WELCOME! Start here.
Headquartered near Nashville, Tennessee, Hobnail Trekking Company is one of the few American-based companies providing full-service adventure travel packages to epic locations like the Nepali Himalayas, Peruvian Andes, Montenegro, the European Alps, Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, and others. Every trek is personally curated by owners Mark and Holly Johnson to be a life-changing combination of cultural discovery, incredible scenery, and physical accomplishment.
No, you don’t have to be an elite athlete to complete our treks; only a motivated hiker with the willingness to prepare. You’ve got this! We help you every step of the way, from booking to departure, and provide you with only the best, most experienced guides in each amazing destination.
Remember, these aren’t simple vacations; they are bucket-list experiences that will become important chapters in your life’s story. Don’t wait for that mythical “perfect” time that may never come — start enjoying your world today!
Read about us in the February 2023 issue of the Tennessee Magazine! Tap the image to read the online flip-page version or visit our Media page HERE.
YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
The Nepali Himalayas
A trekking journey into the mysterious Himalayas is one of Earth’s great adventures. No climbing experience is necessary, but you will nonetheless be treated like climbing royalty during your entire stay in Nepal, from the moment you arrive until you climb back aboard your plane. Our guides, porters, and yak handlers are the best in the business and will make this journey one you’ll never forget.
The Peruvian Andes
Our “Peruvian Odyssey Trek” will send you to Salkantay Mountain, Lake Titicaca, Rainbow Mountain, and to the jewel of the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu. Over 17 days, immerse yourself in the amazing history and culture of the Incas! Check out our other Peruvian treks, too. Hobnail is proud to partner with Peru’s #1 outfitter, Alpaca Expeditions, to handle our boots-on-the-ground activities.
Italy
The culture, history, and cuisine are off the charts in our Italian adventures in the Umbria Region — “Assisi to Rome” — and the amazing “Italian/Swiss Experience,” which is set in the northern part of the Italy and the glacier environment of the Swiss Engadina lake region.
Amazing alps
When most people picture European mountains — snow-covered peaks, wild-flower meadows, lederhosen, and pints of frothy beer — they’re picturing the Alps of Switzerland, France, and Italy. Our Alps packages include all of those elements (well, the beer’s on you) and much more! In particular, the iconic Tour Mont Blanc circuit is a must-do for any serious trekker, and our Italian/Swiss Experience is a more chill but equally amazing walking holiday. Our new Central Alps Odyssey is a wonder of culture, history, and crazy landscapes.
Montenegro
Our “Three-Jewel Odyssey” trek explores Montenegro’s three amazing national parks — Durmitor, Biogradska Gora, and Prokletije — over seven spectacular days. There is even a day of whitewater rafting through the incomparable Tara River Canyon!
The Peaks of the Balkans
This trek combines the best elements of adventure travel: incredible, welcoming culture and cuisine, off-the-charts landscapes, and a formidable physical challenge. The trail boasts some of the most unspoiled scenery on the planet with easy-to-handle altitudes.
Scotland
Choose between three incredible itineraries: Northwest Highlands, Southwest Highlands, and the Three Lochs Way. You can’t go wrong with any of these — just depends on when you want to travel and how much time you have. Each itinerary is an awesome journey into the culture, history, and landscapes of this amazing land of William Wallace, with varying degrees of physical challenge.
Morocco
Channel your inner Indiana Jones! Visit the ancient cities, Roman ruins, and incredible Atlas Mountains of this North African gem. Ride camels through the sweeping dunes of the mighty Sahara, indulge in culinary treats, and shop the bazaars of Marrakesh!
Spain
Both our Camino Classic and Andalucia Classic packages offer a unique fusion of spiritual exploration, historical immersion, and breathtaking landscapes. The Camino route itself — a segment of the French Way — is a pilgrimage that winds through diverse terrains, picturesque villages, and awe-inspiring cathedrals, culminating at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. As you venture into the enchanting Andalucia region, you’ll be greeted by the rhythms of flamenco music and the architectural marvels of cities like Seville, Ronda, and Granada. Check out both treks by tapping “Go to Spain.”
Tanzania
Experience a life-changing ascent of mighty Africa’s highest and most famous peak — Mount Kilimanjaro. We hike the Lemosho Route in the fall and the Rongai Route in the spring.
ABOUT OUR MOBILE APP
When you book a trek with Hobnail, we will send you the login credentials to your own, customized mobile app! By departure, your app will contain your flight info, passport, travel insurance docs, and COVID info, as well as your full itinerary, points of interest, and other amazing stuff. Get more details at our app page.
Mark's books
Mr. Ledbetter’s boots
Mark Johnson’s (M. Ernest Johnson) 2023 release is the epic story of a fictional Tuskegee Airman pilot, Raymond Ledbetter, who escapes certain death during a WWII dogfight, bailing out over the Austrian Alps. The story of his survival becomes legend and, ironically, launches his 75-year obsession with mountain climbing and trekking. Now 95 — and somehow tapping into the Fountain of Youth — Raymond vies to become the oldest known person to complete the 40-mile hike into Nepal’s iconic Everest Base Camp. However, his strange old hiking boots hold a historical secret that will turn the adventure on its head.
A wonderful tale filled with both heart and adventure, loved it!
Mr. Ledbetter’s Boots by M. Ernest Johnson was a wonderful read! I have been a fan of Johnson’s writing since reading his wonderful book, Doofus Dad Does Everest Base Camp, chronicling his trek along the Himalayan trail.
In this volume the author tells the story of 95 year old World War 2 veteran (Tuskegee Airmen) Raymond Ledbetter’s quest to hike to Everest Base Camp (EBC) wearing a old pair of boots that hold deep significance for him. Along the way Ray meets a wonderful cast of characters that enrich his adventure, lives are changed in a variety of ways along the Himalayan trail.
I can’t say enough good things about this story, it was wonderfully written and had so much heart. I truly felt like I was right there beside Ray and his companions as they made their way slowly but surely towards their ultimate destination, which in many ways went well beyond EBC, to arrive at their own unique state of being by the end of the book. I hope M. Ernest Johnson continues to write and share his stories with readers, this book holds a special place in my heart as I hope to reach EBC one day as well. Highly recommended!
Doofus dad does everest base camp
Since Mark Johnson published it in the fall of 2018, “Doofus Dad Does Everest Base Camp” has become the most widely read and reviewed (by a mile) book about the iconic EBC trek. Although it is a lighthearted, often funny memoir based on one person’s impressions, the book also contains loads of practical information, including daily distances and elevation gains, gear lists, training suggestions, and the standard EBC itinerary. Get the paperback, Kindle, or Audible audiobook version read by the author.
