Frequently Asked Questions

The aim of Horizonrando is to help you discover the most suitable hikes for your needs and your level of fitness. Whether you are looking for:

• 🔍 A one-off experience during a trip
• ⛰️ A specific hike you have been dreaming about
• 🗺️ A complete stay of several weeks focused on hiking

My goal is to help you prepare effectively.

🛠️ The tools at your service

To make your experience easier, the site provides you with a range of practical tools:

• 📋 Complete tables listing all the hikes
• 🗺️ Interactive maps to visualize the location of the routes
• ⭐ Top 5s to discover the must-sees
• 🛣️ Ready-made itinerary suggestions
• ❓ FAQs specific to each destination (Iceland, Corsica, Scotland, Norway, etc.)

💯 My commitment to quality

To provide you with reliable, accurate and concise information with:

• An objective and coherent evaluation of each route
• Downloadable GPS tracks for all the hikes on offer
• A rigorous selection of photographs representative of the experience that awaits you
• Clear descriptions including difficulties, gradients and points of interest

I favor a synthetic approach, without drowning you in superfluous details. The descriptions deliberately avoid the “turn left, then right” format – this information is better conveyed by the maps and GPS tracks provided.

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Horizonrando was born out of a passion for exploring trails and the desire to share authentic experiences with all nature and hiking lovers.

📝 A passion turned into a project

For a long time, I’ve had a passion for organizing hiking trips, both for myself and for my loved ones. This experience has gradually led me to a crucial observation that gave birth to Horizonrando.

🔄 Beyond the classics

While preparing my trips, I quickly noticed a recurring phenomenon: the vast majority of sites invariably offer the same hikes – those “classic” routes whose photos flood social media.

Unfortunatly, this system creates a snowball effect:

Recommendation → Traffic → Increased recommendation → Amplified traffic → Overpopularity

This positive feedback loop turns certain trails into overcrowded destinations, while other treasures remain in the shadows. A vicious cycle that feeds on itself and gradually reduces the diversity of hiking experiences!

⭐ A qualitative rather than quantitative approach

Horizonrando’s philosophy is radically different from traditional approaches:

My goal is not to accumulate a maximum number of hikes, but to select only the best.

Unlike community sites that aim at comprehensiveness, my approach is more focused:

• I perform a careful pre-selection of hikes before exploring a country
• About 30% of the hikes I complete are not kept for the site
• Only hikes rated at least 3 stars out of 5 are selected

I want to make it clear that I am in no way criticizing community sites. On the contrary, I use them a lot and consider them an essential complement to a site like Horizonrando.

🔍 The quest for hidden gems

What really excites me is the discovery of these lesser known but exceptional hikes. These gems exist in surprising numbers, but are often overshadowed by conventional tourist itineraries.

Now, I’m not saying that all popular hikes are disappointing. Some fully deserve their success and reputation! Others, however, suffer from disproportionate enthusiasm and can fall far short of expectations.

📚 An opinion based on experience

My approach is also characterized by its scope and method:

• I complete at least a hundred hikes in each destination I present
• This in-depth immersion allows me to compare routes objectively
• The ratings given are therefore more consistent with each other and calibrated on a large sample

This field expertise offers a unique perspective compared to community sites or travel blogs based on short stays.

The way you explore Horizonrando depends largely on what you are looking for. Here are the best approaches according to your needs:

📱 To find a specific hike

• Use the search engine (🔍) located in the main menu at the top of the page
• Or directly consult the list of hikes for the destination you are interested in

⭐ To discover the must-sees

• Check out our Top 5 for quick access to the best experiences
• Explore the full list of hikes by sorting them in descending order of rating (start with hikes rated 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Important distinction: Don’t confuse “must-see” with “popular”! Much of our Top 5 remains relatively uncrowded – and that’s what makes them so charming!

📍 For hikes near your location

Ideal if you are already in the area:

• Open the interactive map of the country/region you are in
• Activate geolocation (icon on the map)
• See all hikes near your location
• Use the sort by distance option in the list below the map

🗺️ To prepare a complete trip

• Start with our suggested itineraries as a starting point
• Then customize your route to suit your preferences:
  • Take inspiration from our Top 5 to include must-see hikes
  • Consult the interactive map to find other hikes near your itinerary
  • Explore the complete list of hikes to filter them according to your criteria (duration, difficulty, region, etc.)

The site has been designed to allow you to navigate intuitively between these different tools, in order to build the hiking experience that exactly matches your expectations.

Each hiking sheet contains a blue box with essential information for organizing your hike : distance, average duration, difficulty, elevation gain, etc.

To better understand these parameters (for example, what does moderate difficulty mean?), consult our detailed guide:

➡️ Explanation of hiking parameters

Choosing a route that is appropriate for your abilities is essential for an enjoyable and safe hiking experience. Here’s how to do it:

1️⃣ Understand your level

Start by consulting our difficulty scale to objectively assess yourself: ➡️ Detailed explanation of difficulty levels

2️⃣ Search by difficulty

Two simple methods are available to you:

📋 Via the list of hikes

• Consult the list of hikes for your destination
• Filter according to your preferences by typing the desired level (e.g. ‘moderate’) in the table’s search bar
• or sort the table by clicking on the header of the ‘Difficulty’ column:
  • First click: increasing ranking (Very easy → Very difficult)
  • Second click: decreasing ranking (Very difficult → Very easy)

🗺️ Via the interactive map

• View all hikes in your destination on the interactive map
• Identify routes that suits you using the difficulty color code

This option is particularly useful if you’re targeting a specific location.

