Normally hiking is about getting away from it all and enjoying the ultimate outdoor experience... but what about when a country hike just isn't feasible?
For those city slickers who shudder at the idea of the great outdoors, for tourists keen to discover a new city in an innovative and energetic way, or for those who just can't take the time to get away, the emerging trend of city hiking might just be for you. Cities around the United Kingdom and Europe have great potential for walking, and the rising popularity of the movement is a tribute to this.
The essence of city hiking is simple and very similar to the procedure used to prepare yourself for rural hiking. Get together with a group of friends, plot out your itinerary on a map, make sure that you're wearing a sturdy pair of boots and start early. The only real difference is that with city hiking you can pack light as it's an easy matter to pick up supplies along the way.
When picking a route, sometimes it's best to go via themes or attractions. For instance, London city hikes can start from any of the thousands of London hotels and traverse all the major parks and gardens. Some suggestions include St James (Duck Pond), Green (Buckingham Palace), Hyde (Speaker's corner), Kensington Gardens, Holland, and Regent (Zoo) parks. London city hikers can also endeavour to cross all the bridges over the Thames, from the Lambeth Bridge to the Tower Bridge. There's a great walking path on either side of the river. The riverbanks also have a host of attractions including the War Museum, the ancient George Inn, Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hinde, and the Globe Theatre. If that doesn't sound like enough of a challenge, make sure to climb all 530 winding stairs of St Paul's Cathedral for a good dose of exercise and spectacular views.
If you prefer to follow pre-set routes, there are numerous publications on walking in the City of London embracing a variety of themes. Just go to www.bestwalks.com/londonbooks for a complete list with a price comparison facility.
Paris city hiking is also a popular option for visitors - and residents - of the city of light. It's a common sight to see hiking groups traipsing through the French capital following the east to west axis, and then back again on the metro to avoid doubling back. A circular route is also possible, and it's an amazing way to see all the city's monuments, both historical and modern. Depending on the location of your chosen Paris hotels, you'll have a different starting point for each hike. But no matter the point of origin, be sure to include the Luxembourg Gardens, the cathedral of Notre Dame, the Latin Quarter, the Pantheon, rue Mouffetard, Chinatown at Place d'Italie, the Bercy surrounds, the Marais, the Hotel de Ville and Pompidou Centre, the Seine riverbanks, the Louvre and Orsay museums, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe. La Defense is a little out of the way, but shouldn't pose too much of a challenge for an eager hiking troupe. When catering for your Paris city hike, remember that there are a superb range of bistros in Paris, but the only problem is that the food can sometimes be too good, and hiking on a full stomach may not be quite as pleasant!
A full list of books offering themed and other routes around Paris can be found at www.bestwalksfrance.co.uk/iledefrancebooks, again with a price comparison facility.