Hike
“Why rush to the top? The best part is the journey.”
— The Wandering Marmot
From short strolls, to summit scrambles, to multi-day circuit treks, this collection highlights some of my most memorable hikes.
📍 Saxifrage Mountain, BC, Canada
Hiking has been more than just reaching a destination – it is a chance to slow down and reconnect with the world in a simpler way.
While I used to chase summits, my favorite adventures are now multi-day hikes where everything I need fits into a single backpack. Out there, you realize how little you actually need to live well and have a good time—just some warm clothes, good snacks, and the freedom to keep moving forward.
Where should we go?
This is a growing map of trails as I build this page. Click on the counties to view some of my featured hikes.
Nepal
Annapurna Circuit
The Annapurna Circuit is one of those journeys that feels less like a hike and more like a slow immersion into the Himalayas. Over 22 days, we took our time — earning rest days, acclimatizing with the climb to Ice Lake above Manang, and detouring to Tilicho Lake, which lay frozen and silent when we arrived in April.
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Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro via Machame route
Our first and only guided hike — and what an introduction. Over six days, the mountain cycled through its otherworldly landscapes — dripping rainforest, open moorland, and bare alpine desert — before delivering us to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres on our ninth wedding anniversary. The summit was hard-won; the wind was ferocious and bone-piercing cold that made you want to hide. But standing on the roof of Africa together, on that particular day, made it one of the most memorable things we’ve ever done.
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Canada
Castle Towers Mountain
A remote and rugged objective in Garibaldi Provincial Park, Castle Towers is a true alpine adventure. The route winds past glaciers and high ridgelines before reaching a dramatic triple-summit massif overlooking Garibaldi Lake. My first mountain goat sighting along with many marmots. We did this as a 2.5 day hike so we had plenty of time to wander.
Mount Weart
One of Garibaldi Park’s highest peaks above Wedgement Lake, Mount Weart is a demanding but rewarding overnight hike with steep elevation gain, route finding, and light scrambling. Expect expansive views, glaciated terrain, and a true sense of backcountry isolation.
Sky Pilot Mountain
Towering above Squamish in the sea-to-sky corridor, Sky Pilot blends accessibility with real alpine exposure. A scenic approach from the sea-to-sky gondola or trail, it is a classic objective for hikers and scramblers looking to step into mountaineering terrain. My first glacier travel experience through the Stadium Glacier. A very long day as we skipped the sea-to-sky gondola.
Berg Lake (Mount Robson)
The Berg Lake Trail is one of Canada’s most iconic trails in Mount Robson Provincial Park, leading you through the majestic Emperor Falls, glaciers, and turquoise waters to the base of Mount Robson—the highest peak in the Rockies. Our first sighting of a porcupine is the cherry on top of an unforgettable trip.
Mount Temple
The highest peak in the Lake Louise area and one of the most popular summits in the Rockies for good reasons. Mount Temple is a hike that starts from the iconic Moraine Lake, with sweeping views over the Valley of the Ten Peaks from Larch Valley to Sentinel Pass. Loose scree, route-finding, altitude, and exposure make it a serious one-day undertaking.
Mount Marriott
The second highest summit in the Cayoosh range, Mount Marriott offers a challenging hike through forest to the popular Wendy Thompson Hut, wildflower meadows, and rugged alpine terrain. The final approach involves endless scrambling through false summits, but the expansive views over the surrounding peaks and valleys make it all worth it. One of the few longer hikes/scrambles where we were accompanied with adventurous friends.
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USA
Walker’s Canyon
Tucked along the hills near Lake Elsinore in Southern California, Walker Canyon is best known for its vibrant spring wildflower blooms. Rolling trails weave through golden hills that, for a few fleeting weeks, erupt into color—making it a short but unforgettable seasonal hike.
Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park
One of the most iconic hikes in Zion National Park, Angel’s Landing is a short and scenic climb along seemingly narrow ridgelines (but actually quite wide) with steep drop-offs on both sides. Chains guide the final ascent, exposure in reality is far less than what is depicted.
Glacier National Park
A vast wilderness in Montana, Glacier National Park offers some of the most breathtaking hiking in North America. From alpine lakes and glacial valleys to wildlife-rich meadows, every trail feels like a journey through untamed, cinematic landscape. We hiked the Highline Trail, Hidden Lake Trail, and Upper Grinnell Lake/ Glacier trail during our 3-day stay. A refreshing dip in Upper Grinnell Lake was a highlight on our last day.
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Peru
Santa Cruz Trek + Laguna 69
Set in the heart of Cordillera Blanca, the Santa Cruz trek offers a classic 3-day journey through glacial valleys and high mountain passes. We hitchhiked to Laguna 69 for a shorter but equally stunning hike to an electric-blue alpine lake beneath towering peaks.
Colca Canyon
Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, Colca Canyon offers a steep and rewarding descent into terraced valleys and traditional villages. Keep an eye on the skies—this is one of the best places to spot soaring Andean condors as you enjoy the canyon’s hot springs. We did this as a 3 day hike and camped along the way.
Ausangate Trek via Rainbow Mountains
Circling the sacred Ausangate, this high-altitude 4-5 day trek is as remote as it is surreal. Snow-capped peaks, roaming alpaca herds, and the vivid striations of the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) create a landscape that feels almost otherworldly—best suited for those well acclimatized to thinner air. I struggled with altitude sickness on the day excursion to Rainbow Mountains (day 4), but made it to our next campsite just before dark. The hike ends at a hot springs village, which is the perfect end to an amazing trek.
