Jun 11 2018

Great Plains Trail Newsletter

First Newsletter for the Great Plains Trail Alliance

newsletter for Great Plains Trail Alliance

GPTA Newsletter #1

Exciting events are happening with the Great Plains Trail Alliance including their first official newsletter. To view the June 2018 Great Plains Trail Newsletter, please click on the link below.

June_2018_GPTA_newsletter

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Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2018/06/11/great-plains-trail-newsletter/

Mar 17 2018

Thru-Hiking The Great Plains Trail

Luke Jordan Completes Great Plains Trail Through Hike

picture of first Great Plains Trail thru hiker

Strider on the Great Plains Trail

Luke Jordan, also known as Strider, was the first person to complete a thru-hike of the Great Plains Trail. Now he is giving back to the Great Plains Trail community through his service on the GPTA Board of Directors and an upcoming speaking tour.

Bio of Luke ‘Strider’ Jordan

Luke Jordan grew up on a farm in central Minnesota about 30 miles from Minneapolis.  During his college years he started getting into backpacking and volunteered on trail construction crews for the Superior Hiking Trail every summer.  He graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in Natural Resources, and immediately after attempted a thru hike of the North Country National Scenic Trail. He succeeded, and became the 4th person to successfully thru-hike that trail. Since then he’s been involved with several trail organizations, including participating in the Partnership for the National Trail System’s (PNTS) Trail Apprentice Program and doing some work for the North Country Trail.

First Person to Thru-Hike the Great Plains Trail

In 2016, Luke Jordan, who goes by the trail name ‘Strider,’ attempted the first thru-hike of the Great Plains Trail and again succeeded.  He hiked 2100 miles from Texas to Canada in the spring. As he hiked, he often found himself explaining the Great Plains Trail along the way. Now he would like to share his story and help in the efforts to establish the GPT as America’s next great long distance trail adventure.

Great Plains Trail Presentations

Come hear a story about a hiker’s journey over the newly established Great Plains Trail. It’s a story of adventure and discovery on the first-ever thru-hike of this newly established resource. Stretching for 2200 miles across rolling grasslands, through rocky canyons and over forested ridges, the Great Plains Trail aims to be America’s next great adventure. Follow along as Strider traverses this trail from the desert of west Texas to the Canadian Border, in an attempt to raise awareness and generate support of this great resource. If you’re interested in learning more about the Great Plains Trail or hearing about a great trail adventure, Luke will sharing his amazing trail stories on/at the following dates, times and places:
 

day & date
Sunday April 15
Monday April 16

Friday April 20

Saturday April 28


time
@6:00pm
@6:00pm

@3:15pm

@ 10:30am


venue/location
Legacy of the Plains Museum
Rm 201 of the Nelson PAC at Chadron State College
location TBD at the Great Plains Safari Ecotourism Symposium
Midwest Mountaineering Outdoor Adventure Expo

town
Scottsbluff, NE
Chadron, NE

Kearney, NE

Minneapolis, MN

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Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2018/03/17/thru-hiking-great-plains-trail/

Jan 24 2018

Hiking With Children

Hiking With Children: Hitting the Trail with Kids

family hiking trail

Family Hiking Trail

On a first glance going camping with children seems like a scary proposition. Everything goes wrong and the adventurous parents often end up looking like irresponsible idiots. But is that actually true? Is it actually that dangerous to go out on the open road and the forest trails with your kids?
Not if you do it correctly. Sure, there are a number of dangers out there, but then the city is full of them as well. The only difference is that we and they know one environment better than another. So, it can be done. You just have to make sure that you familiarize your kids with the safety procedures for the outdoors, as well as the dangers of the specific environment you’re at as well as following these easy tips.

Know what hikes your kids are capable of

The first thing you’ll want to know is in what kind of shape your kids actually are. Can they handle a grueling 10 hour hike or are they already exhausted by taking out the garbage? (Funnily enough, both are true for my kids).
If you’ve not gone hiking before, it’s a good idea to do a trail run somewhere nearby. Find a park or a green area where you can walk for a while together and see how long they last before their energy starts to wane. When they start asking how much further it is repeatedly, you know you’ve about reached their limit.
Going on a couple of these kinds of trail runs will prepare you and them for the real thing. You’ll know what’s possible and you’ll even start figuring out what you should bring and what isn’t really essential.

Carefully consider your pack

By packing carefully and cleverly you can make sure that emergencies are easily kept at bay. What’s more if you do get into trouble, these things can be real life savers. Some things that you should take include:
• First aid kit – this includes things for cuts, bruises and antibiotic ointments to make sure cuts don’t get infected. Some kind of painkiller that’s suitable for kids is also useful.
• Water and food – everybody should have at least an eight ounce bottle of water. It’s also a good idea to pack fruit and nuts as these can help keep the hangry at bay.
• Compass and maps – it’s always a good idea to let your kids learn how to navigate in forests and in the wild using just a map and a compass. Be sure to let them try. Just make sure you look over their shoulder so that they don’t lead you too far astray.
• Layered water-proof clothing – sometimes it gets surprisingly cold sometimes it gets surprisingly hot. Sometimes the sun shines and sometimes it rains. By wearing layered clothing with the top layers being waterproof, you’ll be prepared for it all. Don’t forget to take a plastic bag if you’re using a backpack that isn’t watertight so you can keep your things dry.
• Flash light and matches – you never know what happens. So best to be prepared. And as the wild can get both very cold and very dark, both of these will come in useful. Do note that it’s best not to let the little ones carry the fire-making devices.
• Bug spray and sunblock – yet more items that are essential, getting sunburned or becoming a banquet can put a serious dampener on a day out.

