The trampers -- identifiable by the waterproof covers on their packs -- primarily use Queenstown as a base for the surrounding hikes, perhaps sampling a packaged adventure or two.
Ricketts' stone house served as the base for the Ozone hiking club of Wilkes-Barre's excursions on the mountain; the club gave its name to Ozone waterfall in the park.
Allihies turned out to be a great base for hiking the Beara.
From there go to Valbona (there are a handful of guesthouses to stay in), which is the perfect base for hiking in the surrounding hills.
In Canea, a good base for hiking into the Samaria Gorge or relaxing on the sandy beaches stretching to the west, and in the seaside town of Rethimno, 20 miles to the east, two-bedroom houses cost $1,000 to $1,250 a week (prices quoted are rates for next spring).
At one such place, the 3 Amigos, you can rent transportation, arm yourself with a local map for nature excursions and continue to the Copper Canyon Sierra Lodge, an inn that serves as a good base for hiking to the Cusárare Waterfall.
But she finally relented and put me down for the hike to the base of the Towers.
Fort Bragg is a base for hikes in the woods, whale watching and vintage train rides.
A runner-up is Salt Lake City, Utah, which is a good base for hiking into the Cedar Mountains, 40 miles away.
Most visitors use one of the two dozen or so comfortable resort hotels or the campgrounds hunkered below the mountains as a base for day hikes.
