In short, trekking is a hike along a pre-prepared route - a track.

But still, a number of questions and disputes arise about the real meaning of this word, let's figure it out.

The word itself is borrowed from English and most translators upon request trekking that’s what they give out - “trekking” (already with one “k”), and in some cases you can see “hike” or “hiking” as a translation, although this will most likely come out if you enter hiking, but more on that later . Trekking should not be confused with the consonant word tracking, since its meaning in English is completely different and not related to tourism.

Most of the disputes arise about what type of tourism in Russian can be called trekking. Most likely, this is due to the difference in tourism culture here and in the West, and many here believe that trekking can only be in the Alps or Nepal, where there are marked routes and you can walk from shelter to shelter without using tents. That's right, this is real tracking, only the presence of signs and shelters does not define the concept itself. Trekking can also be in the absolute wilderness, overcoming untrodden passes and deserted valleys.

I repeat, trekking is an English word and foreigners do not have the concept of “hiking”, so everything that we call hiking, they will call trekking. Have you heard what they call a shopping trip these days? That's right - shopping, and good old body stretching is now generally called stretching. It's the same with hiking. Therefore, trekking is a hike.

How boring Americans are, you say, one word for all occasions. But no, in fact, we have one word - hike, and to it we add: “weekend hike (WHT)”, sports hike, hiking trip, etc. In English there are several more words that distinguish other types of tourism.

For example, hiking(hiking) - similar in meaning to our “PVD”, that is, a short walk for one or two days, during which they walk lightly. This type of travel is very popular in Europe, since there are really many routes along which you can walk without having anything that we are used to putting in a backpack before going on a hike. You simply follow good nature trails, a set route to the nearest shelter where you can eat and even spend the night.

Even in America they love the concept backpacker(backpacker), this is the name given to free travelers with backpacks (backpack is translated as backpack), who are not tied to a specific route, unlike trekking.

To make it clearer, let's look at examples:

Trekking- This is the same hiking tourism, but carried out in rough or mountainous terrain. Pursues recreational purposes. Trekking can be sport tourism if included in a mountaineering event.

The history of trekking begins with Nepal and with Boris Lisanevich, a Russian by origin, but a British citizen. It was he who organized everything to open this country for mass visits by foreign tourists and attracted trekking to this, implying mountain recreation, characterized by activity and comfort.

Tracking is, first of all, a movement towards something unknown. But a movement that is not necessarily tiring and brings pleasure. Such a trip gives tourists the opportunity to admire nature and people who are in their natural environment.

Trekking is a democratic activity. The routes that are proposed to be covered are always within the capabilities of ordinary healthy people and do not limit the latter’s age. In general, anyone can pass them. Another thing is that someone will do it in one day, and someone in several.

They usually go trekking in groups. Those who have sufficient experience go together and even alone.

Trekking mode

The hike involves moving for 4…6 hours. This time includes rest and stops to review something noteworthy along the route. Be sure to start every day with an early rise and end with an early bedtime.

This regime necessarily leads to a healing effect for tourists. It does not appear immediately, but within 2…3 days. Trekking participants become much calmer, stop fussing, and you can see blissful smiles on their faces in the morning.

Features of movement along the route

The group is always led by porters - people who carry the trekking participants’ belongings. They are followed by a guide-leader who leads and is in charge of the group. Next are the tourists participating in the hike.

Each of the latter follows the route at a speed that is comfortable for him. This leads to the fact that the whole group can stretch along the trail, and, even with strong differences in physical fitness, and greatly. At the end of the chain of tourists following the route, another guide moves.

Every morning, before starting the trek, all trekking participants agree on common collection points. These are usually places where they have a joint snack and relaxation.

Porter

This is a profession practiced by the people of Nepal, mainly the Sherpas living in the northwestern Himalayas. The reward they receive for carrying the load includes free overnight accommodation and food. They spend the night in special rooms, separate from their owners. They also have lunch separately.

Relationships with porters have been developed over the years and include the following:

• they are not invited to the common table;
• they are not given cigarettes or alcohol;
• they are not helped to pack their cargo;
• they are not pitied, they are not expressed sympathy;
• they are given a reward every day in the evening or at the end of the entire trip;
• they can be given tips, but not more than a daily wage; this is considered the best gratitude from the owner;
• You can leave them some of the old and unnecessary property, including that which was used on the campaign;
• Porters always wait for their owners at obvious forks in the route, in all populated areas.

