The World’s 100 Best Hikes

A canyon hike in South Iceland climbing steeply over gravel and rock to viewpoints above a moss-covered gorge. From the top, several waterfalls drop into the canyon, with a glacier lagoon and Vatnajökull glacier visible beyond.

Directions

A loop walk of about 7 km through rock formations left by the Trotternish landslide on Skye, starting from a paid car park. Paths pass the Needle and the Prison below cliffs, then return over a boggy, unmarked plateau with views to the sea.

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A coastal nature reserve near Plettenberg Bay with three looped trails of about 2, 5.5 and 9 km around a rocky peninsula. Paths cross boardwalks, sand dunes, a swimming beach and boulder scrambles, with seal colonies visible below the cliffs.

Directions

A loop near Ponta do Sol on two stacked irrigation channels, the upper Levada Nova and the lower Levada do Moinho, starting at Igreja da Lombada. The path passes behind waterfalls and through a tunnel, with long unrailed ledges above deep drops on Levada Nova.

Directions

A one-way mountain trail on Madeira runs along volcanic ridges from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, ending at Achada do Teixeira. Railings line most exposed sections, rock tunnels cut through the ridge, and clouds often fill the valleys below.

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A coastal path on Madeira's northeast coast linking Porto da Cruz with Boca do Risco and Machico, cut into cliffs above the Atlantic. Forest stretches with small waterfalls give way to a mostly flat cliff walk facing the São Lourenço peninsula.

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A day hike in Zion National Park climbing paved switchbacks from the Grotto shuttle stop to Scout Lookout, then a narrow sandstone spine to the summit. The final section follows chains bolted along a ridge with steep drop-offs on both sides.

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A day hike in Garibaldi Provincial Park from the Rubble Creek parking lot, climbing forest switchbacks and crossing Taylor Meadows to a rocky ridge. The summit overlooks turquoise Garibaldi Lake, with Black Tusk and Mt Garibaldi in view.

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A day hike from El Chaltén to a glacial lagoon at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy, about 20 to 25 km round trip. Nine mostly flat kilometres through forest end in a steep final kilometre of loose rock, often climbed before dawn for sunrise.

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A day hike in the Many Glacier area passes Lake Josephine and climbs above turquoise Grinnell Lake to the glacier. The trail ends at an upper glacier lake with ice floes, and bears, moose and bighorn sheep are often seen along the way.

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A loop trail in a residential valley on Oʻahu follows a water pipe and stream through jungle to three waterfalls and a crater rim. Fixed ropes lead up beside the third waterfall to a narrow, muddy ridge with steep drops on both sides.

Directions

A long day hike in Hardanger to a rock ledge jutting out high above Lake Ringedalsvatnet. A steep rocky climb near the start gives way to rolling plateau, and queues for the photo on the rock often reach 30 minutes.

Directions

An 11-mile coastal trail runs from Ke'e Beach to Kalalau Beach along the Nā Pali Coast on Kauaʻi. Most hikers go 2 miles to Hanakāpīʻai Beach or on to its falls, crossing streams on muddy, steep ground above the cliffs.

Directions

A loop trail of just over 5 km near Port Rexton, running through forest and out along the coastal cliffs of Trinity Bay. Sea stacks, lookouts with benches, and views of Trinity and its lighthouse line the route, with whales, icebergs and foxes sometimes seen.

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A sacred 2,243-meter conical mountain in Sri Lanka's Central Highlands, climbed by thousands of stone steps to a summit temple holding a footprint shrine. Most pilgrims climb overnight on a lit path lined with tea stalls to watch sunrise and the peak's triangular shadow.

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An out-and-back ridge trail in the West Maui Mountains climbs through forest to a summit picnic table. A steep paved ramp opens the climb, then open ridge views take in valleys, waterfalls and ocean, though clouds often cover the top.

Directions

A 198-metre waterfall in Hvalfjörður, reached only on foot by a loop trail through a cave and up the side of a deep gorge. Two crossings of the Botnsá River, one on a log with a cable, the other wading above the falls, set the route apart.

Directions

A summit on the ridge above Lake Brienz, usually climbed from the Lombachalp parking area near Habkern. A steep ascent leads to a ridge path toward Suggiture and Harder Kulm, with views of Lake Brienz and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

Directions

A bottom-up day hike up the Virgin River from the Temple of Sinawava, mostly wading between high sandstone canyon walls. Water runs ankle- to chest-deep over slippery rocks, and crowds thin the farther upstream hikers go.

