The Hike Life: My 50 Favourite Hikes in Ireland

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Stage 4 – Topping out at 2610m, after the steep climb up Val Setus. Note the red/white painted flags which mark much of the trail. If I had to name my absolute favorite part of this book, however, it would have to be the relationships at the center of the plot. A tale of reconnecting friends and life’s unexpected turns, it was heartwarming but also filled with true-to-life problems that occur when you put more than two people together in a friendship. And, ultimately, this led to plenty of plot charging drama that put the thrills in thriller. NeoAir bonus feature – you can use it to paddle across lakes and slow moving watercourses | Southwest Tasmania Traverse, 2016. In each book I’ve read by Clarke, I’ve always been particularly blown away by her deft ability to build consistent and ever ratcheting suspense. This time around, not only was that true, but with each revelation, something else was twisted to reveal a new puzzle filled with just as much intensity. This managed to create an ebb and flow to the unease that kept me on tenterhooks throughout. Even better, it meant that not once was I able to guess where this one was headed. And certainly, the setting in “The Hike” can be considered a most worthy character. Earning at least 1 star from this reviewer.

Wild Camping: Regular readers of ‘The Hiking Life’ knew this bit was coming. While I enjoyed eating breakfasts and lunches in the huts during my time on the AV2 (and AV1), I avoided overnight stays in the huts. The main reasons for this is were that: A. I don’t sleep well in dormitories, and; B. If I’m hiking in the mountains I prefer to sleep outside whenever possible. That being the case, I did what I almost always do – set up camp at sunset and left the following morning before sunrise. Watery Trailheads: The Pyrenean Haute Route may well be – along with the GR10 and GR11 – the only long distance hike in the world where you can start with a dip in the ocean and finish with a swim in a sea. It's a fun ride, I love hiking in the great outdoors, especially in more isolated areas on multi day hikes so for me this book was a show in. Brilliantly written, lots of red herrings and a twist I was not expecting. If you love a character driven thriller in an eerie claustrophobic atmosphere definitely give this one a go.With the introduction of the NeoAir and other lightweight inflatable models in recent years, the weight penalty formerly associated with taking a blow-up mattress (as opposed to a foamie) is not what it was. If you are worried about getting a puncture, add a 2 oz piece of thin foam such as the Gossamer Gear ThinLight 1/8 for insurance. Four lifelong friends embark on a challenging 4-day hike in Norway, each with their own secrets and personal issues. Some are more eager to get on the trail than others, but when they hear about a missing girl who looks strikingly similar to Maggie, things take a sinister twist. Almost forgot…….one of my favourite dog breeds come from the Pyrenees – none other than the massive Pyrenean mountain dog (also known as ‘Great Pyrenees’). Before hiking the HRP in 1999 I’d never heard of this beautiful canine. During the route, I saw three or four of them and was blown away by their size, power, keen intelligence, and kindly expressions. The two Pyrenean mountain dogs (Chase and Goliath) below belong to regular hiking partner and good mate, Greg “Malto” Gressel. As a woman, she'd been taught to walk with confidence, to look like she knew where she was going. To not show weakness, because a predator senses it. How do you do that in the Norwegian wilderness with no clue where you are?

I received a gifted advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Insta Book Tours. Do I have to be fit?This depends on the hike, each hike will have it’s own separate post which will give a guide on the difficulty level. All hikes however are taken at a manageable pace. Eight novels in and Lucy Clarke just keeps getting better. The Hike is easily my favourite Lucy Clarke novel to date. I love a good isolated thriller mystery novel and The Hike is a fabulous example of a destination thriller. Fans of Lucy Clarke and newcomers will lap this one up in no time at all.

This is a really exciting and twisty thriller from the start to the end which will leaving you wanting to hike in Norway too.

Swami: Stoveless, Toaks Titanium Siphon Alcohol Stove ( Note: I tried the Toaks stove for the first time early 2016 and became an instant convert. Significant upgrade in fuel efficiency – I estimate 25% – over the homemade/Pepsi Can versions I had previously used). How will I know where to meet the group?I will always post a meeting point two weeks prior to the hike with a specific time along with all relevant info needed. You can’t miss the group ( I usually give 5 minutes grace before we set off) During the 12 Long Walks trip, I completed the swiftest ever calendar year Triple Crown (Pacific Crest, Appalachian, and Continental Divide Trails – 236 days) and covered more distance in a calendar year than anyone before me (10,244 miles / 16,486 km).The Hike is a fast-paced nail biter of a thriller that twists and turns much like the setting it takes place in. My AV2 Strategy: FWIW, here’s a rough breakdown of my daily schedule during my six days on the AV2:

For me the winning piece was the setting. I would just love to jump on a plane and visit Norway, it’s such a fresh and spectacular part of the world, with an untamed beauty that was described perfectly by Lucy Clarke. The wildness and sense of sheer isolation was expressed with precision by Lucy Clarke, it was definitely my highlight. The setting managed to compound everything that happens in this eventful thriller. What a brilliant book, I've read most of Lucy Clarke's books now and they just keep getting better!It's amazing how much Clarke was able to take on in The Hike. In short chapters from alternating viewpoints, she explores themes like marriage, motherhood, the complexities of female friendship, and drug addiction, while also telling a propulsive, suspenseful, atmospheric survival story. Each of the four friends at the center of this novel is thoughtfully crafted, with unique traits and viewpoints that made it easy to differentiate among them. Their internal conflicts and their conflicts with each other, even as they were dealing with the external challenge of being inexperienced hikers and potentially being stalked through the wilderness, made for a tense, engaging reading experience.