Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
Location: Arizona, South of Sedona, near Pine
State park with a large natural bridge and various trails, including one which allows you to walk under the bridge.
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.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Location: Arizona, South of Sedona, near Camp Verde
National Monument featuring a well-preserved impressive cliff dwelling of the Sinagua tribe.
Maligne Canyon
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper area
Popular hike along the edge of the impressively deep and narrow Maligne Canyon.
Spirit Island Cruise
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper area
Scenic boat trip down Maligne Lake to Spirit Island.
Maligne Lake Fishing
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper area
Beautiful lake with numerous short hikes and great fishing and canoeing.
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.
Mt. Edith Cavell Trail (to Angel Glacier)
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper area
Short, easy hike to views of the Angel Glacier amidst beautiful mountain scenery.
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.
Tangle Creek Falls
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Southern area
Short stop just off the road with an impressive waterfall.
Peyto Lake Viewpoint
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, North of Lake Louise
Extremely popular quick hike to a great view of bright blue Peyto Lake.
Mistaya Canyon
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Northern area
Short hike to an impressive, narrow canyon with beautiful mountain views.
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.
Pororari River Beach Outlet
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Punakaiki
Beach walk to the outlet of the Pororari River – great spot for reflections and watching the sunset.
⊗ 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.
Bendigo Ghost Town
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Cromwell area
Great reserve based around an extremely successful mining area with ruins of the boom towns, mining relics, and shafts.
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.
Arthur’s Pass
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Arthur’s Pass area
Popular route for crossing between the east and west coasts of New Zealand’s South Island with beautiful views and various short stops.
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.
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.
Hokitika Gorge
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Lake Kaniere area
Popular short walk to a gorge with beautiful milky blue water.
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.
Kinloch
Location: New Zealand, Otago, North Lake Wakatipu
Remote location with a historic inn and a variety of outdoor activity options – great for escaping hoards of tourists!
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.
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.
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.
⊗ Silver on the Side Canyon
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Canyoning through a historic area with multiple waterfalls and a few ruins
Tamarack Cross-Country Skiing
Location: Northern California, Eastern Sierras, Mammoth Lakes Area
Great cross country ski area with trails of various lengths and difficulties through scenic mountain terrain.
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.
Lake Crowley Columns
Location: Northern California, Eastern Sierras, Mammoth Lakes Area
Cliffs filled with fascinating natural rock columns and caves at the edge of a lake.
Convict Lake
Location: Northern California, Eastern Sierras, Mammoth Lakes Area
Easy loop hike around a popular lake with blue waters, scenic mountains, trout fishing, and nice fall foliage.
Upper Owens River
Location: Northern California, Eastern Sierras, Mammoth Lakes Area
Popular, scenic, and easily accessible spot for trout fishing.
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.
Aspendell
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Bishop
Cute community in the Eastern Sierras with beautiful fall foliage.
Transept Trail
Location: Arizona, Grand Canyon, North Rim
Easy hike through pleasant forest at the edge of the canyon, with occasional magnificent views.
Bright Angel Point Trail
Location: Arizona, Grand Canyon, North Rim
Short and easy hike to the classic North Rim viewpoint near the lodge.
Point Imperial
Location: Arizona, Grand Canyon, North Rim
Beautiful viewpoint at the highest elevation in the North Rim.
Montezuma Hot Springs
Location: New Mexico, East of Santa Fe, Montezuma
Historic hot springs in a natural setting.
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.
Glen Canyon Dam
Location: Arizona, Lake Powell Area, Page
Massive dam constructed from 1956 – 1966 which created the Lake Powell reservoir.
Horseshoe Bend
Location: Arizona, Lake Powell Area, Page
Short hike to a view of the iconic section of the Colorado River where its path creates a horseshoe-shaped bend around a pillar of rock.
Rabbit Peak
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Intense hike with sweeping desert views to a beautiful, semi-isolated mesa.
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.
Hallmundarhraun
Location: Iceland, West, Borgarfjörður district
Vast lava field with rugged scenery and great Northern Lights photography opportunities
Rútshellir
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Fascinating old cave which was expanded and used for storing hay and as a smithy
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
Skaftafellsjökull
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull National Park, Skaftafell
Easily accessed glacier in Skaftafell, requiring a short,easy hike to reach the base
Merkurker
Location: Iceland, Southern Iceland, Thórsmörk
Travel upriver through a narrow, enclosed fissure and explore fun caves and rock formations in this lesser known gem.
