In the first part of our Kumano Kodo hike, we walk through mile after mile of cypress forests. We get great views of the mountains at a village called Takahara, and we stay at a beautiful house called Happiness Chikatsuyu.
Hiking the Nakasendo Way, Japan: Magome to Nakatsugawa
Magome to Nakatsugawa is a lovely downhill hike along country roads, through the forest, and through towns. A gardener gives Diana flowers.
Hiking the Nakasendo Way, Japan: Tsumago to Magome
In part three of our Nakasendo Way hike, we visit the pretty post-towns of Tsumago and Magome, and we hike the pass between the two towns. Near the pass we visit a tea-house and chat with the friendly men who run the place.
Hiking the Nakasendo Way, Japan: Kiso-Fukushima to Tsumago
In part two of our Nakasendo Way hike, we walk south from Kiso-Fukushima along the Kiso River. We stay in a historic Japanese guesthouse in the post-town of Suhara. We hike through a scenic valley with rice paddies and farms. We then set off for Tsumago.
Hiking the Nakasendo Way, Japan: Matsumoto to Kiso-Fukushima
The Nakasendo Way ( 中 山 道 in Japanese) is an old route through the mountains of central Honshu. In part one of our hike we visit the towns of Matsumoto, Narai, and Kiso-Fukushima.
Hiking Isle of Anglesey: Aberffraw to Holyhead
In fifth and final part of our hike around Anglesey we visit the west coast of the island. We hike across spectacular headlands, pretty beaches, and we get a private airshow by the RAF Red Arrows. On our last day we hike across Holyhead Mountain, high above the clouds.
Hiking Isle of Anglesey: Bangor to Aberffraw
In part four of our hike around Anglesey we stop by a town called Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. We hike to Llanddwyn Island where we visit the church of St. Dwynwen, Welsh patron saint of lovers, who had a magical well full of enchanted eels that could tell the fortunes of lovesick pilgrims.
Hiking Isle of Anglesey: Benllech to Bangor
In part three of our Anglesey hike, we hike around Red Wharf Bay estuary, W hike through some pretty rolling hills to Penmon Point. We visit Penmon Priory, and we get chased by a bull on the way to Bangor.
Hiking Isle of Anglesey: Cemaes to Benllech
In part two of our hike around Anglesey we visit a tiny church founded by St. Patrick himself. We spot the dorsal fins of porpoises just offshore. We put in a long day to end up at gigantic Benllech beach.
Hiking Isle of Anglesey: Holyhead to Cemaes
In part one of our Anglesey hike we visit Holyhead, a port town on the Irish Sea. We hike along sandy coves and rocky headlands to Church Bay, where we stay in a loft above a seafood restaurant. We then hike to Cemaes, where we get lost in a nuclear power plant.