Hut Hiking Around the World

Do you love hiking through mountains and trails, but hate sleeping on the ground? Primitive campsites all around the world are replacing their traditional camping grounds with huts, rustic shacks, and lodges. Some are the simplest of huts while others have soft beds and four course meals. Hut hiking is an exciting way to travel. You get to meet people from all over the world, and although you may not share a language you will enjoy music and food, as well as each others company. Find out what hut hiking is all about and how you can do it too.

What is hut hiking?
Hut hiking is like island hopping, except you are in the woods, on a mountain, or in the jungle. Nights are spent far from roads and cities in trailside huts and cabins, and during the day you hike until you reach the next stop. Most people stop a couple of times during the day to rest and eat. Hut hiking offers more comfort than camping and saves you the weight of having to carry tent supplies. The environment is much like staying in hostels, but without the all night partying. Often you share the same space with other guests and it is not unusual to see communal kitchens, bathrooms, and bunk houses.

Many hikes take 3-6 days or more to complete fully, but you can just go overnight if you like. Most of the prized peaks are only a day's walk away so you can easily return the next day, or continue traveling for a few days if you are more adventurous.

How much does hut hiking cost?
The fees vary widely all over the world. Typically you can expect a basic hut to go for about $10 a night and up to $85 for a fully catered stay. Huts in Europe usually fall somewhere in the middle, but look out for "Euro Huts" because they do not go out of their way to accommodate; it's simply a bed and a roof for a night. What's best is that most of the huts and lodges are cheap, there are no tourists, and no souvenir shops to waste your money in.