On this momentous occasion of National Trails Day, we celebrate the boundless wonders that await us on the trails. There is something truly enchanting about venturing into the great outdoors, where every step carries us further into a realm of natural splendor and personal discovery.
As a team of avid explorers, we have been privileged to traverse a myriad of trails, each one leaving an indelible mark on our souls. From rugged mountain paths to serene forest trails, these cherished routes have gifted us with moments of awe, solace, and pure exhilaration.
Join us now as we unveil a collection of our team's favorite trails in the hopes of igniting your own sense of wanderlust and inspiring you to embark on your own unforgettable trail adventures.
Hop Across the Border into Canada
Trail Name: Paradise Valley to Moraine Lake
Recommended by: Karen N. | Guide
Location: Banff National Park, Canada
Distance: 12.1 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Best season to visit: Late July or August
The Moraine Lake and Sentinel Pass hike to Paradise Valley is a spectacular journey through the Canadian Rockies, leaving you in awe of its majestic beauty. As you ascend to Sentinel Pass, you'll be rewarded with panoramic vistas of turquoise Moraine Lake nestled among towering peaks, while the descent into Paradise Valley treats you to a serene and tranquil wilderness. The best time of year to go? Larch season, when the trees are in their full fall splendor.
This unforgettable hike is a true testament to the natural wonders that await those who venture into the heart of Banff National Park.
Trail Name: Iceline Trail Loop
Recommended by: Trisha B. | Program Manager & Guide
Location: Yoho National Park, Canada
Distance: Iceline Trail 10.3 miles with ~ 2995’ elevation gain
Difficulty: Strenuous
Best season to visit: Late Summer/Early Fall
“This hike offers sweeping views of the Yoho Valley from a birds-eye view. It’s challenging at the start, but once above the treeline you get all of the fruits of your labor. You’ll take it all in - roaring waterfalls, alpine lakes, views of glaciers, an alpine tundra valley, and a healthy coniferous forest. This hike will leave you tired and fulfilled at the end of the day. Reward yourself with a hearty dinner, while you revel in all the photos you captured to remember the awe of the Canadian Rockies.
Find out more about our trip, Canadian Rockies Hiking Holiday, during our webinar on July 7th, 2023, at 12:00 PM! Click here to register.
A Hidden Gem in the Midwest
Trail Name: Lutsen to Caribou Trail, Superior Hiking Trail
Recommended by: Deb M. | Guide
Location: Superior National Forest
Distance: 7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Best season to visit: Fall
“This trail is at its best in the autumn, once the leaves are changing,” she said. “It’s an incredibly diverse stretch of trail. Deep maple forest, overviews of the poplar river valley and Lake Agnes.”
An Otherworldly Experience in Death Valley
Trail Name: Golden Canyon/Gower Gulch Loop
Recommended by: Chris G. | Guide
Location: Death Valley National Park
Distance: 6.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Best season to visit: February or March, or in late Fall
This 4.5-mile loop trail first takes us through colorful Golden Canyon and then up and over a ridge, passing beneath Manley Beacon. The trail then drops into Gower Gulch, another canyon but with a completely different feel and footing than Golden Canyon.
The loop ends with a traverse along the base of the cliffs that rise abruptly from the flatter plain below.
Trail Name: Mosaic Canyon Trail
Recommended by: Dori N. | Marketing Director
Location: Death Valley National Park
Distance: 3.4 miles out & back with 964 ft elevation gain
Difficulty: Moderate
Best season to visit: October - April
“Mosaic Canyon is a delightful surprise that offers more than meets the eye from the roadside view. Climbing through the vibrant path of Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley, I discovered the artistry of nature, where every step reveals a mosaic of time and geology, painting a breathtaking masterpiece with each twist and turn.”
Glacier National Park - A Hiking Paradise
Trail Name: Grinnell Glacier
Recommended by: Laurie P. | Guide
Location: Glacier National Park
Distance: 10.6 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Best season to visit: Late July or August
The Grinnell Glacier hike in Glacier National Park is an awe-inspiring adventure that showcases the park's pristine beauty. This challenging trail takes you through vibrant wildflower meadows, dense forests, and rocky terrain, eventually leading to the iconic turquoise waters of Grinnell Lake and the breathtaking sight of the majestic Grinnell Glacier.
