35 hikes through some of the biggest country on Earth [PICs]

A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO my partner and I headed out on what will most likely be one of the last hikes of the dry season to Gwillim Lakes, a basin located high in the Valhalla mountain range. The days are getting shorter and the nights chillier; too soon it will be time to bust out the snowshoes and toques (that’s beanies for you non-Canadian folk).

With that in mind, I felt inspired to put together this little gallery to help keep the stoke going until the snow melts and the long johns are put away next summer.

1

The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye, Scotland

After Lewis and Harris, Skye is the second largest island in Scotland, measuring 639 square miles. It's home to abundant wildlife such as the Golden Eagle and Red Deer. Photo: Moyan Brenn

2

Buckskin Gulch, Utah

Evidence shows that the first human presence in the area dates back to around 8,000 years ago.Photo: firehole

3

Kepler Track, New Zealand

On the South Island of New Zealand, the Kepler Track measures 37 miles in a big loop. Imagine making the entire trek in under five hours. This is what competitors do in the annual Kepler Challenge. Photo: Nomad Tales

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4

Krimml Waterfall, Austria

According to the photographer, the falls - at 380m - are the fifth highest in the world. They're also one of the most touristed sights in Austria. Photo: Ben

5

Clifftops of Lochnagar, Scotland

Know what a Munro is? You're looking at one. Colin Henderson describes this and other hillwalking features in this article on the Scottish highlands.

6

Jotunheimen National Park, Norway

Jotunheimen means "Home of the Giants" - there are over 250 peaks higher than 6,000ft, which include Northern Europe's two tallest: Galdhøpiggen (8,100ft) and Glittertind (8,087ft). Photo: ~ solstizio ~

7

Camino de Santiago, Spain

The Way of St. James has been around for over a thousand years. In medieval times - as is the case today for some - it was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages. Photo: Zahoяí

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8

Gwillim Lakes, BC, Canada

Gwillim Lakes sit in a basin in the Valhalla mountain range in the Kootenay region of BC. My partner and I hiked about three hours to this point after driving a gravel logging road for 40km. Solitude.

9

Paria Canyon, Arizona

The entire Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness area is 112,500 acres and crosses the border into Utah. Photo: AlphaTangoBravo

10

Peak District National Park, United Kingdom

In 1951, this region became the first national park in the UK. It draws an average of 22 million visitors per year. Photo: tricky (rick harrison)

11

Lake Harris, Routeburn Track, New Zealand

One of the most famous hikes in New Zealand, the Routeburn Track, on the South Island, is 20 miles long and has four huts along the way. Photo: Kathrin Marks

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12

Isalo National Park, Madagascar

This park, covering 815 square kilometers, is varied in its terrain. There you'll come across sandstone formations, canyons, oases, and grassland. While you're in Madagascar, don't miss the Avenue du Baobab. Photo: looking4poetry

13

Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail runs between the states of Georgia and Maine and is around 2184 miles long. The shot above was taken at McAfee Knob in Virginia. Photo: asafantman

14

Overland Track, Tasmania, Australia

The Overland Track on the island of Tasmania is one of Australia's most popular hikes. Its official length is 40 miles but many choose to extend it to 51 miles by tacking on a hike along Lake St. Clair. For more Tassie shots, check out Scott Sporleder's video of his two-week trip to Tasmania. Photo: heart2beat

15

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

This park's name is actually a misnomer - Bryce Canyon is not a canyon, but a series of large natural amphitheaters. Here, hikers descend switchbacks on the Navajo Loop Trail. Photo: andrewasmith

16

Barranco de Fañabé, Tenerife

This beautiful coastline is from the Canary Islands; the peak to the left of center is Roque del Conde. According to the photographer, this image is HDR using five images. Photo: Michael Bolognesi

17

South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World and needs absolutely no introduction. Photo: Grand Canyon NPS

18

Italian Dolomites, Italy

I remember driving through the Dolomites in 2007 in an old campervan. I wish I had hiked there. Photo: OneEighteen

19

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada

Earlier this summer we published a hiking guide to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. The hike pictured here is called Top of the Giant Trail and is 13.9 miles roundtrip. Photo: Monica Prelle

20

Kokanee Glacier, BC, Canada

This was taken by yours truly after completing what's known as the hike to the Keyhole in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. And it truly is a glacier - this was smack in the middle of summer.

21

Swiss Alps, Switzerland

Hikers near the town of Grindelwald. Photo: Jofre Ferrer

22

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru

Not an experienced hiker? No problem. Leora Novick has some tips for you in the Inexperienced hiker's guide to the Inca Trail. Photo: TheFutureIsUnwritten

23

Lochaber Traverse, Scotland

At 12 miles long, this traverse ends on Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. For more routes in the region, check out Colin Henderson's Photo guide to hillwalking in the Scottish highlands.

24

Eaton Lake, BC, Canada

I love the precariousness of the situation. This hike, near Hope Slide in BC, is 13km long. Photo: Dru!

25

GR20, Corsica, France

The GR20 is a trail that goes north-south across the island of Corsica. It's about 112 miles long and takes the average trekker 15 days to complete. Photo: akunamatata

26

Chugach Mountains near Anchorage, Alaska

The photographer was part of a group called the Anchorage Adventurers Meet-up. They organize "hikes, bike rides, and all sorts of outdoor activities." Sign me up! Photo: Alaskan Dude

27

Continental Divide Trail 1

The Continental Divide Trail is a 3100-mile track - mostly on trail and small roads - that runs from Canada to Mexico. Photo: asafantman

28

Continental Divide Trail 2

According to Wikipedia, "only about two dozen people a year attempt to hike the entire trail, taking about six months to complete it." Photo: asafantman

29

Dune walking in Morocco

Morocco is 78% desert and dry zone. Photo: Lens linker

30

Coyote Buttes, Arizona

Photo: Alaskan Dude

31

Cordillera Vilcanota trek, Peru

In southern Peru, this trek requires a couple days of altitude acclimatization. This image was shot at 5,200m (17,060ft). Photo: dyonis

32

Naramata, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

By looking at this image, it's easy to figure out why agriculture and tourism are the primary industries of the little town of Naramata. Photo: Preserved Light by Caillum Smith

33

Strandhill, Sligo, Ireland

Photo: atomicpuppy68

34

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Photo: melodramababs

35

Italian Alps, Italy

Photo: .Luca