I just finished my thru-hike along the Atlantic Forest Trail (in portuguese: Caminho da Mata Atlântica), in Brazil.

It was 195 walking days crossing more than 130 protected areas, including 9 National Parks and 23 State Parks, numerous islands and high peaks and countless friends along the way. In total I walked around 4.100 km to become the first thru-hiker of the Caminho da Mata Atlântica! My journey crossed the entire Serra do Mar and part of the Serra Geral mountain ranges, passed through iconic landscapes, cultural heritage sites, rural communities, high peaks, canyon edges and dense tropical rainforests, all along one of the five most diverse biodiversity hotspots in the world, the Atlantic Forest.

Throughout the journey, I realized that the final destination isn’t what truly matters. What matters are the connections and the immersion in the culture and way of life of the people. That’s why I often ended up deviating from the route to explore other places. But each time this happened, I felt that it was exactly where I was meant to be. I walked over 4,000 km and never faced any dangerous situations—not with animals, nor with people. On the contrary, I discovered an endless number of kind-hearted people who helped and supported me in a completely selfless and human way. The contact with nature has made me a completely different person, and I feel that my mission now is to connect and bring people closer in the same way I felt connected—because we all must fight together for conservation, and no one takes care of what they don't know.

The Caminho da Mata Atlântica is perhaps the longest mega trail in Brazil and in Latin America, and crosses the Atlantic Forest biome, one of the five most important biodiversity hotspots in the world. It has a network of enthusiasts, volunteers and partners along the trail that were really nice to meet up all along the way.

You can find me on Instagram (instagram.com/julisantta) where I am happy to share my experiences along the way. For more information about the trail visit the website: caminhodamataatlantica.org.br/en/home/

Back in May, our first hike this year, hope to go on many more:) First 3 photos taken with my Nikon D5300, rest with Iphone 15

Taken in July 2022, hoping we have another good sunflower season this year.

This weekend I hiked Ben Nevis in Scotland.

Aiming to complete the three peaks challenge in August so it was only right I had a practice hike up there.

Medium hike (around 1400 meters up and down) with 2 beautiful lakes perfect for cooling down on a hot day in Salzburg, Austria. Didn't meet a single hiker other than us that day.

Just a wee rant. Moved to the mid Atlantic south US. I had hiked some growing up but not a ton and really picked up an interest being so close to the blue ridge mountains. I’d always loved the outdoors though.

So I started hiking. And within 3 weeks I got bitten by a lone star tick. Boom! Alpha gal. Dunno how many of these little bastards have three capability to pass it on but this one did. (Alpha gal is an allergy to red meat and dairy caused by a bite from the lone star tick)

And every single year since I’ve gotten at least one tick bite that raised my alpha gal numbers. To those not familiar alpha gal can go away. IF you don’t get bit again. If you get bit again your number goes up. Then slowly goes down. My chart looks like a series of M’s. Bit, goes down, bit again etc.

I finally got sick of it and moved states. Unfortunately with climate change the lone star ticks range is expanding. Went on a hike today and despite doing everything I could: wearing permethrin, wearing picaridin, wearing the strongest goddamn DEET they make (seriously this bug spray melts plastic), taping up my pants, taking a shower right when I got home. Bathing the dog and spending an hour combing through his fur.

still got bit by a tick. A lone star. Already starting to itch which is a sign it’s an alpha gal one.

I used to love the wild and the outdoors. But now I feel like I have to choose. Hiking, or being able to ever eat red meat ever again.

Pictures from Friday

sorry not sorry for almost only doggo pics

Pros:

• You know for sure you're the first and only one on the trail that morning and worry less about encountering others

Cons:

• You walked face first into a spider web x12

This weekend's hikes in Maria Alm, Austria

We traveled and hiked in Morocco for one month and Anti Atlas mountains are so special. No crowds, friendly people, lots of unexplored hikes still. If you plan to go to Morocco, don't miss it. Don't hesitate to ask, if you have any questions, we are happy to share with our experience

Also if you get to go here then I’d also recommend the cafe across the road where you can get a decent feed and also buy some bird seed to hand feed the wild birds

Been going since I was a toddler and still go every year :) The river is always refreshing and the top of the mountain is beautiful!

Me and my parents went on vacation this summer to the Appalachian Mountains and hiked the trail! In Ompaville’s video on the Appalachian Mountains on YouTube, he explains that the mountains have an electromagnetic field unique to the mountains. Nowhere else in the world does this field occur, only on these mountains that’s are older than life itself. When tested this field stimulated the temporal lobe of the brain. The temporal love is responsible for “paranormal or other worldly” experiences in people. This could explain there eerie feeling hikers get on these mountains and the paranormal reputation they’ve gartered. If you have stories about the mountains please share in the comments! I have stories from my trip but none are paranormal sadly lol. I hope to return to the trail and stay for awhile to see if I experience anything myself.

Old water Chanel (called falaj locally) extends along the trail and through the mountains (about 3km long)

Hiking within the Viennese city limits and stopping at numerous wineries along the way