North and South America have breathtaking lakes, pristine beaches, and towering mountains. Here are five of the best hiking spots in North and South America.
One of the wonderful things about being a hiker in the Americas is just how many amazing hiking venues there are on the two continents. The trouble with being so spoilt for choice is that it’s all too easy to miss out on some real gems. With that in mind, here are five hiking spots that you should consider the next time you are planning a bit of an adventure; from north to south, they will not disappoint.
Five Of The Best Hiking Spots In North And South America
The view from Moraine Lake…pretty phenomenal.
1 – Valley Of The Ten Peaks
The first great hike is a jaw-dropping five-mile walk in the Canadian Rockies.
Arrive on the shores of Moraine Lake, in Banff National Park, early, for two reasons – firstly, parking spaces fill up quickly.
Secondly, you’ll want to spend every minute possible on this trail. Grab your picnic, check the bear notices and head off, breathing in the sappy scent of Douglas fir.
At some point, you’ll round a corner, look up and – boom! Ten tall peaks will rise up in front of you, with Moraine Lake standing guard in regal blue. Walking is easy to moderate and it’s a great family outing.
A look over towards the cables on half dome. Photo via unsplash.
2 – Half Dome, Yosemite National Park
The second hike is further south, in California, and a lot more challenging. In fact, it’s literally a lottery. Half Dome rises 4,800 feet above Yosemite National Park, to a combined height of 8,844 feet, and is a 10 to 12 hour hike for most people.
You’ll need a permit – several hundred feet of the walk involves you hanging on to cables to make progress. The cables are seasonal, so check online when planning your trip. And here’s a thing: these permits are awarded in a pre-season lottery, with a limit of 300 per day.
This is a truly limited-edition hike to the top. It’s roughly a 17 mile round trip, so you had better be fit. If you want to make use of shuttle buses, they start at 7am.
I did this back around 1995 and was blown away. The cables are full of people and seem to go straight up with long, long drops off to the sides. Climbing up the cables was sketchy, exciting, and totally worth the amazing views from the top.
Rocky Mountain National Park is awesome:) Photo via unsplash.
3 – Mount Ida, Rocky Mountain National Park
Next, head east to the Rocky Mountain National Park for a hike that doesn’t involve cables (but does involve fabulous views). Your elevation gain is only 2,100 feet – but the summit is 12,865 feet above sea level, so expect thin air and wear those layers.
A lot of that elevation is gained in the first mile or so and, by the time you pop out of the trees, you’ll have done a big slice of the day’s work. The rest of your trip is a reward; full of amazing views, the odd bighorn sheep and (if you are botanically inclined) wildflowers.
Then you will hit the boulder field. It’s easier to hike around the boulder field, though more direct to push on through. Either way, you will be greeted by endless views of the Rockies, as well as Longs Peak and several lakes.
Machu picchu. Photo via unsplash.
4 -Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu
The fourth great hike takes us deep into South America. Yes, it ends at Machu Picchu but it’s not the Inca Trail.
The Salkantay trail is different, taking in an amazing variety of conditions along the way; from lowland jungle and railway lines, to alpine highlands and possibly even snow. The journey is full of treats, including Nevada Salkantay, after which the trail is named.
There’s a bonus to be had on July 2nd, 2019, when you’ll be able to see a partial solar eclipse, with about 50 per cent of the Sun obscured.
A little further south in Chile, a total eclipse will be visible.
Places such as the clear-skied Elqui Valley will be booked up rapidly, so act now if you want accommodation for a hiker’s eclipse.
Torres del Paine…a hiking spot that is out of this world. Photo via unsplash.
5 – W Trek, Torres Del Paine
The final choice is way south in Patagonia: the W Trek, named after the shape the route takes as it makes its way up three valleys.
Punta Arenas is your starting point. It’s the world’s most southerly city and it’s a bit of an adventure just to get there. But the scenery on this hike defies description, and the Torres del Paine towers have to be seen to be believed.
The park has restricted opening times, so plan to go in spring for four or five days. And decide whether you want to camp or take advantage of the lodges (refugios) along the route.