Rick Steves can point out the balconies in Milan where Mussolini gave speeches. He knows where to order the tastiest mangalica in Budapest, Hungary. And for more than 40 years, he has researched European travel for his popular guidebooks and television show, amassing a sizable fan base with his intricate knowledge of history, culture, and cuisine.Prior to 2021, however, Steves had largely overlooked one major side of European travel: the great outdoors. That changed in September when Steves went on a six-day trek through the French Alps.“Here I am, supposed to be this expert on European travel, and I’ve never done a multiday hike in the Alps,” Steves told Outside in a recent phone interview. “It was something totally new to me, and now I want to tell everybody what a great travel option it is.”Now 66, Steves has become hooked on hiking, and he’s convinced that his fans—many of whom are near or at retirement age—may enjoy trekking in the mountains just as much as cruising the Seine or strolling the Louvre.“What I like is the rhythm of my feet on the trail,” Steves said. “It’s therapeutic. It’s a delightful experience for my body and my soul.”Steves and three friends tackled part of the Tour du Mont Blanc, the famed 110-mile trail network around Europe’s highest peak. The well-trodden route passes multiple guesthouses, restaurants, and hotels, and there’s even a service that ferries a hiker’s bags from one destination to the next. But the route is also rocky and rugged, with more than 32,000 total feet of elevation gain.
Source: What You Missed: How Rick Steves Got Hooked on Hiking – Outside Online
