- MAY 23-27 (SPRING BANK HOLIDAY) – GERMANY’S FAIRY-TALE BLACK FORESTSchwarzwaldhotel Gengenbach, Gengenbach£379.00
Backabush is going to Germany’s enchanted Black Forest (Schwarzwald), one of Europe's most beautiful hiking regions, for the late May bank holiday.
Cost - £379 (twin share). Group size - 14. Accommodation - 4 star hotel with twin (or double) rooms & breakfast.
Known for its forested hills, gorgeous valleys and picturesque villages, the Black Forest is an ideal walking destination with an excellent network of well-maintained trails. The area gets the most sunshine in Germany and late May is a perfect time to hike here, with pleasant temperatures and fruit orchards blooming in the valleys.
Our base will be the charming, medieval town of Gengenbach, located in the idyllic Kinzig Valley between forested hills and vineyards. This pictururesque town is full of pastel coloured historic timber-frame houses, traditional German restaurants and beer terraces.
From here we have easy access to numerous local hiking trails by means of the Black Forest railway, one of the most scenic railway lines in Germany. During our three full days of hiking, we will have the chance to explore the diverse scenery of the Central Black Forest region.
Our hotel will provide us with the KONUS Guest Card which provides free 2nd class travel on all public transportation (trains and buses) throughout the Black Forest region for the duration of our stay (from check-in up to and including our departure day). Train journeys to/from our hikes will be between 15-35 minutes.
ACCOMMODATION:
We have booked comfortable twin share rooms in the 4 star Schwarzwaldhotel Gengenbach, a short walking distance from the train station. The hotel offers a wellness area incl. heated indoor pool, Finnish sauna and steam room.
ITINERARY:
Thu 23 May – Arrival, time to explore Gengenbach
Fri 24 May - Oberharmersbach to Wolfach via Brandenkopf, the highest peak of the Central Black Forest (946m) (20km, 850m ascent/descent)
Sat 25 May – Hausach to Hornberg along a ridgeway with series of peaks on the Westweg long distance trail (20km, 1000m ascent, 860m descent)
Sun 26 May – Triberg's famous waterfalls, cicular hike (18km, 540m ascent/descent)
Mon 27 May – Departure
Please note this hiking itinerary is provisional and subject to change due to weather conditions and other factors.
DIFFICULTY:
This trip does not involve technical mountaineering but the hikes will be challenging due to their length/elevation profile so you will need to have a good level of hiking fitness, capable of walking up to up to 12.5 miles (20km) and 3300 feet (1000m) ascent/descent.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
- 4 nights’ accommodation in a 4-star hotel
- 4 breakfasts
- KONUS card offering free local public transport
- An itinerary of organised hikes for our 3 full hiking days
- 1 trip organiser
- Financial protection in accordance with the Package Travel Law 1992
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
- Lunches/ dinners (we will buy lunch supplies locally and sample the local cuisine at restaurants for dinner)
- Flights and airport transfers (see details below)
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees (minimal fees expected for the waterfalls and observation tower)
RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS AND TRANSFERS:
The Black Forest is well connected with 4 different airports in the vicinity. Return flights currently priced from just £100!
(shortest transfer times by train/bus to Gengenbach in brackets)
- EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg - BA from Heathrow and Easyjet from Gatwick (2hr 20min)
- Strasbourg - Volotea from Gatwick (1hr 20min)
- Stuttgart - BA and Eurowings from Heathrow (2hr 28min)
- Karlsruhe / Baden Baden - Ryanair from Stansted (1hr 10min - outbound too late to catch the train, works for return flight)
Outbound flights: It is recommended to book a morning flight on Thu 23 May to arrive in Gengenbach in the afternoon. Afternoon flights are possible however keep in mind that you may only arrive at the hotel after 9/10PM.
Inbound flights: It is recommended to book an evening or late afternoon flight on Mon 27 May to ensure you have enough time to get to the airport. Earlier flights may be possible (please consult train schedules).
Train/bus transfer costs vary with one way prices between 11-28 EUR depending on the airport. Consult Google Maps or the Deutsche Bahn website to find bus/train connections/prices.
Contact the organiser if you need help finding suitable flights/ airport transfers.
HOW TO BOOK A PLACE ON THIS TRIP:
To confirm your place on this trip use online banking. Your RSVP is not enough to reserve a space on this trip. Please use BlackForest as your payment reference. The account details are:
Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS
Sort Code: 090127
Account Number: 22440622Only payment secures your place. Please email ingridhansen1@gmail.com as soon as you send payment so that we can confirm everything with you.
