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Stunning national parks and wilderness areas

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Yellowstone National Park
Geysers, wildlife and untamed wilderness
8.8
Yellowstone became the world's first national park when Congress established it in 1872. Old Faithful erupts roughly every ninety minutes with predictable regularity. Visitors can walk boardwalks past colourful hot springs and bubbling mud pots. Wolves, reintroduced here in the 1990s, have since reshaped the park's entire ecosystem.
Highlights:
  • 🐃 Spot bison, elk, and bears roaming in Lamar Valley
  • 🌈 Walk the boardwalks of the Grand Prismatic Spring and admire its vivid colors
  • 🌋 Watch Old Faithful erupt and feel the geothermal power of Yellowstone
Yosemite National Park
Nature's Grand Cathedral
8.5
Yosemite protects granite cliffs like El Capitan, a favourite challenge among rock climbers worldwide. Waterfalls including Yosemite Falls drop from towering cliffs during peak spring runoff. Visitors can hike towards Half Dome, a granite formation split by ancient glaciers. Giant sequoias grow within Mariposa Grove near the park's southern entrance.
Highlights:
  • 💦 Marvel at Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest in North America
  • 🏞️ Hike to Glacier Point for one of Yosemite’s best views
  • 🧗‍♂️ Stand before the towering granite face of El Capitan
Kruger National Park
Where Africa's Big Five Roam Free
7.6
Kruger protects one of Africa's largest game reserves, spanning nearly two million hectares. All members of the Big Five can be spotted within its boundaries. Visitors can self drive along paved roads connecting rest camps throughout the park. Ancient rock art sites survive in remote corners of the reserve.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Experience a sunset safari and watch wildlife at dusk
  • 🌿 Take a guided bush walk and learn about the ecosystem
  • 🦁 Spot Africa’s Big Five on classic game drives
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Cascading Waterfalls and Turquoise Lakes
8.2
Plitvice holds sixteen terraced lakes connected by waterfalls and natural travertine barriers. Mineral deposits continuously reshape the barriers separating each turquoise coloured lake. Visitors can walk wooden boardwalks suspended just above the clear water. The park earned recognition as one of Croatia's first UNESCO listings.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Take a boat ride across pristine Lake Kozjak
  • 💦 See the breathtaking Veliki Slap, Croatia’s tallest waterfall
  • 🌊 Walk the wooden footbridges among turquoise lakes and falls
Grand Canyon National Park
Epic Vistas, Timeless Adventure
8.1
The Grand Canyon stretches 277 miles long and reaches depths over a mile deep. Layers of exposed rock here reveal nearly two billion years of geologic history. Visitors can hike the Bright Angel Trail down towards the Colorado River. The Skywalk, a glass platform, extends out over the canyon's rim.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Explore the historic Grand Canyon Village and lodges
  • 🌅 Enjoy sunrise views at Mather Point overlook
  • 🥾 Hike the iconic Bright Angel Trail into the canyon
Banff National Park
Majestic Peaks and Turquoise Lakes
9.2
Banff became Canada's first national park after hot springs were discovered here in 1883. Turquoise glacial lakes like Louise and Moraine draw visitors from around the world. Visitors can ride a gondola up Sulphur Mountain for sweeping Rocky Mountain views. Wildlife crossings built over the highway help animals move safely through the park.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Explore the scenic Johnston Canyon waterfalls trail
  • 🏞️ Hike to Lake Louise and admire turquoise waters
  • 🚡 Ride the Banff Gondola for spectacular mountain views
Göreme National Park
Fairy chimneys and cave wonders
8.0
Goreme protects Cappadocia's fairy chimney rock formations shaped by volcanic ash erosion. Early Christians carved churches directly into the soft volcanic stone here. Visitors can ride hot air balloons at sunrise over the surreal landscape. Underground cities nearby once sheltered thousands of people from ancient invasions.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike through the otherworldly landscapes of Love Valley
  • 🕍 Explore the cave churches and frescoes of the Göreme Open-Air Museum
  • 🎈 Take a sunrise hot air balloon ride over fairy chimneys
Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador
8.5
The Galapagos Islands helped shape Charles Darwin's theory of evolution in the 1830s. Giant tortoises here can live well over a hundred years in the wild. Visitors can snorkel alongside sea lions and marine iguanas found nowhere else. Each island in the chain hosts species that evolved in isolation from the others.
Highlights:
  • 🦩 Walk among blue-footed boobies on North Seymour Island
  • 🐢 Spot giant tortoises roaming freely in the highlands
  • 🐢 Snorkel with sea lions and turtles at Isla Lobos
Zion National Park
Red rocks, epic hikes and nature's beauty
8.2
Zion Canyon was carved by the Virgin River cutting through layers of red sandstone. Angels Landing offers a narrow trail with chains bolted along its steepest sections. Visitors can wade through the Narrows, a slot canyon filled with flowing water. Zion earned its name from Mormon settlers who saw the canyon as a refuge.
Highlights:
  • 🚌 Drive or shuttle along the scenic Zion Canyon Road
  • 🌊 Wade through the Virgin River Narrows slot canyon
  • 🧗‍♂️ Hike Angel’s Landing for breathtaking canyon views
Meteora
Monasteries Suspended in the Sky
8.2
Meteora holds monasteries built atop towering sandstone pillars in central Greece. Monks once used rope baskets to haul supplies up the sheer rock faces. Visitors can climb stone steps carved into the cliffs to reach several monasteries. Six of the original twenty-four monasteries remain active today.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Explore the stunning Agia Triada Monastery and surroundings
  • 🏛️ Visit the Great Meteoron, Meteora’s largest monastery
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic path connecting Meteora’s monasteries
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
Sacred Red Rock and Majestic Domes
8.4
Uluru rises as a single sandstone monolith holding deep spiritual meaning for the Anangu people. The rock changes colour dramatically as sunlight shifts across its surface. Visitors can walk a base trail circling the formation rather than climbing it. Kata Tjuta, a group of domed rocks nearby, holds equal cultural significance.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Experience Uluru’s mesmerizing sunset color changes
  • 🥾 Hike the Valley of the Winds trail at Kata Tjuta
  • 🪨 Walk the base trail around the sacred Uluru rock
Death Valley National Park
Otherworldly Extremes and Silent Beauty
6.4
Death Valley holds the record for the highest air temperature ever reliably measured. Badwater Basin lies over 280 feet below sea level, the lowest point in North America. Visitors can walk across a vast white salt flat stretching for miles. Rare wildflower blooms occasionally transform the desert floor after heavy winter rain.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Explore colorful rock formations at Artists Palette
  • 🦶 Walk across the vast salt flats of Badwater Basin
  • 🌅 Watch sunrise from panoramic Zabriskie Point
Mount Rainier National Park
A Majestic Volcano and Wild Beauty
8.2
Mount Rainier towers as the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States. Wildflower meadows bloom brightly across its slopes during the short summer season. Visitors can hike the Skyline Trail for close views of the glacier covered summit. The mountain remains an active volcano monitored for potential eruptions.
