Get outside and let your feet reach for the earth. These destinations have rewarding, challenging hikes. Take your camera.
Treks You Should Do
Sirena Ranger Station to Carate
This trail hugs the Pacific as it passes through an incredible rain forest thick with wildlife, tropical birds, and sealife. Camping at Sirena is permitted and recommended. Prepare for stream crossings, thunderstorms, and hot, humid weather. Crocodiles, poisonous snakes, and a strong riptide are risks here, so hire a guide.
Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.
Fly to San Jose, then a local flight to Puerto Jimenez.
Denali Summit
If climbing 20,000 feet is not within your time, skill, or money, you should still go to Denali. It is America’s Serengeti with plenty of hikes for all levels: Mount Healy, Savage River Loop, and the strenuous Savage Alpine Trail are just a few. Denali is home to grizzly, black bears, and other wildlife.
Denali National Park, Alaska
South West Coast Path
Dramatic seascapes dominate this trail as you hike along the granite cliffs overlooking the Atlantic. The SWCP is over 600 miles long offering beaches, lighthouses, wild ponies, old mines and secluded villages.
Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset in southwest England.
From LHR, take a train west to Exeter, Plymouth, Penzance, or wherever your starting point is.
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim
Descend one mile on either the Bright Angel or Kaibab trails through the largest canyon in the world. Then, dip your feet in the Colorado before having a lemonade at Phantom Ranch.
Plan carefully for water, and I would avoid summer altogether. Campsites are limited and permits are required. Mules have right of way.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Jordan Trail
Excellent desert hiking through the haunting ruins of Petra and the beautiful geology of Wadi Rum. Plan to soak in the Dead Sea and see the Byzantine Church in Madaba.
Autumn is recommended. Select an outfitter for the best experience.
Amman, Jordan
Highline Trail
Take this trail west to Hidden Lake, or even better, north for mountain visits and wildlife like Bighorn, Goats, Marmots, and Bear. You can pick up the trail from the Going-to the-Sun Road.
Glacier National Park, Montana
