Soldier Pass-Brins Mesa Loop
Location: Arizona, North of Sedona
Extremely popular trail (less frequently done as a loop) that includes a side trail to a pair of natural arches, one of which has a small cave inside.
Devil’s Bridge Trail
Location: Arizona, North of Sedona
Extremely popular trail to a natural bridge that you can walk across. A lesser-used trail leads to a great photo op at the base of the bridge.
Waterfall Trail on Fossil Creek
Location: Arizona, South of Sedona, near Camp Verde
Extremely popular short hike to a waterfall and idyllic swimming hole. Permits required in summer and very crowded.
Maligne Canyon
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper area
Popular hike along the edge of the impressively deep and narrow Maligne Canyon.
Whistlers Summit Trail
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper area
Easy hike (if you take the Sky Tram most of the way) to the summit of Whistlers Mountain and panoramic mountain views.
Valley of Five Lakes
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper area
Excellent (but crowded) short hike featuring five lakes with beautiful blue-green colored water.
Sunwapta Falls
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, South of Jasper
Popular stop to see a waterfall-carved canyon, with a short hike to see more falls downstream.
Lake Agnes Tea House
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Lake Louise area
Popular hike to a tea house by a beautiful alpine lake.
Plain of Six Glaciers
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Lake Louise area
Fabulous (but crowded) hike to views of multiple glaciers amidst excellent alpine scenery with a tea house near the top.
Gibsons Beach Walk
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Cape Foulwind
Great low tide beach with nice rock formations like arches and sea caves.
Wairau Lagoon and Waverley Shipwreck
Location: New Zealand, Marlborough, Blenheim area
Flat walk through a large lagoon to the wreck site of the TSS Waverley.
⊗ Mt. Aspiring Packrafting ♦
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Mt. Aspiring National Park
Hike to the Aspiring hut and then packraft back to your car via the beautiful West Matukituki River – an awesome way to experience this excellent national park!
Rob Roy Glacier Valley Track
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Mt. Aspiring National Park
Extremely popular hike to a waterfall-filled amphitheater with great views of Rob Roy Glacier.
Lake Alta and the Remarkables ♦
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Queenstown area
Two lesser-known short hikes (Lake Alta and Shadow Basin Lookout) to awesome alpine views.
Routeburn Track
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Mt. Aspiring National Park
One of New Zealand’s most famous Great Walks, the Routeburn Track features waterfalls, swingbridges, and glorious alpine views.
⊗ Rees Valley Packrafting ♦
Location: New Zealand, Otago, North Lake Wakatipu
Beautiful valley with nice packrafting options of varying degrees of difficulty.
Woolshed Creek Hut Loop ♦
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Mt. Somers area
Lake Tekapo Peninsula Walkway
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Western Lake Tekapo
Local gem with great views of Lake Tekapo and a cool beach with white cliffs.
Stave Spring Trail to Observation Point
Location: Utah, Zion National Park, East Side
Alternate route to the iconic Observation Point lookout – this route is longer, but much less crowded and has even better views along the way.
Cottonwood Creek Falls
Location: California, San Diego area, Cleveland National Forest
Short hike to a pretty series of cascades in a hidden valley.
Horsethief Canyon
Location: California, San Diego area, Cleveland National Forest
Short, family friendly hike to a great seasonal swimming hole.
Goldstrike Canyon
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Black Canyon Area
Attractive but busy non-technical canyon with nice hot springs and access to the Colorado River. Easiest to access from the water via boat or packraft.
Historic Railroad Trail
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Black Canyon Area
Easy (and dog friendly) hike through historic tunnels along a portion of the old Hoover Dam Railroad.
Inland Pack Track to the Ballroom Overhang
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Punakaiki area
Less used track with multiple fun river crossings to a large rock overhang.
Motukiekie Beach Walk
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Murchison area
Great low tide beach near picturesque sea stacks with sea caves, arches, a secret entrance and more!
Cesspool of the Arahura
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Lake Kaniere area
Less-frequented hike to a river with beautiful clear turquoise blue water and an excellent swingbridge.
Charming Creek Walkway
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Mokihinui area
Great hike with mining relics, tunnels, a swing bridge, a waterfall, and more!
Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway
Location: New Zealand, Otago, North Lake Wakatipu
Nice family friendly hike around/through a scenic lagoon that has blackberries in the late summer.
Mt. Judah Track Scheelite Mine
Location: New Zealand, Otago, North Lake Wakatipu
Great short hike to a pair of mine sites with beautiful views; trek can also be extended to a day-use hut or an overnight hut.
Franz Josef Glacier Ice Climbing ♦
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Franz Josef area
Awesome glacier accessed via helicopter; local guide companies offer nice ice climbing and glacier hiking options.
Castle Hill
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Castle Hill Basin area
Fascinating area with interesting rock formations with numerous climbing sites; filming location for Narnia.
Mt. Sunday
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Mt. Somers area
Filming location for Edoras in Lord of the Rings; provides 360 degree beautiful panoramic views.
