Nepal
Nepal has not only the loftiest mountains but also the most vibrant village culture of all the Himalayan nations, and recent political changes have ushered in an open-arms attitude to tourism. The range of hiking options is vast. Classic tea-house treks such as the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp route take up to three weeks; alternatively, go off the beaten track on the challenging Dhaulagiri Circuit with the option of climbing Dhampus’s 6,060-metre (19,882-feet) peak. Specialist Mountain Kingdoms (www.mountainkingdoms.com) offers everything from luxury lodge walks in the Annapurna foothills to expedition-grade treks featuring fixed-rope work – on Island Peak, for example. Or you can opt to arrange your own itinerary through the many trekking agents that throng Kathmandu. Lonely Planet’s guide to Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya (www.lonelyplanet.com) is a good starting point.

Swiss Alps
The Matterhorn, the Eiger, the Jungfrau, the Wetterhorn… hiking in the Swiss Alps is one dazzling mountain panorama after another. Serious trekkers can take in the lot on the Alpine Pass Route, which traverses the country from Liechtenstein to Lake Geneva. Or there’s the high altitude Haute Route glacier trek – Mountain Tracks (www.mountaintracks.co.uk) is one company offering this route as a guided trek. But you don’t have to go super-high for spectacular scenery: the Bernese Oberland has fantastic day-walking through summer meadows full of cowbells and wild flowers. A good base is Kandersteg, where the tourist office offers details of lots of routes (www.kandersteg.ch): don’t miss the walk to Oeschinensee, probably Switzerland’s most dazzling alpine lake (www.oeschinensee.ch).

New Zealand
Kiwis love walking so much they’ve even got their own word for it – “tramping”. They also have 14 national parks, nine official long-distance trails and a world-beating network of back-country huts, all with hot showers and an “honesty box” payment system. Most importantly of all, there is one brilliant website highlighting all these options: www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks. Topping the bill are the so-called “great walks”, from the dramatic Milford Track, with its glacier-gouged valleys, to the easy-going Abel Tasman Coast Track, with lots of potential for beach time and kayaking. The stand-out day-walk is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, across the smoking summit of one of North Island’s more active volcanoes (www.thetongarirocrossing.co.nz).

Madeira
Forget the staid image of seaside Madeira – the island’s hiking trails are hair-raising, high-adrenaline adventures into a landscape that’s like nothing else on earth. Great all year round, the walking can be as challenging as you choose, thanks to Madeira’s 2,000-kilometre (3,220-mile) network of levadas, irrigation channels that were hacked into the steep mountainsides 200 years ago. Their slender parapets now make eye-popping routes into the sub-tropical island interior – though you’ll need a head for heights. Don’t miss the Levada do Caldeirão Verde, which has magnificent views and the 100-metre (328-foot) “Green Cauldron” waterfall. This and 100 other routes are featured in the seminal walkers’ handbook Landscapes of Madeira from Sunflower Books (www.sunflowerbooks.co.uk).

Tuscany
With its rumpled blanket of vineyards, olive groves and cypresses, criss-crossed by cobbled mule tracks and “white roads”, Tuscany offers the most romantic walks in Europe. It is a place for sun-kissed springtime rambles, circling out from medieval hill-towns such as Radda, San Gimignano or Volterra, and returning to find your trattoria table waiting. Plan your own routes using the 1:50,000 Kompass maps (numbers 660 and 661, www.themapshop.co.uk), or pick up Gillian Price’s excellent Walking in Tuscany (www.cicerone.co.uk), which packs in almost 50 day-walks plus a full guide to Sentiero del Chianti, a 75-kilometre (47-mile) trek across the backbone of the Monti del Chianti from Florence to Siena.

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Mick is fresh from an expedition to West Nepal where he succeeded in making the first ascent of Gojung (6310m) in the Himalaya; In 2009 Leo conquered the daunting north face of Mount Asgard, after skydiving into the icy heart of Baffin Island. He is currently on an exciting month-long adventure in Venezuela.
Here are the fruits of their 40-plus years of combined expedition experience.

1. Choose your timing and decide on your objectives
Leo: “Think very hard about when to go. Choosing the optimum timing for your trip or expedition is critical, so I pay special attention to local weather reports from previous years. If you’re even a few days off, you could be jeopardising your chance of success.”
Mick: “It’s important to have a specific goal to inspire you and drive you on in case of adversity. I look for a challenge that’s tough but not impossible, something inspirational and eye-catching – but also in a setting with lots of cultural interest.”