- JULY 13-17 – HUT-TO-HUT TREKKING BULGARIA'S PIRIN MOUNTAINSSofia, Sofia£379.00
Join Sunny Walkers & Backabush on an adventurous 4-day hut-to-hut trek in Bulgaria’s Pirin mountains!
Nights - 4. Cost - £379. Group size – 16.
This spectacular and challenging trek will take us along wonderful alpine ridges, granite peaks and an abundance of crystal lakes of the stunning Pirin Mountains, the second highest but most impressive and unforgiving mountain range in Bulgaria. Most of the mountain range is designated a national park, listed by UNESCO as a world natural heritage site, and the alpine scenery we will see along the way is breathtaking.
As part of the trek, we will tackle some of the highlights of Bulgarian hiking: the famous Koncheto knife-edge ridge and Mt. Vihren (2914m), the highest and mightiest peak of the Pirins, and second highest in Bulgaria.
We will sleep in scenically situated mountain huts, including the Tevno Ezero Shelter, one of the most remote in the country. These mountain huts provide simple sleeping berths with sheets, blankets and pillows and offer basic, affordable meals and beverages. Staying in these Bulgarian mountain huts will truly add to our mountain experience.
This demanding point-to-point trek requires that you complete all stages on foot, carrying your own luggage, although meals and beverages can be bought affordably in the mountain huts. Generally speaking we recommend this trek only for experienced, intrepid hikers who are happy to stay in rustic accommodation.
The entire route leads along spectacular mountain paths, including some ridges that are quite narrow in parts, requiring a head for heights and good hiking fitness. You will need to be full of energy and determination as we will tackle a lot of uphill hiking and rough terrain over the four days.
ITINERARY:
Sat 13 July – Arrival in Sofia. Overnight in a hotel in Sofia city centre (twin share rooms).
Sun 14 July – Our private transfer will pick us up in Sofia city centre in the morning and take us to the trailhead from where we will hike to the Yavorov hut (1740m). (7km, 750m ascent)
Mon 15 July – This is the toughest and longest day, but at the same time the most sensational and memorable. We will traverse the spectacular Koncheto karst ridge, followed by a circular climb of Pirin’s highest summit, Vihren (2914m), before descending to Vihren hut. (13.5km, 1300m ascent, 1100m descent)
Tue 16 July – Our path ascends through the Banderishki cirque and its glistering lakes. Next it follows a ridge with amazing views of cirques and dark-blue lakes. Overnight at the Tevno Ezero refuge (2500m). (12km, 900m ascent, 350m dscent).
Wed 17 July – We hike past the beautiful Samodivskite lakes and Popovo lake to the Bezbog Hut. From here we will take the chairlift down to Gotse Delchev and be transferred back to Sofia. (8km, 300m ascent, 550m descent).
This trip can be combined with PEAKS & LAKES OF BULGARIA'S RILA MOUNTAINS - see Meetup comments section below for details.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
- 1 night hotel accommodation in Sofia - twin (or double) share
- 3 nights’ accommodation in mountain huts - shared multi-bedded rooms
- An itinerary of 4 days of guided trekking
- Transfers as foreseen by the itinerary
- 1 Backabush trip leader and 1 local English-speaking Bulgarian hiking guide
- Financial protection in accordance with the Package Travel Law 1992
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
- Food and drinks
- Flights and airport transfers
- Travel insurance
- Chair lift fee (expected to be about 11 EUR)
FLIGHTS:
Sofia is well connected with direct flights from multiple UK airports. Please use Skyscanner or another search engine to find the most suitable flights for you.
You will need to arrive in Sofia on (or before) Sat 13 July. Sofia city centre is easily reachable by public transportation and we will give detailed directions to our hotel.
The trip finishes on Wed 17 Jul. This is our final trekking day and we have an approx. 3,5 hr transfer back to Sofia city centre after our hike. If you wish to fly back on 17 Jul this is only possible if you book the late Ryanair flight FR9962 leaving Sofia at 22:35 (airport drop off possible). Earlier flights are not feasible.
Otherwise you will need to book your own accommodation in Sofia for 17 Jul and can book any return flight on 18 Jul, making your own way to Sofia airport.
HOW TO BOOK A PLACE ON THIS TRIP:
To confirm your place on this trip use online banking. Your RSVP is not enough to reserve a space on this trip. Please use PIRIN as your payment reference. The account details are:
Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS
Sort Code: 090127
Account Number: 22440622Only payment secures your place. Please email ingridhansen1@gmail.com as soon as you send payment so that we can confirm everything with you. Thanks! :)
- JULY 18-21 - PEAKS & LAKES OF BULGARIA'S RILA MOUNTAINSSofia, Sofia£359.00
Join Backabush for 3 days of spectacular hiking in Bulgaria’s rugged, wild and remote Rila mountains, including to the famous Seven Rila Lakes and Musala peak, highest summit of the Balkans!