Pros and cons of tracking

Traveling, especially outdoors, is always useful. Moreover, in trekking this is done slowly, without extra effort, without much tension. The hiking routes have been chosen to be convenient and safe. In addition, you can always choose a path that is guaranteed to be within your power.

Like any other journey, trekking allows you to see a lot of beautiful and previously unknown things. In addition, there is no time limit on how long you will inspect all this. In addition, colleagues and porters will always be waiting for you along the way, in designated places.

There are practically no downsides to tracking. They can be considered an increased danger of the routes - after all, the hike is carried out in mountainous terrain. People who are not accustomed to such terrain may be injured and may not be able to withstand the thin air. But all this can be decided when choosing a route, if, of course, you really evaluate yourself.

Contraindications for trekking

Trekking, although a comfortable journey, is associated with an increased load on the body and the absence of the benefits of civilization nearby. If this is unacceptable and important to you, the hike can turn into a real challenge.

There are also medical indications that impose restrictions on participation in mountain hiking. You cannot participate in tracking:

if you suffer:

• some kind of disease that is in acute form;
• cardiovascular diseases, in particular, stage 3 hypertension, circulatory failure above stage IIA, angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, aneurysm of the aorta, heart, blood vessels, cardiac arrhythmia;
• thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, tendency to hypercoagulation;
• dysfunction of the endocrine glands;
• kidney diseases, for example, kidney stones, renal failure, glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis;

if you have:

• malignant neoplasms accompanied by severe pain that cannot be dealt with;
• mental disorders with which it will be difficult for you to get along with the team;
• problems with the respiratory system; these include diseases of the active form of tuberculosis, respiratory failure, bronchial asthma, allergies caused by plants, pollen;
• liver related diseases.

Clothes, shoes

Equipment must be approached responsibly and thoroughly. You need to take everything you may need during trekking and ensure the comfort of your trip. Shoes and clothing must fit the body and not interfere with movement.

Cloth

As a minimum, trekking clothing should include:

• a fleece suit, which you will need for sleeping and spending time comfortably in the evening;
• two pairs of T-shirts, sports socks;
• light trousers; they are usually made of microfiber and have detachable trouser legs; the latter is important for movement during the day, in the heat;
• light windbreaker jacket; it is needed in the morning, when it is usually fresh in the mountains;
• a raincoat, but only one that has a “hump” under which the backpack will be placed on a hike;
• sleeping bag;
• a down jacket - you will need it in the evening, when it gets cold;
• fleece hat and gloves.

Shoes

Shoes are very important in trekking - after all, you have to move through mountains, fragments of stones, and rocks. Usually tourists use mountain boots that have hard soles. They should already be worn, fit your feet and not fidget when moving.

In addition to boots, you also take sneakers with you for moving along the route. For relaxation, light sandals are used - in them the feet rest at rest.

Trekking routes

Trekking in Nepal

This is the country where trekking began. It contains the Himalayas and many other mountain peaks, among which are many wonderful valleys, rivers, and lakes. Here you can find a variety of trekking routes that will suit you and will bring you unprecedented experiences. One of them is the view of Annapurna.

Only trained tourists can go on this route - it has a high level of difficulty. Open to those interested all year round, with the exception of three months: April, March, December. The route itself runs from the city of Pokhara, where all participants gather, and to the Annapurna base camp. It also includes the return trip. The duration of the route is 8 days, length 80 km.

Pokhara is the city of Nepal from which it is best to get to Annapurna. Here, participants find a guide who will accompany the group, a porter for their belongings (if necessary), obtain a travel permit, and purchase missing equipment.

People usually leave Pokhara early in the morning. An hour later we arrive at the village of Naya Pul, from which it is closest to the Annapurna Sanctuary. To better navigate the route, it is better to immediately purchase a map.

The route to Annapurna Base Camp is well marked, and maps have been issued and sold. It is furnished with white marker stones. Everything is arranged in such a way that you can completely do without a guide. Getting lost on the route is problematic.

