We skyped with David and Pennie Briese, cheering ourselves with an evening beer on the Australian side of the line and a morning tea on the Dutch side. David and Pennie did a lot of hiking all over the world, and they keep track of their whereabouts on www.gang-gang.net/nomad.

What do you like about hiking?

Seven years ago I wasn't much of a hiker. But when we left work we went for one long walk and we never stopped. I think it is an escape from civilization as we experience it now.

What about hiking in Europe?

It's very different in Europe. We were there last year (Tour du Mont Blanc). What I really like in Europe is staying in mountain refuges where you find a chat with people at the end of the day. We decided to go early, in June, so we had a peaceful trip.

What do you enjoy most when on trail?

I love just taking in new landscapes, and particularly mountains because in Australia we don't really have mountains, not like the Alps, not like the Andes. One thing we really like, is just to walk on your own with your thoughts. You find these beautiful parts of the world with no other people around and your thoughts wander... I also like looking at the detail of things, wild flowers … I'm not a fast walker!

Which hike do you remember best?

(Laughing) I have to say the last one, because I broke my ankle! I think it is very difficult to say I remember one better than others. It's aspects of different ones I really enjoy. We walked in Patagonia and the Andes; such beautiful landscapes there that are always coming back to my mind. I don't like to think of walks as favorites. Different walks come back at different times. Suddenly you'll have a memory that comes back. And that's what I enjoy.

What's the best Australian hiking secret you don't want to tell foreigners?

The South Coast of New South Wales really was what started us off on walking. When we walked down that coastline, I realized it was something I need to do. It's got beautiful beaches, it's got beautiful forest, it's not all sand, it's rugged headlands, rocks and that. Such a diverse length of coastline.

There are a number of shorter walks on it, several three or four day walks that can be done in different areas. The Lighthouse to Lighthouse walk, the Nadgee-Howe Wilderness Walk. With the Lighthouse to Lighthouse you can actually stay in the lighthouse at the end of the walk and watch whales. The Royal National Park Coast Trek is very accessible to anyone because it is right on the South of Sydney, yet it's completely out of the city. You only have to catch a ferry across a small stretch of water and start that walk, and you can forget the city of five million across the bay.

What's your advice on gear when hiking in Australia?

Keep it light. Because if you are going to do the main tracks in Australia, there are no places where you can stay and buy your meals as a rule. You carry it all on your back.

For what do you think Traildino will come in handy?

Well, what I like about it, is that it's a "one stop shop": just to get an idea of what is available in any one place. (Of course we liked to hear this!)

Where do you plan your next hike?

We'll be in Turkey in May and sample some of the walking there, sections of the Lycian Way, the Way of Saint Paul and we want to do some walking in the Taurus Mountains and the Kackar Mountains. So that's the big plan and I have to be fit for that.

Fred Triep describes his hikes in different parts of the world on his own website http://www.hikingwebsite.eu. He was one of the first to share his hiking adventures with others on the internet, and continues to do so today. We Skyped with Fred, hoping for some good advice.

Why do you like to hike?

For me hiking means enjoying and gathering impressions of nature, landscapes and people. Meeting those other people is great fun. I walked in Yemen, where people invite you to a meal just about every 300 meters. And you can't refuse!

What do you enjoy most?

Diversity is what I like best. Long straight tracks lined with trees on both sides through the Black Forest are lost on me. I prefer to hike up into the mountains, each valley bringing a new surprise.

Where did you see many wild animals? (My daughter likes to know)

I once joined a walking safari in Umfolozi National Park in South Africa. Suddenly the guide shouted “behind a tree”. There it was: a rhino. We had to run and hide behind the trees. Just imagine: you spend the night camping and these animals walk right past. If you need to pee during the night, better take care not to bump into one.

You have done an awful lot of hiking. Can you give us your Top Trail?

The Top Trail for comfort is: Cinque Terre, a coastal walk in Italy, north of Pisa. The trail connects five villages, in each of which you can either catch a train or enjoy a drink on a terrace. You will enjoy great views of the villages and the Mediterranean all the time. A great hike I think. And it gets a lot of hits on my website.

The Top Trail for adventure is: the hike from Skogar to Landmannalaugar, on Iceland. It's a five-day hike and you have to carry all your food. You will pass through a variety of landscapes: snow, gravel, volcanic activity. And if you go now, you can enjoy a live volcanic eruption too: the  Eyjafjallajökull, much in the news recently.

What's your advice on luggage?

Carrying light-weight food can make a big difference. I hiked in Iceland for two-and-a-half weeks on end, carrying all my food. I had hard keks and muesli for breakfast, hard keks for lunch, and a hot meal at night. It added up to 10 kilo's of food, not bad.

For whom do you think Traildino will come in handy?

For people who want an overview of hikes and trails, I think it's very handy. At the same time, it is a very ambitious project. When I put my Lauvegur hike on my website ten years ago, I was the first to do so. Now there is so much more to be found on the internet.

Where do you plan to hike next?

In May I will hike part of the Lycian Way, in Turkey

Don't your knees ever get worn?

My knees aren't a problem, but my feet are! However, my doctor told me to just keep walking, it won't do any harm.

Will you promise us to update your website again? You are behind a bit.

Yes, after next summer I can stop working, and I will have all my time to myself. I will be able to spend more time on my website. But then again, I might do more hiking instead. So, I am not sure if I'll ever manage to update it completely.