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Latest · Navigation & apps17 1How Does Temperature Change with Altitude in the Mountains?
The higher you hike, the colder it usually gets, but temperature does not always fall by exactly the same amount. We explain the 0.65 °C per 100 metres rule, how to estimate the temperature on a mountain summit, and when inversions, clouds, humidity or weather fronts can completely change the picture.
Safety7 1Tick Removal, Bite Care and Vaccination: A Complete Guide for Hikers
What should you do if you find a tick attached to you? How should you remove it correctly, what should you watch for over the following weeks, when should you see a doctor, what is the difference between Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis, and what does preventive vaccination actually protect against? A practical step-by-step guide for hikers.
Gear9 1Energy Gels, MagnaShot and Energy Shot for Hiking — What Are They For and Are They Worth Using?
Energy gels, isotonic drinks, electrolyte tablets, MagnaShot, Energy Shot and caffeinated gels: before a longer hike, it is easy to get lost among sports nutrition products. This guide explains what each one actually provides, when it may be useful, what not to expect from it, and whether you really need it on an average mountain hike.
Navigation & apps12 1Is Tyrol part of Austria or Italy? What hikers should know
The name Tyrol can refer both to an Austrian federal state and to a larger historical Alpine region, which is why Austrian Tyrol is often confused with South Tyrol in Italy and with Trentino. This guide explains where the modern borders run, why South Tyrol became part of Italy, and how North Tyrol, East Tyrol, South Tyrol and Trentino differ from a hiker’s perspective.
Navigation & apps9 1GPS, Galileo and GNSS for hikers: what matters in Europe?
GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, GNSS, multi-band and dual-band: the specifications of a hiking watch or smartphone can quickly become confusing. For hiking in Europe, however, the main question is not GPS versus Galileo, but how many satellite systems and frequencies your device can use at the same time. Here is what really matters in the Alps, Tatras, Carpathians, Dolomites, forests and gorges.
Safety9 1Edible wild plants, berries and fruits for hikers
Blackberries, raspberries, wild strawberries, sloes, rose hips, Cornelian cherries, hawthorn, wild garlic and nettles are just some of the edible plants and fruits hikers may encounter. But edible does not always mean safe to eat raw, and misidentification can cause serious poisoning. This guide covers common edible species in Hungary, important look-alikes, foraging rules and what is best left untouched.
Navigation & apps28 1Hungarian El Camino: St James Way in Hungary
The “Hungarian El Camino” usually refers to the Hungarian sections of the St James Way. Camino Húngaro starts in Budapest and Camino Benedictus in Tihany; both lead to Lébény and then continue through Rajka, Bratislava and Wolfsthal to connect with the wider European Camino network. This guide covers the routes, daily stages, waymarks, pilgrim credential, accommodation and key preparation details.
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Gear186 3Hiking boot brands: what each is good at, who they suit, and where to buy them
What is each hiking boot brand best known for? Hanwag, Meindl, LOWA, Scarpa, La Sportiva, AKU, Zamberlan, Salomon, Merrell and Hoka: a clear guide to their strengths, the types of hiking they suit, the foot shapes worth considering, and where you can find them in Hungarian shops and webstores.
Navigation & apps20 2Gopass guide: where it works, what the card and app do, and whether you need to queue
Gopass can look complicated at first: there is an app, a digital card, a plastic chip card, QR codes, goX cashback and online tickets. In practice, the system is straightforward once you know which one you need and when. This guide explains where Gopass works, how to buy lift tickets, when you can skip the ticket-office queue, whether you need a physical card, whether it has to be returned, and what discounts or cashback you can get.
Gear22 1Satellite phones in the mountains: how they work, what they can do, and which one to choose
What happens when mobile coverage disappears in the mountains? A satellite phone or a smaller satellite communicator can still keep you connected, but they are designed for different jobs. This guide explains the difference in plain language, how they work, what each type is good for, which brands are available, and what to check before buying or renting one.
Safety11 1Wildlife while hiking: what animals should you expect in each region?
Bear, wolf, lynx, wild boar, viper, tick, chamois or ibex: the mountains of neighbouring countries have very different wildlife. This guide shows region by region which species you can realistically expect, and which ones represent a practical issue for hikers.
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Gear73 3Smartwatches for hiking: what should a good GPS hiking watch do, and which brands are available?
A smartwatch for hiking can be much more than a simple step counter: it can record a GPX track, display offline maps, warn when you leave the route, measure altitude, help you return to the starting point, and keep working through multi-day hikes without charging. We explain which features really matter in the mountains, how sports watches differ from classic smartwatches, and which manufacturers offer serious outdoor models.
Gear49 1Hiking clothing materials: GORE-TEX, eVent, Pertex, softshell and merino – what is each best for?
