Summer is officially over, yet that does not mean that you cannot enjoy a beautifully sunny holiday anymore. On the contrary. September and October are perfect if you want to take a trip without being surrounded by endless tourist crowds. Nothing as relaxing as a nice walk along the coast to empty your head, so why not take it a step further and walk for several days? Depending on what you enjoy most, you can take your tent along and set up camp after a long day of walking or just take the necessities and sleep in a comfortable hotel. Either way, we selected some of the most beautiful coastal hikes the world has on offer to make your choice a little easier (or more difficult, depending on how you look at it).
1. West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island (Canada)
If you think of Canada, the coast line is probably not the first thing that will pop in your mind. However, that does not mean that it is not worth the effort. The West Coast Trail was established in 1907 in order to facilitate the rescue of shipwrecked survivors along the coast. Nowadays, the route shows you about 75 kilometers of the Pacific Rim National Park. This is no match for those who do not want to get out of their comfort zone, as you will have to climb some ladders, stairs carved into the stones and other obstacles. On the plus side: as you have to make a reservation in order to walk the trail, you will not be bothered too much by other hikers. Along the way, you will encounter a wide variety of landscapes, ranging from bogs to pebble beaches and everything in between. Culture lovers will be pleased to know that there are also tons of First Nations archaeological sites on the route – a true gem if you want to combine the best of nature and culture in one quite doable trip.
2. Shikoku Pilgrimage, Shikoku (Japan)
Are you longing for some spiritual relieve? Then you might want to head to the Japanese island of Shikoku as soon as possible. Be aware though that this hike covers an epic 1200 kilometers, so either take a lot of time off or carefully choose the part you want to walk. This pilgrimage is associated with the Buddhist monk Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) and takes you to no less than 88 different temples located on the coastline of the island. If you want, you can also hike the route in the opposite direction as this is sometimes considered as lucky. This is certainly no trip for the faint of heart yet we are sure it will show you a new sense of life. As the pilgrimage has already been known for 1200 years, there are a lot of accommodation options en route, guaranteeing you some kind of comfort at night. Make sure to pack a good pair of walking shoes though.
3. Lycian Way (Turkey)
The Lycians have been around for quite some time. According to historians, Lycian people lived in the prehistoric Late Bronze Age. They were most-known for their city-states, including Xanthos, Myra and Olympos. During later times, Lycia was occupied first by the Persian Empire, then by the Greeks, the Romans and so on. The Lycians were even mentioned by Homer and they are still surrounded by some mystery. The 500 kilometer-long trail takes you from Ovacik all the way to Antalya and shows you some of the most breath-taking parts of the Turkish coastline. If you are someone who usually gets bored quickly, you might want to look into the Lycian Way as it is very varied. Sometimes you are alone with the sea and the Mediterranean rocks, sometimes you encounter remnants from the pasts, sometimes you are sipping on a fresh juice in a well-kept coastal town filled with white-colored houses. Truly, there is something for everyone and September and October are without a doubt the best months to begin your journey as temperatures are way more bearable than during the summer months.
4. La Ruta de la Pedra en Sec, Mallorca (Spain)
For a long time, Mallorca was considered as a cheap holiday destination which had nothing to offer to the more adventurous type of tourist. Yet that totally changed with the arrival of the Ruta de la Pedra en Sec, also known as the GR 221. The name is a referral to the stones hikers will encounter on their way, which were used to build low walls, cabins and others. During the 167 kilometer long hike, you will get a glimpse of the rugged nature the island has to offer. Think: Mediterranean hills, covered with citrus orchards, pine trees and olive gardens. The hike is divided into eight legs and along the way you will find refuges where you can safely spend the night. Due to the hot summer months, it is advised to book your trip during spring or autumn as this will make the whole experience a lot more bearable.