Highlights:
  • 🌼 Explore Spray Park’s wildflower meadows and Spray Falls
  • 🌊 Visit scenic Reflection Lakes and admire Rainier’s reflection
  • 🌄 Hike the Skyline Trail for iconic Mount Rainier views
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Witness the Great Migration
7.0
Maasai Mara hosts the Great Migration each year as wildebeest cross from Tanzania. Over a million animals move through the reserve chasing seasonal rainfall. Visitors can watch dramatic river crossings where crocodiles wait in the water. Maasai communities living near the reserve still herd cattle across these plains.
Highlights:
  • 🎈 Take a sunrise hot air balloon safari over the savannah
  • 🐃 Witness the Great Migration crossing at Mara River
  • 🦁 Embark on twice-daily game drives to spot the Big Five
Grand Teton National Park
Stunning Peaks and Wildlife Wonders
8.6
The Teton Range rises abruptly from the valley floor without any foothills. Jackson Lake reflects the jagged peaks on calm early morning visits. Visitors can paddle canoes across the lake beneath the mountain skyline. Moose and elk are commonly spotted grazing in the park's willow flats.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Trek through Cascade Canyon for breathtaking views
  • 💧 Explore Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point nearby
  • 🚶‍♂️ Hike the scenic Jenny Lake Loop Trail
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Home of the Giant Sequoias
8.0
General Sherman, the world's largest tree by volume, grows within Sequoia National Park. Giant sequoias here can live for more than 3,000 years. Visitors can walk among the massive trunks along the Giant Forest trail. Kings Canyon nearby cuts deeper in places than the Grand Canyon.
Highlights:
  • 🕳️ Explore Crystal Cave on a guided tour
  • 🧗‍♂️ Climb Moro Rock for breathtaking panoramic views
  • 🌲 Visit the General Sherman Tree, largest on Earth
Ha Long Bay
Vietnam’s Otherworldly Seascape
Ha Long Bay holds nearly 2,000 limestone karsts rising straight out of emerald water. Local legend says dragons formed the bay by spitting jewels into the sea. Visitors can cruise overnight on traditional junk boats between the islands. Hidden caves and grottoes are scattered throughout the karst formations.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Kayak through quiet lagoons and hidden beaches
  • 🕳️ Explore spectacular caves like Sung Sot and Thien Cung
  • 🚤 Cruise among Ha Long Bay’s iconic limestone karsts
Canyonlands National Park
Epic Canyons and Untamed Wilderness
8.3
Canyonlands spreads across land carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers. Mesa Arch frames sunrise views over a deep canyon each morning. Visitors can drive rugged jeep trails through the park's remote Maze district. Ancient rock art left by earlier inhabitants survives on canyon walls.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike the easy trail to Grand View Point overlook
  • 🚗 Drive scenic Grand View Point Road and stops
  • 🌅 Watch sunrise at Mesa Arch for breathtaking views
Bryce Canyon National Park
Hoodoo Wonderland and Starry Nights
8.2
Bryce Canyon holds the largest concentration of hoodoos found anywhere on Earth. These spire shaped rock formations were carved by centuries of freezing and thawing. Visitors can walk among the hoodoos on trails descending into the amphitheatre. Clear night skies here make the park a popular stargazing destination.
Highlights:
  • 🧱 Explore Bryce Amphitheater for stunning rock formations
  • 🌅 Watch sunrise from inspiring viewpoints at Inspiration Point
  • 🥾 Hike the iconic Navajo Loop Trail among hoodoos
Serengeti National Park
The Ultimate Safari Adventure
7.9
The Serengeti hosts the largest overland mammal migration remaining on Earth. Wildebeest and zebra move in a continuous cycle following seasonal rainfall. Visitors can watch predators like lions and cheetahs stalk herds across open plains. Kopjes, granite outcrops scattered across the grassland, offer shade for resting wildlife.
Highlights:
  • 🎈 Enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon safari over plains
  • 🚙 Take a thrilling game drive to spot the Big Five
  • 🦓 Witness the incredible Great Wildebeest Migration spectacle
Rocky Mountain National Park
Majestic Peaks and Untamed Wilderness
8.7
Trail Ridge Road climbs above 12,000 feet as the highest paved road in the US park system. Alpine tundra stretches across the road's highest stretches above the tree line. Visitors can spot elk bugling in meadows during the September rutting season. Longs Peak, the park's tallest summit, draws experienced climbers each summer.
Highlights:
  • 💧 Explore Alberta Falls, a short and beautiful hiking route
  • 🏞️ Climb to Sky Pond for dramatic mountain and waterfall views
  • 🥾 Hike to Emerald Lake via scenic Bear Lake Trail
Olympic National Park
Untamed Wilderness, All in One
8.5
Olympic protects temperate rainforest, alpine peaks and rugged coastline within one park. Moss draped trees in the Hoh Rainforest receive over 140 inches of rain yearly. Visitors can walk misty forest trails before driving to snow covered mountain passes. Tide pools along the coast reveal starfish and anemones at low tide.