Have some trail games at the ready

Though us adults can sometimes be hugely entertained by silence and the echo of our own thoughts, that isn’t always enough for our kids. For that reason, be sure you have some good hiking games to call on in case of an emergency.
Some good ones are ‘I’m going hiking and I’m taking’ where the next player has to list everything that everybody has said so far and add their own item. Twenty questions is also a great one to keep them occupied (and teach them the power of categorization). Now, don’t for overboard. You don’t have to go into enough depth that you could become one of the professional college paper writers. A handful will do.

There are a lot of good trail apps

Okay, it’s definitely better when you don’t pull out your phone every five minutes. At the same time, having it there for emergencies is a good idea. There are plenty of apps nowadays that can use your GPS positioning to figure out where you are. In that way, if the compass and the map aren’t working out, you can get where you’re supposed to get to all the same.
In addition to Trailsnet.com, another useful online trail tool is AllTrails.com, which will give you access to free app that will point out where you are and where the trails are. That will make it a great deal easier to navigate and find your way back when you haven’t seen one of the trail markers for quite a while.
To conserve power and make sure you have the battery you need to actually make your way back, you may need to turn your phone off. That will make it far less tempting to check your work emails and miss the view.

Make an album

To make sure the experience is still there a few years or decades down the road, try making a physical album in which you stick photos, maps and other mementoes like leaves and flowers. Do check that you’re actually allowed to take the latter as some parks have a leave it where you found it policy.
The great thing about albums like this is that it will allow you to look back on hikes you did before so that the kids have positive memories associated with them (not just of the hike but also of what came out of it).
Similarly, when you’re on the hike you can always focus their attention on finding things that they can put into the album later on. This can become one of the activities that keeps them occupied as you go along.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2018/01/24/hiking-with-children/

Dec 01 2017

Electric Bike Trail Etiquette

Trail Etiquette: E-Bikes

As electric bikes become increasingly durable, lighter in weight, and more powerful, they are becoming a popular form of transportation. Thanks to e-bike kits, riders have the chance to cross greater distances than ever before. While this is great for commuting to work and avoiding traffic, many riders are taking their e-bikes for outdoor adventures as well.

Off road trails and paths are a popular way for riders to exercise and enjoy nature. Traditional pedal bikes haven’t always been accepted on trails, and as people start to shift to electric bikes, it creates a new layer to the discussion of what should be allowed on trails. By following some common etiquette tips, you’ll be able to fully enjoy riding on a trail while making a good impression.

Check Your Local Ordinances

trail through the forest

Forest Trail

Not every trail is open to e-bike riders. Before you head out onto a local trail, you should check local ordinances and regulations regarding trail use. In some areas, e-bikes are considered a motorized vehicle, just like a moped. As a result, there are concerns about damaging nature and trail safety that are still being evaluated. It’s important to know if these concerns or any rules affect local trails before taking your e-bike out.

 

Be a Good Nature Steward

If you know your e-bike is allowed on a trail, then it’s important to check trail conditions before venturing out. Always avoid riding on wet trails. If your e-bike is leaving tire ruts they will cause erosion – ultimately damaging the trail for others. Also be sure to stick to marked trails as closely as possible to avoid disrupting sensitive habitats. Even cutting around other trail users isn’t recommended, as it can widen trails and damage them.

 

Show Courtesy to Fellow Trail Users

When on the trail you should always be alert to other people; whether they are hikers, horse riders or fellow cyclists. If approaching another trail user slow down and let them know you are coming up on them early. It’s also important to be patient and yield to hikers, horses, or anyone going uphill so as to not spook anyone.

 

Don’t Hesitate to Stop and Dismount

helmet for bike trail

Always Wear Your Helmet

Not every trail is ideal for e-bikes. There’s a list of dedicated trails available online. When using a trail that has a lot of activity you should be prepared to stop your bike and walk it in certain situations. Not only is this a good idea when passing other trail users, but also in areas where trails may narrow due to vegetation.

 

Protect Yourself and Others 

Finally, make sure that when on the trail you wear all of the normal safety equipment that you would when riding other bikes. This not only includes helmets and pads to protect yourself, but reflective gear to keep you visible. You want to make sure other users can see you as you approach or hit a crossroad to avoid accidents.

If you follow these simple tips you’ll be in good shape whenever using a trail. After all, you may be a person’s first experience with an e-bike. So you want to leave a good impression to encourage others to accept e-bike riders on trails in the future.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2017/12/01/electric-bike-trail-etiquette/