Walk on the wilder side
When you've had enough of the heat of your beach resort or the noise of the city crowds, there's nothing like getting back to nature and experiencing a cool breeze between the trees, a sparkling stream in the sunshine. Southeast Asia is most famous for its coastline and islands but head inshore and you'll find a wealth of unspoilt countryside with fantastic views and fascinating wildlife. Every country in the region boasts beautiful walking trails of every level of difficulty, from lung-bursting mountain ascents to rambles along a jade river valley. Whether you're only straying a couple of miles from your hotel or staying overnight in a mountain lodge, a combination of good walking shoes, long trousers, waterproof jacket, insect repellent and hat is recommended. Your hotel should be able to recommend a good route and local guide, where necessary. They might even provide a map.
Here are a few Southeast Asian trekking destinations that might suit you:
The area around Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand has all the elements to make it popular with walkers: national parks, waterfalls, elephants and hill-tribe villages. The Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail in Doi Intanon National Park is one of the most scenic walks in Thailand.
The jagged-peaked Mount Kinabalu on Borneo is the highest peak in Southeast Asia. The two-day hike to the summit and back is very achievable and well worth it for the views of the sun setting over the South China Sea. Reward yourself afterwards with a therapeutic bath in the nearby Poring Hot Springs.
The Cameron Highlands are Malaysia's most extensive hill station and the perfect place for long walks in the rainforest because of the cool temperature and exotic flora and fauna. Its network of trails take in some of the best scenery in the country and include the Jim Thompson Mystery Trail and the Gunung Brinchang Trail.
The Philippines are mostly known for white beaches and diving but head for Banaue, a spectacular 300km drive north of Manila, and you'll discover what the locals call the Stairways to the Gods. These are a stunning collection of rice terraces, hewn from the land 2000 years ago by Ifugao tribespeople, and there is a well-marked walking route right alongside this natural wonder of the world.
A walk up the Gunung Batur active volcano in the centre of Bali is the most popular trek on the island and usually started in time to arrive at the top for sunrise. The caldera itself is home to several villages and a beautiful lake, and you can even make you way down into the volcanic crater and pull some lava off its steaming walls.
Sa Pa, perched on the end of a wide plateau in Northern Vietnam, is a former French hill station, now famous for its weekly market and superb scenery. There's plenty of opportunity here for treks among the Hoang Lien Mountains to remote Black H'mong villages and electric green paddy fields.