Directions

A day hike along the Cumbre Vieja ridge on La Palma, from Refugio del Pilar south to Los Canarios or the Fuencaliente lighthouse. After a climb through pine forest, the trail crosses craters, lava fields and volcanic ash, with views of Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro.

Directions

A ridge trail in the Stoos area links the Klingenstock and Fronalpstock summits above Lake Lucerne, reached by funicular and chairlifts. The path runs along a narrow crest with stairs and footbridges, ending at a summit restaurant with a 360° view over lakes and Alps.

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A rocky ridge scramble up Tryfan in the Ogwen Valley, rising above Llyn Ogwen with hands-on Grade 1 climbing for much of the way. The path fades early, so walkers pick their own lines past the Cannon Stone to the Adam and Eve summit stones.

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A steep alpine route in Fiordland climbs from a flat glacial valley past waterfalls and Black Lake to a saddle overlooking the Milford valley and fjord. The upper section crosses granite slabs and boulders with fixed cables and ropes, and becomes dangerous when wet.

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A loop track near Blackheath in the Blue Mountains drops by steep stairs from the clifftop into a rainforest canyon along Greaves Creek. Waterfalls, a path behind a small waterfall, caves, tree ferns and crayfish line the valley floor.

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A long day hike from Yosemite Valley past Vernal and Nevada Falls to the granite summit of Half Dome. The final ascent climbs Sub Dome's exposed steps, then a steep cable route to the top.

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A circular trail of about 5 km in central Terceira, starting beside Gruta do Natal and Lagoa do Negro. A central stretch crosses old lava flows overgrown with dense forest, where hikers scramble over rocks and roots and duck under branches.

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A steep day hike or overnight route climbs from the Mount Cook Village area to a DOC mountain hut above the Mueller Glacier. Around 2,000 stairs lead to Sealy Tarns, then a scramble over boulders and scree reaches a ridge facing Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Sefton.

Directions

A one-way day hike of about 19.4 km across the volcanic terrain of Tongariro National Park, between Mangatepopo and Ketetahi. The trail passes craters and coloured lakes below Mount Ngauruhoe, with a steep climb to Red Crater and a loose scree descent.

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An out-and-back forest trail in Kōkeʻe State Park that descends about 3 miles to a ridge-end lookout above the Nāpali coast valleys. Most of the route stays in shaded forest, and the climb back is nearly all uphill.

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A steep day hike on a wide farm track above Lake Wānaka, climbing about 1,200 metres to a 1,578-metre summit. A photo viewpoint sits 1.5 km below the top, and the summit adds 360-degree views toward Mount Aspiring and the Southern Alps.

Directions

A loop trail of about 9 km across the Horton Plains highland plateau, through grassland and cloud forest to a cliff-edge viewpoint. Mist often covers World's End by mid-morning, so early starts give the clearest view of the drop.

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A night ascent of the 2,285-metre granite peak where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments, starting near St. Catherine's Monastery. Hikers climb in darkness past Bedouin tea stops and camel stations to watch sunrise from the summit chapel and mosque.

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A trail climbing from Skógafoss up the Skógá River gorge toward Þórsmörk, crossing the pass between two glaciers. The first section passes over twenty waterfalls and turns quiet within an hour of the crowds at Skógafoss.

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A cliff-top trail along the caldera rim linking Fira to Oia via Firostefani and Imerovigli. Volcanic rock, loose gravel and cliff edges without railings mark the route, with little shade and small churches along the way.

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Waterfall with a swimming pool at its base, reached by a forest loop trail from the village of Faial da Terra. Free-roaming chickens line the path, and the return passes through the abandoned village of Sanguinho, which has a small bar.

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A loop trail off Highway 20 climbs through forest to an alpine ridge and pass above Lake Ann. Ridge sections give 360-degree mountain views, and larches and red bushes draw large crowds in fall.

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A stone staircase of nearly 2,000 Sherpa-built steps climbs the mountain above Reine to a summit at around 484 metres. From the top, the view takes in Reine's red houses, the fjords and the surrounding peaks, though the path itself stays on one side with little view change.

Directions

A day hike down a gorge in Crete's White Mountains, from the Omalos plateau near Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea. A steep, rocky descent of about 1,200 metres leads to a narrow lower section where the walls close in beside a stream.

Directions

A loop hike of about nine miles in Shenandoah National Park, climbing through forest switchbacks to a granite summit with 360-degree views. Nearly a mile of hand-over-hand boulder scrambling, with tight squeezes and one-at-a-time passages, separates it from other park trails.