2. Do your research
Leo: “This is vital. Get hold of every crumb of information you can about the routes you want to tackle. There are lots of expedition diaries online, but a site I swear by is www.summitpost.org, a Wikipedia-style database that covers almost every mountain in the world. It includes technical advice, route notes, logistical details and tips on overcoming local red tape. Photographs are especially important to help you judge whether your objective is achievable, and you can often contact the contributors directly with further queries.”
Mick: “I always make a pilgrimage to The Alpine Club’s library in London (www.alpine-club.org.uk), which is open to the public, and look through magazines such as Alpine Journal, The American Alpine Journal and Japanese Alpine News – not to mention trawling through old explorer’s books for hints. Exploration gurus like Tom Nakamura and Harish Kapadia can be priceless sources of know-how – never be afraid to tap the grapevine for advice.”

3. Sort out the red tape
Leo: “If you have your money and passport stolen on a trip, don’t panic. Pool resources with your mates, go and do what you had planned, then sort out your papers when you get back to civilisation.”
Mick: “Remote areas are often politically sensitive, so even if you’ve got the correct permits to visit a mountain area, keep checking until the minute you fly, in case conditions have changed. Research how the system works in your chosen destination – if you run into difficulties with paperwork on the ground, you’ll need to know who is making the decision and whether you can get to see them.”

4. Do a trial run
Leo: “If you’re caught in a gale on a mountain ledge in Nepal, you don’t want to be fiddling with unfamiliar equipment, or relying on climbing techniques that are new to you. Before you go, do a training trip to Snowdonia taking every bit of gear you plan to take on your expedition, and the same partner or team. A basic rule is: always test out new kit and skills on routes that are relatively easy for you, so they’re grooved by the time of your big trip.”
Mick: “Choose your climbing partner carefully – you need to test their compatibility, too! Ideally you’ll have a similar temperament. If you hit snow or tough conditions and they want to go down, but you don’t, it’s not a recipe for success.”

5. Be prepared for the unexpected
Mick: “No matter how much research you’ve done, be prepared for the terrain and weather conditions to be completely different when you arrive. Photographs can never give the full picture. Before you embark on a climb, assess whether the risk is worth it, and whether you have the skills to get down, especially important if you have to abort the ascent halfway. And never take short cuts with altitude. I’ve learned to spend two full days at 5,500 metres [18,045 feet], then come down to base before embarking on a big push above 6,000 metres [19,685 feet].”
Leo: “You’re almost bound to run into logistical problems on an expedition – it comes with the territory. So you need to take that philosophically, as an intrinsic part of the adventure. The point of a big trip is the journey, not getting to the top of the hill – there’s nothing up there, after all! My three objectives on every trip are that everyone comes home safely; that everyone comes home friends; and that we make the summit – in that order.”

Planning a mountain trip: The essential kit
In high mountains, an exceptional performance-to-weight ratio is critical. Mick Fowler is a big fan of our Ignite jacket -lightweight, highly packable, but supremely insulated and offering instant warmth. It’s also a favourite of our sponsored mountaineer Chris Bonington. Leo Houlding recommends our Mount Asgard Hybrid Jacket, which was designed with input from his Mount Asgard expedition. Designed for scrambling alpine routes where weather conditions are changeable and lightweight performance is essential the Men’s Mount Asgard Hybrid Jacket offers unrivalled warmth and comfort.
One of our top-of-the-range technical jackets for climbing is the Attrition, a three-layer Gore-Tex shell specifically engineered and cut for climbing in the worst winter conditions.

If you’re trekking, check out our Expedition 80, a technical load-carrying rucksack designed to withstand the knocks of an epic adventure. A removable dry liner keeps your kit protected, and its huge capacity means you can pack essential kit, while the rucksack itself is incredibly lightweight.

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SURINAME
It may be South America’s smallest nation, but Suriname packs in huge amounts to rival its larger neighbours. The half-million population is a cosmopolitan mix of Chinese, Javanese, Indian, West African and Dutch, a legacy of which is the spicy food and surprisingly lively nightlife in the colonial capital, Paramaribo. Yet some of the world’s best-preserved tropical jungle is just half a day away. Getting around takes initiative: you can travel by bus to Albina to see the giant leatherback turtles at Babunsanti beach; drift by dugout canoe to visit the Amerindian tribespeople in Palameu; and take a Cessna flight to Raleighvallen, to commune with the howler monkeys. The country’s eco-agency, Stinasu (www.stinasu.com), makes all this easier to organise. METS (www.surinamevacations.com) is another reliable outfit.