Nights - 3. Cost - £359. Group size – 16.
A pristine hiking destination, Bulgaria’s magnificent Rila Mountains are the highest range not only in Bulgaria, but on the entire Balkan Peninsula. They are like a large piece of the Alps cast in the middle of the Balkans.
Among the numerous jagged summits rising to over 2700m stands the Balkans’ highest peak Musala (2925m), which we will have the chance to summit during our trip. From its top, the views over a sea of jagged ridges, rugged peaks, floral alpine meadows and deep gorges are spectacular.
With an ancient Thracian name that likely means “well-watered mountain”, it can’t be a coincidence that water is one of the wonders of Rila. The mountains are abundant in glacial lakes, waterfalls and hot mineral springs.
One of the most striking features of the spectacular Rila National Park are the 180 pristine glacial lakes that lie scattered throughout higher parts of the range. We will hike to the most famous of them, the magnificent cirque of the Seven Rila Lakes, pearls of the Rila Mountains.
To top it all off, we will tackle the fantastic pyramidal peak of Malyovitsa (2729m), with its imposing 1,000 ft tall north face. Mount Malyovitsa is considered a symbol of mountaineering and alpinism in Bulgaria and this is one of the most iconic and breathtaking hikes in the country.
ACCOMMODATION:
Our accommodation will be in comfortable en-suite twin share rooms in a guesthouse in the peaceful village of Govedartsi at the foot of the Rila Mountains, where we can experience the wonderful Bulgarian hospitality. A hearty breakfast and traditional home cooked dinner will be provided each day.
DIFFICULTY:
This trip does not involve technical mountaineering but the hikes will be challenging due to their length/elevation profile and rocky terrain so you will need to have a good level of hiking fitness and a head for heights in the mountainous terrain.
ITINERARY:
Thu 18 July – Free time to explore Sofia and enjoy a lunch there in the morning if arriving the day before. Transfer from airport for flights arriving by 12:30PM or from recommended accommodation in Sofia city centre at 2PM to our guesthouse in Govedartsi. (D)
Fri 19 July – Transfer and chair-lift to Seven Rila Lakes trail start, hike the Seven Rila Lakes circuit (16km, 1100m ascent/descent), transfer back to Govedartsi. (B/D)
Sat 20 July - Transfer to Borovets cabin-lift station, cable car to trail start, hike to Musala peak (15km, 800m ascent/descent), transfer back to Govedartsi. (B/D)
Sun 21 July - Transfer to the Malyovitsa sport complex, hike to Malyovitsa peak (14km, 1050m ascent/descent), transfer to Sofia city centre/ airport. (B)
This trip can be combined with HUT-TO-HUT TREK IN BULGARIA'S PIRIN MOUNTAINS - see Meetup comments section below for details.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
- 3 nights en-suite twin (or double) share guesthouse accommodation
- 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners
- An itinerary of 3 days of guided hiking
- Transfers as foreseen by the itinerary
- 1 Backabush trip leader and 1 local English-speaking Bulgarian hiking guide
- Financial protection in accordance with the Package Travel Law 1992
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
- Any meals not specified (lunch supplies can be bought locally)
- Flights and airport transfers
- Travel insurance
- Chair lift fees (expected to be approx. 29 EUR)
FLIGHTS:
Sofia is well connected with direct flights from multiple UK airports. Please use Skyscanner or another search engine to find the most suitable flights for you.
You will need to arrive at Sofia airport by 12:30 on Thu 18 Jul or the day before (booking your own accommodation in Sofia on Wed 17 Jul). Sofia city centre is easily reachable by public transportation.
The trip finishes on Sun 21 Jul. This is our final hiking day and we have a 2 hr transfer back to Sofia city centre/airport after our hike. If you wish to fly back on Sun 21 Jul this is only possible if you book the late Ryanair flight FR2691 leaving Sofia at 23:00. Any earlier flights are not feasible. Otherwise you will need to book your own accommodation in Sofia for this night and can book any return flight on Mon 22 Jul, making your own way back to Sofia airport.
HOW TO BOOK A PLACE ON THIS TRIP:
To confirm your place on this trip use online banking. Your RSVP is not enough to reserve a space on this trip. Please use RILA as your payment reference. The account details are:
Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS
Sort Code: 090127
Account Number: 22440622Only payment secures your place. Please email ingridhansen1@gmail.com as soon as you send payment so that we can confirm everything with you. Thanks! :)
- JULY 31 – AUG 6 – THE KUNGSLEDEN (KING’S TRAIL) – SWEDISH LAPLANDKiruna, Kiruna£579.00
Join Backabush to trek into the Arctic along Sweden's premier long-distance trek, the famous Kungsleden.