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A loop hike in the Rila Mountains past seven glacial lakes, reached by chairlift to the Rila Lakes hut. Streams link each lake to the next one below, and a summit viewpoint above the last lakes shows all seven at once.

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A day hike in Lanzarote crosses a rocky lava field, passes the smaller Caldereta cone and climbs to the rim of Caldera Blanca. A loop circles the wide crater above the lava fields, with views over Timanfaya National Park.

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A one-way ridge hike above Åndalsnes, starting in Venjesdalen and ending at Rampestreken or the gondola. Chain-secured scrambles and narrow, exposed ridge sections give views over the Romsdal valley, the fjord and surrounding mountains.

Directions

A ridge hike in Jotunheimen, usually done by taking the ferry from Gjendesheim to Memurubu and walking back over Besseggen. Midway, a steep, exposed scramble climbs the ridge above two lakes of different colours, one of them turquoise.

Directions

A day hike in North Cascades National Park climbing forested switchbacks to an alpine pass, with an optional extension up Sahale Arm toward Sahale Glacier. Above the forest the trail opens onto views of glaciers and peaks, with marmots, mountain goats, bears and fall color.

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A sandstone formation in the Coyote Buttes North permit area of the Vermilion Cliffs, reached by a desert hike from the Wire Pass Trailhead. Swirling red and orange rock layers change color with the light, and a lottery permit limits daily visitors.

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A loop hike of about 10 km in Kananaskis that climbs from forest onto a high ridge with roughly 800 m of ascent. A rock scramble with exposure sits on the ridge; clockwise is generally advised to climb it rather than downclimb.

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A thru-hike in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness runs from the Stuart Lake trailhead past Colchuck Lake to the Snow Lakes trailhead. Aasgard Pass climbs about 2,000 feet in under a mile to the Core Enchantments, a basin of alpine lakes, larches and mountain goats.

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A day hike from Sentinel car park up to the top of the Drakensberg escarpment, ending at the top of Tugela Falls. The route climbs chain ladders up a cliff face and crosses a plateau with views over the Amphitheatre.

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A trail in the Eastern Sierra climbs from Big Pine Creek to a chain of numbered glacial lakes, most of them green or blue. Second Lake is the common day-hike goal, and aspens turn yellow along the route in October.

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A day hike in Mount Aspiring National Park that crosses the Matukituki River and climbs through beech forest beside Rob Roy Stream. It ends at an upper lookout facing a hanging glacier with several glacial waterfalls.

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A one-way mountain trail above the tree line links five lakes between the Pizolhütte and Gaffia station, reached by three lifts from Wangs. Turquoise and deep blue lakes, steep scree descents and views of the Glarus Alps and Sardona mark the route.

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A trail climbs through forest to three glacier-fed lakes, with Lower Lake a few minutes from the parking lot. The water turns more turquoise at each lake, and Upper Lake sits below glacier-covered peaks.

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A narrow gorge in Crete with a rock-cut chapel of Agios Antonios near the entrance and a stream under plane and oak trees. Beyond an easy first section, the trail uses ladders, ropes and boulders, with wading that can reach thigh or waist depth in spring.

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A steep day hike on Skye from a paid car park up to the Old Man of Storr and its basalt pinnacles. Two starting paths join below the rock, and a viewpoint above looks over the Sound of Raasay and the loch below.

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A ridge walk on Section 8 of the Hong Kong Trail in Shek O Country Park, reached by bus 9 from Shau Kei Wan MTR. Its undulating spine gives open views over Shek O, Big Wave Bay and Stanley, and the route ends at a surf beach.

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An out-and-back trail from a high trailhead at about 10,300 feet climbs gently past a chain of alpine lakes in the John Muir Wilderness. Snow-capped peaks and cliffs rise above the lakes, meadows and streams, and hikers can turn back at any lake.

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A trek of roughly 8–9 km one way from McLeod Ganj, Dharamkot or Bhagsu, climbing through oak and rhododendron forest to a grassy ridge. The ridge faces the snow-capped Dhauladhar range on one side and the Kangra Valley on the other, with overnight tent camping.

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A shaded out-and-back trail follows the West Fork of Oak Creek through a narrow canyon of red rock walls and forest. It crosses the creek 13 times on stones and logs, and fall leaves color the canyon in late October.

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Bali's highest volcano, climbed overnight from temple basecamps such as Pura Pasar Agung and Pura Besakih to reach the crater for sunrise. Steep forest gives way to loose rock and hand-over-hand scrambling, with summit views to Mount Rinjani.

