Blog

The View From Bout du Monde The Cirque du Fer-a-Ceval is a unique place in the French Alps. There is a trail in that neck of the woods that the French call Bout due Monde, The End of the World Hike. We first hiked this trail back in 2021 and I was thrilled to discover that it was only an hour drive from our location in Combloux which gave us to see it again. I would have to say that this hike ranks as the best hike in France for us. The visuals are like something out of th

Lac d'Ilheou July 31 2026 While most Cauterets tourists looking for a beautiful lake hike head fifteen minutes south to Pont d'Espagne for the walk to Lac Gaube there is a lake right in town that the locals love, Lac d'Ilheou. The owner of my Airbnb duplex, Xavier, couldn't stop raving about it and said it only takes him an hour from the starting point in Cambasque to get to the lake. We made our way to the out & back hike from Cambasque the next day at Xavier's recommendati

Cirque de Garvanie in the French Pyrenees July 20 2026 If you ever get to the French Pyrenees there is one place to visit that is a must; The Cirque de Garvanie. Located in the commune of Garvanie there have been many descriptions over the years but Victor Hugo described it best as "the Colosseum of nature". The cirque was Placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997 and is the gem of the Pyrenees. Horseback riding on Garvanie river into the cirque. The best way to reac

Solitude Nordic Center in Brighton, Utah March 2026 On paper, Solitude Nordic Center may not seem impressive, with just 20km of trails. However, the location and terrain will keep you coming back for more. Situated at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, be prepared with chains or all-weather tires on a snowy day; otherwise, good luck. The drive up the canyon is beautiful, steep, and dotted with avalanche warning signs. Upon reaching Brighton, you're at 8,700 feet, making it one

February 2026 If you're a cross-country skier who enjoys valley terrain, the Euer Valley at Tahoe Donner Nordic Center in Truckee, California has the perfect trails. This serene valley offers a beautiful escape into nature, far away from the crowds. My eleven-mile journey covered most of the valley floor (a few trails were closed) with minimal elevation gain, except for the 400 foot climb back to the Adventure Center, and involved only a few repeated trails. For those seeking