What better way to experience nature than a good hike? While multi-day treks can be fun, so can hiking all day and enjoying a nice meal, glass of wine, and a comfy bed at night. These are my favorite day hikes around the world. Keep in mind these are not rock-climbing expeditions. I’m way to fearful for those!
- Mount Washington, New Hampshire– The wildest weather in the world, and very steep and rocky. Apparently it is the 5th most deadliest mountain in the world, and the highest point between the Rockies and the Alps. It’s location near the ocean makes for beautiful views and the landscape often resembles Mars. I’ve hiked up this mountain twice on two different harrowing trails. Dwindling daylight forced my buddy & I to find alternative means down both times. The bus down the Autoroad is quite scary. The historic cog railway less so and affords better views.
- Cadillac Mountain, Maine. Located within stunning Acadia National Park, this hike takes you to one of the easternmost sections of America. The views of the sea and mountains are gorgeous. The sunsets here are unrivaled. I was transfixed.
- Fussen, Germany– Starting off at the magical Neushwanstein Castle, this beautiful hike takes you to the surrounding countryside at the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. This is a popular place for paragliding. Maybe one day, maybe not.
- Werfen, Austria– This hike also encompasses a tram ride up a steep slope, and culminates 10,000 feet high at the famous Eisenreisenwelt Ice Caves. If you’re terrified of heights, this is NOT for you. (I barely made it with my lunch still in my stomach) The formations in the Ice Caves are lovely and ethereally illuminated. Dress for all seasons.
- Clerveaux, Luxembourg– This trek takes you through the lovely countryside of the Ardennes. You can still feel the ghosts of the Battle of the Bulge around you. I felt like Snoopy in the Great Pumpkin. (Different war but you get the idea)
- Konigswinter, Germany– A nice moderate trek up a “mountain” along the Rhine River south of Bonn. Wonderful scenery that ends at the mountaintop castle ruin “Drachenfels” which you can actually lie on and take a nap. The best part is along the trail there are Beer Gardens so you can make some nice pit stops on the way up and down. (Hence the need for that nap!)
- El Yunque National Rainforest, Puerto Rico– Convenient from San Juan, the only Rainforest administered by the U.S. National Park Service offers some nice trails offering views of the rainforest, lakes and waterfalls. Wonderful food shacks within offer the best local fare. A great place to forget about Northern winters!
- Catoctin Mountain, Thurmont, Maryland– A National Recreation Area adjacent to a lovely state park, it is a great hike in the Fall. The Blue Ridge Mountains are dressed in their Autumn splendor, and there are many overlooks to see the show. Cunningham Falls is serene. Not too far from Baltimore and Washington, it feels a world away. The latter isn’t though. Camp David is located here.
- Ordino, Andorra– This quaint mountain town is near a national park and several trails begin within the town. If you want to see the Pyrenees this is the place. Some trails are long and steep, so pack accordingly. We did not. The views were stunning.
- Jungfraujoch, Switzerland– Promoted as the “Top of the World”, it sure feels like it. A train takes you through the Alps to this park. There are many winter activities to partake in year-round. One was a glacier walk. The views of the surrounding glaciers, the clouds below, the distant valley is awesome. The trek ends at a lodge. Halfway there a turnaround pole can be found and it seems most people do. With the air so thin, and with the snowy upward incline, the walk is exhausting. We soldiered on to the lodge not knowing that it got much steeper, and the finale is on a ledge. Felt like it could be my finale! Terrifying trek on a slippery trail without the proper footwear (which was unavailable to rent). The lodge would have been fun if we weren’t convinced that our descent would be our death! Bring glacier shoes! After surviving it was an exhilarating summer experience! (For more on this adventure, read my blog entry “Too Jung to Die”)