3️⃣ Additional Tips

• Start modestly: If you’re a beginner, start with hikes rated “very easy” or “easy”
• Progress gradually: Gradually increase the difficulty as you gain experience
• Consider the weather forecast – it can significantly affect the difficulty of a route

Remember that it’s always better to choose a hike slightly below your maximum level, especially in unfamiliar terrain!

Absolutely! Horizonrando offers many hikes that are suitable for families, even with young children.

🔍 How to find family-friendly hikes?

• Prioritize hikes rated “very easy” or “easy”
• Depending on the age and experience of your children, some “moderate” difficulty hikes may also be suitable
• ➡️ Discover how to choose a hike that suits your level

🎯 Our special family resources

• Check out our dedicated Top 5 ⭐ : for almost all destinations, we offer a Top 5 Family Hikes
• These selections will help you save time when searching for suitable routes

🌋 Focus on Iceland

Iceland is a particularly family-friendly destination on Horizonrando:

• Even without hiking, you can fully enjoy the site
• Access to around forty detailed sheets for spectacular viewpoints and accessible points of interest

Don’t hesitate to filter your searches by difficulty level to easily find routes that will match the abilities of your whole family!

Each hike presented on Horizonrando comes with a downloadable GPX file that allows you to follow the route precisely in the field.

❓ What is a GPX file?

A GPX file (GPS Exchange Format) is a standard data format that stores GPS navigation information:

• Complete track of the route with its precise coordinates
• Points of interest along the way
• Elevation data to visualize the altitude profile

It’s essentially a “digital map” of your hike that you can load onto various devices.

📱 How to use GPX files?

With a hiking/sports GPS watch

• Download the GPX file from our website
• Transfer it to your watch (usually using the app that comes with your watch)
• Activate the “Navigation” or “Route” function on your watch
• Follow the real-time directions as you hike

Most GPS watches from brands like Garmin, Suunto, or Polar support GPX files.

With a smartphone

⭐ My recommended app

After several tests, my personal recommendation is GPX Viewer:

• App available for iOS and Android
• Free basic version
• Important tip: Opt for the Pro version (±7€, one-time purchase), which allows you to download maps for offline use, an essential feature for hiking where network coverage is often limited.

🔍 Other popular apps

• AllTrails – Intuitive interface, free basic features
• ViewRanger/Outdooractive – Detailed maps, offline mode available
• Gaia GPS – Excellent topographic maps
• Wikiloc – Large hiking community and route sharing

Important note: Most truly effective apps offer a freemium model. Essential features like offline use are usually paid, either as a one-time purchase or an annual subscription.

📲 How to use it

1. Download the app of your choice
2. Import the GPX file (usually via an “Import” or “Add route” button)
3. Download maps for offline use (highly recommended)
4. Open the loaded route
5. Activate navigation to follow the route

⚠️Disadvantages of the smartphone

Battery management

• 🔋 Limited battery life – The battery can run out in 3-5 hours with GPS always on. Hiking watches, on the other hand, specialise in this task and some models can run for up to several weeks.
• 💡 Battery saving tips:
  • Download maps in offline mode before you leave
  • Put your device in airplane mode (GPS will still work)
  • Bring a power bank
  • Reduce screen brightness
  • Close all background apps

Practical aspects

• Handling – Need to regularly take out your phone to check the route
• Dependence – Don’t rely on technology alone; develop your orientation skills as well

💼 Pre-departure preparation – Checklist

• ✅ Test importing the GPX file and its functionality before your hike
• ✅ Make sure your device is fully charged
• ✅ Download offline maps for your hiking area

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💬 Share your experiences! If you use other GPX apps that you find particularly effective, don’t hesitate to recommend them to me via the contact form. I’ll be happy to test them and update these recommendations!

The hiking world is rich with online resources! Here’s a selection of excellent sites to help you prepare for your next adventure.

📱 Community sites

These platforms allow you to discover and contribute to routes shared by other hikers:

• AllTrails – The international reference with thousands of routes worldwide
• Visorando – The reference community site in France, with a very practical app
• Altituderando – Specialized in the French Alps, ideal for mountain hiking

👣 High Quality blogs and personal websites

Enthusiasts share their experiences and valuable advice:

• Randos Mont-Blanc – Excellent for the Northern Alps (France) – Detailed descriptions and beautiful photos
• RandoLofoten – The reference site for the Lofoten Islands (Norway) – Exclusive itineraries and local advice
• WalkHighlands – THE reference for Scotland – Covers absolutely all Scottish walks
• In A Faraway Land – High-quality site – Specialized in Norway, Iceland, and the Dolomites
• Zigzag Voyages – Although not strictly a hiking site, it offers excellent travel advice for many destinations popular with hikers