Guesthouses or guest houses are built along the route. The distances between them can be covered in an hour, so staying overnight in the open air is simply impossible. The trail runs along the “Gurung steps”, which were built by local residents for some of their own purposes long before organized tourism. In general, these are steps that are made of stones and have different heights and widths. This, in general, is not very convenient and creates certain inconvenience for tourists climbing the mountain. In addition, the steps are unreliable, so walking on them requires constant attention and caution.

Tourists climb along the “Gurung steps” to 3500m. Then you will have to follow the ordinary path, rising all the time upward to the “Annapurna Sanctuary”. This area is surrounded on all sides by eight-thousand-meter mountain peaks, which create simply dramatic landscapes.

It is not worth spending the night in Machapucharra, which is located halfway to the Annapurna Sanctuary - everything here is often filled with fog. It’s better to push yourself and climb straight to the final point, which will still take about a couple of hours. Upon arrival at the camp, you should eat garlic soup, which will help you overcome altitude sickness more easily.

Having seen enough of Annapurna, they begin their descent, which follows the route of the ascent, but only in reverse. It is worth staying overnight at the springs located near Jinu Danda. Having plunged into them before going to bed, you will feel the fatigue from the tense muscles of the previous days go away.

The end of the route will take you back to the city of Pokhara. Your memories will remain of the magnificence of the ring of eight eight-thousanders, and a reminder of it is the Machapucharre glacier, the shiny tail of which is visible from the city.

Trekking in Turkey

This country is full of mountains, magnificent holiday destinations. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are many trekking routes in it, which are passed annually by thousands of local residents and vacationers coming from all over the world.

One of the most popular trekking routes is the route along the Lycian Way with a visit to Cappadocia. It is organized 1…2 r. per month, groups with more than 7 tourists participate in the hike.

The route is for those who prefer not to freeze while hiking. In spring and autumn, the temperature during the day is no more than +30°C, at night – above +10°C. The sea is also not far behind, maintaining a temperature of approximately +16°C. The latter allows seasoned tourists to even swim while trekking. In addition, people participating in the hike can eat plenty of fresh fruits, which are picked from trees and bought at local markets.

The Lycian Way is a very long route – 509 km. It can be completed in about 30 days. Ordinary travelers choose a section of it, pass it, and then return in subsequent periods and continue to explore the trail further.

The route is interesting, firstly, because of its mild and pleasant Mediterranean climate. Here travelers can get acquainted with the history of the Lycian civilization, which is distinguished by its original culture, language, architecture, and writing. By the way, the route in some sections completely coincides with those ancient routes along which Alexander the Great walked at the head of the army.

The Lycian Way allows tourists to see the real Turkish hinterland. There is no hotel and tourism business here; the leisurely real life of people is visible here. Here the residents talk to you sincerely, without trying to get anything from you. In some villages you can see how olives are pickled in the old fashioned way, and try salted cheese made in the traditional way from goat milk.

Trekking in the Caucasus

For those who want to relax peacefully and enjoy beautiful views while hiking, there is a direct route to the Caucasus. There are mountains all around here, crossed by numerous gorges. There are beautiful waterfalls and many amazing settlements.

One of the trekking routes in these parts runs through the territory of Mountainous Ingushetia and you can take part in it on weekends. Duration of the trip: 3 days; it is simple and does not require special physical training and is carried out in groups of 2 people. Children over 10 years old can also take part in it.

Mountainous Ingushetia is a part of the republic in which Ingush history has been preserved to this day. This is a region full of legends, with many ancient towers, beautiful landscapes, mineral springs, and clean mountain rivers.

According to the trekking program, which lasts 3 days, tourists will visit the iconic sights of the republic. Among them are Egikal, the Erzi castle complex, Vovnushki, and the Dzheirakh Gorge.

It is a kind of window into the wonderful world of tracking
and everything connected with it. Welcome...

Why are there such conflicting opinions about tracking?

We've all heard of tracking. We saw people who participate in tracking (well, at least from afar, at the station). And maybe even looked at tracking photos. But only a few of us decided to participate in trekking ourselves. And not everyone might like tracking the first time.

There may be several reasons for this. Perhaps this is a discrepancy between the goals of different tracking participants. Maybe it was an unsuccessful tracking organization or poor preparation of one of the group members. Or unsettled relationships within the team during tracking... The reasons may be different, but this page is not to analyze them.

It was created to tell you - the treks are absolutely wonderful, excellent, which charge people with optimism and open up new horizons for them in recreation.

