Alpine Trekking Continues Its Steep Climb In Popularity

Let’s face it, climbing a mountain isn’t for everybody. The sheer thought of such a daunting activity can put the sweat glands into overdrive for many people. However, there are adventurous individuals who want to push themselves to their very limits, quite often to extremes. For these adrenaline seekers, mountain trekking offers a way to transform themselves physically, mentally and emotionally. Whether the goal is to scale the highest peaks in the world or simply enjoy a brief ascent on a nearby hill, the end results can be extremely rewarding. Hiking is heating up and is already starting to be highlighted on top wellness trend lists for 2022 as the desire to be outside and closer to nature is more important than ever before.

Mountain Trek, which has seen a 324% increase in demand for 2022, specializes in Alpine Fitness Trekking through some of Canada’s most beautiful natural wilderness. They offer an all-inclusive luxury wellness retreat and health spa that was carefully designed by doctors and wellness experts to be a transformative health experience. This unique backcountry experience has guests hiking their way to wellness without caffeine, alcohol or electronics. It’s part hardcore boot camp, part holistic health retreat and part spa oasis, all with a major focus on learning the unique elements of Alpine Fitness Trekking. Every day guests spend three hours or more hiking mountain trails and learning how to control their breath, their steps and how to feel powerful in their skin. It’s also the perfect place for forest bathing.

Alexander Timmons, owner of Mountain Trek, realized that he was doing everything possible to burn himself out as founder of a venture-funded tech startup in San Francisco. “The startup lifestyle turned out to be brutal on my health, especially my mental health,” he explains. “Only three years into my startup, I found myself a mental and emotional wreck.” He took over the trekking business from a relative and along with his wife experienced Mountain Trek’s health-reset program for themselves. “The compounding effect of deep sleep, clean nutrition, lots of movement, yoga, time in the spa and being present with myself was incredibly powerful. I learned that prioritizing my health, especially my sleep, didn’t detract from the time I had to work, it enhanced it, making me more energized, focused and potent.”

Kirkland Shave, Program Director at Mountain Trek, says, “Having been a Park Ranger for 25 years, I knew from first-hand experience the power of nature immersion on mental, emotional and physical health. Fitness trekking through sun-drenched alpine flower meadows, beneath 80,000-year-old glaciers, puts life in context and becomes fitness for the soul.”

Alpine Hikers, with exhilarating tours throughout the Alps, has witnessed a rise in the popularity of Alpine trekking. Troy Haines, owner and founder, notes, “Fifteen years ago, I would have happily showed up at an alpine hut without a reservation, feeling pretty good that there would be a bed available for me. Or perhaps at most I would call that morning to tell them I’m coming. Now, you can’t even think about doing that in the popular places. The huts and hotels along many corners of the Tour du Mont Blanc are already almost fully booked for summer 2022 already.”

According to Haines, there are probably a lot of factors for alpine trekking growing in popularity. For one, there are simply more people in the world today and not more Alps, so they’re getting busier. “I believe the rise of the internet, travel bloggers, social media and instagrammable photos, have brought really vivid images of the Alps to people, and planted the seed for a lot of people to dream of their own trip to these amazing places,” he explains.

G Adventures offers challenging hikes and pleasant strolls that are scattered all over the planet, including Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Patagonia and the Inca Trail. Over 92% of their travelers make it to the top of Kili, depending on the route. And if you’re not into big climbs, don’t sweat it. They have loads of lower-impact walks and iconic treks. You don’t have to be an elite endurance athlete to enjoy a day’s exercise abroad, just someone who’s in good, healthy shape. Many of the itineraries are built for the first-time active traveler and offer a more relaxed – but still active – experience. One of the lower impact treks features an adventure through the south of Spain that is loaded with highlights. Stay two nights an authentic cave hotel and visit a cave museum in Guadix, then indulge in a wine tasting in Competa.