CAMBODIA
Everyone knows about the spectacular Khmer temples at Angkor – and they definitely shouldn’t be missed. But now you can team Siem Reap and Phnom Penh with a wilderness adventure in the Cardamom Mountains, overnighting in hammocks in the most pristine raft of rainforest in South East Asia. Infrastructure here amounts to a trailblazing eco-lodge on the Tatai River (www.rainbowlodgecambodia.com), offering simple bungalows, guided treks and waterfall swims. A bus from Phnom Penh takes five hours. Even more adventurous is mountain biking from Chi Phat, gateway to the Cardamoms (www.mountainbikingcardamoms.com), where reformed poachers lay on homestays, hornbill-watching and hardcore jungle cycle-treks. Local tour operator Hanuman (www.hanumantourism.com) can help you put together a trip.

MONTENEGRO
The new Croatia? Europe’s latest country (it split from Serbia in 2006) would like you to believe that, and is moving fast to construct yacht marinas, golf courses and swanky hotels. It’s a pity because this mountainous chunk of the Adriatic is a pocket-sized paradise for hiking, biking and skiing – go quick, before it’s gone. On the coast, don’t miss Kotor, shelving steeply out of its picturesque fjord; nor the sandy beaches around Sveti Stefan. There is hiking close by, on the flanks of Mount Lovcen, stalked by bears and wolves (www.nparkovi.co.me). But the big thrills are in breathtaking Dumitor National Park, especially rafting the Colorado-class Tara Canyon, Europe’s deepest (www.tara-tour.com).

KYRGYZSTAN
Hunting with eagles, goat polo and lashings of fermented mare’s milk: Kyrgyzstan really is like nowhere else on earth. It’s also the most hospitable of the “Stans”, with a leafy capital, Bishkek, interesting Silk Road heritage (especially in the sprawling bazaar at Osh) and limitless opportunities for horse riding and trekking in the sensational Tien Shan range. That’s mainly what you come for: galloping among gorges and glacial streams, then camping out in your yurt under the stars. Companies such as Explore (www.explore.co.uk) and Equine Adventures (www.equineadventures.co.uk) offer group itineraries; or organise your own trip through the Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism Association (www.cbtkyrgyzstan.kg), which offers eco-tours and homestays.

YUNNAN, CHINA
Remote Yunnan has been described as “China distilled into one superlative province”, with its outlandish karst-limestone peaks, endless rice terraces and time-warp towns. The best triangular tour is out from the capital Kunming, linked to Beijing and Shanghai by daily flights (www.airchina.co.uk), to explore Dali, Lijiang and Zhongdian – cobbled market towns connected by panoramic train and bus rides and crowded with temples, tai chi and (in Zhongdian) Tibetan colour. You can do the epic Tiger Leaping Gorge trek here (take the bus from Lijiang), get pummelled at the Blind Massage School in Jinghong, or take on some serious jungle treks in Xishuangbanna; the Forest Cafe (www.forest-cafe.org) at Jinghong is a great place to pick up travel information.

THE ESSENTIAL KIT
Happy backpacking is all about travelling light – and packing versatile gear that will cope with anything the world might throw at you. The right rucksack is key, and they don’t come more flexible than our Jalan 70+20, an ingenious pack that combines a roomy 70-litre main compartment with a removable day-sack for short trips.

Clothing-wise, our men’s Short Haul shirt or women’s South Island shirt is perfect as it is high wicking, fast drying, and has UPF 50 sun protection and permanent odour protection. Our Paclite is a godsend for this kind of trip, too: waterproof and breathable but incredibly light, it’s the only jacket you’ll need.

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We’d love to hear your comments on our articles, especially if you’ve been to any of these places.

