7 Hikes Worth The Trek

01

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The Big Beehive

This challenging self-guided 10 km hike is ideal for summer and early fall as, in winter, it is avalanche prone. Through alpine forest, past a waterfall there are glimpses of Lake Louise and Mirror Lake. Indeed, spectacular views throughout the hike are one of the reasons for its popularity. So too a stop at Lake Agnes tea house, which is a particular draw for travellers in summer. Long an indigenous place of reverence, the Canadian Pacific Railway was instrumental in establishing the reputation of the area beginning in the late 19th century with the construction of the railway. Ever since, travellers seeking mountain views have flocked here. Though the last part of the hike is strenuous, the reward is a magnificent picture-postcard view of the glacial lake.

Where: Lake Louise, Canada.

How: Self-guided hike.

02

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Juelgues – Pinar de la Esperanza

Jutting into the Atlantic, the volcanic Canary Islands near the coast of Morocco and south of Madeira offer mild temperatures and plenty of blossoms throughout most of the year. Tenerife, the largest island in the chain, is home to the Bosque del la Esperanza. The largest contiguous forest on the island with pine, cypress and eucalyptus trees, it sits in the north-east corner of the island and rises 1 000 metres above sea level. The dense forest traps moisture from passing clouds fuelled by trade winds, making it spectacularly lush from yellow brassicas framing views of volcanic peaks to Tenerife bugloss with its stunning red blooms dotting an otherwise Martian landscape. There are a number of trails with lookouts to nearby La Laguna, the Anaga Mountains (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) and the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria. Juelgues – Pinar de la Esperanza, is an easy to moderate 12 km hike that takes around five and a half hours. Opt for a guided sustainable hike where plastic-free lunch, reusable water bottles and paper-free specs are all part of the experience.

Where: Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.

How: Guided hikes available through OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel part of the Green Pearls network, 1 week in a superior double room incl. half board from €1,064.00; oceano-tenerife.com

03

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Camí de s’Arxiduc

While Mallorca is a playground for sun and beach-seekers, there’s another, less-explored side to this Balearic Island, the Tramuntana mountains. The UNESCO World Heritage Site runs along the western coast from Andratx to Pollença offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. Although often visited by car, Sóller train or tour bus, hiking offers an opportunity to experience the wine scene, cuisine, and lively communities up-close. And, the Camí de s’Arxiduc (the Archduke’s Path) is a well-established trail with stunning vistas that links the historic town of Valldemossa and the coastal village Deià. The nearly 14.4-kilometre trail (around 5-6 hours) is moderately challenging but rewards hikers with stony paths, storied olive trees, and historical caves.

Where: Mallorca, Spain.

How: Wilderness Travel limited-edition Hiking Mallorca and Menorca will take place October 7-18, 2025 (taking advantage of the off season for more favourable weather and fewer crowds). Priced from $8,195 per person. wildernesstravel.com

04

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Cairngorms National Park & Royal Deeside

Mid-way between Inverness and Aberdeen, in the eastern Highlands of Scotland, lies the UK’s largest national park. Cairngorms National Park features castles, distilleries, and mountain sports but the real attraction are the Cairngorms themselves, a mountain range featuring 5 of the UK’s tallest peaks. The landscape is dramatic with legendary lochs, shaggy highland cattle, and forests replete with Caledonian Pines. Over 4 500 square kilometers of serene countryside, easy hikes wind through high plateaus overlooking charming villages, and past the Royal Deeside home to the royal family’s Scottish residence at Balmoral Castle.

Where: Scotland, UK.

How: Wilderness Scotland, May 24-30, 2025, guided tours from US$3,560.00 per person; wildernessscotland.com

05

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The Unknown Trail

With a maximum of 8 travellers, this guided tour follows a lesser-known, pre-Inca trail through the Vilcabamba Mountain range and the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. Beginning in the foothills surrounded by an ancient corn plantation through grassland (puna) and up to the Andean mountains toward the world-renown 15th-century Inca citadel, this is a moderately challenging adventure hike through a variety of landscapes. Expect to see the hidden Ancascocha Lagoon, hike through the cloud forest of the Misquiyaco Natural Reserve home to orchids, ferns, and butterflies and camp in tents near remote villages.

Where: Machu Picchu, Peru.

How: Explora Lodges, 9-day small group guided tours, First Departure May 10, 2025, September 6 departure exclusively for women; 1-800-838-9120 or explora.com.

06

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Te Puia Valley & Kangaroo Trekking

This month-long antipodean adventure showcases two icons in one trip. Begin with an easy trek through coastal bushland around Arrawarra in Australia to spot kangaroos and their joeys. Then head to New Zealand for an easy walk through the Te Puia thermal valley in Rotorua. Here, in the otherworldly landscape of bubbling mud and geysers, a local guide will explain the significance of this volcanic activity to Māori culture. Then you’ll use the geothermal energy of a natural hot spring to cook a traditional kāinga waru (corn and sweet potato steamed pudding).

Where: Australia and New Zealand.

How: G Adventures Australia and New Zealand: A Month Down Under, from $9,249 CAD pp for 38 days, excluding international flights. Departures from 12 April; gadventures.com.

07

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Spirit of Aizu

Marrying a series of easy hikes and cultural touchstones, this self-guided tour with six-and seven-day options, weaves through an off-the-beaten-path area of northern Japan. Situated in the mountains of the Tōhoku region, Aizu played a prominent role in the Boshin War and has preserved samurai values and traditional ways of life. It’s a land of volcanic lakes, alpine marshlands and maple, ginko and cherry blossom trees set beside ancient shrines, shōgun castles and historical villages with thatched-roof houses. From exploring Oze National Park to staying at onsen ryokans (guesthouses with a hot spring), these gentle hikes are no more than 7.8 miles (12.7 km).

Where: Fukushima, Japan.