Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.
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EPIC day hike – Reinebringen, Lofoten, Norway

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world

Why?

Reopened in 2019 with sherpa-built steps.

Now much safer and easier.

  • Reinebringen is on the island of Moskenesøya , one of the Lofoten islands in Norway, north of the Arctic Circle
  • infamous for wind and rainy weather
  • famed for dramatic scenery,  rugged peaks, open sea vistas past sheltered bays
  • about 448 meters (1470 feet) above sea level
  • over 1500 stone steps
  • about 2 hours up
  • It’s crowded. Over a thousand people a day in high season if the weather is good.
  • permits not required

World → Europe → Norway → Reinebringen, Lofoten

For details click over to our Reinebringen, Lofoten, Norway information page.

Of course BestHike editor Rick McCharles HAD to make a hero video of himself atop the famous vista. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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BestHike #6 – Glacier North Circle, USA

Glacier North Circle in Montana is one of our top 10 hikes in the world. Even better if you add a side trip to Waterton National Park in Canada.

Click PLAY or watch a 1 minute introduction on YouTube.

Glacier North Circle

Of the many great American Rocky Mountain hikes, this is our favourite.

Highline Trail vista

AT A GLANCE

  • 7 days, 6 nights recommended
  • 65miles (104km) plus side trips
  • best months July-Sept
  • well-signed
  • medium difficulty hiking
  • recommended for experienced multi-day hikers

Read more on our Glacier North Circle information page.

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Best hikes near New York City

Surprisingly, there’s plenty of great hiking out of the Big Apple.

  • Pochuck Valley to Pinwheel Vista: Stairway to Heaven, NJ
  • Lemon Squeeze and Eagle Cliff: Mohonk, NY
  • Red and Blue Dot Trails: Mount Tammany, NJ
  • Shore Trail: Palisades Interstate Park, NY
  • Escarpment Trail: Kaaterskill Falls, NY
  • Breakneck Long Loop: Breakneck Ridge, NY
  • Storm King Trail: Storm King Mountain, NY

Click through to Lonely Planet for details:

The best hikes near New York City


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HIKING – Nature Can Heal The Mind

If you are reading this post, I’m sure you agree that walking in the wild is good for mind and body.

I happened upon a good article by HELLA KEMPER because they used one of my own photos as the header image.

Rick McCharles above Chamonix, France.

Read the article for yourself.

Healthy Outside — How Being In Nature Can Heal The Mind

Stepping into the wild is more than just a journey — it transforms the way we think and feel. Here’s the science to prove it.

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NEW – Northern Colorado Trail

The Northern Colorado Trail stretches 292 miles from Estes Park to Glenwood Springs.

Loveland-based thru-hiker Kevin “Sunshine” Silvernale had just completed his hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2016 when he started thinking about developing a backpacking route that wove its way across northern Colorado.

He started plotting route points in 2022 after tackling the Colorado Trail. Then last year, he finally decided to walk from Estes Park to Glenwood Springs to put his planned path to the test.

The result is the Northern Colorado Trail, a 292-mile route that travels through iconic destinations like Rocky Mountain National Park, the Rawah Wilderness, and the Flattops Wilderness Area.

Backpacker

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Colorado Trail in 6 Minutes

This video is a short montage that summarizes the highlights of the Colorado Trail, which allows you to have a good idea of ​​what you will see, hoping that it gives you the taste to hike it in section or in full! …

Challenge yourself with exhilarating hikes, heart-pumping mountain biking sessions, or test your endurance by backpacking along the trail’s magnificent 500-mile length.

•Time Needed to complete the whole CT: 29 days

•Highest Elevation: 13,334 ft. – Coney Summit

•Lowest Elevation: 5,520 ft. – Waterton Canyon

•Elevation Gain (approx.): 89,000 ft.

– Ratatrail

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – Clever Hiker – A Complete Guide to Hiking the Colorado Trail

If you want more, check our Colorado Trail information page.


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Hiking Vancouver Island Mountain Biking Trails

by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

Having done all the local hiking trails many times, this winter I’ve been mostly exploring mountain bike trails — but on foot.

Pretty much everywhere in the Pacific Northwest has dozens of use trails made by cyclists, mostly unofficial.

This video shows the kinds of challenging and entertaining terrain you might encounter.

Some trails are unsafe. Be careful.

In this video I’m hiking close to Parksville. The trails beneath Little Mountain cliffs.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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RAIN on the Milford Track, New Zealand

Michael Lanza, family, and friends hiked the “Finest Walk In The World” in 2025.

They went hut-to-hut, the guided option. The easiest way to get a permit on that famous walk.

Lanza posted a terrific trip report and put together an up-to-date eBook on how to organize this adventure for yourself.

LEARNING TO—LOVE?—THE RAIN ON NEW ZEALAND’S MILFORD TRACK

Check our Milford Information page for more.