The success of tracking depends entirely on its proper organization and on the common goals of all participants.

At the same time, it is not necessary to be a previously familiar, well-coordinated team.

Properly tuned people communicate well in tracking conditions.

And in trekking, it is not so much physical preparation that is important, but the POSITIVE ATTITUDE and DESIRE of each participant to successfully complete what he started.

The low popularity of trekking compared to other types of recreation is supported by common misconceptions about trekking. Get to know them. Perhaps they are the ones who keep you in the city.

So what is tracking?

A group of people are moving from point A to point B along a pre-planned route. Unattractive at first glance. But only for the first one. Because that's not all.

• Tracking- This immersion in beauty, the purity and silence of natural nature (something we are deprived of in the city).
• Trekking is the romance of bonfires and the splendor of sunsets.
• Tracking- This opportunity for personal growth.
• Trekking is an unforgettable experience and new friends...

After all, this is a type of vacation, every moment of which is filled with emotions and a sense of life. Every moment of tracking is lived by the participant as consciously as possible.

How and where to start tracking...

I guess that many people can’t try tracking because they don’t know how and where to start. Indeed, trekking requires a suitable company, equipment, and a good guide-instructor. What to do if you don’t have this, but want to take part in tracking?

No problem, join our treks or those who organize treks in your city. And you will be happy! I recommend reading it

Today, hiking or trekking is carried out by those who are tired of basking in the sun at seaside resorts and want to actively explore the world. The very concept of “tracking” is not very common in Russia. Meanwhile, there is nothing unusual in this word. What it means, what is the beauty of such a trip and which parts of our country are best suited for trekking, we will tell you in this material. Tourists who come to Sochi for active recreation often stay at the BREVIS apart-hotel, so we know everything about the most interesting routes.

How is trekking different from tourism?

Translated from English, trekking is movement or crossing over mountainous or rough terrain. To put it simply, a hiking trip along a pre-planned route (track), which does not require special training or equipment from the tourist. This is a vacation in motion, the purpose of which is to contemplate nature and get to know local attractions.

The main advantage of trekking is its accessibility: absolutely everyone can do it, from small children to pensioners. In order to go trekking, you don’t need expensive equipment - it’s enough to have comfortable clothes for hiking, strong boots, a backpack and a readiness for impressions. Each traveler can create a route of any complexity and move along it at the most convenient time for him.

The purpose of trekking is not to overcome obstacles (although, of course, you cannot do without them), but to enjoy the outdoor recreation. Even if you choose, for example, the snowy trails of Everest as your route, a barely noticeable path that you can walk along is enough. There would be a desire. And even children can master the simplest routes.

Let's summarize. Trekking is an absolutely democratic form of recreation, which also does not require significant material costs. Get ready, choose the route you will follow, take with you the necessary supplies of food, a tent and off you go!

Lost in translation

In English, in addition to trekking, two more concepts are used to refer to hiking: hiking and backpacking. We have already learned what tracking is. Let's get acquainted with other concepts, and at the same time find out how they differ from tracking.

Hiking is a short walk for one or two days, which you go on light. In Russia, this travel option is known as a “weekend hike.” Hiking is very popular in Europe - there are many routes along which you can walk without filling your backpack with food and hiking equipment. The difference between hiking and trekking can be illustrated with simple examples.

Example one. You decided to relax on the Oka. We reached the desired place, spent the whole day on the river, spent the night in a tent and returned home the next day. This is hiking.

Example two. You are going on a hike in the Altai Mountains. We made a route for 5 days, took our backpacks and tents and hit the road. This is tracking. As you probably already understood, trekking is a hike along more difficult routes, for example, through mountainous areas. Trekking is similar to hiking by following strictly defined routes from which you cannot evade.

Backpacking is a completely different matter. This is what we are used to calling a hike in our traditional understanding - free movement around the area without being tied to specific routes, with campfire breaks, overnight stays in the open air and other romantic attributes. Here you can’t do without heavy backpacks with provisions and equipment!

Well, to be honest, travelers often combine different elements of all three types of tourism, and these terms are used mainly by manufacturers of travel equipment. But now you also know about these terms.

Why is it best to start trekking in Sochi?