Mega avalanche, French Alps
If you fancy yourself as a mountain-biking speed merchant, put this in your diary – a mad plummet off the top of a glacier in the French Alps, skidding and scrambling alongside 1,000 other riders. The Avalanche is a 90-minute technical descent through snow and forest into Alpe d’Huez, the climax of a three-day MTB jamboree packed with mini-downhills and slaloms. Our sponsored mountain biker Rob Jarman says: “The event is brilliant for riders schooled on British trail centres: a great race to train for, with a real festival atmosphere. I try to go every year.”
Details: the 2010 event is 9-11 July, registration opens 11 January; www.avalanchecup.com

The world’s highest volcano, Ecuador
Cotopaxi is the world’s highest active volcano, topping out at 5,897 metres (19,348 feet) just a little higher than Kilimanjaro and a whole lot more challenging. Technically it’s not tricky, though, so it’s the perfect peak for the beginner mountaineer and several companies offer guided climbs, with built-in training time covering the basics of glacier trekking and high mountain skills. Then it’s a six-hour mush to the summit, including a roped ascent across a heavily crevassed glacier. Your reward is breathtaking views across Ecuador’s “Avenue of the Volcanoes”.
Details: Mountain Tracks (www.mountaintracks.co.uk) offers a 14-day expedition in Ecuador, including Cotopaxi, from 27 November; price from £1,995pp, plus international flights.

Great Glen Canoe Trail, Scotland
The Caledonian Canal is a vivid sash on the map of Scotland: 96 kilometres (60 miles) of clear blue water linking Fort William with Inverness. Kayaking its length is a do-it-yourself four-day adventure, negotiating 29 locks and three vast lochs – including 37 kilometres (23 miles) of monster-hunting on Loch Ness. Set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Great Glen, the route is becoming more popular with paddlers, and Berghaus athlete Karen Darke, who completed it this summer, says: “It’s a fantastic journey, with free camping and good facilities – although don’t take it lightly. The waves can be pretty bouncy at times!”
Details: a full trail guide is downloadable at www.canoescotland.com. You’ll need a (free) licence from British Waterways (www.waterscape.com).

The Land of Fear, Niger
For a serious journey into untracked wilderness, you won’t beat crossing the southern Sahara by camel caravan. Niger’s Ténéré Desert is known by locals as the “land of fear”, an unforgiving landscape of rippling orange dunes and Bedouin encampments. The adventure company Wild Frontiers offers a two-week crossing with real-life Tuareg traders: you will help to load, feed and water your camels, then saddle up for an epic ride on the centuries-old route to the market-town oasis of Bilma. Fitness is less important than a willingness to rough it in some of the wildest terrain on earth.
Details: the 2010 expedition runs from 5-25 November and costs £4,750pp; www.wildfrontiers.co.uk.

Hebridean Challenge, Scotland
The posters promise “More mud for your money!” and you should expect to get nose to nose with nature on Britain’s toughest and most spectacular adventure race. It’s a four-day island-hop across the heathery hills and huge white beaches of the Outer Hebrides, from Barra to the Butt of Lewis. The route takes in kayaking, swimming, hill-running, cycling and mountain biking, with a break every evening for campsite get-togethers. The relay format means you don’t need to excel at every discipline and, as well as classic five-man and pairs events, this year sees a new “trio challenge” designed for “Heb” virgins.
Details: the 2010 event takes place 4-9 July; register online at www.hebrideanchallenge.com.

Lunana Snowman Trek, Bhutan
The yeti is the ultimate cryptozoological enigma: zero confirmed sightings and two million search results on Google. And while there are many mammoth Himalayan hikes to choose from, the Lunana Snowman Trek feels like proper pioneering in the remotest recesses of the Himalaya. It requires a month of hardcore trekking across the snowbound 5,000-metre (16,400-foot) passes of Bhutan, where the yeti, or Dredmo, is sacred. The trek has so far been completed by only a handful of Westerners, but is now offered in full by Himalayan specialist Mountain Kingdoms – excellent health and fitness are essential.
Details: the 2010 expedition runs from 28 September – 6 November and costs £4,725 for 39 days, plus flights; contact www.mountainkingdoms.com.

Your next challenge: The essential kit
Versatile, hard-wearing kit is essential in extreme conditions, starting with reliable base layers that keep you cool when you are exerting yourself, but warm during rest periods and in colder conditions. Our high-wicking Technical Tights are excellent, doubling as a base layer in the cold and outerwear for hotter climates or kayaking or adventure racing. They’re cut for optimum movement, and have Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) 50 sun protection. For women, our Chautara zip-neck top offers similar flexibility, working equally hard as a mid-layer or a base layer in the very cold. Its quick-drying stretch fabric is super-comfortable on the move. When choosing an expedition jacket, consider our Dru jacket, designed for alpine conditions and made from GORE-TEX® Paclite, which makes it incredibly light and packable - exactly what you need on a climb or trek.