Highlights:
  • 💧 Visit Sol Duc Falls and enjoy the tranquil waterfall
  • 🌲 Explore the lush trails of the Hoh Rainforest
  • 🏞️ Hike to Hurricane Hill for breathtaking panoramic views
Etosha National Park
Namibia's Wildlife Sanctuary
7.7
Etosha centres on a vast salt pan visible even from space on clear days. Waterholes scattered across the park draw wildlife during the dry season. Visitors can watch elephants and lions gather at floodlit waterholes after dark. The pan itself was once part of a large inland lake.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Drive the Etosha Pan’s vast salt flats at sunrise
  • 🦁 Join a guided safari to spot lions and rhinos
  • 🐘 Watch elephants gathering at the Okaukuejo waterhole
Arenal Volcano National Park
Lava Trails, Rainforest and Epic Views
8.4
Arenal Volcano rises as a near perfect cone above Costa Rica's northern lowlands. The volcano erupted continuously for decades before falling dormant in 2010. Visitors can hike trails across old lava fields at the volcano's base. Hot springs heated by the volcano's activity draw visitors year round.
Highlights:
  • 🌄 Enjoy spectacular volcano views from multiple lookout points
  • 🌿 Explore rainforest biodiversity on the El Ceibo circuit
  • 🌋 Hike the Las Coladas trail over old lava flows
Arches National Park
A Desert Wonderland of Stone Arches
8.2
Arches protects over 2,000 documented natural stone arches within its boundaries. Delicate Arch, the park's most photographed formation, stands alone against the desert sky. Visitors can hike a moderate trail leading directly to its base. Erosion continues shaping new arches while occasionally collapsing older ones.
Highlights:
  • 🌉 Visit Double Arch and climb beneath its massive spans
  • 🥾 Explore Devils Garden Trail with multiple arches
  • 🧗‍♂️ Hike to Delicate Arch, the park’s iconic symbol
Torres del Paine National Park
Epic Landscapes and Untamed Wilderness
8.1
Torres del Paine takes its name from three granite towers rising above the Patagonian steppe. Glaciers feed turquoise lakes scattered throughout the park's valleys. Visitors can hike the W Trek past forests and glaciers towards the towers. Guanacos, wild relatives of the llama, graze freely across the open grassland.
Highlights:
  • ⛰️ Trek the scenic French Valley with mountain views
  • 🛶 Take a boat tour to see stunning Grey Glacier
  • 🥾 Hike to the iconic Mirador Las Torres viewpoint
Þingvellir National Park
Where History Meets Nature’s Power
7.9
Thingvellir marks where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates slowly pull apart. Iceland's parliament first met on this site over a thousand years ago. Visitors can walk through a rift valley marking the edge of two continents. Divers can snorkel between the plates in a fissure called Silfra.
Highlights:
  • 🤿 Snorkel or dive in the crystal-clear Silfra fissure
  • 💧 Visit Öxarárfoss waterfall in the Almannagjá gorge
  • 🌍 Walk through the rift valley between tectonic plates
Krka National Park
Waterfalls and Pristine Nature
7.6
Krka protects a series of waterfalls cascading through Croatia's limestone canyon country. Skradinski Buk, the park's largest waterfall, spans nearly 800 metres in width. Visitors could once swim beneath the falls before rules changed to protect the ecosystem. Water mills built centuries ago still stand along parts of the river.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Walk the wooden boardwalk trail through scenic river canyons
  • 🏊‍♀️ Swim in crystal-clear pools surrounded by lush forest
  • 💦 Marvel at Skradinski Buk’s cascading turquoise waterfalls
Jasper National Park
Untamed Wilderness and Starry Skies
8.8
Jasper protects the largest area of any national park in the Canadian Rockies. The Athabasca Glacier here lets visitors walk directly onto ancient ice. Visitors can ride a specialised vehicle onto the glacier's surface. Dark sky preserve status makes Jasper a leading destination for stargazing.
Highlights:
  • 🧊 Walk on the Athabasca Glacier with a guided tour
  • 🐻 Spot elk, moose, and bears along Icefields Parkway
  • 🛶 Cruise Maligne Lake and marvel at Spirit Island
Denali National Park
Wild Alaska’s peaks and wildlife
8.8
Denali protects North America's tallest peak, rising over 20,000 feet above sea level. A single 92 mile road provides nearly all vehicle access into the park. Visitors can ride park buses to spot grizzly bears and caribou along the way. The mountain's summit remains hidden by clouds on most days of the year.
Highlights:
  • 🛩️ Take a flightseeing tour above Denali’s snowy peak
  • 🥾 Hike the Savage River Trail for rugged alpine views
  • 🐻 Spot grizzly bears and moose in their wild habitat
Blue Mountains National Park
Majestic Views and Untamed Nature
7.7
The Blue Mountains take their name from a blue haze rising off eucalyptus trees. Sandstone cliffs drop into deep forested valleys across the park. Visitors can view the Three Sisters rock formation from a marked lookout point. A steep scenic railway carries visitors down into the valley floor below.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike the Wentworth Falls track for breathtaking views
  • 🚞 Ride the Scenic Railway through the stunning Jamison Valley
  • ⛰️ Admire the iconic Three Sisters rock formation at Echo Point
Teide National Park
Mars-Like Landscapes and Epic Views
8.0
Teide protects Spain's tallest peak, a dormant volcano rising from Tenerife's centre. Lunar looking lava fields surround the mountain's lower slopes. Visitors can ride a cable car partway up before hiking the final stretch. Clear skies here make the summit a popular spot for stargazing at night.
Highlights:
  • 🌋 Explore lunar-like landscapes and volcanic craters on hiking trails
  • 🌅 Watch the sunrise above the clouds from Spain’s highest peak
  • 🚠 Take the cable car to Mount Teide’s summit for breathtaking views
Tikal National Park
Lost Mayan City in the Jungle
7.8
Tikal protects Maya ruins rising above dense Guatemalan rainforest canopy for miles around. Temple IV, the tallest pyramid here, reaches over 70 metres in height. Visitors can climb ancient stairways for views stretching across the jungle. Howler monkeys and toucans are commonly spotted among the ancient ruins.
Highlights:
  • 🐒 Discover wildlife including monkeys and colorful toucans
  • 🏛️ Explore the Great Plaza surrounded by towering pyramids
  • 🌳 Climb Temple IV for a breathtaking jungle canopy view
Manuel Antonio National Park
Jungle, Wildlife and Stunning Beaches
7.2
Manuel Antonio packs rainforest and beaches into one of Costa Rica's smallest parks. Squirrel monkeys and sloths are commonly spotted along the park's shaded trails. Visitors can swim at white sand beaches framed by dense tropical forest. Capuchin monkeys occasionally approach visitors along the more crowded paths.