Ball Flats Hike ♦
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park
Great lesser known hike to awesome views of the Tasman Glacier.
Tasman Glacier View Track
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park
The most popular track in Mt. Cook, leading to a viewpoint of the Tasman Glacier terminal lagoon.
Oasis Spring
Location: California, San Diego area, Cleveland National Forest
Quick hike to a largely forgotten spring and pump house.
Garnet Peak
Location: California, San Diego area, Cleveland National Forest
Short hike to a peak with a beautiful 360 degree panorama of desert and mountain scenery.
Indian Creek-PCT Loop
Location: California, San Diego area, Cleveland National Forest
Nice loop hike utilizing multiple trails in the Mount Laguna area for a wide cross section of scenery and views.
Keane Wonder Springs and Cyty’s Mill
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Follow the pipeline from the Keane Wonder Mill to find the Keane Wonder Springs and ruins of Johnnie Cyty’s mill.
Cougar Canyon (Bottom Up)
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Canyon in a remote portion of the park with waterfalls and lush vegetation, ending at the iconic Psychedelic Eye graffiti site.
Indian Canyon
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Remote area of Anza Borrego with nice wildflowers and a palm grove.
Mt. Lukens via Stone Canyon
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Nice, less-frequented hike offering beautiful views and sufficient elevation gain for good conditioning.
McGee Pass Trail (Day Hike)
Location: Northern California, Eastern Sierras, Mammoth Lakes Area
Popular day hike through a valley with beautiful mountain views, excellent fall colors in autumn, and nice wildflowers displays in the summer.
Lundy Canyon
Location: Northern California, Eastern Sierras, Lee Vining Area
One of the finest hikes in the Eastern Sierras, the route features waterfalls, aspen groves, beaver ponds, and beautiful scenery.
Parker Lake
Location: Lee Vining Area, Northern California, Eastern Sierras
Nice scenic hike to an alpine lake perfect for trout fishing.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
Location: New Mexico, Santa Fe Area
Neat park showcasing tent-shaped hoodoos and other interesting geology.
Parunaweap (The Barracks)
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Beautiful remote canyon with side canyons to explore, excellent narrows, and a great pictograph panel; best done as an overnight backpacking trip.
Upper Catstair Canyon
Location: Utah, Kanab area
Short non-technical canyon hike with interesting stacked cars and some pretty sculpted rock sections.
Bighorn Canyon
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Black Canyon Area
Great non-technical canyon with some interesting obstacles, ending at a great lunch spot on the Colorado River.
Rabbit Peak
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Intense hike with sweeping desert views to a beautiful, semi-isolated mesa.
Three Sisters Falls
Location: California, San Diego area, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Well-known hike to a series of three waterfalls that create nice swimming holes.
Eagle Cliff Miner’s Cabin
Location: California, Southern, Joshua Tree
Short back-country hike to a neat and well-preserved historic miner’s cabin
Willow Hole
Location: California, Southern, Joshua Tree
Hike through the Wonderland of Rocks area to a seasonal water source with willow trees.
Wonderland of Rocks Traverse
Location: California, Southern, Joshua Tree
Epic semi-technical day hike through the massive boulders of the Wonderland of Rocks.
Keane Wonder Mine
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Hike to the ruins and (closed off) mine shafts from one of Death Valley’s most successful gold mines.
Eureka Dunes ♦
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (North)
Remote sand dunes offering beautiful scenery, nice camping options, and the potential to hear the dunes sing.
Ice Caves ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull area
Although every ice cave is different, and they constantly change, they’re always fabulous.
Svartifoss
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull National Park, Skaftafell
Beautiful and unique waterfall framed by black columnar basalt cliffs
Darwin Falls
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Panamint Springs Area)
Easy hike to a lush green canyon with a waterfall in the middle of the desert
Fry-Koegel Trail
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Scenic and less used option for hiking up Mt. Woodson and reaching Potato Chip Rock.
Potato Chip Rock
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Hike to an iconic San Diego natural landmark for a classic photo op.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Location: California, San Diego, La Jolla/Del Mar area
State Natural Reserve covering 2,000 acres and protecting the critically endangered Torrey Pine; scenery includes sweeping coastal views, rugged canyons, and jagged cliffs.
Ban Nakhang Xang Trekking and Caves ♦
Location: Laos, Central, Khammouane Province
Explore the stunning karst landscape of the Khammouane Province by trekking through the jungle and exploring rarely visited caves.
Phou Khao Khouay
Location: Laos, Central, Vientiane Area
Home to orchids, butterflies, waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, and numerous rivers, this park has a lot to offer, whether you choose to explore it by boat or on foot.
Deep Hole
Location: Florida, Tampa Bay Area, Sarasota Area
Limited access hike in Myakka State Park to a sinkhole filled with gators
Bishop Pass Trail to Dusy Basin ♦
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Bishop
Great hike to a picturesque mountain basin with alpine lakes surrounded by towering peaks – best done as an overnight backpacking trip.
