Mossy Lava Rocks
Location: Iceland, Southern, east of Thórsmörk
Fields of lava rocks overtaken by moss creating a delightful, green, fuzzy, mounded carpet
Skógafoss
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Heavily visited large and impressive waterfall with easy access
Kvernufoss ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Beautiful unmarked and less-visited waterfall – you can even walk behind it for bonus photo opportunities!
Fjaðrárgljúfur ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Stunning sheer-walled non-technical canyon lined with moss and clear water, perfect for hiking up-canyon in the watercourse
Gljúfrabúi
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thórsmörk
Less visited waterfall tucked away in the back of a short, narrow canyon
Seljalandsfoss
Location: Iceland, Southern, south of Thórsmörk
Heavily trafficked tall waterfall that you can walk behind; one of the most photographed sites in Iceland
Hjálparfoss
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thjórsárdalur
Popular double waterfall with very easy access
Thórsmörk
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thórsmörk
Nice nature reserve composed of a valley and mountain range set amidst glaciers and volcanoes
Háifoss
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thjórsárdalur
One of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls, it’s less visited due to the need for a 4 wheel drive to navigate the access road. Has a bonus waterfall right next to it!
Dyrhólaey
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Peninsula with a large natural arch, historic lighthouse, and beautiful coastal views
Stöng
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thjórsárdalur
Excavated remains of a 12th century longhouse
Gjáin ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thjórsárdalur
Delightful hidden valley with nice rock formations and waterfalls
Black Sand Diamond Beach ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull area
Pristine black sand beach littered with ice chunks, creating a stunning and unusual visual effect
Jökulsárlón ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull area
Iconic Iceland location: beautiful glacial lagoon dotted with an ever-changing array of icebergs breaking off from nearby glaciers
Fimmvörðuháls ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern Iceland, Thórsmörk
Fantastic hike through stunning glacier and volcanic sculpted hills and mountains
Stakkholtsgjá ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thórsmörk
Nice non-technical canyon that gets an intrepid top pick rating because of the great side canyon leading to an impressive hidden waterfall in a sculpted, high-walled chamber
Grænavatn
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Lake formed by a volcanic crater with remarkable blue-green water
Thingvellir
Location: Iceland, Southwest Iceland, Golden Circle
Interesting National Park with a storied history and set between tectonic plates creating a picturesque landscape above ground and the famous Silfra Fissure, which can be explored via either snorkeling or diving
Glymur ♦
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Northern Capital Region
Beautiful hike to an impressively tall waterfall tucked in an imposing sheer-walled canyon
Reykjavík
Location: Iceland, Southwest
Capital city with nice historic streets, a photogenic church, and various shops and restaurants
Gunnuhver
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Large boiling mud pool that expanded violently in 2008 claiming many of the viewing platforms and walkways
Krýsuvíkurberg
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Impressive vertical sea cliffs that are home to thousands of birds (including puffins) in the summer
Seltun
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Geothermal area with a boardwalk for viewing various mud pots and fumaroles
Geysir
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Golden Circle
Home of the largely inactive geyser “Geysir” and the highly predictable and very active geyser “Strokkur”
Kleifarvatn
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Large lake with lava rock formations and shallow caves along its edge
Gullfoss
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Golden Circle
Large multi-tiered thundering waterfall
Lóndrangar
Location: Iceland, West, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Large lava pinnacles at the edge of dramatic basalt cliffs; you can find puffins here during the warmer months
Landbrotalaug
Location: Iceland, West, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Unmarked hot spring off a random dirt road through a lava field
Búðir
Location: Iceland, West, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Site of a nice hotel and a photogenic church
Hellnar
Location: Iceland, West, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Ancient fishing village on a rugged coastline with a notable cave and nice church
Kirkjufell
Location: Iceland, West, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Dramatic peak near a set of beautiful waterfalls; one of the most photographed sites in Iceland
Stykkishólmur
Location: Iceland, West, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Picturesque fishing and trading post originally established in 1550 CE
Barnafoss
Location: Iceland, West, Borgarfjörður district
Series of rapids through a narrow-walled canyon with a natural bridge
Hraunfossar ♦
Location: Iceland, West, Borgarfjörður district
Lovely and unique set of waterfalls that appear to be magically pouring from the hillside
Stefánshellir ♦
Location: Iceland, West, Borgarfjörður district, Hallmundarhraun lava field
Unmarked non-technical lava tube cave with multiple entrances and side passages including a great ice chamber
Surtshellir
Iceland, West, Borgarfjörður district, Hallmundarhraun lava field
Unmarked lava tube cave which was once home to a band of outlaws
Looking Glass Rock
Location: North Carolina, Brevard Area, Pisgah National Forest
Nice beginner climbing spot with a few harder climbs
Slickrock Falls Trail
Location: North Carolina, Brevard Area, Pisgah National Forest
Trail to the south face of Looking Glass Rock that passes its namesake waterfall at the start of the trail
Hooker Falls
Location: North Carolina, Brevard Area, Dupont State Forest
Wide waterfall in a peaceful setting; easy access via a short trail that can be extended to view Triple Falls
Triple Falls
Location: North Carolina, Brevard Area, Dupont State Forest
Lovely three-tiered waterfall in scenic woodlands; a short detour on the brief hike provides a view of Hooker Falls
Blue Ridge Parkway
Location: North Carolina, Asheville
Extremely scenic highway linking Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains; renowned for its fall colors
Judaculla Rock
Location: North Carolina, Tuckasegee
Large soapstone boulder covered in mysterious petroglyphs that pre-date the Cherokee
Cedar Cliff Lake
Location: North Carolina, Tuckasegee
Very pretty lake that’s great for canoeing or kayaking as well as fishing and swimming.