Highlights:
  • 🦜 Spot toucans, iguanas, and colorful tropical birds
  • 🏖️ Relax on the white sands of Playa Manuel Antonio
  • 🐒 Hike jungle trails filled with monkeys and sloths
Curonian Spit National Park
Dunes, Forests and Baltic Magic
6.9
Curonian Spit stretches as a narrow sand dune peninsula between Lithuania and Russia. Some dunes here rise over 60 metres, among Europe's tallest. Visitors can climb wooden stairways to viewpoints overlooking both sea and lagoon. Drifting sand once buried entire villages along this fragile coastline.
Highlights:
  • 🌾 Wander Nagliai Nature Reserve’s haunting Dead Dunes
  • 🪓 Explore the mystical Hill of Witches sculpture park
  • 🏖️ Climb Parnidis Dune for panoramic Baltic Sea views
Picos de Europa National Park
Jagged Peaks, Deep Gorges, Wild Spain
8.1
Picos de Europa holds jagged limestone peaks visible from ships approaching the Spanish coast. Deep gorges like the Cares Route cut dramatically through the mountain range. Visitors can hike a cliffside trail carved into the canyon wall. Cable cars carry visitors up towards Naranjo de Bulnes, a famous limestone spire.
Highlights:
  • 🦅 Spot wild chamois, griffon vultures, and Cantabrian brown bears
  • ⛰️ Reach the summit of Torre de Cerredo, Spain’s highest peak in the Cantabrians
  • 🥾 Hike the rugged Cares Gorge trail through towering cliffs
Sierra Nevada National Park
Spain’s Rooftop of Sun and Snow
8.1
Sierra Nevada holds mainland Spain's tallest peak, Mulhacen, rising above 3,400 metres. Snow covers the range's highest slopes well into the summer months. Visitors can ski at Europe's southernmost major ski resort here. Wildflowers unique to this range bloom briefly each spring at high elevation.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Explore whitewashed villages of Las Alpujarras
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic Los Cahorros gorge with suspended bridges
  • ⛰️ Climb Mulhacén, mainland Spain's highest peak
Kilimanjaro National Park
Africa's Rooftop Adventure
7.4
Kilimanjaro rises as Africa's tallest peak, a dormant volcano with three separate cones. Climbers can reach the summit without technical climbing gear or ropes. Visitors can trek multiple routes ranging from five to nine days in length. The mountain's glaciers have shrunk significantly over the past century.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Watch the sunrise above the clouds from Stella Point
  • 🌿 Hike through rainforest trails filled with colobus monkeys
  • 🏔️ Climb to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
Khao Sok National Park
Ancient Jungle and Emerald Lake Paradise
7.8
Khao Sok protects rainforest older than the Amazon, dating back 160 million years. Limestone karsts rise dramatically above Cheow Lan Lake's emerald water. Visitors can sleep in floating raft houses moored along the lake's edge. Wild elephants and rare flowering plants live within the dense forest.
Highlights:
  • 🐘 Trek into the jungle to spot wild elephants and gibbons
  • 🛶 Kayak through emerald waters surrounded by limestone cliffs
  • 🏞️ Stay overnight in floating bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake
Twelve Apostles Marine National Park
Iconic Cliffs and Wild Ocean Wonders
7.9
The Twelve Apostles are limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean off Victoria's coast. Erosion has reduced the original formations to fewer than a dozen remaining stacks. Visitors can view the stacks from clifftop platforms along the Great Ocean Road. Sunset here turns the limestone a deep orange against the darkening sky.
Highlights:
  • 🚶‍♂️ Walk along the elevated boardwalks at Gibson Steps
  • 🚁 Take a helicopter tour to see the Twelve Apostles from above
  • 🪨 View the iconic limestone stacks from the Great Ocean Road
Vesuvius National Park
Walk the Rim of a Volcano
7.4
Vesuvius remains an active volcano, famous for its eruption that buried Pompeii in 79 AD. A crater trail near the summit lets visitors look directly into the volcano. Visitors can hike a marked path circling the rim for views over the bay. Vineyards growing on the volcano's fertile slopes produce a distinct local wine.
Highlights:
  • 🌄 Enjoy panoramic views of Naples and the Bay from trails
  • 🏛️ Explore ancient Pompeii ruins near the park entrance
  • 🌋 Hike to Vesuvius crater and peer into the volcanic vent
Adršpašsko-teplické skály
Czechia’s Labyrinth of Stone Towers
7.4
Adrspassko-Teplicke Skaly protects sandstone rock towers carved by centuries of erosion. Narrow passages between the rocks force hikers to squeeze through tight gaps. Visitors can paddle a small boat across a quiet forest pond within the reserve. Moss covered boulders and pine forest surround the sandstone formations.
Highlights:
  • 🚣‍♀️ Take a boat ride on the crystal-clear lake
  • 🪨 Explore the mystical stone gate in Adršpach
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic 7 km main loop trail through rock formations
Triglav National Park
Slovenia’s Natural Beauty
7.9
Triglav protects Slovenia's tallest peak, considered a national symbol appearing on the flag. Alpine lakes and gorges fill the valleys beneath the mountain's three summits. Visitors can hike towards mountain huts offering meals and beds partway up the trail. Emerald coloured rivers like the Soca cut through the park's lower valleys.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Explore the emerald waters of Lake Bohinj
  • 💧 Discover the stunning Peričnik Waterfall
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic trails of Vintgar Gorge
Chobe National Park
Elephant Haven in Botswana
7.9
Chobe holds one of Africa's largest concentrations of elephants along its riverfront. Herds gather along the Chobe River especially during the dry season months. Visitors can take boat safaris to watch elephants drink and bathe up close. Lions here have been observed hunting elephants, an unusual behaviour for the species.
Highlights:
  • 🐘 Watch massive elephant herds at Chobe Riverfront
  • 🚤 Take a boat cruise on the scenic Chobe River
  • 🦁 Join thrilling game drives for wildlife spotting
Tortuguero National Park
Wildlife and Waterways Adventure
7.8
Tortuguero protects Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, reachable only by boat or small plane. Four different sea turtle species come ashore here to nest each year. Visitors can navigate a network of canals threading through dense rainforest. Manatees occasionally surface in the park's slow moving waterways.