Salkantay Trek
A permit-free alternative to the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek winds beneath the towering Salkantay before descending through cloud forest toward the iconic Machu Picchu. Expect a striking contrast of icy passes and lush jungle. No matter how many alpine lakes you have seen, Humantay Lake will still take your breath away. We had a harrowing adventure doing this trek independently early in the season, crossing many landslide areas.
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Brazil
Dois Irmãos
The trail begins at the top of the Vidigal favela in Rio, and the hike to the summit takes about 40 minutes through the forest, making it one of the most accessible yet dramatic climbs the city has to offer. Most people do this hike during sunrise or sunset.
Corcovado Trail
Skip the train and earn your view of Christ the Redeemer on foot. Corcovado Trail winds through the dense forest of Parque Lage, full of curves, climbs, and steep stretches, with the tree canopy providing a natural sanctuary from the sun. Along the way, capuchin monkeys, toucans, and hawks are frequently spotted foraging in the lush Atlantic Forest of Tijuca National Park. Most people will say it’s not safe, but we didn’t encounter any trouble.
Pedra da Gávea
Located within Tijuca National Park, this trail is a steep ascent to the summit of the world’s tallest coastal monolith, with views stretching across the entire city — Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer, and the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, and São Conrado. The 30 meter section that is an exposed low-5th class climb is not for the faint of heart, especially on a humid or rainy day. I climbed up, but paid to rappel down, while my husband climbed both ways. Bring gloves to help with the slippery roped sections.
Pedra Bonita
The most spectacular views with the least amount of effort, great choice for those short on time. I was excited to fly my drone over Pedra da Gavea from the top.
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Italy
Tour du Mont Blanc
The Tour du Mont Blanc needs no introduction — 170 kilometres of alpine trail looping through France, Italy, and Switzerland around one of the world’s great mountain massifs. We did it independently, camping throughout, which kept us flexible but not cheap; the TMB is eye-wateringly expensive even without refuge beds. August started unkindly, with the first two days soaked in persistent rain, but the mountains delivered on day three and barely let up after that. We took the quieter upper ridge alternates where we could, traded a stretch in Switzerland for a well-timed visit to Lac Blanc during a clear weather window, and arrived at the end more thoroughly exhausted than either of us could remember being.
Cinque Terre, Blue Trail
Hiking through Cinque Terre feels like walking a living postcard—cliffside paths linking pastel villages, terraced vineyards, and endless views over the Ligurian Sea. Each turn reveals another slice of Italian coastal life, best rewarded with a slow meal and a glass of local wine along the way.
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Ecuador
Quilatoa Loop
4-day trek through the heart of the Andean highlands, where winding dirt paths connect remote Indigenous villages, patchwork farmlands, and dramatic canyon landscapes. The highlight is reaching the shimmering crater lake of Quilotoa— a collapsed volcano at nearly 4,000 meters. It’s a journey that blends raw natural beauty with cultural immersion. You can book accommodations along the way online.
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Georgia
Gergeti Trinity Church towards Gergeti Glacier
Perched on a rocky promontory with the snow-capped Caucasus mountains as its backdrop, Gergeti Trinity Church is one of the most dramatically situated buildings on earth. The 14th-century Georgian Orthodox church watches over the town of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) from its solitary hilltop, and offers a short but wonderful hike up. On a clear day, you can see Mount Kazbek (5,047 m). We pushed toward Gergeti Glacier until snow at 3,000 metres and a looming bus departure stopped us in our tracks. The 360 Café made for a fine consolation prize.
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Kazakhstan
Panorama Trail via Shymbulak Peak
The Panorama Trail earns its name. Taking the gondola from Medeu up to Combi 2, we set off along a ridge-hopping route through Shymbulak Peak, Bashuta, Panorama, and Fumarnov — sweeping Tian Shan views and remote alpine terrain that felt worlds away from Almaty, yet was just a short bus ride from the city. We came expecting a leisurely tourist trail; the steep, unrelenting descent from Shymbulak to Bashuta was a humbling correction. My husband navigated it like a pro in a pair of slick Vessi shoes — not recommended, but a good story.
Kok Zhailau
Just outside Almaty, Kok Zhailau offers an accessible escape into rolling alpine meadows with beautiful fall colors in October. It’s a gentle but rewarding hike, where locals picnic and the city quickly fades into the background.
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Kyrgyzstan
Kel Tor
Hidden deep in the mountains, Kel Tor is a striking alpine lake framed by steep rock walls and dense forest. The hike feels like uncovering a secret—quiet, rugged, and culminating in an almost unreal shade of blue. There were free kayaks at the lake, but we didn’t have time to go for a paddle.
Jyrgalan Turnaluu-Kol Lake loop
This loop is a pleasant hike through the Jyrgalan valley offers a true off-the-beaten-path experience, winding through pastures, forests, and ridgelines with panoramic views.
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Tajikistan
Haft Kul (Seven Lakes)
Set against the rugged Fann Mountains, the hike blends walking mostly on paved roads with seven vividly colored lakes sprinkled throughout, each with its own character. The real highlight is walking through the villages and interacting with locals.
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Guatemala
Volcán Acatenango
There are campsites with views, and then there is camping on the shoulder of an active volcano while its neighbour erupts through the night. The hike up Acatenango (3,976 m) from the colonial town of Antigua is a slog through farmland, cloud forest, and loose volcanic scree. But the real spectacle begins after dark. Volcán Fuego sits close enough to feel almost uncomfortably intimate as it throws columns of ash and glowing lava into the sky every 15 minutes or so. Don’t expect much sleep as you will be lying in your tent anticipating the next eruption.
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