All tagged hiking

Backpacking Kungsleden

Backpacking Kungsleden

Kassondra Cloos
Outdoors.com

The only way I can describe Kungsleden, a Swedish long trail that extends into the Arctic Circle, is that it’s the trail of dreams. On a five-day trek last August stretching 70 miles from Nikkaluokta to Abisko, I drank directly out of rivers and streams, waltzed along boardwalks that made easy work out of miles of scree fields, and ended most evenings with a swim in Arctic waters or a sauna session at a wilderness mountain hut. Thanks to Sweden’s Right to Roam, I pitched my tent wherever it made sense, and thanks to endless summer days, I hiked well into the evenings and barely needed a headlamp. 

The World's Most Epic Après Paradises

The World's Most Epic Après Paradises

Kassondra Cloos
Outside

As a travel writer who spends several months out of every year reporting on the road, I know all too well that the only thing better than an epic hike, run, or ride is having a great place to settle in and recap the day over a pint and a heaping plate of food. These bars, restaurants, and spas around the world offer delicious snacks, refreshing drinks, and plenty of history, making them the most must-see après destinations on the planet.

Read the full story from Outside Online.

12 Reasons the Jordan Trail Should Be at the Top of Your Travel Bucket List

12 Reasons the Jordan Trail Should Be at the Top of Your Travel Bucket List

Kassondra Cloos
Travel Channel

The new cross-country trail weaves through some of the region’s most famous historic sites. On a recent trip with Experience Jordan, I hiked from Dana to Petra, the UNESCO World Heritage Center, and it was an incredible cultural immersion, physical challenge and peek into the past. Explore how to experience a hike along the Jordan Trail.

Read the full story from Travel Channel.

The Best Women’s Active Underwear

The Best Women’s Active Underwear

Kassondra Cloos
Outside

The best underwear is the kind you don’t notice. When you do, it’s probably not doing its job. Finding out mid-run or mid-hike that your underwear just won’t stay in place sucks. A literal pain in the butt.

So with help from four other testers, who wear sizes extra small to large, I set out to find the best options for spending time outdoors. We tried 20 pairs of underwear—hipsters, bikinis, boy shorts, cheekies, and thongs—from nine different outdoor brands. All promised to be the ultimate you’ll-never-go-back underwear.

Read the full story from Outside Online. 

In Search of the Do-It-All Travel Shoe

In Search of the Do-It-All Travel Shoe

Kassondra Cloos
Outside

I have terrible feet. I did not know this until last fall, when I found out that some persistent heel pain was actually plantar fasciitis, which I didn’t even know you could get if you weren’t a runner. Turns out, I’ve also been wearing terrible shoes.

Around this time, I was planning a monthlong trip to Europe, where I knew I’d constantly be on my feet. I started looking at lists of travel shoes and was disappointed to find espadrilles, heels, ballet flats, and sneakers—nothing that was a do-it-all kind of shoe. I wanted to pack one pair, not seven. So I set out to find the best shoes for the traveler who wants to bring one or maybe two pairs on any adventure abroad.

I didn’t quite find the single “unicorn” pair of shoes I was looking for, but I did get pretty darn close. Here are the best, rated on a scale of one to five horns, where one is a one-trick pony and five is a magical, versatile unicorn.

Read the full story at Outside.

Why Tuscany is More Than Just Wine And Cheese

Why Tuscany is More Than Just Wine And Cheese

Kassondra Cloos
Travel Channel

When you think "adventure travel," Tuscany, Italy is probably not the first place that comes to mind. It might not even be the last place that comes to mind. Even though it's one of the world's premier destinations for food, wine, art and history, somehow the secret isn't yet out that it's a great place for outdoor adventure, too.

Here's why Tuscany should be your next adventure travel destination.

Read the full story at Travel Channel.

Summiting Old Rag Made Me Fall in Love with Solo Adventures

Summiting Old Rag Made Me Fall in Love with Solo Adventures

Kassondra Cloos
Hiking Project

At the end of the ninth switchback of Old Rag, I sat on a rock to drink in the view as I nibbled on fruit leather. I talked for a little while with a woman who seemed to be about my age. I don’t remember anything that we said, but I remember being fulfilled by it. We would never see each other again, but the kind pleasantries we exchanged mid-gruel were enough.

We each, on our own, were enough.

Read the rest of my story at Hiking Project.