Madeira · Portugal
Rabaçal’s 25 Fontes: two waterfalls, one busy levada valley
The spring-fed 25 Fontes pool and Risco’s vertical waterfall are separate objectives in Rabaçal’s levada landscape.
· 2 MIN READ · 8.6 km returnExplore the magazine
Trails & journeys
Good routes. Better questions. A little room for the unexpected.
Fort Pulaski · USA
Boating from Lazaretto Creek at Fort Pulaski
The park’s sole boat ramp opens access via Lazaretto Creek to the Savannah River’s South Channel and sheltered Oyster Creek, with tides defining the outing.
· 2 MIN READ
Kaloko-Honokōhau · USA
Honokōhau Petroglyph Boardwalk, Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
A mostly flat walk across lava terrain leads from the visitor center to carved horizontal rock panels, where images of weapons, ships, and human figures invite careful interpretation.
· 2 MIN READ · About 1/2 mile (visitor center to boardwalk)
Otago · New Zealand
Blue Pools Track, Mount Aspiring National Park
A gravel path through silver beech leads from the Haast Highway to two swing bridges above the Makarora River and the snow-fed Blue Pools.
· 2 MIN READ · 3.2 km return via same track
Fiordland · New Zealand
Gertrude Saddle Route, Fiordland National Park
From Gertrude Valley carpark, this alpine route climbs past Gertrude Stream and Black Lake toward a boulder-strewn saddle above the valley and Milford Sound/Piopiotahi.
· 3 MIN READ · 7 km return
Pictured Rocks · USA
Longer Walks and Hikes at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Choose among Pictured Rocks routes from Miners Falls and Au Sable Light Station to Chapel Basin cliffs, with distinct surfaces, pet rules, trail lengths, and access constraints.
· 3 MIN READ · 10.5 miles full loop
Nelson/Tasman · New Zealand
Hacket Track to Hacket Hut, Mount Richmond Forest Park
This damaged creek-valley route crosses the Roding River and Hacket Creek before reaching Miner River and Hacket Hut, with marked slips and rockfall shaping the outing’s choices.
· 2 MIN READ · 11.4 km return
Manawatu/Whanganui · New Zealand
Rangiwahia Hut Track, Ruahine Forest Park
A steady benched climb from Renfrew Road crosses the Mangahuia Stream ravine by an arched bridge, passes a waterfall and reaches a hut above the bush line.
· 2 MIN READ
Padre Island · USA
Driving Down Island on Padre Island National Seashore
Beach driving reaches Little Shell Beach, Big Shell Beach, Yarborough Pass, and Mansfield Channel, with changing tides, shoreline hazards, and vehicle rules shaping how far down island makes sense.
· 3 MIN READ
Glen Canyon · USA
Coyote Gulch from Red Well and Hurricane Wash, Glen Canyon
Coyote Gulch’s sandy washes narrow toward the Escalante River, linking stream crossings, waterfalls, arches, and a natural bridge; trailhead choice determines the approach and commitment.
· 3 MIN READ · 13 miles one way (Red Well to the Escalante River)
Manawatu/Whanganui · New Zealand
Matemateāonga Track, Whanganui National Park
This 42 km one-way track follows an old trail and dray road over the Matemateāonga Range, linking four huts, forested ridges and the Whanganui River.
· 3 MIN READ · 42 km one way
Natchez Trace · USA
Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail, Natchez Trace Parkway
Paved through Ridgeland’s protected greens, the Chisha Foka Trail links Choctaw Agency, Brashears Stand, and Reservoir Overlook with hardwoods, pines, and seasonal wildflowers.
· 3 MIN READ · 10 miles
El Malpais · USA
El Calderon Trail, El Malpais National Monument
Choose the full hike of about 5 miles total or shorten it to a 3-mile loop; lava trenches, Junction Bridge Cave, piñon-juniper forest, and summer Bat Cave outflights shape the route.
· 3 MIN READ · About 5 miles total; 3-mile loop option
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau · USA
The 1871 Trail to Kiʻilae Village, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau
Follow an ancestral South Kona coastal route from the park’s Royal Grounds toward Kiʻilae Village, across coral sand, lava rock, and the steep Alahaka Ramp.
· 3 MIN READ · Two miles round trip
Fiordland · New Zealand
Green Lake Track, Fiordland National Park
Starting at Borland Saddle or Lake Monowai car park, the track crosses tussock, small lakes and beech saddles to Green Lake Hut, with a longer continuation past Mt Cuthbert.
· 3 MIN READ
Lake Roosevelt · USA
Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Trails, Lake Roosevelt
Starting by campsite 17 at Haag Cove Campground, this mostly flat dirt-and-grass network links Mellenberger Bridge, Sherman Point, Sherman Homes, Wilkie Access, and Headquarters routes.
· 3 MIN READ · 2.10 miles one way, Haag Cove to Mellenberger Bridge Trailhead
Utah · USA
Below the rim at Bryce: Queen’s Garden and the Navajo Loop
Descend from Sunrise Point through Queen’s Garden, climb Navajo’s switchbacks and close the loop along the rim.
· 2 MIN READ · 2.9 mi loop
Fort Stanwix · USA
Bike the Mohawk River and Erie Canal at Fort Stanwix
From Griffiss Business Park to Bellamy Harbor Park, this Rome ride links paved river paths, Fort Stanwix, canal history markers and a summer cyclist welcome center.
· 3 MIN READ
Golden Spike · USA
West Auto Tour, Golden Spike National Historical Park
Follow the original railroad grade from the west side of Promontory Summit toward the historic meeting place, where parallel cuts, a hand-built roadbed, and the “10 Miles in a Day” sign reveal the race to join the rails.
· 3 MIN READ · Approximately seven miles
Cabrillo · USA
Bayside Trail, Cabrillo National Monument
Descend Point Loma’s old military road from the lighthouse grounds to Ballast Point overlook, reading coastal habitat and harbor defenses along the way.
· 3 MIN READ · 2.5 mi round-trip
Nelson/Tasman · New Zealand
Heaphy Track, Kahurangi National Park
The Heaphy Track crosses tussock downs, limestone country and West Coast forest before reaching the Heaphy River mouth and the coastal route to Kohaihai.
· 3 MIN READ · 78.4 km one way
Prince William Forest · USA
Chopawamsic Backcountry Loop, Prince William Forest Park
A permit-only circuit in Prince William Forest Park links eight marked campsites across rough, hilly terrain, with day hiking and overnight camping options in a year-round backcountry setting.
· 3 MIN READ · 2.2 mile loop
West Coast · New Zealand
Ballroom Overhang Track, Paparoa National Park
The Inland Pack Track follows the Fox River from its mouth through bush, braided riverbed and limestone gorge to a sheltering outcrop above the river.
· 2 MIN READ · 12 km return
Eryri · Wales
Yr Wyddfa by the Llanberis Path: a long route above the railway
Follow the mountain railway’s corridor past Cwm Brwynog and Clogwyn, with the full 14.5-kilometre return kept in view.
· 2 MIN READ · 14.5 km return