Directions

A marked hiking trail from the Øygardstøl parking lot crosses three steep granite climbs to a boulder wedged between two cliffs above Lysefjord. Chains secure the smooth rock sections, and a step onto the boulder hangs over a drop of about 1,000 metres.

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A mountain hike in Benguet to the highest peak in Luzon, usually started in the early hours to reach the summit by sunrise. The trail passes from pine forest through mossy forest to dwarf bamboo grasslands, where a sea of clouds often covers the valleys.

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A basalt mountain on the southwestern tip of Mauritius, climbed on an out-and-back trail from a dirt-road trailhead. An easy lower walk to lagoon viewpoints gives way, past a gate and warning signs, to a steep hands-on scramble to the summit cross.

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A sand beach between steep mountains on the Lofoten coast, reached only on foot over a pass from the road near Fredvang. Rocky, muddy trails lead down to black and white sand, with camping on the beach and a side climb to Ryten.

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A day hike through rainforest in Morne Trois Pitons National Park, crossing the Valley of Desolation to a flooded fumarole of grey-blue water under steam. The trail is muddy, steep and slippery, with stream crossings, scrambles and hot springs for a soak.

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A coastal walk along white chalk cliffs on the South Downs, between Seaford and Eastbourne. The path climbs and drops over each cliff summit in turn, with green downland inland and a pebble beach below.

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A 6 km loop trail climbs onto the sandstone rim of a canyon in Watarrka National Park, Northern Territory. A steep stair climb at the start gives way to mostly flat walking past rock domes, cliff-edge views and the Garden of Eden waterhole.

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A day hike of about 20 to 22 km round trip to a viewpoint below three granite towers rising above a glacial lagoon. The final kilometre climbs steeply over boulders and moraine, and the trail is often crowded and windy.

Directions

A glacial lake at about 4,600 m in Huascarán National Park, reached by a 7 km trail from Cebollapampa. Turquoise water sits below snow-capped peaks, and the route passes streams, waterfalls, grazing cattle and Laguna Consuelo.

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A mostly flat coastal trail on Kauai's south shore runs from Shipwreck Beach along cliffs and past a golf course toward Makauwahi Cave and secluded beaches. Parallel cliffside and inland paths branch and rejoin, and sea turtles and monk seals often appear along the way.

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A privately run trail near Cinchona drops through cloud forest to four waterfalls, ending at San Fernando at the canyon bottom. Fixed ropes aid the steep sections, two falls have swimming pools, and spray soaks visitors at the base of San Fernando.

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A 12 km return tramping track from the Franz Josef Glacier car park through rainforest to a viewing platform facing the glacier. The route crosses four suspension bridges, a staircase on a cliff face, streams and steep rock scrambles.

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A marked trail network on Manitoulin Island climbs through hardwood forest to cliff-edge lookouts on the Niagara Escarpment. A short yellow adventure trail adds ladders, rock crevices and small caves, while unfenced lookouts face Lake Manitou and the surrounding island.

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A cliff-top day hike on Vágar near the airport, following a lake shore to sea cliffs above the Atlantic. From the end viewpoint the lake appears to hang above the ocean, with a side path to Bøsdalafossur waterfall.

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A pass and viewpoint on the eastern ridge of the Alpstein, reached by cable car from Frümsen or Brülisau and a rocky ridge trail. The layered rock formations rise above Fälensee, and loops continue past mountain lakes and huts.

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An out-and-back route from a roadside trailhead descends steeply into a canyon, then follows a creek upstream to the Subway, a narrow tunnel-shaped section carved by erosion. Most of the way has no marked trail, with boulder scrambling, river crossings and wading in cool water.

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A mountain hut above the Schlegeis Reservoir, reached by a steep, rocky climb from the dam. A small suspension bridge near the hut draws long photo queues, and the reservoir stays in view for most of the ascent.

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A steep day hike from Fjordgård on Senja up to the ridges and summit of Hesten. It looks straight across at the peak of Segla and over Medfjorden, and the final section to the summit involves scrambling with hands.

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An out-and-back creekside trail in the Chattahoochee National Forest that passes a string of small cascades on the way to a waterfall. The final falls drop through a split in a tall granite cliff, reached by a short scramble.

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A volcano summit hike that is Panama's highest point, usually climbed through the night from Boquete on a rocky 4x4 road. On clear mornings the summit cross looks over both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans at sunrise.

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A trail from Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley climbs along the Merced River past Vernal Fall to Nevada Fall. Granite steps beside Vernal Fall run through spray that soaks hikers in spring and early summer, often with rainbows in the mist.