Highlights:
  • 🦜 Spot monkeys and toucans in the dense jungle canopy
  • 🛶 Glide through rainforest canals on a guided canoe tour
  • 🐢 Watch green sea turtles nest on the beach at night
Área de Paisagem Protegida das Sete Cidades
Twin Lakes and Volcanic Wonders
8.1
Sete Cidades protects twin crater lakes, one blue and one green, inside a volcanic caldera. Local legend explains the colours as the tears of two star crossed lovers. Visitors can hike the caldera rim for views over both lakes at once. Hydrangea hedges bloom bright blue along many of the park's roads each summer.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Explore Sete Cidades village and lake shore
  • 🥾 Hike trails around the volcanic crater rim
  • 🌄 Admire dual-colored lakes from Vista do Rei viewpoint
Wicklow Mountains National Park
Wild Irish Peaks and Ancient Valleys
7.8
Wicklow Mountains protect a granite range just south of Dublin's outskirts. Glendalough, a glacial valley within the park, holds ruins of a sixth century monastery. Visitors can hike trails past two lakes framed by round tower ruins. Peat bogs across the higher slopes preserve pollen records thousands of years old.
Highlights:
  • 🚶🏻 Walk peaceful Miners' Road alongside Upper Lake
  • ⛪ Explore historic monastic ruins at Glendalough
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic Glendalough Spinc trail
Sevan National Park
Armenia’s Blue Pearl and Peaks
7.6
Sevan protects Lake Sevan, one of the largest high altitude lakes in the world. A peninsula jutting into the lake holds two ancient Armenian monasteries. Visitors can swim at beaches along the lake's clear alpine water. The lake's water level has fluctuated significantly due to decades of irrigation use.
Highlights:
  • 🪦 Explore ancient khachkars at Noratus Cemetery
  • 🏖️ Relax on the sandy beaches of Lake Sevan
  • ⛪ Visit the hilltop Sevanavank Monastery with lake views
Vatnajökull National Park
Glaciers, Volcanoes and Ice Caves
8.3
Vatnajokull protects Europe's largest glacier by volume, covering roughly eight percent of Iceland. Ice caves form within the glacier each winter, open briefly to visitors. Visitors can explore blue ice tunnels carved naturally beneath the surface. Volcanic activity beneath the ice occasionally triggers sudden glacial floods.
Highlights:
  • ❄️ Explore blue ice caves sculpted within the glacier
  • 🥾 Join a guided glacier walk on Vatnajökull ice cap
  • 🌊 Hike to the stunning Svartifoss waterfall framed by basalt columns
Kakadu National Park
Ancient Rock Art and Wild Wetlands
8.3
Kakadu protects rock art sites showing evidence of continuous human occupation for millennia. Aboriginal communities still maintain cultural ties to the land within the park. Visitors can cruise wetlands home to saltwater crocodiles and countless bird species. Sandstone escarpments here shift colour dramatically at sunset.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Take a challenging hike to Jim Jim Falls gorge
  • 🦅 Cruise the Yellow Water Billabong for crocs and birdlife
  • 🌄 Watch the sunset over Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr
Valley of Fire State Park
Fiery Red Rocks and Ancient Art
7.4
Valley of Fire takes its name from red sandstone that glows bright at sunset. Ancient petroglyphs left by earlier inhabitants survive on many rock surfaces. Visitors can hike short trails past formations like the Fire Wave and Elephant Rock. The park served as a filming location for several science fiction movies.
Highlights:
  • 🐘 Visit Elephant Rock natural arch near East Entrance
  • 🪨 Climb Atlatl Rock staircase to view ancient petroglyphs
  • 🌈 Hike Fire Wave trail to see swirling sandstone colors
Connemara National Park
Wild Bogs, Peaks and Ponies
7.6
Connemara protects boggy moorland beneath a range of quartzite peaks called the Twelve Bens. Wild Connemara ponies, a native breed, roam freely across the open landscape. Visitors can hike Diamond Hill for panoramic views over the surrounding bogland. Ancient monuments scattered through the park date back thousands of years.
Highlights:
  • 🌳 Explore the native woodland and bogs on the Tree Trail
  • 📚 Visit the Connemara Visitor Centre to learn about landscape history
  • 🌄 Hike up Diamond Hill for breathtaking panoramic views
Sintra-Cascais Nature Park
Where Europe meets the Atlantic
8.2
Sintra-Cascais protects a coastal landscape dotted with fairytale palaces and castles. Cabo da Roca within the park marks the westernmost point of mainland Europe. Visitors can tour the colourful Pena Palace perched above the forested hills. Ocean cliffs along the park's coast draw surfers to nearby beaches.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Visit Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe
  • 🌿 Explore enchanting Quinta da Regaleira gardens and wells
  • 🥾 Hike scenic trails to Pena Palace and Moorish Castle
Snowdonia National Park
Mythic Peaks and Wild Welsh Beauty
8.1
Snowdon, Wales's tallest peak, rises within this mountainous national park. A historic rack railway carries visitors to the summit without a hike. Visitors can walk one of six marked routes climbing towards the top. Slate quarries scattered through the valleys recall the region's mining past.
Highlights:
  • 💧 Discover stunning Aber Falls waterfall on gentle hike
  • 🚂 Experience scenic ride on Snowdon Mountain Railway
  • ⛰️ Climb Snowdon, highest peak in Wales
Mesa Verde National Park
Ancient Cliff Dwellings and Rich History
7.5
Mesa Verde preserves cliff dwellings built by Ancestral Puebloans over 700 years ago. Cliff Palace, the largest structure, holds over 150 rooms carved into the rock. Visitors can join ranger led tours climbing ladders into the ancient dwellings. The site earned recognition as one of America's first UNESCO listings.
Highlights:
  • 🧗 Tour Balcony House with its ladders and narrow passages
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic Soda Canyon Overlook Trail
  • 🏛️ Explore the ancient cliff dwellings of Cliff Palace
Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves
Mist, Wildlife and Cloudy Magic
8.4
Monteverde protects a cloud forest where mist settles permanently among the treetops. Over 400 bird species have been recorded within these reserves alone. Visitors can cross hanging suspension bridges strung high above the forest canopy. The resplendent quetzal, a strikingly colourful bird, nests within this protected forest.