As you navigate the trail, keep an eye out for glimpses of wildlife, including mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and even the elusive grizzly bears that call this wilderness home. To experience this hike, join us on Hiking & Rafting Glacier National Park.
Off the Beaten Track in New Zealand
Trail Name: Routeburn Track
Recommended by: Janie W. | Program Manager & Guide
Location: Mt. Aspiring National Park, New Zealand
Distance: 19.6 miles. (We only cover about 3-5 miles out and back, starting from the Milford Sound area, on our AGC trip, Exploring New Zealand)
Difficulty: Advanced - Challenging
Best season to visit: Summer (Nov - Feb)
“Routeburn Track, also known as ''the ultimate alpine adventure track'' is of the most popular Great Walks in New Zealand. It's a high-mountain traverse that links Fiordland and Mount Aspiring national parks. Routeburn Track gives you various landscapes, from lush forests with moss, fern and waterfalls to stunningly wide alpine scenery with tussock, crystal clear post-glacier-age lakes and a view up to the Tasman Sea.
This great walk is usually a three-day trip popular in summer and almost impassable during winter. There are three huts and two campsites - bookings are required in advance during the Great Walks season. The huts along the way are big and well-equipped with flush toilets, gas cookers and other nice gadgets. Prepare for a challenging track in the alpine environment with steep, narrow, rocky, exposed sections and sudden weather changes - snow and ice can create hazardous conditions on these tracks. Avalanches are most common in winter and spring but can occur in any season. This track can be walked in either direction.”
Adventures Down Under
Trail Name: Three Capes Track
Recommended by: Janie W. | Program Manager & Guide
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Distance: 28.9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate - Challenging (can take a day off)
Best season to visit: Summer (Nov - March)
“Three Capes Track is an extraordinary multi-day adventure in Tasmania’s far southeast. The trail explores Tasman National Park as it hugs the peninsula's rugged coastline. There are limited slots available for hikers each day, so please book in advance to ensure entry. The scenery along the trail is exceptional with epic views of pristine coastline and the chance to spot whales and dolphins from one of the many lookouts along the way.
The track surface varies throughout the walk, including gravel tracks, timber boardwalks, and stone steps. Visitors are first picked up from World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site, where they board a purpose-built boat that takes them to the track's start point at Denman's Cove. The trail then winds its way through gorgeous Tasmania wilderness, eventually leading to Fortescue Bay. A return bus trip take you back to Port Arthur.
Hike With Us in Colorado
Trail Name: Odessa Lake Via Fern Lake
Recommended by: Mel L. | Program Manager & Guide
Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Distance: 7.5-9.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous, depending on the distance
Best season to visit: Summer and Fall
“This trail is a classic and gratifying RMNP trail with lots to explore and several different turn-around points where you can choose your distance and still feel like you made it to something special. The trail climbs steadily but is never extremely steep or technical. It bridges crystal clear creeks brimming with native trout, passes the gushing Fern Falls, and culminates at a peaceful chain of alpine lakes. It’s my favorite backyard trail run/hike when I’m feeling motivated, and I particularly like to keep an eye out along the way for my favorite bird, the water Ouzel.”
As we draw the curtain on our journey through our team's treasured trails, we extend to you an invitation—a call to embrace the spirit of exploration and step into the world of trails that await. National Trails Day is a reminder of the countless opportunities that lie just beyond our doorsteps, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
As you wander these paths, may the gentle rustle of leaves and the majestic vistas that unfold before you serve as reminders of the remarkable beauty that surrounds us. Let the trails be your escape, your sanctuary, and your catalyst for growth. So, lace up your boots, pack your sense of wonder, and set forth on your own trail-blazing odyssey. Happy Trails!
Did any of these trails capture your interest? Click here to browse our full trip calendar and find your next favorite hiking spot today!
