With the borders opening everywhere around the world and COVID-19 vaccines finally becoming readily available, 2021 slowly turned into a “getting back out there” year.
After months of lockdowns and restrictions, everybody just wants to get in touch with the Great Outdoors again. Here are the best places to do so in 2022:
Arapahoe Basin, United States
Have you ever heard of the “Iron Way”? This climbing route, which comprises metal cables and rungs, is located in Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin. It provides unmatched views of the Continental Divide and Colorado’s breathtaking landscape dotted with sharp rocks, purple flora, and green moss.
Even those without much mountaineering experience can scale these cliffs. However, everyone climbing the Iron Way has to clip the harness from one cable to another while ascending to the summit. The unforgettable view, combined with the freshest air you’ll ever breathe into your lungs, is undoubtedly worth the trouble.
Wildlife Wonders, Australia
The Australian 2019-2020 bushfire season burned tens of thousands of square miles of land. Fortunately, however, regeneration projects are popping everywhere across the continent, with Wildlife Wonders being the most astonishing one. This wildlife sanctuary is located amid beautiful waterfalls and lush ancient forests in Victoria’s Otways region.
Here, you will find a windy wooden path that wanders through thickets of Eucalyptus trees and allows visitors to admire critters - such as bandicoots, wallabies, and koalas - that now call Wildlife Wonders their home. What is more, the whole place is situated right next to Australia’s Great Ocean Road!
The Hermitage, Scotland
Located just downriver from Pitlochry, the ending point of one of Scotland’s most scenic trails, the Hermitage is a picturesque area in every sense of that word. It’s a National Trust-protected site and one that is home to some of the world’s most beautiful trees, including the imposing Douglas firs, some of which were planted here more than 150 years ago.
From its conception in the 18th century, the Hermitage has attracted dozens of world-famous artists, such as Felix Mendelssohn, JMW Turner, and William Wordsworth. It is full of magnificent sights and is among the UK’s most popular destinations for nature lovers.
Caprivi Strip, Namibia
Namibia evokes images of parched mountains, immense dunes, and endless deserts. However, the Caprivi Strip, which is located in the north-eastern corner of the country, is something completely different. The presence of Zambezi, Chobe, Kwando, and Okavango rivers has turned this area into green, wildlife-rich territory.
Although a scene of intense warfare in the mid-1990s, the Caprivi Strip is now a peaceful habitat of hundreds of different animal species. Most of these can be found in the Nkasa Rupara National Park, where visitors can see hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, leopards, lions, as well as the largest population of buffalos in the entire country.
Lake Baikal, Russia
Having an average depth of over 2,400 feet and covering an area of 12,200 square miles, Lake Baikal is so deep and vast that many people living around it call it a sea. Although quite remote, the lake and its surrounding area are living testament of the beauty of Siberia’s natural landscape.
Thanks to its geographic isolation, this “Pearl of Siberia” is a wonderful destination for all those in love with nature. The lake itself is home to countless endemic species, while its sandy coastline provides visitors with some of the most memorable vistas on Earth.
Sentier Nepisiguit Mi'gmaq Trail, Canada
The Canadian province of New Brunswick is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of North America’s prettiest regions. And the best way to experience the beauty of this area is by taking a hike along its Sentier Nepisiguit Mi’gmaq Trail, which runs along the Nepisiguit River and follows pathways that were used by the First Nations thousands of years ago.
This is a fairly difficult footpath without cellular service and one that requires adventurers to bring the right kind of gear. However, it spans a range of vistas and landscapes, from the Appalachian Mountain range to a river delta, and boasts cliff lookouts, suspended bridges, and stunning waterfalls, all of which turn hiking this trail into a truly unforgettable adventure.
Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, Palau
Called by many “a paradise on Earth”, the island country of Palau is one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems. The archipelago’s crown jewel is the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, which is home to numerous marine lakes filled with jellyfish, giant clams, dugongs, and many other animal species.
The intricate coasts of tropical islands that surround the lagoon, on the other hand, contain an outstanding array of habitats teeming with mangrove swamps, breathtaking beaches, mysterious caves, as well as algal and seagrass beds. All in all, a dream-come-true for any nature lover.
Bardenas Reales, Spain
Situated in southeastern Navarre, the world biosphere reserve of Bardenas Reales provides visitors with an out-of-this-world landscape. The reserve features extraordinary contrasts, as it is divided into two types of scenery - Bardena Negra and Bardena Blanca. The former area is greener and boasts charming Aleppo pine forests, while the latter features summits topped by monumental stones.
In total, Bardenas Reales has hundreds of kilometers of cycling and hiking paths, offering nature lovers a chance to discover scenery that is unlike any other on the planet. Upon arriving here, you will immediately realize why this region was featured in countless television and cinema productions - it’s one of Europe’s most otherworldly locations.
El Camino de Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Stretching across the Central American country of Costa Rica, this “Mar a Mar” (sea to sea) trail passes through protected natural areas, indigenous Cabécar lands, as well as some genuinely remote towns and villages. It’s a 280-kilometer long window into one of the planet’s most magnificent ecosystems.
Because of its remoteness, it is strongly recommended to hike El Camino de Costa Rica with a guide. And with the trail being designed to revitalize economic activity in the country’s rural regions, it is no wonder that there are a plethora of local businesses that offer not only guided tours but also lodging, food, and other essentials.