Highlights:
  • 🦜 Spot rare resplendent quetzals among misty trees
  • 🌉 Walk the hanging bridges for canopy views
  • 🥾 Hike through Monteverde Cloud Forest's biodiversity-rich trails
Glacier National Park
Crown of the Continent
8.9
Glacier protects rugged peaks carved by ice sheets during past glacial periods. Fewer than thirty glaciers remain today out of the hundreds counted a century ago. Visitors can drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road across the Continental Divide. Grizzly bears and mountain goats roam freely through the park's high country.
Highlights:
  • 🌲 Explore Avalanche Lake’s serene hiking trails
  • 🚗 Drive the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road for views
  • 🥾 Hike to Grinnell Glacier and stunning turquoise lakes
Dolomites National Park
Towering peaks and pristine wilderness
8.4
The Dolomites hold jagged limestone peaks that turn pink at sunset, a glow called enrosadira. Via ferrata routes here let climbers scale cliffs using fixed cables and ladders. Visitors can hike towards Tre Cime, three distinctive rock towers rising sharply skyward. World War One trenches carved into the rock survive at higher elevations.
Highlights:
  • ⛰️ Climb Seceda mountain for panoramic Dolomites views
  • 🌊 Visit the stunning turquoise Lago di Braies lake
  • 🥾 Hike the breathtaking Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail
Harz National Park
Brocken peak, steam trains and wild forests
7.8
Harz protects Germany's northernmost mountain range, long associated with witch folklore. Brocken, the range's tallest peak, inspired legends of witches' gatherings on its summit. Visitors can ride a historic steam train to the mountain's rocky top. Dense spruce forest covers much of the park's lower elevations.
Highlights:
  • 🪨 Explore mystical rock formations in the Bode Gorge
  • 🚂 Ride the scenic Brocken Railway through mountain forests
  • 🥾 Hike to the Brocken summit, the park’s highest peak
Mount Cook National Park
New Zealand’s alpine wonderland
8.8
Aoraki Mount Cook rises as New Zealand's tallest peak within this alpine park. Glaciers cover roughly forty percent of the park's total protected area. Visitors can hike the Hooker Valley Track towards views of a glacial lake. Dark sky status here allows for exceptional stargazing after sunset.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Kayak on Tasman Lake near the majestic Tasman Glacier
  • 🚁 Take a scenic helicopter ride above Mount Cook
  • 🥾 Hike the stunning Hooker Valley Track for glacier views
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Nature's Untamed Sanctuary
7.1
Ngorongoro Crater formed when an ancient volcano collapsed inward millions of years in the past. Wildlife stays largely within the crater's walls throughout the year. Visitors can descend by vehicle to spot lions and elephants below. Maasai communities continue grazing cattle across the surrounding conservation area.
Highlights:
  • 🛖 Visit a Maasai village and learn their traditions
  • 🐘 Spot the Big Five in one morning safari
  • 🦁 Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive
Low Tatras National Park
Slovakia’s Wild Ridges and Hidden Caves
7.9
Low Tatras protects a mountain range stretching across central Slovakia's interior. Chopok, the range's tallest peak, offers ski runs during winter months. Visitors can hike ridgelines connecting mountain huts across the protected range. Brown bears and lynx still roam through the park's forested lower slopes.
Highlights:
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard at Jasná, Slovakia’s top alpine resort
  • ❄️ Explore the Demänovská Cave of Liberty with its stunning ice formations
  • 🏔️ Hike to the summit of Ďumbier for panoramic mountain views
Komodo National Park
Dragons, Pristine Reefs and Wild Beauty
7.3
Komodo National Park protects the last wild habitat of the Komodo dragon. These giant lizards can grow to lengths of over three metres. Visitors can join ranger led hikes to observe dragons in their natural setting. Pink sand beaches nearby draw snorkellers to coral reefs just offshore.
Highlights:
  • 🤿 Snorkel with graceful manta rays at Manta Point
  • ⛰️ Hike to Padar Island’s summit for breathtaking views
  • 🦎 See Komodo dragons in their natural habitat on Komodo Island
Tongariro National Park
Volcanic landscapes and epic hikes
8.1
Tongariro became New Zealand's first national park after Maori chiefs gifted the land in 1887. Three active volcanoes rise within the park's boundaries. Visitors can hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing past emerald coloured crater lakes. The volcanic terrain here served as filming locations for Mordor in Lord of the Rings.
Highlights:
  • 💧 Relax by the vibrant Emerald Lakes along the trail
  • ⛰️ Climb to Red Crater for stunning panoramic views
  • 🥾 Hike the iconic Tongariro Alpine Crossing and witness volcanic craters
Acadia National Park
Rugged Shores, Sunrise Peaks, Wild Beauty
8.4
Cadillac Mountain rises within Acadia, among the earliest spots to see sunrise in the United States. Granite peaks meet the Atlantic along miles of rocky coastline. Visitors can hike carriage roads built without cars in mind by John D. Rockefeller Jr. Autumn colour turns the surrounding forest bright red and orange each October.
Highlights:
  • 🚗 Drive the Park Loop Road for coastal and forest views
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic Jordan Pond Path surrounded by nature
  • 🌅 Watch sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain
Corcovado National Park
Costa Rica’s Wildest Rainforest Frontier
8.2
Corcovado protects one of the most biodiverse rainforests remaining in Central America. National Geographic once called it the most biologically intense place on Earth. Visitors can spot tapirs and scarlet macaws along remote jungle trails. The park remains accessible mainly by boat or a long hike.
Highlights:
  • 🐢 Watch endangered sea turtles nesting on remote beaches
  • 🌌 Camp under the stars at La Sirena Ranger Station
  • 🥾 Hike Corcovado’s diverse trails through rainforest and coastline
Serra da Estrela Natural Park
Portugal’s High Peaks and Wild Beauty
7.9
Serra da Estrela protects mainland Portugal's tallest mountain range. Snow covers the higher peaks here during winter, drawing the country's only ski resort. Visitors can hike towards glacial valleys carved during past ice ages. Sheep grazing on these slopes supply milk for the region's famous cheese.