Dry Falls
Location: North Carolina, Highlands area
Popular waterfall that you can walk behind; easy access and great colors in the fall
Bridal Veil Falls
Location: North Carolina, Highlands area
Previously a waterfall you could drive behind, you can no longer do this, but the access remains absurdly easy
Glen Falls ♦
Location: North Carolina, Highlands area
Three for one! Relatively short and easy hike to three waterfalls, with nice scenery along the way
Fremont Petroglyphs
Location: Utah, Capitol Reef National Park
Excellent set of petroglyphs with very easy access and viewing
⊗ Pandora’s Box ♦
Location: Utah, Capitol Reef National Park
All day technical adventure through an extremely narrow canyon with challenging rappels
Hickman Bridge
Location: Utah, Capitol Reef National Park
Short hike to an impressive natural bridge that you can walk under
⊗ Ringtail Canyon
Location: Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Technical/Non-Technical
Distance: 8.2 miles round trip, 400 feet of elevation gain, 6/9.5 hours
⊗ Neon Canyon ♦
Location: Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Famous technical canyon, renowned for the final beautiful rappel through the roof of the Golden Cathedral
Devil’s Garden
Location: Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Great collection of rock formations, including hoodoos and natural arches
Egypt 3
Location: Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Very fun (non-technical) narrow slot canyon with optional raps at the end
Egypt Bench to the Escalante River
Location: Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Journey through red slick rock and sand before descending a canyon to an excellent camping area on the Escalante River
Grafton Ghost Town
Location: Utah, Zion National Park area, Rockville
Lightly restored/preserved ghost town with an interesting old cemetery
Jubilee Mine ♦
Location: Nevada, South of Las Vegas, Nelson
Large abandoned mine with several shafts that can be explored without any technical equipment
Pioneer Saloon
Location: Nevada, South of Las Vegas, Goodsprings
Still operational saloon built during the boom period of the Goodsprings mining town in the early 1900’s
⊗ Ladder of Doom Canyon
Location: Nevada, Stateline Hills
Rapid fire series of rappels through a desert canyon, ending in a 75 foot free-hanging rappel
Gibbet Hill
Location: Massachusetts, Groton
Picturesque ruins of small castle built in 1906
Echo Lake State Park
Location: New Hampshire, Conway
State park with some short hiking options and a well-known area for very nice climbing
Mount Washington
Location: New Hampshire, White Mountains
Classic hike to the summit of Mt. Washington, famous for its unpredictable and remarkably bad weather
Covered Bridges of Bath
Location: New Hampshire, Bath
Two very nice covered bridges in close proximity; also home to what’s reputed to be America’s oldest General Store
Frankenstein Trestle ♦
Location: New Hampshire, Bartlett area, Crawford Notch State Park
Hike to the scenic Frankenstein Trestle, which bridges a sheer cliff face along the Conway Scenic Railroad; particularly great during the autumn with fall colors
Arethusa Falls
Location: New Hampshire, Bartlett area, Crawford Notch State Park
Nice hike to a pretty waterfall; can be combined as a loop hike with nearby Frankenstein Trestle
Shan Plateau
Location: Myanmar, Western Shan State
Beautiful area of the country, with stunning scenery and friendly villages
Kalaw
Location: Myanmar, Western Shan State
Former British hill station with a nice hike through pretty scenery to a hill tribe village
Santa Barbara
Location: California, Southern Pacific Coast, North of Los Angeles
Great coastal city with various sites of historic interest, including the courthouse built in 1929, a mission founded in 1786, a Chumash painted cave, and a stagecoach-era tavern that’s still in operation
San Luis Obispo
Location: California, Southern Pacific Coast, South of Big Sur
Nice town with a picturesque spot for some mediocre climbing, a mission founded in 1772, and a large coastal sand dune system
Chinaman’s Hat
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, East Shore
Snorkel to a great uninhabited island just off the coast
Moanalua Valley to Haiku Stairs ♦
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, Southeast
Excellent ridge hike with Jurassic Park-esque views leading to the top of the famous Haiku Stairs (where they can be legally viewed without trespassing) and World War II era top secret military radio station
Olomana Ridge
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, Southeast
Legendary hike along a nice-edge ridge
