10 hikes through the cleanest air in the world

10 hikes through the cleanest air in the world

from Canada's wild hinterland to the jungles of Brunei we share some fantastic hikes through the cleanest air in the world

A few months after we moved to the country, some friends from London came to visit. "It feels like mountain air here," commented one when he got out of the car. I laughed and said, 'It's not that cold.' He shook his head and said: "I don't mean the temperature. I mean quality."

I didn't think much about the next time I visited London and found how greasy and dirty it left my skin. My pores seemed to be darkening in the city after a week. My shirt collar became visibly dirty and the dust and the pollution felt oppressive.

10 hikes through the cleanest air in the world

When I returned to Richmond, I realized how happy we were to have such easy access to the Yorkshire Dales, some of which were branded due to the air quality as one of the "breathing breaks in Great Britain".

That let us ask where we could find some hikes through the cleanest air in the world.

1. Laugavegurinn, Iceland

Distance: 77 km (48 miles) Duration: 4 days

alt = “Island is one of our hikes in the cleanest air in the world“> Dream time Islands Laugavegurinn-Path

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Iceland has one of the cleanest air in the world.

The Laugaveinnin Trail in the country is ideal for hikers who want to experience the true Icelandic wilderness. It comprises the twin crater of Magni and Móði (named after the sons of Thor) and winds through a varied landscape of mountains, glaciers, roaring hot sources and a variety of waterfalls, including the 200 foot cascade from Skógafoss.

overnight accommodation is available in six huts along the way (June to September; pre -registration) or at campsites at the huts. Wild camps are not allowed.

Further literature: The Laugavegur Trail: A hiking companion to Iceland's famous trek

2. Tonquin Valley, Canada

Distance: 43 km (27 miles) Duration: 3-5 days

alt = “”> Tobin Akehurst/Shutterstock Canada's Tonquin Valley

This picturesque hike meanders through the High McCarib Pass to the Tonquin Valley and beyond the Astoria River and offers breathtaking views on Canada's hinterland landscapes.

The majestic city walls, mighty glaciers, wide flower fields and the glittering amethyse lake in the region draw a breathtaking picture in the middle of one of the cleanest air in the world. In fact, the legendary photographer Ansel Adams made his first trip as Sierra Club photographer.

Visit July to September for the best weather, but be aware that it can snow in every season.

Further literature: Life of the Trail 6: Historical hikes to the Athabasca Pass, Fortress Lake & Tonquin Valley

3. Karhunkierros, Finland

Distance: 80 km (50 miles) Duration: 3-4 days

alt = “The Bärenringweg in Finland has some of the cleanest air in the world-Finland”> Dream time The Bärenringweg in Finland

The Karhunkierros path, also known as the bear's ring path, meanders through the Finnish Oulanka National Park, past gorges, waterfalls, gorges and rapids.

Eight wilderness huts line the route and there are several campfire points and shelters (wild camping is not allowed). For the less adventurous, there is the ring of the small bear, which is 12 km (7.5 miles) long and can be mastered in one day. Visit June to October for the best weather.

Further literature: Lonely Planet Finland

4. Bukit Shahbandar, Brunei Darussalam

Distance: 3.4 km duration: 2 hours

alt = "Brunei has one of the cleanest air in the world"> Dream time Brunei on the island of Borneo

Brunei, a tiny nation on the island of Borneo, is only two positions behind Iceland.

Hiking trails here are limited due to strict regulations. The options include Bukit Shahbandar, a short way through hilly terrain, or the Ulu Temburong National Park. The latter is located within 500 km2 of untouched rainforest, but tourists are only allowed to visit a square kilometer and only visit as part of an organized tour.

Further literature: Brunei Darussalam: The country, the Sultan, the people

5. Polar district path, Greenland

Distance: 165 km (103 miles) Duration: 7-10 days

Alt = "Innajuattoq hut on the Arctic Circle Trail"> Atlas & Boots The Polarkreis-Trail

hiking within the Arctic Circle may not be for everyone, but it offers a breathtaking landscape in the middle of wonderfully clean air. Peter (almost) finished the trail last year. Read about his adventures in Trekking The Arctic Circle Trail: A dream is in smoke.

