My search for the most EPIC beginner trek...and the big reveal!

My First time hiking ALONE It's been almost a year since I walked the Camino de Santiago and it's time to find another trek (or pilgrimage to take this year!
Walking the Camino Frances changed my life in so many ways. I found a new love for long-distance treks and this way of seeing the world. So I decided to put together a list of all the treks + pilgrimages I've been eyeing and see which one will work for me as a beginner.
I hope this process helps you find your own✌️ ❤️ THANKS FOR WATCHING!
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⊳ ⊳ ⊳ WHAT TO WATCH NEXT ⊲ ⊲ ⊲
► Booking THE WEST HIGHLAND WAY • Booking my Solo Trek o...
► My Camino De Santiago Documentary • Camino de Santiago FUL...
► My First Time Hiking ALONE • FACING MY FEARS & HIKI...
► How to Travel Scotland in 10 days • How to Travel Scotland...
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✅ TREKKING ITEMS I LOVE ✅
Osprey Exos 38 Backpack (I got this in a small and LOVE it!) amzn.to/3T53NvL
Compeed Blister care amzn.to/3KapOVJ
The BEST toe socks amzn.to/3weTT0P
Kula Cloth bit.ly/3C5J5G4
Compression Bags amzn.to/2M30JTc
Portable Phone Charger amzn.to/3QsHoH8
Comfy sports bra amzn.to/3c4A3P6
Shirt you can wear for days without smelling amzn.to/3wiWqHp
Non-toxic Sunscreen amzn.to/3R3p0o9
Green Goo for feet amzn.to/3PC0A3F
GoPro 10 amzn.to/3T5BvRJ
Guidebook amzn.to/3CmAdMi
Duffel bag amzn.to/3c7JNI6
The ONE thing I wore everyday amzn.to/3Ayfuns
Trekking pole tips amzn.to/3dMJFOD
My FAV trail shoes amzn.to/3wj3d3L
Great sun hat amzn.to/3T55Y2o
Another sun hat amzn.to/3wjtCyx
Towel amzn.to/3QGJiUC
Hiking sandals amzn.to/3wjkV7o
Wipes amzn.to/3ABD1nv
Menstrual cup amzn.to/3Kh0Vbe
Periods shorts amzn.to/3c7xDz0
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[@asprelskcalling1151]

Hey, Crystal! I am Norwegian living in Spain doing the Camino Francés next month. And you are the reason why. I love all of your camino videos❤

[@lynnettefranks]

I also have a degenerative disk, but walking actually helps the pain. Keep trekking! I'm planning to walk the Camino next year.😊 -Lynnette

[@heather333]

You have a courageous spirit! The West Highland Way is an excellent first treck as its very accessible (from Glasgow), has baggage transfer, starts easy, has food and accommodation along the way, ends in a town with good transport, has fantastic scenery, is not too hot nor too cold, is well waymarked, well used and safe. The WHW is 96 miles, and spring is beautiful.

[@davidrichards9898]

Nice choice. I definitely hope to do 1 day. My name is David. I am 58 years old in October and have been trekking quite a lot these last 3.5 years. My wife and I live in Portland Oregon and I came across your documentary as she is hoping to do Camino next year. For your futures hikes I'd like to mention Annapurna Circuit. It is tough but in terms of value for money and infrastructure it can't be beaten. In the 1st 100km you rarely go 5kms before encountering a village. So your days can be very flexible. Accommodations are definitely not refugio quality but food is lovely and people are amazing. Guides/Porters are very reasonable so it will allow you to take all you need without having a heavy pack. Although there are many paths to avoid the most extreme sections in the 1st 100km one can follow the worst dirt road in the world possibly. Lovely for walkers, terrifying in a vehicle. The next 60 kms takes you over the Thorang La pass. Its a totally different proposition and I would respect this section quite a lot. You can walk the 100kms and the get a 4x4 back to start. If you are really ambitious you can "complete the circuit" passing through deepest gorge in the world. I do have 2 independent guides who help me to support schooling in the villages of Ghandruk and Ngagi Lamjung. Ghandruk is central to the Annapurna Base Camp hike and the other is near Besishar at the start of Annapurna Circuit. I am leaving for Peru in 2 weeks. I saw Inca Trail on your list but rather research Salkantay. Its only slightly harder and does not come with all the rules and restrictions. It finishes at the foot of Macha Pichu. A still more difficult route that merges into Salkantay is the Choquequirao. This has the bonus of an even larger temple area than Macha Pichu plus Macha Pichu itself. One can also hire guides or a mule and its handler on these treks. Salkantay villages are slightly further apart than Annapurna and accom similar standard. I will be doing Salkantay starting aug 29th and if I feel healthy (altitude is brutal) I will do first half of Choquequirao and then taxi to Macha Pichu for 2nd visit. Anyway not an expert on promoting anything but so many places to enjoy. The part I loved about your Camino was when you shared the effect it has on you. I find these feelings very hard to explain to even myself never mind anyone else but you words set off so many enriching "triggers" from my memories of the pain and wonder of a trek. I hope you are both doing really well and I hope you are able to do Scotland together David

[@stephannirichards8163]

Excellent! Can’t wait to follow you on your next trek Crystal xx

[@intrepedo100]

Hi, as an American you only have 90 days in 180 to cross the Schengen counties. Best to do the Via Francigena in two stages in two different years. Probably have to wait for June / July to cross Alps. The West highland Way is very busy, as you are aware, make sure you have accommodations etc done well before trip.

[@diamoo8021]

Your videos are honest and vulnerable. Thank you.