Cost - £579. Group size – 16. Accommodation - mountain huts and hostel
Lying within the Arctic Circle, the King's Trail runs through Sweden's most beautiful mountain scenery, traversing the land of the Samí people and the midnight sun. Listed as one of the "World's Best Hikes" by National Geographic, the trail passes through a magnificent and ever-changing panorama of snowy mountains, deep glacial valleys, open fell, expansive lakes and alpine forests.
Our six-day hut to hut route is about 105 kilometres long and will take us from Nikkaluokta to Abisko, passing by the rugged Laponia mountains and traversing the Tjäktjavagge, a 30km glacial valley with magnificent views along its entire length. The terrain is beautifully stark and remote, however benefits from a network of scenically located ‘fjällstugor’, Swedish manned mountain huts.
We have secured bookings for our group in one of these charming mountain refuges each night. All provide comfortable dorm rooms with beds and bedding (you will need to bring your own sleeping bag liner), toilets and self-catering facilities. Some also provide a ‘bastu’ (sauna) and shop with limited food supplies. We will need to carry most of our food with us on the trail, usually in the form of dehydrated expedition meals.
Sweden benefits from a much milder climate than most other regions that lie so far north due to the moderating influence of the Gulf Stream. In summer we can expect predominantly high-pressure weather systems bringing stable weather.
Swedish Lapland is often referred to as Europe’s last great wilderness and is home to a remarkable group of wild animals including brown bear, wolferine, arctic fox, moose and many others. This is also Sápmi, home of the Samí people whose close relationship with the reindeer has underpinned their existence sine the last ice age.
ITINERARY:
Wed 31 Jul – Arrival in Kiruna, overnight in a Kiruna-based hostel
Thu 1 Aug – Bus to Nikkaluokta (1.5hr), start of the trek - Nikkaluota to Kebnekaise (17.9km)
Fri 2 Aug –Kebnekaise to Sälka (24.4km)
Sat 3 Aug - Sälka to Tjäktja (12.5km) (short additional hike to peak with amazing views possible from hut)
Sun 4 Aug - Tjäktja to Alesjaure (13.1km)
Mon 5 Aug – Alesjaure to Abiskojaure (20.3km)
Tue 6 Aug - Abiskojaure to Abisko (13.3km). The trek finishes in Abisko and you will need to organise either onward travel or accommodation from here
DIFFICULTY:
The trek does not involve technical mountaineering and elevation profiles are moderate however some days will be demanding due to their length. You will need to have a good level of hiking fitness, capable of walking 15 miles (24.4km) with up to 500m ascent/descent, carrying your own supplies.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
- 1 night hostel accommodation (breakfast incl) in Kiruna at the start of the trip
- 5 nights Swedish mountain hut accommodation
- Self catering kitchen facilities
- Cooking gas
- Two trip organisers
- Logistical planning and support (advice on flights, trains, buses, food supplies, equipment etc)
- An itinerary of hikes with route descriptions and GPX files provided
- Financial protection in accordance with the Package Travel Law 1992
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
- Flights & airport transfers
- Bus transport to the trailhead from Kiruna to Nikkaluokta (around £16)
- Food (lightweight dehydrated meals are best)
- Swedish Tourist Association membership (about £25)
- Local mountain guide (we are a self guided group)
- Sleeping bag liner
- Travel insurance
TRAVEL:
Recommended connecting flights with Scandinavian Airlines (Operated by SAS Connect) to Kiruna:
Outbound - Wed 31 July:
SK 1530 London Heathrow LHR 06:40 – Stockholm Arlanda ARN 10:05
SK 1042 Stockholm Arlanda ARN 13:20 – Kiruna KRN 14:55Inbound - Wed 7 Aug:
SK 1045 Kiruna KRN 15:25 – Stockholm Arlanda ARN 17:00
SK 533 Stockholm Arlanda ARN 18:15 – London Heathrow LHR 19:55You will need to arrive in Kiruna on Wed 31 July. On Tue 6 August we will finish our hike in Abisko, a 1hr20min train journey from Kiruna. You will be provided with detailed advice on flights and transfers.
