Vesuvius: the backway

Hiking is a mental sport

Visiting Naples? Then most likely Mount Vesuvius is also part of your trip. If you’re not afraid to get a little volcanic sand in your shoes, there’s a much better way to peek into the crater than taking the shuttle up with the crowds!

Mens sana in corpore sano is not a one-way street. While hiking in nature can positively impact your mental health, you also need good mental health to be a strong hiker. It’s a lesson I learnt the hard way...

PCT: Goodbye desert, hello mountains

Applause. That’s how every hiker is welcomed to Kennedy Meadows. We got our round of it too, when we officially completed the PCT’s Southern California section: 702 miles of desert hiking!

PCT: How Katy Perry describes the desert better than I can

13%. That’s how much of the PCT we already completed: 342 miles or 550 kilometres. Tomorrow, we will be halfway done with the desert, which is hard to wrap our heads around.

Rocky ridges on Luxembourg’s Lee Trail​

​To test our gear one last time before hitting the Pacific Crest Trail, we explored the valley of the Sure and its beautiful rocky ridges on the Lee Trail, one of Luxembourg’s finest hiking trails.

IWD 2022: Rethinking narratives keeping women out of the outdoors

“You’re not going alone, are you?” In every conversation I have had about my upcoming PCT thru-hike, the question has popped up. While concern is a good thing, it becomes problematic when it is tied solely to my gender.

Wilderness Advanced First Aid certified and a big announcement

Care to break a leg when you’re out hiking with me? You’d be in good hands: I am now officially Wilderness Advanced First Aid certified! With big hiking plans on the horizon, I finally overcame my squeamishness and took the course ... 

France: Book burnings, blueberry pie and cracker cravings on the GR 738

The sensation of dry feet feels like a distant memory after four rainy days on the GR 738. But on day five, I have officially survived my solo hike and continue the adventure with a companion!

France: Me, myself and the mist on the GR 738 in the Belledonne

“Why on EARTH do you want to hike in the mountains alone?” Though far from the words of encouragement I crave, my mom makes a fair point. Why do I?

The curse of Wadi Karak: Exploring Jordan's slot canyons

The best adventures are the ones you did not plan and Jordan happens to excel at providing those! Exploring its beautiful slot canyons is always a treat.

Belgium: ​Hiking the Hoge Ardennenroute
​part three

Having walked 278 kilometres through some of the most beautiful parts of the country, we finished our journey in in the midst of a summer storm.

Belgium: ​Hiking the Hoge Ardennenroute part two

From hidden treasures and gnomes to blood-thirsty creatures: sections two and three of the Hoge Ardennenroute had it all!

Belgium: ​Hiking the Hoge Ardennenroute part one

With the borders still closed, the first section of the Hoge Ardennenroute proved to be the perfect recipe for adventure close to home. 

The psychological price for hiking solo as a woman

​While I love hiking solo, these adventures are never carefree. The irrepressible urge to look over my shoulder always re-emerges.

Belgium: A fall hike to Signal de Botrange

The fairytale forests, fall foliage and plenitude of options for accidental mud baths made the hike from Eupen on the GR 573 more than worthwhile.

France: From Landry to Briançon on the GR 5

It was love at first sniff in the Alps: the shepherd dogs' acceptance of us, the cow's keen interest in our crackers and our fondness of the clean mountain air.

France: The white chalk cliffs of Cap Blanc-Nez

Walking along the chalk cliffs on the GR du Littoral, we dove into the region's military history and afterwards into the chilly North Sea.

Belgium: Meerdaalwoud and the Doode Bemde

Having grown up in Belgium, I am programmed to believe it is a boring place. Luckily, a fresh pair of eyes has been proving me wrong recently.

France: On the the GR 10 in the High Pyrenees

Even without flying, Katrien and I got to spend a week with our head in the clouds on the GR 10 between Gavarnie and Bagnères-de-Luchon.

Pacific Crest Trail: ​Lessons from my 2020 NOGO

COVID-19 taught me some of the lessons I expected to learn on the Pacific Crest Trail: setting mini goals and embracing the suck. 

Wales: Pen Y Fan in the Brecon Beacons

"It is looking grim out there," the hostel owner confirmed. But Pen Y Fan was waiting, so we took our chances and braved the elements.

Pacific Crest Trail:
​The visa interview

When the consular officer's blank stare made me wonder whether I was conveying my desire to walk from Mexico to Canada adequately enough. ​

Jordan Trail: ​From ​Petra to the Humeima ruins

That time when Fadi and I burried our resupply on the wrong side of the mountain, yet still managed to complete the Jordan Trail.

Jordan Trail: From Wadi Rum to the beach in Aqaba

When Katy and I got to Rum, few seemed convinced that two girls could cross the desert by themselves. Yet over the next three days, we did just that.

Georgia: Village to village in the Svaneti mountains

In Svaneti, Aseel and I learnt that George will always have your back and that dancing to Beyoncé can get you a discount on a horse ride.

Chile: Hiking the W trek in Torres del Paine

Nicole and I hiked the W trek in Torres del Paine and learnt the hard way that camping in Patagonia's 100km/hour winds is not the best idea.