[@evexperience7756]

My wife is walking right now alone from Lake Constance Germany over the Via Jacobi to Le Puy in France on the GR65. Accommodation has so far been ok. Switzerland isn’t cheap but really nice. The Swiss part has taken her 27 days with rest days.

[@sarahr9181]

That’s so awesome!!!

[@yvonnebirch6026]

Hi Crystal. I am looking forward to this !! 👍👍💕🌷

[@cassandrahamilton_cloudydays]

If you haven’t you should read “The Pants of Perspective: One Woman's 3,000 Kilometre Running Adventure through the Wilds of New Zealand “ also if you need a friend to travel with haha 😊 I can totally make my schedule available. I am a great navigator 🤩 I cannot wait to watch your next adventure! 😁

[@lisawiertel973]

I was waiting to the end to find out what you were picking out. I was hoping you were doing Hadrian's Wall as I saw that was on your list. I'm doing it in July partly inspired by your videos and some other female hikers. It sounds like a wonderful hike you have picked out. I will have to add that to my list. :)

[@The_Jupiter2_Mission]

My first thought was either Mt Blanc and/or the Haute Route. You can combine the two to stretch the trek out for a good three weeks.

[@eb6929]

Love it! Can’t wait to see those videos. I really loved your Camino Frances videos 🤩

[@christineleneghan7661]

Alpe-Adria Trail through Switzerland, Slovenia and Italy is a goal of mine.

[@ironwoof5329]

Cool can't wait 😎 ❤🎉

[@maruwinckelmann7659]

Consider Camino del Norte! I has many of your considerations… miles p/day, luggage and hostels… and it has beautiful elevation gain… challenging (known a “killer leg”) but very doable!

[@arikaiponen6737]

Greetings from Finland. Thanx for great videos. Very professional have to say 👍. In June i was hiking here in Finland in Oulanka National park. There is route called Karhunkierros Trail. Its 83km long one way route. Its very well marked route, so no possible lost in there. Lots of rivers, uphills and downhills. Defenetly i can propose that for you.

[@markwilliamson9140]

Brilliant decision Crystal, West Highland Way. That's a walk that I want to do before I pass. Bucket list walk. Looking forward to your adventure in haggis, whiskey, battered mars bars and iron bru land lol 😂

[@CruisinwiththeColemans]

Love your process! ❤ We have walked both the Camino Portuguese and the Via Francigena (from Switzerland to Rome), you will love them when it's time to check them off of your bucket list. Can't wait to watch your next trek! - Michelle & Brian

[@davidharris4062]

The South West Coast Path, Somerset, North Devon, North & South Cornwall, South Devon and Dorset in the U.K.

[@christineleneghan7661]

There's also the PEI walk, around Prince Edward Island. It's very flat and takes around 30 days.

[@MsMariaSierra]

How wonderful!!!!! I can’t wait to strap on my virtual backpack!!!!

[@anneokane7172]

Hi Crystal, looking forward to your next adventure. Take care of your health. You are an inspiration to all of us. ❤

[@LaurieHammond-cn9lk]

West Highland!!

[@katewill7302]

YAY!! SCOTLAND!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🐑

[@catkafcatkaf]

Had you guys hang out with Kara and Nate yet you guys will love them

[@alicefranco9103]

Great choice! 🎉

[@markc8401]

Hey Crystal...some great choices there. I'm doing the Camino Frances again....September this time to try and evade those heat wave days on the Meseta. Have fun!

[@devon-glenn]

Hi Crystal, I would recommend the SouthWest Coastal Path in the UK. It’s 630 miles. Beautiful scenery. Also big Thank you for making these videos.

[@vanhallaadventures]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@NadineWalks]

What a fun video! (I have SO many of those hikes on my bucket list as well!) You're going to love, love, love the West Highland Way- I've heard that the Great Glen Way isn't nearly as exciting/beautiful, and I don't think quite as challenging either, but I also think it's a great idea to combine the two to make it a longer walk. The thing that popped to mind when thinking about my experience on the West Highland Way (other than how beautiful it was)... don't underestimate the part along Loch Lomond!! Granted, I was doing really long stages but I went into it thinking- how hard could walking along a lake possibly be? (spoiler: much harder than I thought) :)

[@markwilliamson9140]

Hey crystal how are you mate? I think you should do a walk in England that's where I'm from. Coast to coast. From Lancashire to Yorkshire. From west to east or vice versa. Do a Wainwright walk. Or have you done anything in England? Or you can do a canal walk.or Monsal trail peak District. If you have I'll have to look back at your videos. Ive only been following you since you did the Camino. Anyway just an idea. Hope you get better with your back. Speedy recovery, I haven't watched all the video yet. I've text at the beginning. Bless you loads take care ☺️

[@paulbrady1225]

Hey Krystal, I'm curious what your backpack weights were on the Camino last year? I'm around 15% of my body weight as of now. I start my Camino on the 16th of May.

[@pocahontas2352]

maybe another trail for your bucket-list; NST Germany ?

[@sunnydaze136]

I remember seeing about your back..how does it feel? You know i never remember you mentioning any back pain during the Camino all i remember is your poor feet! Also whats going on with Van Life? Have you a shifted the focus for now.? Because I thought you were full timers for awhile before your Mexico trip? Im surre that experience put a damper on travel and i know your husband was working during your walk..sorry for being nibby lol

[@mariestrella.orquideasartecamp]

Saludos chica y familia

[@catherinelink-arseneau9737]

I heard there are midges on the West Highland Way. True?

[@vanhallaadventures]

Yes there is. We were there end of May 2023 and they were barely noticeable. Except for 1 morning in Kinchleven.