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Do your research
First off, get hold of a guidebook designed for independent spirits, because that will list the hotels, hostels and hangouts where single travellers tend to gather. We’re talking Lonely Planet rather than Berlitz; Rough Guide rather than Blue Guide.

If you plan on being in one destination for more than a week or two, cultivate some contacts before you travel. Several websites aim to “match up” solo travellers for pre-trip advice or hosting, including www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk and www.hermail.net. You could choose to do a volunteering stint in your chosen destination, a cookery class, language school or social group that matches your profession. These can all give you a head start finding travelling partners if you think you might want some company. Websites such as www.journeywoman.com and www.transitionsabroad.com are also packed with networking ideas.

When in Rome…
Gen up on the cultural norms of your chosen destination, especially on how women dress and interact. Aim to blend in – that way you’ll make friends rather than attract attention.

It’s not just the Middle East and parts of Asia where women dress more conservatively: Africans and South Americans also tend to frown on the display of too much bare flesh. Favour muted colours, get yourself a low-maintenance hairstyle, and go easy on the bling. Dress up your travelling clothes with a scarf rather than ostentatious jewellery – though a simple ring can come in handy, especially if you wear it on the third finger of your left hand!

A nice idea is to get some “business cards” printed before you go with your name and email address, to hand out to all the new friends you’ll meet along the way.

Pack light
Carrying as little as possible is not only more practical, it is safer too. You’ll be quicker on your feet with a single backpack – maybe choose a model that has built-in wheels – than if you’re trying to keep tabs on several bags. Clothes are better rolled than folded – less space, fewer wrinkles – and clothes pegs and a stretch of line can be handy for laundering on the move. Take travel-size toiletries and refill as you go.

For protection against pickpockets, invest in a cotton money-belt or neck pouch for your money, cards and passport, then stash some lose change in a small bag, so you’ve something to hand if you need it. You can also buy bags with slash-proof panels and straps, for extra security against opportunistic thieves.

Digs and dinners
It’s fine to be footloose, but always book your first night’s accommodation before you arrive at your next destination. This way you’ve got a base from the word go, and there’s no danger you’ll be wandering around in a late-night panic, looking for digs. Choose lodgings in a buzzy neighbourhood to avoid lonely late-night walks home, and punch the hotel’s number into your cellphone for a speedy emergency contact.
Try to avoid big, impersonal hotels. In smaller guesthouses, the staff will look out for you, and there’s more chance you’ll get talking to fellow travellers over breakfast. The same goes for restaurants: look for family-friendly places, perhaps with communal tables that encourage mingling.

Stay safe
On the street, make like a local: walk purposefully and be confident and no-nonsense in your dealings with people. If you need to check the map, duck into a shop or café before you do so. If you’re worried about bag-snatchers, you could even buy something from a local grocery shop and pop your camera and guidebook into the plastic bag you’re given. Hey presto… you look like a local!

In airports and stations, keep your belongings in front of you, and make a beeline for other women or families, so you appear less isolated. Only take cabs from a registered rank – and if you’re worried, ask someone from your hotel to walk you to the car. Be extra cautious when accepting a drink from strangers, and keep an eye on the time: a crowded market can quickly morph into a deserted backstreet after nightfall.

Meeting and greeting
With all those other solo women on the road, you’re unlikely to lack for travelling partners. Even so, when you meet someone new, always plan to rendezvous in a neutral venue, preferably a busy one; and until you’re very confident about your new friend, never divulge your hotel room number, or your travel plans for the days ahead.

In some cultures, men can read the wrong signals from a casual chat with a single female. Keep things formal at first, and involve several people in your conversation. And if you should get into a scrape – if you fear you’re being followed, harassed or worse – never be shy to make a show of yourself. Ask for help from whoever is in earshot: yell, scream, whatever it takes. A bit of public embarrassment will generally warn off sleazy types – and it’s not going to kill you. Failing that, you’d be amazed how much damage a carefully placed umbrella can do!

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West Highland Way, Scotland
It may only be 152 kilometres (94 miles), but the West Highland Way packs a lot of punch, taking in Scotland’s biggest city (Glasgow), its largest freshwater loch (Loch Lomond) and its most dramatic glen (Glencoe). Superlative stuff – and many trekkers climb Ben Nevis for an encore. The trail can be completed in a week using the Aurum Press guidebook (www.aurumpress.co.uk) – but avoid June to August, when the midges show up with their fangs sharpened.