This path, one of the most remote in the world, meanders through the "land of the hundred lakes" and touches the soul with its sounding emptiness. It runs from the inland settlement Kangeraufuaq to the city of Sisimiut on the west coast.

There are eight sleeping huts along the way that usually only offers 4-10 people. This gives you an idea of ​​how few the trip try.

Further literature: Trekking in Greenland: The Arctic Circle Path

6. Queen Charlotte Track, New Zealand

Distance: 70 km (44 miles) Duration: 3-5 days

alt = “”> Milosz Maslanka/Shutterstock Queen Charlotte Sound in New Zealand

This year -round hiking trail winds through the sunlit hills of the Marlborough Sounds on the South Island. Starting from Ship Cove, which was visited by Captain Cook in the 17th century, the path follows the comb between Queen Charlotte Sound and Kenepuru Sound and winds to Anakiwa.

You can camp all the way or spend the night in comfortable lodges in Furneaux, Punga Cove and Portage. Note that most of the way is open to mountain bikers. Visit between December and February when you prefer a quieter hike.

Further literature: New Zealand - The Great Walks: includes Auckland & Wellington City Guides

7. Kungsleden, Sweden

Distance: 105 km (65 miles) Duration: 3-5 days

alt = "Best national parks in Europe Sarek"> Dream time Kungsleden or 'The King’s Trail' in Sweden

the Kungsleden or "The King’s Trail" is a hundred miles behind the Arctic Circle and can be hiked from north to south or from the south to north (choose the former to keep the sun on it).

From the Abisko mountain station to the village of Nikkaluokta, the path winds through birch forests, open tundra and wonderful glaciers before he crosses Sweden's highest summit, the mountain Kebnekaise, which stands on 2,111 m (6.926 ft).

huts are a day apart and offer consolation in the barren width of the far north.

Further literature: Kungsleden: The Königsweg through the Arctic Sweden

8. Croagh Patrick, Ireland

Distance: 13 km (8 miles) Duration: 1 day

Alt = ““ “Span Class =" Media-Credit "> Douglas Gray/Shutterstock St. Patrick is said to have spent 40 days and nights in prayer at the summit

The legend states that the seven -time climb of this 764 m (2,507 ft) high summit guarantees its place in heaven (but once is sufficient for most mortals). The rocky climb is certainly steep, but they comfort themselves that more than half of the visitors are not hikers, but pilgrims.

st. Patrick is said to have spent 40 days and nights in prayer at the summit, a story that inspires visitors from all over the world. Hikers and pilgrims are rewarded with breathtaking views on Clew Bay and the county of Mayo behind it.

It may also be encouraging to know that a Guinness in the centuries -old Campbell’s Pub is the usual end. Spring until autumn is the best weather, but the ascent can take place all year round when the summit is snow -free.

Further literature: Croagh Patrick: A pilgrimage. A place of beauty

9. Bay of Fires, Tasmania, Australia

Distance: 26 km (16 miles) Duration: 4 days

alt = “”> Visual Collective/Shutterstock Bay of Fires in Tasmania

Tasmania is proud of its fresh air and his clean life. Try it out first hand on this breathtaking hike from Stumpy’s Bay to the Bay of Fires Lodge.

With a view to endless expanses made of fine white sand, turquoise water from Tasman and surreal rock formations, which are covered with red lichen, the path drives up and out of the bays.

October to May is the best time to travel and hikers have to join a guided tour.

Further literature: 40 Great Walks in Australia

10. Shackletons Route, Antarctic

Distance: 35 km (22 miles) Duration: 1-2 days

alt = “The Antarctic has one of the cleanest air in the world“> Dream time It is not surprising that the Antarctic has one of the cleanest air in the world

The Antarctic is really the last border for adventure travel and the landscape is untouched. No wonder that hikes through the cleanest air in the world are at home. The hike on Shackletons Route from King Haakon Bay to Stromness is an epic undertaking over unpredictable glacier columns and wonderful glaciers.

The black beaches of South Georgia are full of penguins and countless bird species line the route. The track ends in Stromness at the same place, where Shackleton and his crew finally ended their epic journey to rescue.

Further literature: In Shackleton's footsteps: A return to the heart of Antarctic

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