San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve
Location: California, San Diego, Solana Beach
Large wetland preserve – home to over 1,000 species of plants and animals and contains over 7 miles of trails
Annie’s Canyon
Location: California, San Diego area, Solana Beach
Fun little coastal sandstone canyon on the banks of a scenic lagoon
The Narrows (Bottom Up)
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Zion’s classic day hike/river walk through its most famous canyon.
Maquoketa Caves State Park ♦
Location: Iowa, Eastern
State park with 13 non-technical caves that can easily be explored.
Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve
Location: Iowa, Central
Preserve featuring lakes, wetlands, woodlands, and prairie with hiking trails, boating, and fishing options
Chimaera
Location: Turkey, Antalya Region
Mountain used by ancient sailors as a lighthouse, due to flames burning there for centuries because of gas vents in the limestone rock
Machu Picchu
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
One of the wonders of the modern world, the beautifully located ruins of this Incan citadel feature outstanding ruins and nice trails to more remote sites in the complex
Cruzmoqo ♦
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Checkpoint and outlook for the Incan city of Tipon, with beautiful views, ruins of the city walls, and ancient petroglyphs
Ink Pots
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Lovely green and blue pools of water in a mountain meadow which can be accessed via two different, but equally pretty, routes; nice hike year-round
Grotto Canyon ♦
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park
Fun non-technical winter canyon hike that also offers ice climbing options and features hoodoos and a cave.
Lake Louise
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Lake Louise area
Site of an excellent historic hotel on the banks of a beautiful lake that creates excellent ice skating in the winter and is the gateway to numerous hikes in the summer; also home to a large ski resort.
Johnston Canyon
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Classic hike through a beautiful non-technical canyon in any season; in winter the waterfalls freeze and offer ice climbing opportunities
Poway Crags
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Nice, low traffic climbing area in a scenic location that’s home to a popular hike
Love Valley
Location: California, San Diego, Palomar Mountain
Easy hike through pretty rolling hills with seasonal ponds and picturesque old barn
Kitchen Creek
Location: California, San Diego area, Cleveland National Forest
Canyon with seasonal water flow that offers both technical and non-technical descent options
Lake Poway
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Scenic multi-use trail around a lake with wildflowers in the spring
Blue Sky Ecological Reserve
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Hike along a shaded creek with live oaks before climbing to the top of a reservoir
Daley Ranch
Location: California, San Diego area, Escondido
3,000 acre reserve of historic ranch land featuring numerous hiking trails and historic barns and buildings
Doane Valley
Location: California, San Diego area, Palomar Mountain
Hike through pretty scenery including a pond, creek, rolling hills, and the ruins of a 1920’s dam and gauging station
Millard Canyon/Dawn Mine Loop ♦
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Hike to a great abandoned mine at the end of a non-technical canyon which includes a nice waterfall
Mt. Lowe Railway
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Hike the route of the historic Mt. Lowe railway, exploring the ruins of the two major stops along the route
Eaton Canyon (Hike)
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Heavily trafficked hike with multiple small river crossings to a nice waterfall
Malibu Creek State Park ♦
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Santa Monica Mountains
State Park where Planet of the Apes and MASH were filmed; offers nice hikes and various fun climbing spots
Hueco Wall
Location: California area, Los Angeles, Santa Monica Mountains
Nice approach hike to a less frequented climbing area with intermediate to advanced climbs
Paradise Falls
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Thousand Oaks
Nice hike with three distinct destinations: a peak, a waterfall, and a small cave
Crystal Cove State Park
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Laguna Beach
State Park with hiking and a historic seaside colony with cottages from the 1930’s
The Grotto
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Santa Monica Mountains
Quick hike to an interesting talus cave with a small waterfall
Santa Rosa Plateau
Location: California, Los Angeles Area, Temecula
Large preserve with woodlands, wetlands, prairie, and vernal pools
Santa Cruz Island
Location: California, Channel Islands, Channel Islands National Park
Remote off-shore island with miles of hiking trails, nice snorkeling options, and kayaking to great sea caves
Trans-Catalina Trail
Location: California, Channel Islands, Santa Catalina Island
Rugged trail traversing Catalina via a multi-day backpacking trip with beautiful coastal views
Wagon Caves
Location: California, East of Big Sur
Rarely visited lovely area in the Los Padres National Forest with cool rock formations and climbing options
Villager Peak
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Hike to the summit of a peak offering sweeping views of the surrounding desert and nice wildflowers in the spring
Borrego Palm Canyon
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Popular hike along a watercourse to a palm grove; also features great wildflowers and a nice waterfall in the spring
Hellhole Canyon
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Hike over open desert and up a canyon along a watercourse to a hidden waterfall; features nice wildflowers in the spring
Sólheimasandur Plane Crash
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Wreckage of a US Navy plane that crashed here in 1973