Tour du Mont Blanc, Alps
The fabled “TMB” is Europe’s highest hike, a 170-kilometre (106-mile) circuit around the continent’s tallest peak, plus several of its satellite summits. Striding out from Les Houches, near Chamonix, the trail conquers three countries (France, Italy, Switzerland), dips into archetypal Alpine resorts (Courmayeur, Champex) and tops out at the Fenetre d’Arpette, at 2,660 metres (8,727 feet). Plan it using the trail guide from Cicerone Press (www.cicerone.co.uk), and kit yourself out with our Tarazed Boots: suitably rugged for three-to-four season mountain trekking, and with GORE-TEX® lining guaranteed to repel the snow-melt.

Grand Canyon Rim to Rim, USA
Millions of tourists have brought their boots to the brink of the Grand Canyon, gazing 1,829 metres (6,000 feet) down onto the Colorado River below; far fewer have been down and dipped their toes in. The two-day rim-to-rim traverse of the world’s biggest hole in the ground is only 40 kilometres (25 miles) long, but it’s iconically tough. October is the best month to tackle it; for information, visit www.grandcanyonhiker.com.

Inca Trail to Choquequirao, Peru
A lost Inca citadel, pristinely preserved, panoramically located and only accessible on foot. No, not Machu Picchu… Choquequirao, whose temples and terraces loom on a 1,750-metre (5,741-feet) ridge above the Apurimac gorge. Getting there entails a testing two-day mule trek through canyons and cloud forest; Cuzco-based SAS Travel (sastravelperu.com) offers guides and advice. With the (original) Inca Trail becoming over-run and over-regulated, Choquequirao will get busier, so discover it before the hordes do.

Tiger Leaping Gorge, China
It is said that a tiger once hurdled Tiger Leaping Gorge to escape a hunter – but you won’t want to try it. It is 25 metres (82 feet) across – and 1,000 metres (3,281 feet) straight down into the Yangtze River. The “High Trail” slinks along the precipices above, walked by the stocky Naxi villagers for generations. A three-hour bus ride from Lijiang, in Yunnan province, the trek is two days and 22 kilometres (14 miles) of stupendous scenery; www.chinabackpacker.info gives an overview.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp, Himalayas
Everyone’s heard of Everest Base Camp – and that’s the problem. Kanchenjunga gets a fraction of the footfall, and the trek towards the summit of the world’s third highest mountain is sensational – crossing rhododendron forests, circling glacial lakes and emerging on a grassy shelf at over 5,000 metres (16,404 feet), with a frieze of Himalayan peaks scrolling along the horizon. Permit restrictions mean you have to go with a group; Adventure Thamserku (www.adventurethamserku.com) is a reliable local operator. You’re also going to need a high-performing jacket, and our Brenta Micro Jacket offers outstanding warmth to weight ratio, thanks to its Polartec Thermal Pro lining.

Fish River Canyon, Namibia
Until there are hiking trails on the Moon, we’ll have to make do with Fish River Canyon, an eerie, echoing gash through the Namib Desert. Sulphur springs steam, cobras hiss, and pinnacles of rock blush pink in the sunlight. It’s a big-league backpacking trek through the ravine – 85 kilometres (53 miles) in five days, and not to be attempted outside the winter months (May to August); www.namibia-travel.net is a good starting point for information. Gear-wise, our Ignite jacket is an excellent choice: ultra-lightweight with great insulation, providing instant warmth yet packing away to almost nothing.

Routeburn Track, New Zealand
The Milford Track gets all the press, and it is stunning – especially that huge fjord at the end. But it can also be rainy, fly-bitten and overcrowded. The Kiwi cognoscenti favour the Routeburn Track (www.doc.govt.nz), which treads the snow-capped alpine saddle between the Fiordland and Mount Aspiring national parks. It is a three-day, 32-kilometre (20-mile) tramp with views into the Dart Valley, which starred as Isengard in Lord of the Rings.

If you think those trails sound challenging, spare a thought for Ed Stafford, who trekked 6,400 kilometres (4,000 miles) through uncharted rainforest, without so much as a path to follow. In April 2008, Ed embarked on a mind-blowing challenge to become the first person to trek the entire length of the Amazon, from source to sea. Ed finished his epic journey in August 2010. We supported Ed by supplying essential kit. Find out more about his expedition at www.walkingtheamazon.com

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