Dougald MacDonald

The only thing better than experiencing some of Italy and Switzerland's finest scenery—and huts—on the Tour de Monte Rosa? Taking first-timers with you on one of the best beginner hikes in the Alps.

The underappreciated Bighorn Mountains hide some of the Lower 48’s best alpine scenery.

Wander the famed Scottish Highlands by day and enjoy refined, trailside B&Bs by night on the West Highland Way in the British Isles.

Here are the stories behind 10 of North America’s most impressive trail-building feats—and how to see them yourself.

Alpine meets Caribbean on this Idaho gem.

Test yourself in the Ouachita Mountains.

Hike to the best views in the Ansel Adams Wilderness.

Find solitude in Yellowstone's mountainous northwest corner.

Explore redrock canyons and ancient ruins.

See colorful wildflowers and big views on the Appalachian Trail.

Summit nine peaks and graze on trailside blueberries in Maine.

Circle the Rockies on this high-alpine route.

Score Swiss-Alps scenery without the trans-Atlantic flight.

Take an up-and-down tour of Ontario's lake district.

These loops set the gold standard for circular hikes. Yes, they’re popular, but with very, very good reason.

Someday the Manaslu Loop will be just as famous as the Annapurna Circuit. Hike it now.

Get the story behind the Plover River Segment, Ice Age Trail, Wisconsin—and how to see it yourself.

Get the story behind the Appalachian Trail in Bear Mountain State Park, New York—and how to see it yourself.

Get the story behind the High Peaks–Balconies Caves Loop, Pinnacles National Park, California—and how to see it yourself.

Get the story behind the Lake Oesa-Opabin Lake Loop, Yoho National Park, British Columbia—and how to see it yourself.

Get the story behind Boone Fork Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina—and how to see it yourself.

Get the story behind the Krogerata, Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado—and how to see it yourself.

Get the story behind Mt. Islip Loop, Angeles National Forest, California—and how to see it yourself.

Get the story behind the Kendall Katwalk, Pacific Crest Trail, Washington—and how to see it yourself.

Get the story behind Angels Landing, Zion National Park, Utah—and how to see it yourself.

Get the story behind the Edmands Tour, Presidential Range, White Mountains, New Hampshire—and how to see it yourself.

Sharing is for kindergarten. Try one of these hikes to have the wilderness all to yourself.

Alternative routes, where to find solitude in the Lower 48, and avoiding the crowds in America's most crowded park

You won't find bottlenecks on these untrammeled peaks.

Find real solitude amid the crowds at these secret stashes.

Lose yourself in a private paradise the crowds have overlooked.

From the top day hike to the key skills you'll need, we'll have you ready for the Rockies in no time.

Follow a long-forgotten loop in Rocky Mountain National Park across the Continental Divide, through moose-infested meados, and up Longs Peak via a rarely climbed route.

Hikers learn to leave (absolutely) no trace on high-traffic peaks and trails.

You can only get so far off the grid in a single day - that is, unless you take a shortcut into the mountains. Many ski resorts, including the three premier sites mentioned below, open a lift or two in summer and fall, offering an express route to places high and wild. There's no other way to get this deep into the woods this fast.