Highlights:
  • 💧 Explore the mysterious waterfall hole at Covão dos Conchos
  • 🏞️ Climb to Torre, the highest point in mainland Portugal
  • ⛷️ Ski on Portugal's only ski slopes in Serra da Estrela
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla Encounters in Ancient Forest
8.3
Bwindi shelters roughly half of the world's remaining mountain gorilla population. Dense forest here has grown largely undisturbed for over 25,000 years. Visitors can trek through thick vegetation to observe gorilla families up close. Permits for gorilla trekking are limited to protect the animals from stress.
Highlights:
  • 🐦 Birdwatch over 350 species including rare Albertine endemics
  • 🥾 Join guided nature walks on scenic forest hiking trails
  • 🦍 Trek with endangered mountain gorillas in their habitat
Table Mountain National Park
Epic views and wild landscapes
7.7
Table Mountain rises above Cape Town, its flat top often capped by a cloud layer locals call the tablecloth. Over 2,000 plant species grow within the park's fynbos vegetation. Visitors can ride a rotating cable car to the summit for coastal views. Baboon troops are commonly spotted along several of the lower trails.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Visit the Cape of Good Hope for rugged scenery
  • 🥾 Hike Lion’s Head for breathtaking city views
  • 🚠 Take the cable car to Table Mountain’s summit
Slovak Paradise National Park
Ladders, Gorges and Wild Waterfalls
7.7
Slovak Paradise protects deep gorges crossed by iron ladders and chained pathways bolted to the rock. Waterfalls tumble through narrow canyons carved into limestone plateaus. Visitors can climb metal ladders bolted directly into the rock beside cascades. Wooden walkways guide hikers through the park's tightest ravines.
Highlights:
  • 🌄 Traverse the Tomášovský výhľad cliff for epic valley views
  • 💦 Marvel at waterfalls cascading through rocky canyons
  • 🥾 Hike through the iconic Suchá Belá gorge with ladders and chains
Fiordland National Park
New Zealand’s Wildest Water World
8.7
Fiordland holds Milford Sound, a fjord carved deep by glaciers over the ice age. Waterfalls drop hundreds of metres straight into the dark fjord water below. Visitors can cruise beneath cliffs draped in temperate rainforest vegetation. The region receives some of the heaviest rainfall found anywhere in New Zealand.
Highlights:
  • 🪶 Scenic fly over dramatic fjords and hidden alpine lakes
  • 🥾 Hike the world-famous Milford Track through lush rainforest
  • 🛥️ Cruise through majestic Milford Sound and spot playful dolphins
Peneda-Gerês National Park
Portugal's Only National Park Paradise
7.5
Peneda-Geres protects Portugal's only national park, tucked into its rugged northern border. Ancient granite villages here still use community grain stores called espigueiros. Visitors can hike trails past waterfalls and free roaming wild garrano ponies. Roman roads built two thousand years ago cross sections of the park.
Highlights:
  • 📸 Capture breathtaking vistas from Miradouro da Pedra Bela
  • 💦 Experience the thrill of canyoning through waterfalls and ravines
  • 🥾 Hike the lush trails of Peneda-Gerês and explore hidden lagoons
Redwood National Park
Home of the World’s Tallest Trees
8.3
Redwood protects some of the tallest trees on Earth, some reaching over 350 feet. Coast redwoods here can live for more than 2,000 years. Visitors can walk among ancient groves along the Tall Trees Grove trail. Fog rolling in from the Pacific helps supply moisture to the towering trees.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Walk the scenic Karl Knapp Trail near Big Tree Wayside
  • 🍃 Explore Fern Canyon’s prehistoric fern-covered walls
  • 🌲 Hike the Tall Trees Grove, home to towering redwoods
Durmitor National Park
Montenegro’s Wild Peaks and Deep Canyons
7.6
Durmitor protects jagged limestone peaks and glacial lakes across northern Montenegro. Tara River Canyon, Europe's deepest gorge, cuts along the park's northern edge. Visitors can raft the Tara's rapids or hike towards the Black Lake. Wolves and brown bears still roam through the park's remote forested slopes.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Explore glacial Black Lake and its serene mountain surroundings
  • 🌄 Walk the edge of Tara River Canyon, Europe’s deepest gorge
  • ⛰️ Hike to Bobotov Kuk, Durmitor's highest peak
Khao Yai National Park
Wild Elephants, Waterfalls and Jungle Trails
7.1
Khao Yai protects one of Thailand's largest remaining stretches of intact forest terrain. Wild elephants and gibbons move through the park's mixed jungle terrain. Visitors can hike marked trails leading past waterfalls and open grassland. The park earned recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlights:
  • 🦅 Climb Nong Phak Chi observation tower for wildlife views
  • 🐘 Spot wild elephants and gibbons in the dense forest
  • 🌊 Hike to the stunning Haew Narok Waterfall viewpoint
Namib-Naukluft National Park
Endless Dunes and Desert Drama
8.2
Namib-Naukluft protects Sossusvlei, a white clay pan ringed by towering red sand dunes. Dead camelthorn trees stand blackened against the pan's pale cracked surface. Visitors can climb Dune 45 for sunrise views across the surrounding desert. The Namib is considered among the oldest deserts on Earth.
Highlights:
  • 🧗 Hike Sesriem Canyon’s narrow rock walls and riverbed
  • 🌵 Explore the eerie Dead Vlei clay pan and ancient trees
  • 🌅 Climb Big Daddy dune for sunrise and desert views
South Luangwa National Park
Walking Safaris and Wild Encounters
8.0
South Luangwa is credited with pioneering the walking safari across Africa in the 1950s. The Luangwa River winds through the park, drawing wildlife to its banks. Visitors can join guided walks led by armed rangers tracking animals on foot. Leopards here are considered unusually easy to spot compared to other reserves.
Highlights:
  • 🦜 Spot over 400 bird species in diverse habitats
  • 🚶‍♂️ Experience walking safaris guided by expert rangers
  • 🦁 Go on thrilling game drives to see the Big Five
Addo Elephant National Park
Big Five Safari in Malaria-Free Wilds
7.1
Addo protects one of Africa's densest elephant populations, numbering well over 600 animals. The park grew from just eleven surviving elephants protected here in the 1930s. Visitors can watch herds gather at waterholes visible from several rest camps. Dung beetles here even have their own protected road crossing signs.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Explore hiking trails with panoramic views of the park
  • 🐘 Observe the famous large elephant herds roaming freely
  • 🦁 Go on guided game drives to see the Big Five
Tarangire National Park
Elephant Paradise with Baobab Backdrops
8.0
Tarangire holds one of Africa's largest concentrations of baobab trees. Elephant herds gather along the Tarangire River especially during the dry season. Visitors can spot large herds moving between scattered watering holes. The park sees far fewer visitors than nearby Serengeti despite its dense wildlife.
