The hike to Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) was the first hike our kids ever did in Norway and it set the bar high. Tyler was 10, Kara was 8, and we’d spent the previous months wondering whether they were really ready for Norwegian hiking. We’d taken them on Old Rag in Shenandoah as a test run, […]
Seeing the unique scenery of Cappadocia from the vantage point of a hot air balloon is an unforgettable experience. Imagine floating over the surreal landscapes of fairy chimneys, rock formations, and small towns. Going for a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia was our favorite experience in Turkey. Gazing out over these magical landscapes at […]
From the dramatic cliffs of Norway to the jagged peaks of the Dolomites and the volcanic landscapes of Iceland, Europe is packed with some of the most unforgettable hikes in the world. In this guide, we share our favorite hikes in Europe, trails that stand out for their scenery, uniqueness, and overall experience from start […]
The Maple Pass Loop, also known as the Heather-Maple Pass Loop, is one of the best day hikes in the North Cascades, and one that’s surprisingly accessible for the views it delivers. In early August, Tim, Kara, and I completed this hike and came away genuinely impressed. It’s not our favorite hike in the area […]
The Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge is a wonderful, short, easy hike to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. For the entire hike, you are walking along the alpine tundra with unobstructed views of Longs Peak and Forest Canyon. If you are looking for an easy hike with spectacular views of Rocky Mountain Park, put […]
We’ve visited 56 of the 63 U.S. national parks and almost every single one would make a fantastic family destination. With 63 parks to choose from, the options can feel overwhelming. After years of exploring the national parks, we’ve narrowed it down to 12 that hit the sweet spot for families. These parks are easy […]
We’ve hiked in more than 50 national parks across the United States, and the Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm hike is one that still stands out. We did this hike as part of a six-week road trip through the national parks of Colorado and Washington, and it was the perfect way to end the trip. […]
Landmannalaugar is a wonderland of rainbow-colored mountains, lava fields, and hot springs. Hiking trails crisscross these colorful hills, making this part of Iceland one of the most unique places to go hiking. With one day in Landmannalaugar, you can hike one or two trails, soak in the hot springs, photograph the stunning landscapes, and add […]
Does the idea of dangling 600 meters (2000 feet) above the Lauterbrunnen Valley floor interest you? How about walking across a tightrope, with nothing below you except a rushing river? Or how about walking across a wobbly, narrow, suspension bridge? If you said yes to all of these questions, then put the Mürren via ferrata […]
Kerlingarfjöll is a mountain range located in Iceland’s central highlands. Tucked away within this mountain range is Hveradalir, a geothermal wonderland of steaming vents, boiling mud pools, and rainbow-colored hot springs. The combination of hiking trails, rust-colored mountains, and clouds of steam creates one of Iceland’s most unique hiking and photography destinations. Kerlingarfjöll is located […]
After two trips to Norway, one through the fjord region, one through the far north, we started getting the same question over and over in our comments: Can we combine both into one trip? How do we do the fjords AND the Lofoten Islands in 10 days? That’s exactly what this post is for. We’ve […]
Canyonlands is an enormous National Park. Over 330,000 acres are filled with arches, buttes, mesas, canyons, hiking trails, dirt roads, campgrounds, and overlooks. It would take days, weeks even, to fully explore all that Canyonlands has to offer. However, if you only have one day in Canyonlands, you have just enough time to visit the […]
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is an unforgettable journey. Hike through the mighty Himalayas, visit the monasteries, spin the prayer wheels, and make memories that will last a lifetime. We get a lot of questions about what it takes to plan and then trek to Everest Base Camp. So, I decided to put together this […]
Arches National Park is a wonderland of desert vistas, short hiking trails, strange rock formations, and you guessed it, arches. Not only will you find over 2,000 arches here, but you will also see hoodoos, fins of sandstone rocks, massive mesas, and balanced rocks. Here are the best things to do in Arches National Park. […]
For hikers, few places in Europe can match Norway. The hikes in Norway are endlessly varied and genuinely world-class, from the fjords of southern Norway, the jagged peaks of the Lofoten Islands, and the remote coastline of Vesterålen and Senja. Alongside the Dolomites and the Swiss Alps, this is one of our absolute favorite places […]
Do you have big dreams of visiting Svalbard? Then you probably also have the question how much does it cost to visit Svalbard? The short answer: it can be very expensive. We spent four days in Svalbard at the end of June 2018. Here is our Svalbard budget, with a full cost breakdown of flights, […]
For stunning mountain views and a visit to several vividly green alpine lakes, the hike to the summit of Vel’ká Svišt’ovka is a good one to add to your Tatras hiking list. A cable car lops off the first major ascent, so this hike is easier than many of the hikes in the Tatras. Even […]
Svolvaergeita, also called “The Goat,” is a pinnacle of rock that is a popular rock climbing spot in the Lofoten Islands. It is named The Goat because of the two horns of rock that sit atop the rock. Those with a sense of adventure can climb to the top of Svolvaergeita and those who are […]