Yes. As with all bushwalking you should carry and refer to a map. The Heysen Trail has been marked with distinctive markers, but sometimes these can be difficult to follow. From time to time, it is necessary re-route sections of the Trail. More Details.

No. Dogs are not permitted on parts of the Trail that traverse private property or through National Parks, however the exception is when sight impaired people have a guide dog accompanying them. Dogs are permitted on public roads and in Forestry SA forests, but not in native forest reserves. Please refer to the ForestrySA website for more details.

Walking the entire 1200km trail would take between 50 and 60 days. The Friends of the Heysen Trail offer an End-to-End group walking program. Walkers are welcome to join at any time and walk those walks that interest them. The Friends of the Heysen Trail issue a certificate and badge for those completing the whole Trail.

No. There are high-speed, air-conditioned tourist trains that run directly from Cuzco to Machu Picchu. When you arrive, there are buses to drive you up Hiram's Road to the site itself. If you're short of time, or you don't think you're fit enough for the Trail, this is much the best option.

Yes. The Friends of the Heysen Trail offer an End-to-End group walking program. Walkers are welcome to join at any time and walk those walks that interest them.

Sometimes. Much of the Heysen Trail is in semi arid country, such as the Flinders Ranges. Here, water can be scarce or non-existent and the nearest town can be up to 80 kilometres away. Even in winter day temperatures can be quite warm. This makes it necessary to pay careful attention to water supply. A minimum of two litres should be carried, and three to four litres per day if backpacking.

If you get lost, try to retrace your route until you find a marker or recognise a feature. If you can hear sounds of human activity, shout to attract attention. Be on the lookout for well-travelled roads or occupied buildings. Walkers may consider using a GPS unit in combination with their map and trail markers to further safeguard from getting lost.

Yes. Scattered along the Heysen Trail are numerous campsites and shelters, varying from either stone or timber settler's cottages and old public buildings to modern shelters. Tents are permitted only in these areas. More details can be found in the Department for Environment and Heritage Heysen Trail Accommodation Guide and in the guide books.

Most of these facilities are very basic offering only a small sleeping shelter with a rainwater tank. Walkers should aim to be totally self-reliant. These huts incorporate facilities such as a rainwater tank, simple bunks, toilet, fireplace, tables and seats. Huts cannot be pre-booked or reserved, so you are advised to carry a tent in case shelters are fully occupied upon your arrival. Avoid digging trenches around tents. Remove any rubbish when you leave.

Yes. The route of the Heysen Trail takes it past many towns with excellent overnight accommodation options available. Bed & Breakfasts, Farm Stays, Hotels, Motels and Caravan Parks can be found along the Heysen Trail in many areas. More details.

The Heysen Trail is maintained by the Friends of the Heysen Trail with the assistance of a number of walking clubs. We welcome feedback about maintenance. More details.

If the words 'Inca Trail' call up images of swaying rope bridges over deep ravines and narrow paths carved into the faces of sheer precipices, relax. There's nothing like that. And it's a walking trail, so you don't need to do any mountaineering. There are a few steep descents, and there are some places where there is a drop-off on one side of the roadway. However, even people who don't like heights should be able to walk these stretches quite comfortably.

You can access the trail that runs between Hallowell and Augusta by entering from the Hallowell Municipal Lot on Water Street. In Augusta, either enter from Water Street at the Maine State Housing Authority parking lot (beneath Memorial Bridge), or enter from Capital Park by the ball fields on Union Street near the Augusta Police Station.

No. The Heysen Trail is only open to walkers during autumn, winter and spring, and closed during the summer Fire Danger Season, generally from November to April. The viability of the Heysen Trail is dependent on the continuing co-operation of private landholders, so the trail closure times must be obeyed at all times. The sections of the Heysen Trail that are on public roads or vacant land, in forests, national parks or reserves remain open year-round, except on days of a Broadcast Fire Ban.

Mobile phone coverage is limited in most regional areas. In remote areas it may be worth carrying an EPIRB device. Your mobile phone service provider map be able to provide you with coverage maps which can help you assess the extent of coverage. In the event of an accident, or if someone becomes too ill to continue, provide appropriate first aid and shelter. If the sick of injured person cannot be moved, seek assistance.

No. The Heysen Trail is for walkers only. The 900km Mawson Trail from Adelaide to Blinman in the Flinders Ranges is for cyclists. The 170km Kidman Trail from McLaren Vale to the Barossa Valley is for horse riders. Details of these trails and others are available at the Trails SA website. Both horse riding and cycling are permitted in Forestry SA forests, please refer to the ForestrySA website for more details.

The available trail maps, plus trail rules and regulations as well as the history of some of the trails in town, are downloadable from the trails section of this site.

Car parking is available at various points along the trail, generally in towns, public car parks or on road sides. Some sections of the trail are accessible by bus services, by private operators or by individuals. More details.

Yes, visitors should complete the 3 mile round-trip walk for the best experience of Fort Bowie National Historic Site. If you physically can not walk the trail, please contact the visitor center staff at 520-847-2500 for directions to the alternate access.

It is recommended that you have basic map reading skills. This means that you should be able to locate your position and follow your progress along a well-illustrated trail on a map and also recognise prominent features along the trail.

The key is to study the brown contour lines. Where the trail runs parallel with the lines, it's flat. Where the trail crosses the lines, it's a slope. The difference between the numbers on the lines tells if you are going to be climbing or descending. If the trail crosses at 90 degrees to the contours, and the contours are only a millimetre or two apart, you are going to be pushing..

A variety of trail, topo, and area maps are available for purchase at the Park or at several outfitters after you arrive in the area. If you want trail map to assist in planning before you arrive, you can order your trail map here.

A map of the foothills trail system will be available in 2006. Maps do exist in some trail guide books, but they are not accurate and should not be relied upon for trail reference. The foothills trail has changed significantly due to Horsetooth Reservoir dam construction. Four agencies, including the City of Fort Collins, are working together to rebuild the sections of the trail that were removed during dam construction.

Again, probably the best places are directly from the National Forest Supervisor Office, Ranger District Office, or visitor center or a local outfitter.

Yes. You will need crutches for the first I - 5 days, depending on your recovery. An occasional patient with arthritis, who has had the bone drilled (see Question 9), will need crutches and cannot bear weight for 6 weeks. I will not be able to tell you this until after the surgery.

A map is essential for planning your trip and staying oriented during your hike. Grand Canyon topographic maps are available through the Grand Canyon Association.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources produces a very nice trail map, which they will send you free of charge. Just call the MO DNR at 660-882-8196 or 800-334-6946, and ask for the Katy Trail map.

Maps of the trail are available in a poster size, showing the entire trail, or as the twelve detailed individual maps that form part of the Trail Guidebook. The latter maps are those that are needed for hiking purposes. Some bookstores may sell one or both of these; if not, each may be ordered by mail from the RTA directly. Refer to the membership application form for prices and the mailing address. Note that from time to time re-routing of the trail becomes necessary.

Generally, walking home at night is not a problem but members, especially women, should take common sense precautions. People (thankfully no Laurelians) have been known to be assaulted when walking alone at night in the West Campus area, and so members are encouraged to walk with friends or get rides after dark.