In Russia there are many places where you can enjoy the amazing beauty of the surrounding world and get a lot of positive emotions. And yet, the ideal place to start trekking is Sochi. This corner of the Caucasus is unique in its natural features: lush subtropical vegetation neighbors here with the snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus Mountains, numerous waterfalls and lakes attract connoisseurs of true beauty like a magnet. There is a lot to see and admire in Sochi, and this, as we remember, is the main goal of trekking.

Krasnaya Polyana is ideal for trekking, where there are numerous hiking trails located above sea level at an altitude of 960 meters to 2,200 meters. They are accessible to tourists thanks to specially equipped trails. You can also do exciting trekking in such areas of Sochi as Lazarevskoye, Khosta, and there is something to see in the city center. We will tell you about the best one- and multi-day trekking routes in Sochi in the following articles.

The word trekking means walking. To be more precise, in essence, trekking is a transition from one camp site located in the mountains, through a series of passes and gorges to another camp site. The final point of the hike can also be a boarding house, a hotel, or any other place. The duration of the trek depends on the intended route, the number of passes that need to be overcome, the number of mountain rivers that need to be crossed, and the objectives of the hike.

While trekking, tourists plunge into the diversity of flora and fauna. Climbing up to the pass and going down, you can observe how the plant world changes.

Tourists spend the night in tents in sleeping bags or in wooden houses of mountain shelters. Food is cooked over a fire, which also requires some experience and knowledge of the characteristics of camp food. Sometimes people who have little idea about how to cook food at home show their talents in camp cooking. Usually, at the very end of the hike, if the conditions are right, the barbecue is marinated and prepared. The entire tourist group celebrates the successful overcoming of mountain obstacles, shares their impressions, and relaxes with a complete sense of satisfaction from the hike.

There are more and more lovers of active recreation and opponents of purely beach holidays. Swimming in the sea or lake after trekking is a completely different pleasure. Therefore, in order to get the full range of impressions and the necessary exercise, so necessary for health, people go hiking.

In order to successfully complete the entire route, you do not need any special training, but you still need good physical shape and endurance. Typically, if people jog in the mornings or evenings before going on vacation, they won't have any problems while hiking. The heart and lungs are well prepared.

Trekking routes can pass through a wide variety of landscapes: mountain passes, dense forests, snowfields, glaciers, madder and rocky ascents and descents. In order to overcome all these ups and downs, you need not only good physical shape, but also good shoes and a certain set of clothes.

You must have with you:

backpack (50 - 70 liters), rain cover, hiking shoes - sneakers or hiking boots, replacement shoes, warm tracksuit and sweater, nylon wind suit, shorts, sun hat, small flashlight, liter polyethylene water bottle , personal dishes, a seat, a personal sleeping bag and a mat. It is also advisable to have medications for your own needs.

Trekking usually involves crossing rivers. In all likelihood, someone is bound to get their feet wet. Therefore, it is imperative to have spare socks and replacement shoes with you for rest stops. Legs should rest.

Halts are made right in the gorges or on the banks of a mountain river. Rest and overnight stay on the river bank is always preferable, because tourists need water. If a group stops in a gorge, under a pass, there must still be a source of water somewhere nearby. The organizers of the trip will definitely think about this.

During trekking, radial excursions are made from time to time. What are radial outlets? This is when a group of people or the entire group leaves a parking lot or a mountain shelter to some particularly noteworthy places and returns back after a few hours.

These notable places are usually various healing springs (for example, radon), sacred places, monuments, sites of ancient people, or simply beautiful places associated with some legend. Guides love to tell these legends, as well as other mountain bikes. This gives its own special flavor to such a radial exit.

Trekking along particularly difficult mountain ridges requires more physical preparation than walking from one mountain shelter to another. This is something experienced tyrusts decide to do, who want to take more difficult routes and try their strength.

Typically, the daily trek of a tourist group is about 20 kilometers. It takes 7-8 hours. The best time to go hiking is early in the morning, when it’s not too hot and cold.

If the trek takes a full day, tourists have a hearty breakfast early in the morning, have a snack near the water during the day, and in the late afternoon, when the trekkers set up tents or settle down in huts, prepare dinner over a fire.

Any person who believes that active recreation is what he needs to recuperate can choose a route of any complexity and direction. Everything will depend on how physically prepared a person is, how interested he is in the route and the attractions included in it, and how far he is willing to walk.