Trek the American campaign trail

As insults are traded and celebrity backers paraded ahead of the US Presidential election on November 4th, we take a look at the trekking holiday potential of the candidates' home states.

In conjunction with North American travel specialist TrekAmerica, travelbite.co.uk takes a light-hearted look at the states represented by the presidential candidates – looking for some clues on who might win on the big night.

In the Red Corner, for the Republicans we have John McCain's home state of Arizona – the last contiguous state to join the Union, in 1912 - and Alaska, represented by Sarah Palin.

"Arizona and Alaska are two of the new kids on the block as far as US states go, being the 48th and 49th states to be admitted to the Union.

"They are also two of the least densely populated, so visitors can expect uninterrupted views of jaw-dropping wilderness scenery.

"From deserts and canyons to glacial peaks, mountains, forests and lakes, these two states contain about as many different landscapes as you can imagine," say TrekAmerica.

A sample tour of Arizona with TrekAmerica might be the ten-day Wild West tour, which includes time to hike around the Grand Canyon National Park, sample the Old West lifestyle with a riding and overnight Cowboy Camp adventure and experience the cactus-studded horizons of the Sonora Desert.





North of the border, the Alaska Wonder is a 14-day tour encompassing the best of Alaska’s interior and coastal regions.

Guests will spend days exploring Denali National Park - home to Mount McKinley and a number of grizzly bears and elk - and the mysterious region of Kenai Fjords National Park where killer whale dorsals can be spotted and the explosive cracking of carving glaciers and be heard.





"We have to admit to loving these two," continue TrekAmerica.

"Arizona is the second most-visited state on the tours run by TrekAmerica and our sister company Footloose.

"Alaska, on the other hand, is the only US state we dedicate entire tours to. Together, they pack a mighty punch."

Meanwhile, in the Blue Corner, for the Democrats intellectual heavyweight Barack Obama weighs in his home state of Illinois, while Delaware is represented by political bruiser Joe Biden.

TrekAmerica says: "Delaware’s claim to fame is that it was the first state admitted to the Union in 1787, while Illinois was the 21st state to be admitted, in 1818.

"Between them, these two states have a great deal of historic clout."





For those anxious to visit these alluring states, TrekAmerica’s 21-day Northern Trail passes through Illinois on its coast-to-cost route between New York and Los Angeles.

Stopping in Chicago, trekkers can get a dizzying view of the city from Sears Tower, trawl the up-market malls of Magnificent Mile or hire a bike and get peddling on the 'Bike and Hike' city tour.

"Of the two, Illinois is more famous as a tourist destination, boasting highlights such as the Great Lakes and of course, Chicago.

"TrekAmerica runs half a dozen tours through Illinois, but we have to admit that 'the Windy City' isn’t the best place for an outdoor adventure in the winter."

Chris O'Toole