End of August I spend 10 days in the Sarek Mountains and Sarek National Park in Swedish Lapland. Words will not be enough to describe how it felt to be (mostly) alone in the wild for almost 10 days. Lapland is an addiction for me. I keep going back there time after time. This was my 4th trip in not even 2 years. I long for the solitude and open space. The fresh air and raw, pure nature. And ofcourse the Aurora Borealis to make things complete. Sarek offers all of this. It is a special place that still feels real. I wouldn’t say it really is the last European wilderness but it is still a wild place for sure. I hope this trip report will help you to plan a hike in Sarek or inspire you to go out and explore other beautiful places.
Hiking Report
To the top of the Harz Mountains in Germany. Sunset hike on the Brocken!
Hiking ReportA few weeks ago I finally visited a good friend of mine who lives near the Harz National Park in north Germany. I heard many stories and saw numerous photos of what many claim to be one of the most beautiful national parks of the country. It was going to be a adventure packed weekend full of mountain biking, hiking and trail running. But the hike to watch the sunset at the top of the highest mountain in the park was probably the highlight of the trip. Brocken sits gently at 1.142 meters above sea level. It is not the most good looking mountain in the world but it’s a beautiful hike to reach the top. There are many routes to follow but we decided to depart from Ilsenburg on the east side of the Harz Mountains.
Exploring the valley of the Hoëgne
Hiking ReportThe Hoëgne is one of the most spectacular rivers in Belgium. It’s source is near Signal de Botrange which is the highest point of the country reaching 692 meters above sea level. Eventually the Hoëgne will flow into the Vesdre near Pepinster. The most impressive section of this wild (to Belgian standards) is relatively unknown and a bit hidden in the forests near Solwaster and Jalhay. A great place for a day hike or a picnic with Le Cascade de Leopold or Leopold waterfall as one of the highlights.