“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

Kungsleden
Sweden
Distance: 440 km
Hiking window: June–September
Thru-hike: Karma – completed 2016

Kungsleden is a beautiful 440 km trek through the Scandinavian mountain range between Hemavan in the south and Abisko in the north. Arguably Sweden’s most famous long-distance trail with National Geographic listing it among the “World’s Best Hikes“ among its claims to fame. Trailing across majestic mountains, river valleys and highland plateaus it is a truly breathtaking experience! Early in the season, you can enjoy the midnight sun and later the northern lights. Due to the weather which can be unreliable all season and the northerly location around the arctic circle, the trail has a pretty short hiking window from late June into early September.

Te Araroa
New Zealand
Distance: 3000 km
Hiking window: Sep–Dec (sobo), Nov–Jan (nobo)
Thru-hike: Karma – completed 2016-17

Te Araroa is a 3000 km trail spanning the entire amazing country of New Zealand, from Cape Reinga in the north to Bluff in the south. A relative newcomer on the though-hike circuit the trail features a wide variety of experiences. It is true what they say about the North Island being more about the kiwi culture and people you meet along the way, while the South Island is all about the stunning alpine landscape. Te Araroa serves up an incredible variety, from tropical forests to epic mountains, stunning valleys, impressive rivers, beautiful lakes, and massive volcanoes. Te Araroa is Maori for the long pathway, and while it is long it has been worth every step! Recommended hiking window for a southbound start is late September-December to finish no later than mid- to late April. Northbound starts from November-January. These recommendations take into account the unforgiving New Zealand weather as well as seasonal closures (for lambing etc).

The Skye Trail
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Distance: 128 km
Hiking window: May–September
Thru-hike: Karma – completed 2017

The Skye Trail is an unofficial 128 km route through the whole amazing Isle of Skye in the Scottish highlands. The trail goes through some of the UK’s finest landscapes, such as the Trotternish Ridge through the Quiraing to Old Man Storr and skirting the intriguing Cuillin mountain range on its way from Rubha Hunish in the north to Broadford in the south. A fairly straightforward walk although there is a fair bit of “weather” battering this slice of heaven so expect to get wet. If you don’t like the weather, just wait 10 minutes – and it will get worse, lol. Some basic navigation skills are needed too as there are no waymarks for the route and some sections lack a formed path, but mostly it was easy going. Recommended hiking window is late spring to early fall.

Pacific Crest Trail
USA
Distance: 4265 km (2650 mi)
Hiking window: March–October
Thru-hike: Karma & Scott – completed 2018

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) stretches about 4265 km (2650 miles) from the Mexican border to the Canadian border in the western United States with a total elevation gain of 95 923 meters. The PCT goes through California, Oregon, and Washington from the desert in the south through the mighty mountain ranges of the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades further north. Despite its popularity, arguably being one of the most famous long-distance trails in the world, only about one in five thru-hikers actually make it all the way. It takes most hikers about 5 months from start to finish with a recommended hiking window from late March to early October, depending on the year.

The Arctic Trail (Nordkalottleden)
Scandinavia
Distance: 800 km
Hiking window: Summer
Hike: Karma & Scott – completed 2019

The Arctic Trail (Nordkalottleden in Swedish) is an 800 km long trail that passes through Finland, Sweden and Norway. It starts at Kautokeino (Guovdageaidnu in Sami) in Northern Norway and ends in Sulitjelma (Sulidälbmá in Sami) in Norway alternatively I Kvikkjokk (Huhttán in Sami) in Sweden. The trail crosses these borders back and forth about 10 times. The trail is primarily Alpine to lower Apline and highlights include hiking under the midnight sun and a chance of expereincing the northen lights. We completed the trail as a part of our Green Ribbon thru-hike in 2019. The primary hiking window is from end of June through early September.

The Green Ribbon (Gröna Bandet)
Scandinavia
Distance: 1300-1500 km
Hiking window: Summer
Hike: Karma & Scott – completed 2019

The Mountaineers Green Ribbon (Fjällfararnas Gröna Band in Swedish) is a long-distance hike from Treriksröset (Three Country Cairn) to Grövelsjön mountain station through the Scandinavian mountain range in the far north. The route is not fixed, and we chose to hike primarily on the Norwegian side of the border with shorter visits into Finland and Sweden along the way. Our route measuried 1498 km by the time we reached the southern terminus. The trail is primarily Alpine to lower Apline and highlights include hiking under the midnight sun and a chance of expereincing the northen lights. The primary hiking window is from end of June through early September. The trail can also be completed on skis during the winter season, it is then referred to as the White Ribbon (Vita Bandet).

Clothing choices depend on the mission, but we do of course have a few favorite brands.