Quito, Pichincha

destination

Quito

Ringed by mountains and volcanoes, Quito is a hiker's paradise. Climb 15,696' Rucu Pichincha, right outside town, in a matter of hours. Summit 19,347' Cotopaxi, Ecuador's tallest active volcano, a couple hours south. Hike Quitoloa, Ecuador's gorgeous 820-foot-deep crater lake, and don't forget to visit nearby Baños for all the waterfalls your heart desires, including Pailon del Diablo, a thunderous 80-meter cascade that is my personal favorite.

Redmond, OR

destination

Redmond

Waterfalls. Lava fields. Volcanoes. Obsidian flows. Alpine lakes. Bend and Redmond have it all. A couple of my favorite Bend hikes include Tumalo Falls, South Sister, Broken Top, Green Lakes, and Smith Rock.

จ.ภูเก็ต, Thailand

destination

Phuket

Believe it or not, Phuket isn't all beaches and tourists. Hike down to turquoise blue waters and stunning coastline at Promthep Cape. Cool off at Bang Pae, a 40-foot waterfall and swimming hole. Take a boat ride to the gorgeous Phi Phi Islands and hike through cliffs and jungle at Maya Bay.

Kotor, Kotor Municipality

destination

Kotor

This hidden gem of a coastal city features tons of great hikes and walks within striking distance. Don't miss the trail up to the Sveti Ivan Fortress, which offers a world-class view of the Old City and the bay below. Bring treats to feet the wild yet friendly cats! Looking for something a little more challenging? Try the Ladder of Kotor, which boasts over 70 switchbacks!

Vinales, Pinar del Rio

destination

Vinales

Explore numerous caves in the area, including my favorites, Indian Cave and Cueva de Palmarito. Don't miss a sunset hike to the mogotes, the giant, gentle rock formations that dot the countryside.

Zaragoza, Aragon

destination

Zaragoza

World-class hiking lies all around. Visit Monasterio de Piedra to the southwest, which boasts the largest group of waterfalls in Spain, including La Cola de Caballo, a picturesque 25-meter waterfall with a thunderous tunnel and cave behind it. Then, head north to Ayerbe for some canyoning, rappelling and hiking with Locura de Vida!

Ifran, Fez-Meknès

destination

Ifran

Called the Switzerland of Morocco, Ifrane boasts Swiss chalets and a ski resort. Just outside of town, you'll find Source Vitel, a collection of small yet beautiful waterfalls, most right off the road. Don't miss Ras El-Ma, a valley only 5 km outside of town that plays host to monkeys, wild boars, springs, and more waterfalls. Ifrane National Park, roughly 20 km from town, is also worth a mention for its Atlas cedars, Barbary macaque monkeys, and a slew of diverse wildlife.

Cusco, Cusco

destination

Cusco

Of course, everyone's heard of Macchu Pichu and the Inca Trail. But there's so much more to hike in Cusco. Don't miss a day trip, and 4-mile hike, to the 17,060' summit of Rainbow Mountain. The stunning turquoise waters of Humantay Lake should be on every hiker's list. Feeling energized? Hike to the little-known Huchuy Qosqo ruins. It's an 11-mile, switchback-laden trek with breathtaking views along the way.

Dubai, Dubai

destination

Dubai

Okay, so strolling along the branches of a palm-shaped island doesn't exactly count as a hike. But, the dusty trek to the top of 1,934-meter Jebel Jais, the highest point in the UAE, does. The summit boasts views of multiple mountain ranges and sandy beaches. Plus, you can take the world's longest zipline back down.

Kigumba, Western Region

destination

Kigumba

First, grab tickets to a safari in Murchison Falls National Park. Rhinos, lions, hippos, crocodiles, and elephants? Check. We saw them all. Then, lace up your boots and take a ferry to the trailhead for Murchison Falls, where the entire Nile River forces itself between two narrow cliffs. Who wouldn't want to hike three miles in the sweltering sun to see what is billed as the world's most powerful waterfall? A psychopath, that's who.

Greece, GR

outdoors

Santorini

Black sand? Red sand? White sand? Here in Santorini, you can choose your hike based on your favorite sand color. Don't miss the hike down to the Old Port in Fira, and the inexpensive boat ride out to Nea Kameni, Santorini's volcanic cone. Here, you can hike to the summit and take in 360-degree views of the ocean caldera around you. Red Beach and Katharos Beach also offer short trails and endless views.