Hiking
The best places for hiking are Juneau, Aruba, Athens, Grand Cayman and Santorini. Juneau has trails from the flat walk to Nugget Falls to the Mount Juneau summit, Aruba's best hiking trails are in Arikok National Park, and Athens has shaded pine hill walks and a guided Mount Parnitha hike. Grand Cayman has the Mastic Trail, and Santorini has the Fira to Oia caldera trail.
Where it's best
Juneau trails include the flat Nugget Falls trail of about 0.8 miles one way, the moderate Perseverance Trail to Silverbow Basin at about 3 miles round trip, and the steep switchbacks up Mount Roberts. The very strenuous Mount Juneau trail is a 12-mile, about 10-hour round trip that summits the mountain and continues along the ridge.
Aruba's best hiking trails are in Arikok National Park, with hills, caves, gold mine ruins and limestone cliffs, plus a trail to the Natural Pool that is exposed with no shade. Casibari and Ayo rock formations and the 561 steps up Hooiberg are shorter climbs.
Athens has pine-shaded paths and a nature walk up Philopappou Hill, and a steep path up Lycabettus Hill that most people walk in an hour or two. Mount Ymittos has a hiking trail, listed as a spring and autumn activity, and a guided Mount Parnitha hike includes lunch.
The Mastic Trail is a guided trail of about 2.3 miles through the middle of the island, with rare trees, birds, butterflies, frogs and lizards to spot along the way.
The Fira to Oia caldera trail is about 10 km along the rim, usually three to four hours, with cobbled alleys, gravel and cliff paths. Spring, fall and winter are the best seasons for hiking all day, and Nea Kameni and Ancient Thera add volcanic and ancient-site climbs.
Trails near Ketchikan in the Tongass National Forest range from a peaceful lakeside walk to a strenuous mountain climb with wide views. The Carlanna Lake Trail is an easy 3-mile round trip, Deer Mountain can be hiked, and the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary has a mostly flat 3/4-mile route.
On Delos, you walk the open island between the ruins, the theatre and the Houses of Dionysos, then climb Mount Kynthos for a panoramic view of the surrounding islands away from the crowds.
Skagway has easy walks like the Gold Rush Cemetery and Lower Reid Falls trail at about 4 miles round trip, a moderate 3.6-mile loop around Lower Dewey Lake, and Chilkoot Trail day hikes from the Dyea trailhead. The full Chilkoot Trail is 33 miles, a multi-day backpacking route from Dyea to Bennett.
Mt Attavyros, the island's highest point at 1215 m, is a 2 to 3 hour climb with no marked path. Gentler options are the short forest trail at Epta Piges and the paths among the ruins on Filerimos Hill.
Dilek Peninsula National Park has many trails through dense forest, including a trek into Olukdere Canyon to see the flora.
Nature trails wind around the 1866 fort in Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, a short walk through shade and coastal scrub.
San Gervasio is walked on foot, with paths running among its plazas and temples.
Virgin Islands National Park has many trails suited to every ability level, and ranger-guided programs are offered. Paradise Point has a short walking trail along the top with local flowers and birds.
Port Royal National Park on the eastern side of the island has trails up to viewpoints over the Caribbean. A walk along the sand from West End to West Bay takes about 45 minutes.
Washington Slagbaai National Park has three hikes ranging from 45 minutes to 2 hours. The Subi Brandaris Trail is difficult at about 1.5 hours, the Kasikunda Climbing Trail is intermediate at about 45 minutes, and the Lagadishi Lizard Walking Trail is an easy walk of about 2 hours.
The Community Baboon Sanctuary is visited on a guided tour, and jungle trek tours run in the area.
The surviving Byzantine Walls run almost 4 km, including the Acropolis and Heptapyrgion, and are covered on foot with a climb uphill from the center. The way up passes the stone-paved lanes of Ano Poli toward Mount Chortiatis.
Nature trails cross the island from end to end and side to side, so a walk can be as short or as long as you choose.
Tours to book
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