Shark’s Cove
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, North Shore
Nice area for snorkeling and/or diving with rock shelves and sea caves and plentiful marine life
Turtle Beach
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, North Shore
Excellent beach for hanging out with turtles
Pololu Valley/Beach
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, North Shore
Beautiful valley with a rocky black sand beach
Emesine Cave
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo area
Unmarked, rarely visited pristine lava tube
Boiling Pots and Pe’epe’e Falls
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo
Waterfall upstream from an interesting series of carved bowls famous for their churning water in heavy flow
Nanue Falls ♦
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo Area
Rarely visited waterfall, perfect for Robinson Crusoe-esque swimming and jumping
Flowing Lava! ♦
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Volcanoes National Park Area
If lava is visible and accessible, it’s the experience of a lifetime to go and see it up close. Kilauea (presumably) won’t erupt forever, so go if you can!
Cao Dai Temple
Location: Vietnam, Southern
The original temple of the Cao Dai religion, which was founded here in 1926
Mono Lake
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, Lee Vining Area
Lake with fascinating mineral towers (called tufa) exposed due to decreasing lake levels
Lake Sabrina
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Bishop
Some of the nicest fall foliage displays California has to offer, set amidst lakes, streams, and country roads.
North Fork of Big Pine Creek ♦
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Big Pine
Great trail through mountain scenery to a series of lakes providing views of the Palisades and Palisade Glacier.
Bishop Pass Trail to Long Lake
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Bishop
Extremely rewarding hike to an expansive lake surrounded by rugged mountains
June Lake Loop
Location: Northern California, Eastern Sierras, Lee Vining Area
Pretty lakeside resort area with lovely scenery and nice fall colors in the autumn
Limekiln Trails
Location: California, Central Big Sur
Nice hike through forests to historic limekiln ruins and a waterfall
McWay Waterfall Trail
Location: California, Big Sur, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Iconic view of the idyllic beach, waterfall, and bay with turquoise water
Ewoldsen Trail
Location: California, Big Sur, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Nice trail through redwood forests to rolling hills and sweeping coastal views
Partington Cove Trail
Location: California, Northern Big Sur
Tunnel and nice walkways lead to a picturesque hidden cove
Tanbark Trail and Tin House ♦
Location: California, Big Sur, Northern
Great hike through redwood forests with a waterfall and great views, ending at the ruins of an old tin house
Bixby Bridge
Location: California, Northern Big Sur
Iconic, oft-photographed bridge on the Big Sur coast
Yangon
Location: Myanmar, Southern
Largest city in Myanmar, featuring a mix of modern architecture, British colonial buildings, and historic temples and pagodas including the famous Shwedagon Pagoda.
Bagan
Location: Myanmar, Western Mandalay State
Ancient city and former capital of Myanmar, famous for its historic and picturesque temples and pagodas
Lava Trees State Monument
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Volcanoes National Park Area
Short hike through an area with numerous lava trees
Rainbow Falls
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo
Beautiful waterfall with very easy access; under the right conditions, the spray from the falls makes rainbows
Kealakekua Bay ♦
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Kailua-Kona Area
Fantastic spot for snorkeling that generally sees a lower volume of tourists due to more difficult access
Kepler Track Day Walk
Location: New Zealand, Southland, Te Anau area
Short, scenic section of one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, featuring a great swing bridge and lake views
Lake Tekapo
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Lake Tekapo area
Lake with beautiful turquoise water set amidst lovely scenery and a cute lakeside town.
Milford Sound
Location: New Zealand, Southland, West Coast
Fiord with iconic views accessed via a stunning drive through outstanding scenery
Clifden Cave ♦
Location: New Zealand, Southland, Southern tip
Fun and easy cave with glowworms
Nugget Point
Location: New Zealand, South Island, The Catlins
Scenic lighthouse location with a penguin colony