GORE-TEX, eVent, Pertex Shield, Dermizax, Sympatex, FUTURELIGHT, softshell, merino, fleece, PrimaLoft – hiking clothing labels are full of names, but they do not all describe the same thing. Some are membranes, some are laminated shell fabrics, some are fibres, insulation types or brand-specific technologies. To choose well, first understand what problem each material is designed to solve.
Navigation & apps27 3Austria discount cards: which ones do you buy, and which ones come with your accommodation?
Kärnten Card, SalzburgerLand Card, Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card, Schladming-Dachstein Card, Stubai Super Card, Ötztal Summer Card, Innsbruck Welcome Card, Nassfeld +CARD holiday and Bregenzerwald Guest Card do not all work the same way. Some must be purchased separately, some are available only through participating accommodation, and some use a hybrid model. This guide first shows the prices and how to get each card, then explains region by region what each one actually includes.
Via ferrata22 2Via ferrata bridges: Nepalese, Vietnamese, Burmese and other bridge types – what is what?
Monkey bridge, Nepalese bridge, Tibetan bridge, Vietnamese bridge, Burmese bridge, Himalayan suspension bridge, beam bridge, ladder bridge, passerelle – via ferrata descriptions use many different names. This article organises the most common via ferrata bridge types, shows what structure each name usually refers to, and explains in practical terms how to cross them safely.
Safety22 1Hiking First Aid Kit – What Should You Carry?
A good hiking first aid kit is not a miniature pharmacy. It is built for the problems that actually happen on the trail: scrapes, bleeding, blisters, sprains, allergic reactions, cold stress, and the personal medicines you may need.
Safety17 2What to Do If Darkness Falls in the Mountains
If darkness falls while you are in the mountains, do not rush. Stop, switch on your headlamp, fix your position, and decide on one safe next step: continue, turn back, or stay put and call for help.
Experiences & spas31 1Zakopane and the Polish Tatras thermal baths – which one should you choose?
Around Zakopane, thermal bathing is not just a bad-weather backup plan but a travel experience in its own right. You can choose from six major year-round thermal and leisure complexes plus a seasonal geothermal lido – from family aquaparks and large sauna worlds to quieter wellness centres and naturally sulphurous thermal water.
Safety36 1How much does mountain rescue cost in each country?
Mountain rescue costs vary widely across Europe by country and type of rescue. We collected where rescue is free of charge, where you may be billed, what the realistic costs are, and when travel or sports insurance may reimburse them.
Hikes & routes29 1Europe’s Highest Points by Country — 47 Countries, 45 High Points
Europe’s national high points range from major alpine summits such as Elbrus, Mont Blanc and Dufourspitze to modest hills and urban high points in countries such as Denmark, Monaco and Vatican City. This guide compares the highest point in 47 European countries, explains the geographical-border cases behind the list, and shows which objectives are straightforward hikes, demanding mountain days or genuine alpine climbs.
Navigation & apps48 1Weather Apps for Hiking — Which Ones Should You Use?
Before a hike, the most important thing is not whether an app shows a sun or rain icon. Check when precipitation is expected, how much may fall, how strong the gusts may be, what conditions are expected at your hiking elevation, and what the radar shows before you set off.
Planning & logistics12 1Hiking with a Dog — What You Need to Know Before You Go
Hiking with a dog is far more enjoyable when you plan for more than the route itself. You also need to consider your dog’s fitness, equipment, access rules, heat and tick exposure. This practical guide covers what to check before setting off, what to carry and what to watch for on the trail.
Top 1030 2Montenegro TOP 10 – 10 Best Hiking Routes
Montenegro packs sea bays, primeval forest, glacial lakes, canyons and mountains rising above 2,000 metres into a very small area. These ten routes are selected so that a regular hiker can experience the best of the country without technical mountaineering skills.
Gear25 1Vibram, Contagrip, Michelin — What Does a Hiking Shoe Sole Really Do?
The brand name on a hiking shoe outsole is only a starting point. On wet rock the rubber compound matters, in mud lug depth and spacing matter, and on descents the heel design can make a major difference.
Gear23 1Knee Pain on Hikes — How to Use Trekking Poles Properly
Knee strain often becomes most noticeable on descents. Correctly adjusted trekking poles, shorter steps and controlled downhill technique can reduce the load on your knees — but only if the poles are actually taking some of the force rather than simply swinging beside you.
Via ferrata52 2Hohe Wand Via Ferratas — Which Route Should You Choose?
Around an hour south of Vienna and roughly three hours from Budapest, Hohe Wand packs a remarkable range of via ferrata routes into one compact limestone wall system, from easy protected paths to serious D/E sport ferratas. This guide explains what each type of route is like, where to start and how to build up the difficulty sensibly.
Safety27 1What to do if you encounter a bear while hiking
Brown bears generally avoid people, but during a sudden close encounter you may have only seconds to make good decisions. This guide covers prevention, the first moments of an encounter, the proper role of bear spray, the difference between defensive behaviour and persistent approach, and the key rules for camping and emergency response.