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A privately run set of six waterfalls with blue water pools near Catarata del Toro, reached by out-and-back spur trails from a shared path. Staff posted at each fall help with river crossings, and several pools allow swimming in cold water.

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A rocky peak of about 669 metres beside Table Mountain, reached on a trail from Cape Town's edge. The path steepens into a final scramble with ladders and chains, and the summit gives a 360° view of the city, the coast and Table Mountain.

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A summit of about 4,000 m above Chopta, reached by a trail past Tungnath Temple. A steep final climb leads to a small summit temple with a 360-degree view of Nanda Devi, Trishul and Chaukhamba, often at sunrise.

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A long ridge trail in Glacier National Park running from Logan Pass past Haystack Butte to Granite Park Chalet, then down to the Loop. It follows a cliff ledge above Going-to-the-Sun Road, with wildflowers, mountain goats and bighorn sheep along the way.

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An alpine trail network around a turquoise lake in Yoho National Park, reached by an 11 km fire road or a reserved shuttle bus. Visitor quotas keep the trails quiet, and loops climb past chains of smaller lakes in different colours.

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At 14,505 feet, the highest peak in the contiguous United States is reached from Whitney Portal on the Whitney Trail. Most hikers start in the middle of the night, and splitting the climb with a camp at Trail Camp is common.

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A loop trail climbs from the Paradise visitor center on Mount Rainier through wildflower meadows and snowfields to Panorama Point. On clear days the point looks out on Rainier's glaciers and on Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood.

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A day hike in Malá Fatra from Štefanová or Terchová through the Jánošíkove diery gorges to the rocky summit of Veľký Rozsutec at 1,610 m. The gorge section has ladders, bridges and waterfalls, and the summit block has chains, with a 360-degree view in clear weather.

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A short, steep climb in Freycinet National Park from the Wineglass Bay carpark to a granite summit. Much of the route is a scramble on all fours over smooth rock, ending in a panoramic view over Wineglass Bay and Coles Bay.

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Highest summit of Réunion and the Indian Ocean at about 3,070 m, reached from Le Bloc above Cilaos via the Caverne Dufour refuge. Most hikers climb by headlamp to watch sunrise above the clouds, with views over the Cilaos, Mafate and Salazie cirques.

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A loop trail of about 7 to 8 miles in Silver Falls State Park, Oregon, passing ten waterfalls through forested canyon. Several falls can be walked behind, and cross-trails allow shorter loops.

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Ireland's highest mountain, at 1,038 m, is climbed from the car parks at Cronin's Yard in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. Most hikers ascend the steep, loose Devil's Ladder gully, and the summit cross often sits in cloud as the weather shifts quickly.

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A day hike of about 4 km each way from the parking lot to a flat granite cliff 604 meters above the Lysefjord. The trail climbs over stone steps, boulders and wooden walkways, and the plateau edge has no fences.

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A day hike near Index in the Washington Cascades, climbing through forest to an alpine lake below sheer rock walls and Mount Index. A side trail leads to Bridal Veil Falls, and the final stretch to the lake climbs steep rocky stairs and switchbacks.

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A linear gorge trail cut into rock walls above the Noguera Ribagorzana river, on the border between Catalonia and Aragon. Footbridges, hanging stairs and suspension bridges cross the cliffs over turquoise water, and many pair the walk with a kayak trip.

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An active volcano of 1,717 meters in Kintamani, climbed mostly before dawn for sunrise over a sea of clouds. The summit looks over Lake Batur, Mount Abang and Mount Agung, with steaming fumaroles on the crater rim, while motorbikes and crowds share the trail.

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A circular trail of about 8 km on São Miguel that crosses pastures before entering a forested gorge. Old aqueducts, bridges and dark tunnels lead to a moss-covered wall where water spills from a hole into a pond.

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A day hike from Moraine Lake climbs forest switchbacks into Larch Valley, then up a steep final stretch to a high pass. Golden larches in late September frame the Ten Peaks, and the pass overlooks valleys on both sides.

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A trail of about 2 miles each way climbs from the Kīpahulu visitor area past Makahiku Falls and a large banyan tree to the base area of Waimoku Falls. Its second half runs through a bamboo forest on boardwalks, where the canes clack in the wind.

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A steep day hike from the Bossons valley floor through forest to a viewpoint at about 2590m above Chamonix. At the top the Bossons and Taconnaz glaciers meet below Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi, with crevasses and collapsing ice in view.

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