Trekking

From deep canyons and vast deserts to crystal exotic bays and dazzling glaciers, North America's National Parks feature world's most scenic natural beauties. The U.S. is home to almost 400 natural parks that preserve our planet's most exceptional and diverse formations and sites. In this beauty contest of 10 most scenic national parks the winners do not differ much from the defeated.

The magnetic beauty of South and Central America goes beyond imagination. The region is blessed with breathtakingly diverse vistas of ancient ruins and amazing natural wonders including majestic mountains, dramatic glaciers, exotic beaches and waterfalls. This short list of marvelous destinations is only a small drop in that ocean of beauty that seems to have no end.

Africa, the world's second-largest continent, might be considered by many a land of contrasts, difficult past and uncertain future. Africa, though a place of quite a few complicated issues, lures travelers with its raw beauty, irresistible charm, and hundreds of truly unspoiled destinations. The African incredible landscapes, whether these are the harsh deserts of the North, lush vineyards in the South or surrealistic baobabs of Madagascar, have a mind-blowing power and serious potential to become really addictive.

A grueling trek through the Arun Valley to Makalu Base camp and beyond, in Nepal.

Seeing the world from above often gives a refreshing perspective: peaked mountains transform into jagged land masses under your feet and rivers meander around like snakes.

If everyone placing personal ads who claimed the hobby of “hiking” really did it with any regularity, the earth would have been trampled flat decades ago.

But those who really do enjoy this peaceful outdoor activity have plenty of incredible choices in every corner of the world.

Here are the ten best hikes on the planet, each with a combination of scenery and special extras that make them well worth going out of your way to enjoy.

“You haven’t been to Ireland unless you’ve hiked in the rain,” said John as we wound our way up the rocky hillside looking over the Glenealo Valley.

If a traveller from another planet wanted to visit some of the Earth’s greatest landscapes, you might diplomatically send him to Nepal’s Himalayas for icy mountains, Tanzania's Serengeti for endless plains, Brazil’s Amazon for lush rainforests, Australia’s Gold Coast for beaches and the United States’ Yellowstone for volcanic splendour. Or, you might whisper, “Skip all that and just spend two weeks walking around New Zealand.”

With its rolling hills and beautiful countryside, it is easy to understand why Yorkshire is a popular choice for outdoor-lovers. It has the greenest pastures that England has to offer, and the rolling countryscapes the UK prides itself for. Whether it is a trek up the mountains or a ramble through one of the many picturesque villages, there are walks for everyone.

Asia, the world's largest continent, is home to some most spectacular places on earth, ranging from ancient temples to exotic islands. Selecting the best of the best is a tough task and the outcome will most probably stir controversy among those Asia visitors whose well-defined lists of faves are poles apart with the following. But, like in "The most beautiful places in Europe", you can share you own (but all the same fantastic!) picks with the readers.

Be it exotic Caribbean landscapes, Alaska's wilderness, the natural settings of Vancouver, or Arizona's powerful vistas, the North American continent features the world's most spectacular and beautiful sites. These several destinations presented below are only the tip of the iceberg. Mind you, 90% of this iceberg of beauty lies beneath the surface.

Around one third of the Earth's land is covered with deserts, the arid areas of little rain and poor vegetation. The most extreme non-polar deserts are some record-breaking destinations that feature the driest, hottest or saltiest places on our planet's surface.

There’s something haunting about the Arctic landscapes: aqua blue icebergs floating on crystal water, massive glaciers crackling in the background towered by snow mountains. Few places boast such striking physical appeal and raw wilderness as the polar regions.

If you have acrophobia this walk is not for you. A new opened Trift bridge has been constructed 100m (328 feet) above the lake in Swiss Alps, near Trift Glacier. It is 170 m (558 m) long which makes it the longest suspension bridge for pedestrians in the Alps. Only for people with strong nerves.

Most of us don't plan our vacations around catching a hurricane or blizzard -- we avoid them -- they can really put a damper on a trip. Yet for some, there is a pent-up force of nature that ignites, if not bubbles over with touristic appeal. The dormant volcano attracts volcanophiles curious to climb up and into a conical crater, who want to take their exploration off the beaten track, and maybe even tempt fate.
Here's our hot list of volcanoes to confront by foot, bicycle, car or even snowboard.

With its vivid contrast and sheer beauty, Namibia creates the unusual setting for an adventure destination – it covers every category of terrain; from the breathtaking Namib Desert and Namibian coast, the Central Plateau – Namibia’s main economic infrastructure and social area; the Great Escarpment mountainous region in the west; the Bushveld in the north, home to the Etosha salt pan, and the Kalahari Desert – the country’s vibrant landmark in the south-east.

Reaching the summit, the views in all directions were superb especially out west. Across to An Teallach. Looking out to the Summer Isles. The Coigach and Assynt hills on the horizon. Conival and Ben More. Ben Hope and Ben Loyal. Ben Klibreck. Looking back the way I came Ben Wyvis was now starting to look a bit smaller. The Ullapool munros very big and close...