Gígjökull
Location: Iceland, Southern Iceland, Thórsmörk
Outlet glacier of Eyjafjallajökull whose surrounding landscape was radically transformed in the 2010 eruption.
Hrunalaug
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Golden Circle
Adorable little hot spring that’s suffering from overuse and irresponsible tourists
Blue Lagoon
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Scenic geothermally heated pool that’s become an iconic but pricy tourist attraction
Reykjanes Lighthouse
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Picturesque lighthouse in a beautiful area
Valahnúkamöl
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Rugged coastal area with cliffs and scenic rock pillars
Titus Canyon
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Backcountry road through some stunning scenery including colorful hills, a narrow canyon, a ghost town, and petroglyphs.
Zabriskie Point
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Furnace Creek area)
Viewpoint showcasing beautifully eroded Badlands in multiple directions
Mesquite Flat Dunes
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Stovepipe Wells area)
Large and easily accessed dune field offering various opportunities for exploration
Artist’s Palette
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (South of Furnace Creek)
Scenic drive featuring beautifully colored hills and views of banded cliffs.
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.
Victoria Beach Pirate Tower
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Laguna Beach
Iconic 60 foot tower built on Victoria Beach in 1926 – the tower encloses a spiral staircase which provides private beach access for the property owner.
Green Climbers Home
Location: Laos, Central, Khammouane Province
A climber’s dream – a beautiful eco-resort with adorable bungalows at the base of some of Laos’ stunning karst mountains.
Tham Pa Fa (Buddha Cave)
Location: Laos, Central, Khammouane Province
Visit a small show cave with some nice cave formations and over 200 Buddha statues inside which are reportedly over 300 years old.
Thakhek
Location: Laos, Central, Khammouane Province
This gateway to the beautiful Khammouane Province is a great base for adventures in the region.
Phou Hin Boun
Location: Laos, Central, Khammouane Province
Explore a beautiful national park with stunning karst scenery and opportunities for caving, trekking, and observing village life.
Kong Lor Cave
Location: Laos, Central, Khammouane Province
Travel the length of a 7km river cave by high speed canoe through cathedral-like rooms with 100 meter ceilings. A well-lit section inside the cave highlights some nice formations.
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.
Tad Xay and Pha Xay
Location: Laos, Central, Vientiane Area
A pair of waterfalls within 2 km of each other: one beautiful multi-tiered waterfall that’s ideal for swimming, and one impressive (seasonal) waterfall that plunges precipitously over a 50 m cliff into a densely forested gorge.
Mount Phousi
Location: Laos, North Central, Luang Prabang
Religious site in Luang Prabang with various Buddhist shrines and temples; the summit provides panoramic views of the area and is popular at sunset.
Plain of Jars
Location: Laos, Northern, Xiangkhoang Plateau
Experience one of archaeology’s greatest mysteries by visiting the huge Iron Age stone jars clustered on hilltops and valleys throughout the Xiangkhoang Plateau.
Kuang Si Waterfalls ♦
Location: Laos, North Central, near Luang Prabang
An incredibly beautiful multi-tiered series of falls with perfect pools of turquoise water, ideal for swimming. Pause on your way in (or out) to see the Asian Black Bears at the Bear Rescue Center!
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.
Sunset Cliffs Sea Caves ♦
Location: California, San Diego
Excellent set of sea caves on the San Diego coast
⊗ Right Fork of North Creek (Hammerhead Approach)♦
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Highly scenic, remote technical canyon best done as an overnight.
The Narrows (Bottom Up)
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Zion’s classic day hike/river walk through its most famous canyon.
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
Cusco Mountain Biking
Location: Peru, Cusco Region
Mountain biking on single tracks in the hills outside of Cusco provide great views in addition to jumps and obstacles
Hiram Bingham ♦
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Beautifully appointed train offering a luxury travel experience to and from Cusco and Machu Picchu
Sacred Valley Horseback Riding
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Ride Peruvian Paso Fino horses through the beautiful countryside of the Sacred Valley
Belize Horseback Riding
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Horseback Riding along the Mopan River near San Ignacio and Maya ruins
Rio On Pools
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Idyllic swimming location with numerous small waterfalls and pools
Rio Frio Cave
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Short, non-technical and easily accessible scenic cave
Yaxha
Location: Guatemala, Northern, Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park
Less visited Mayan archaeological site picturesquely located on the banks of a lake
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
Bow Falls
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Quick and easy stop for views of a waterfall and a picturesque valley