Some of these are actually interesting. 😀
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2025
Best Ultralight Pack Overall: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40 ($369)
Most Versatile Ultralight Pack: Atom Packs The Pulse EP50 ($274)
Best Frameless Pack: Nashville Pack Cutaway ($326)
Most Comfortable Ultralight Pack: Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 ($315)
Best Load Hauler: ULA Circuit ($300)
Best Minimalist Pack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 ($379)
Lightest Large Capacity Pack: Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 ($399)
Well-Priced & Comfortable Ultralight Pack: Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 ($275)
Frameless Pack with Good Organization: Pa’Lante V2 ($240)
Best Budget Buy: Durston Kakwa 55 ($199)
Best Crossover Pack: REI Flash Air 50 ($299)
In 2025, I’ll be switching from the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 3400 (as I’ve pretty much worn it out) to the Hyperlite Unbound 55. In my day hike testing, the Unbound is even better.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Timberline Trail – around Mt Hood
Clever Hiker updated details in 2024:
Timberline Trail Backpacking Guide
- Distance: 38.3-mile loop
- Time Needed: 3-4 days
- Highest Elevation: 7,350 ft. Timberline High Point
- Lowest Elevation: 3,300 ft. Near Ramona Falls
- Elevation Gain (approx.): 9,000 ft.
- Best Time to Hike: July-September
- Permits: Yes (May 15th to October 15th)
- Difficulty: Challenging
Permits
Permits are required for overnight trips on the Timberline Trail from May 15th to October 15th, but they are free and can be found at trailheads around Mt. Hood. Simply fill one out before you hit the trail. Some trailheads do require a Northwest Forest Pass for parking.
Jon posted a detailed trip report on their August 2019 circuit of Oregon’s highest peak. It’s close to Portland.
This report is all you need to organize that adventure for yourself.
Plenty of climbs and descents. Quite a few creeks crossings. Not what we’d call an easy week.
They started and ended at Timberline Lodge. And hiked clockwise.
The report includes excellent photos so you really get a feel for what to expect.
Check it out:
TIMBERLINE TRAIL – MOUNT HOOD WILDERNESS, OR (40 MILE LOOP)
Timberline is one of our best hikes in North America.
Similar adventures in the Pacific N.W. include the Wonderland Trail around Mt Ranier and / or a partial circuit around nearby Mt Adams.
A.I. Generated HIKING Video
A short experiment to assess quality of artificial intelligence VIDEO in April 2025. I used A.I. generated music and voice over, as well.
Not bad. But I’m still not keen to use it on a regular basis.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
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