HOW TO BOOK A PLACE ON THIS TRIP:
To confirm your place on this trip use online banking. Your RSVP is not enough to reserve a space on this trip. Please use KUNGSLEDEN as your payment reference. The account details are:
Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS
Sort Code: 090127
Account Number: 22440622Only payment secures your place. Please email ingridhansen1@gmail.com as soon as you send payment so that we can confirm everything with you. Thanks! :)
- AUGUST 22-27 (BANK HOLIDAY) - SWISS ALPS, KESCH HUT-TO-HUT TREKChur, Chur, GR£589.00
Join us in the Swiss Alps to do the spectacular Kesch Trek over the August bank holiday!
Nights - 5. Cost - £589. Accommodation - superb mountain huts & highly rated hostel.
This fantastic hut-to-hut trek offers four days of spectacular hiking in the tranquil Graubünden mountains between the Flüela and Albula passes, over a total distance of nearly 50km. It leads through stunning mountain scenery with wild valleys, rugged peaks, steep rock formations and imposing glacial landscapes.
Our nights will be spent in cozy Swiss mountain huts, each with its own unique character, where we can enjoy delicious hearty meals and stunning views. One hut is situated right in front of a glacier!
Gorgeous landscapes and stunning alpine views will accompany us the whole way. Our trail leads past numerous 3,000m peaks and on the third day, we can even see into the spectacular Engadin region.
This trip is a perfect summer alpine hiking getaway through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the Swiss Alps. The trek requires good physical condition but does not involve any technical terrain.
Itinerary:
22 Aug: Arrival in Chur, overnight in a quirky, modern hostel (a former prison!).
23 Aug: Train and bus to the start of the trek at Fluela pass, hike through meadows and pastures towards Grialetsch Hut, where hardy souls can take a dip in one of the nearby mountain lakes (7km, 500m ascent, 300m descent).
24 Aug: Hike over the Sertig Pass (2739m) to the sustainable, award-winning Kesch Hut. Possible detour to the Ravais-ch lakes (13km, 610m ascent, 550m descent).
25 Aug: The toughest but most rewarding day. From the Kesch hut we descend to Alp digl Chant, where we can savor local products. After a steep ascent over the Fuorcla Pischa pass (2800m), we will reach the Es-cha hut (14km, 970m ascent, 1000m descent).
26 Aug: We will descend through a picturesque valley, past the stunning Lake Palpuogna to Preda, from where we take public transport back to Chur, overnight in hostel (15km, total ascent: 100m, total descent: 1000m).
27 Aug: End of trip.
Total length: 50km, total ascent: 2200m, total descent: 2700m.
What is included:
- 2 nights accommodation in a newly converted, modern hostel (shared rooms)
- 3 nights mountain hut accommodation (shared rooms)
- 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners in the mountain huts
- All logistical organisation
- Financial protection in accordance with the Package Travel Law 1992
What is not included:
- Packed lunches
- Breakfasts and dinners in Chur
- Flights and airport transfers
- Trains/buses to/from the start and finish of the trek (expect to budget around £60 for train and bus tickets)
- Alpine guide. This is a self-guided walking holiday. Please remember that you hike and join our organised itineraries at your own risk. It is important that you understand that you are responsible for your own safety.
- Insurance
Travel:
There are many affordable flight options from the UK to/from Zurich from where Chur can be reached by train. Our recommendation for the most convenient flights is:
Outbound: Thu 22 Aug
British Airways BA714
Departs 12:20 - London Heathrow (LHR)
Arrives 15:10 - ZurichReturn: Tue 27 Aug
British Airways BA717
Departs 18:50 - Zurich
Arrives 19:40 - London Heathrow (LHR)
This gives time to explore Chur/Zurich before your return flight however earlier flights are possible.There are many other any suitable flights from both Heathrow and London City airports (see more options in the comments section) and it will be easy to meet us at the hostel in Chur on Thu 22 Aug. The hostel is just a ten minute walk from the station. Please take into account the train time table when booking your flights.
The train journey between Zurich Airport and Chur is roughly 1hr 36 with one change in Zurich central station and priced around £15-£20 one way. Service specific tickets can be purchased online but the regional trains do not sell out and so we recommend purchasing your ticket on arrival either online or from the ticket desk at Zurich Airport as this allows for any flight delays.
Payment:
To confirm your place on the trip please use internet banking and use 'KESCH' as your payment reference.
Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS
Sort Code: 090127
Account Number: 22440622Only payment secures your place. Your RSVP is not sufficient for us to hold a place for you. Please email ingridhansen1@gmail.com as soon as you send payment so that we can confirm everything with you.
Important notes:
This trip involves trekking in a mountainous environment along challenging routes. There will be steep ascents & descents involved, on sometimes rough paths. Although not technical you need to carry a small backpack for four days. Therefore the trip is best suited to fit and well equipped hikers with mountain hiking experience.