Worth a Journey

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The World’s 100 Best Hikes

The Enchantments

Alpine Lakes Wilderness, United States

  1. THE WORLD’S BEST HIKES WORTH A JOURNEY · 2026 ✦ ✦ N° 47 2026
The Enchantments

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.

Highlights

  • Colchuck Lake
  • Aasgard Pass scramble
  • Core Enchantments lakes

Good to know

  • About 20 miles, 11 to 19 hours
  • Ice and snow on Aasgard Pass
  • Shuttle links Snow Lakes and Stuart trailheads

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