We’ve updated our list of the best hikes in the world.
Easiest way to see them is from the home page. Using the drop down menus.
For example, here’s how you’d find the best hikes in the Patagonian Andes.
Cirque Lake – Banff National Park
Barry posted a very detailed, photo rich trip report of his Cirque Lake day hike.
This was my hiking mentor’s favourite area. He hiked out of Waterfowl Lakes Campground every summer.
Pacific Crest Trail in 3 minutes
One of the best edits on the PCT I’ve seen.
In the summer of 2013 Casey Gannon and Colin Arisman thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail with cameras in hand. “Only The Essential” is the story of their 5 month, 2668 mile journey on foot from Mexico to Canada across the wilderness of California, Oregon, and Washington.
Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.
(via Outside Online)
Ripley & Arethusa Falls to Frankenstein Cliff
trip report by site editor Rick McCharles
In the White Mountains of New Hampshire to climb Mt Washington, I had an extra half day end of trip.
Having camped on the west side of Washington, I decided to hike nearby Crawford Notch State Park.
Super popular is Ripley Falls, 1mi there-and-back.
I was surprised to find people rappelling Ripley guided by N.E. mountaineering.
I was told the rappel was fun. But the water VERY cold.
Many turn back at Ripley.
I continued on in the direction of Arethusa Falls, a rough, muddy and rooty track.
On the 5th of July, that trail was not busy.
Arethusa, at around 140ft high, the 2nd highest falls in the State, was crowded. Dogs, kids, people unprepared for a serious hike. Most had arrived via the Arethusa Falls trail.
The highest waterfall in New Hampshire is Dryad Falls, which is seasonal. Arethusa is highest flowing year round.
Rather than backtrack, I decided to return via the Frankenstein Cliff trail.
How could you not want to hike something called “Frankenstein Cliff“?
It was the most interesting of the 3 trails.
Some cliffside vistas.
On the way up I’d walked across the train tracks. Coming back the trail ducked under the tracks.
The only downside of my route was a long walk back along the highway to my rent-a-car.
There are better options than the 7mi+ route I ended up doing. 🙂
Reese Witherspoon on the Pacific Crest Trail
It’s here.
With the dissolution of her marriage and the death of her mother, Cheryl Strayed has lost all hope. After years of reckless, destructive behavior, she makes a rash decision. With absolutely no experience, driven only by sheer determination, Cheryl hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, alone.
WILD powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddens, strengthens, and ultimately heals her.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
The film is based on Cheryl Strayed’s wildly popular memoir. Reese Witherspoon optioned the rights to the book for her upcoming movie even before it became a New York Times bestseller and was selected for Oprah’s Book Club 2.0.
Now the trailer is out for the film, Wild, based on Cheryl Strayed’s 2012 memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Starring Witherspoon and directed by Dallas Buyers Club’s Jean-Marc Vallée, the film tells the story of Strayed’s 1,100 mile trek to find herself.
I enjoyed the book. Love Reese Witherspoon. And can hardly wait to see this movie.
However, … to real PCT hikers Cheryl Strayed is a joke. My advice is that Cheryl stay away. Reese is welcome to hike with me any time. 🙂
hiking Mt Washington, New Hampshire
trip report by site editor Rick McCharles
(Barrow Island, Australia, October 4, 1996 had big wind. Gusts might have even been higher speeds.)
Hurricane-force wind, dense fog, driving rain, and snow occur even during the summer months, and sudden and extreme weather variations are common. Although hazardous conditions do not occur daily, it is important to be aware of the weather before you begin your hike.
Known as the most dangerous small mountain in the world … (over) 137+ fatalities have occurred since 1849.
Most due to hypothermia.
This mountain is accessible to many poorly prepared and inexperienced hikers. About 50,000 people a year climb the mountain.
Having done very little advance research, I arrived at the excellent Appalachian Mountain Club Pinkham Notch Visitor Center on Route 16. Dozens of hikers lounged around, starting or finishing trips. This is the main trailhead for Washington. The 2 most popular trails start here: Tuckerman Ravine Trail and the Lion Head Trail.
Helpful ladies at the information desk convinced me to climb (next day) the less crowded Jewell route from the west side.
Of the major, direct trails, Jewell is the longest, but probably the least difficult in terms of terrain, with moderate grades throughout.
It reaches treeline at about 3.0 miles, and climbs rockily to the Gulfside Trail at 3.7 miles (5400 feet). This route then follows the Gulfside Trail (passing by the Westside Trail and the Great Gulf Trail) and meets the Crawford Path just below the summit of Mount Washington (6288 feet) which it reaches at 5.1 miles (3900 feet of elevation gain).
Here’s a chart comparing the different routes to the summit.
I decided to tent at Fourth Iron walk-in campground ($8 / night) …
… and hang out at the nearby gorgeous, historic Mount Washington Alpine Resort.
It was pouring rain the morning of the 4th of July. I decided to sleep in.
That meant I didn’t reach the trailhead until about 11am, still uncertain about whether to hike in the rain.
“Worst weather in the world.”
One Jewell trailhead starts just in front of this train station.
Turned out I quite enjoyed the first 3hrs of the walk. In the rain.
I placed a Summit Stone at one of the tall stone cairns on the way up.
Through the fog I heard one of the railway cars, assuming I was approaching the top.
False summit, it turned out. The train was on its way up.
Finally, getting tired, I reached the summit. Celebrating George Washington on the 4th of July.
The top of the mountain is crowded with suitcase tourists who have arrived by road or train.
Though I tried to resist, it was too tempting NOT to descend by Cog Railway, despite the $46 one way ticket price.
My train brakeman agreed that Jewell was the easiest and best route. That’s the trail he’s going to hike with his his 12yr-old son.
If you hike from Jewell, it’s worth checking out the free museum. The history of the Cog railway is fascinating.
Though most do Washington as a day hike, it is possible to overnight in some locations on the mountain. Tenting on the summit is illegal, however.
Fundy Footpath, New Brunswick
We’ve added the Fundy Footpath to our list of best hikes in North America.
Fundy National Park to Big Salmon River, N.B. : 41 kms
Click PLAY or watch a charmingly quaint TV spot on the “new” trail from 2009.
Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park
Whether you hike or drive, the #1 highlight of Acadia in Maine is the top of Cadillac Mountain.
Overlooking Bar Harbor.
more interesting photos
… magnificent views of a glaciated coastal and island landscape. …
… the tallest mountain along the eastern coast of the United States. During certain times of the year, it is the first place in the U.S. to see sunrise.
hiking Sargent Mountain, Acadia
I’d planned to hike Giant Slide Trail & Grandgent to Sargent Mountain based on this list of best hikes in Acadia National Park.
Without hiking guidebook or map, Acadia trails can be confusing.
There are many, many ways to get to the top of Sargent. (also spelled Sargeant)
My particular route was pretty.
By luck, I happened upon a Ranger who recommended Sargent Mountain via Sargent Ridge.
Soon after, I zigged instead of zagged.
And was off on another trail instead.
Acadia Mountain Trail, Maine
I’d long wanted to hike Acadia National Park in Maine. It wasn’t quite as good as I’d hoped.
In advance, I looked at this post – Five Favorite Hikes in Acadia National Park.
The blogger systematically worked through the local hiking guidebook, A Walk in the Park by Tom St. Germain, arriving at these best hikes:
Acadia Mountain is short and sweet.
Well trod.
Well blazed.
With terrific vistas from the top.