Highlights:
  • 🌳 Watch baobab trees glow under golden evening light
  • 🦁 Take a guided safari to witness the Big Five
  • 🐘 Spot herds of majestic elephants near the Tarangire River
El Yunque National Forest
Tropical rainforest paradise in Caribbean
7.7
El Yunque is a rare tropical rainforest managed within the US National Forest System. Waterfalls cascade through dense forest across Puerto Rico's northeastern mountains. Visitors can hike to La Mina Falls for a swim beneath the cascade. Coqui frogs fill the forest with their distinctive nighttime call.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Explore El Yunque Peak trail, a challenging rainforest hike
  • 🌄 Climb Mt. Britton Tower for panoramic rainforest views
  • 🌊 Hike to the stunning La Mina Falls and swim
Chitwan National Park
Wild Rhinos and Jungle Adventures
7.5
Chitwan protects one of Nepal's last strongholds for the greater one horned rhino. Dense sal forest and grassland stretch along the Rapti River's floodplain. Visitors can take canoe rides to spot crocodiles basking along the riverbank. Royal Bengal tigers also roam through the park's protected core zone.
Highlights:
  • 🐘 Watch elephants bathe and play in the river
  • 🚣‍♂️ Ride a canoe along the Rapti River at dawn
  • 🦏 Take a jungle safari to spot rare one-horned rhinos
Hwange National Park
Elephant Herds and Wild Horizons
7.6
Hwange holds Zimbabwe's largest elephant population, numbering in the tens of thousands. Artificial waterholes here support wildlife through the region's long dry season. Visitors can watch large herds gather at pumped waterholes during peak dry months. Painted dogs, one of Africa's most endangered predators, still roam the park.
Highlights:
  • 🐘 Watch elephants gather at the popular waterholes
  • 🚶‍♂️ Join guided walking safaris for close wildlife encounters
  • 🚙 Go on thrilling game drives to spot the Big Five
Canaima National Park
Tepui Peaks and Angel Falls Wonder
7.7
Canaima protects Angel Falls, the tallest uninterrupted waterfall in the world. Water drops nearly a kilometre from the edge of a flat topped tepui mountain. Visitors can reach the falls only by canoe and a forest hike. Table top mountains here inspired the floating peaks in the film Up.
Highlights:
  • 🗻 Explore the unique tabletop mountains called tepuis
  • ⛰️ Hike the summit of Auyantepuy tepui for breathtaking views
  • 🌊 See Angel Falls, the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall
Pirin National Park
Alpine Peaks, Glacial Lakes, Wild Beauty
7.8
Pirin protects sharp granite peaks and glacial lakes across southwestern Bulgaria. Ancient Bosnian pine trees within the park can live for over a thousand years. Visitors can hike past Vihren, Bulgaria's second tallest mountain, along marked trails. Glacial cirques carved during past ice ages dot the higher elevations.
Highlights:
  • 💧 Relax beside crystal-clear glacial lakes like Bezbog
  • 🥾 Hike the thrilling Koncheto Ridge with spectacular views
  • ⛰️ Conquer Vihren Peak, Bulgaria’s second-highest mountain
Amboseli National Park
Elephants Against Kilimanjaro's Backdrop
7.9
Amboseli offers some of Africa's clearest views of Mount Kilimanjaro across the plains. Herds of elephants move freely between swamps fed by the mountain's underground water. Visitors can photograph elephants with the snow capped peak rising behind them. Dried lake beds here once formed part of a much larger ancient lake.
Highlights:
  • 📸 Photograph flamingos and pelicans at Amboseli’s shimmering lakes
  • 🌅 Take a sunrise safari and spot lions, zebras, and giraffes
  • 🐘 Watch herds of elephants roam with Mount Kilimanjaro as backdrop
Okavango Delta
Africa’s Uncharted Water Wilderness
8.0
The Okavango Delta forms where a desert river spreads into a vast inland floodplain. Seasonal flooding transforms dry channels into a maze of waterways each year. Visitors can glide through reed lined channels aboard traditional mokoro canoes. Elephants and lions both depend heavily on the delta's shifting waters.
Highlights:
  • 🦜 Spot diverse bird species during dedicated birding tours
  • 🛶 Glide silently through waterways in a traditional mokoro
  • 🦁 Explore the wildlife on guided 4x4 safari drives
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Fuji, Hakone, Izu and volcanic islands
8.8
Mount Fuji rises as Japan's tallest peak within this sprawling national park. Five lakes near the mountain's base offer classic reflection views on calm days. Visitors can climb the volcano during its short official summer climbing season. The park also protects hot spring towns and a stretch of Pacific coastline.
Highlights:
  • 🥚 Explore volcanic vents and black eggs at Owakudani
  • ♨️ Relax in Hakone’s renowned hot spring baths
  • 🗻 Climb iconic Mount Fuji for sunrise views
Wulingyuan nature reserve
Misty Peaks of Avatar Fame
7.5
Wulingyuan holds thousands of narrow sandstone pillars that inspired scenery in the film Avatar. Glass walkways here stretch across cliff faces hundreds of metres above the valley floor. Visitors can ride a glass lift built directly into the side of a cliff. Mist often settles between the pillars, adding to their otherworldly appearance.
Highlights:
  • 🦇 Explore the mystical Yellow Dragon Cave with its formations
  • 🥾 Hike the Golden Whip Stream through sandstone peaks
  • 🚡 Ride the world's highest Bailong Elevator at Yuanjiajie
Kaziranga National Park
Land of Rhinos and Wild Grasslands
7.5
Kaziranga shelters roughly two thirds of the world's remaining one horned rhinos. Tall elephant grass and marshland stretch across the park's floodplain. Visitors can ride elephants or jeeps to spot rhinos grazing at close range. Annual monsoon floods actually help sustain the park's grassland ecosystem.
Highlights:
  • 🚙 Join a jeep safari to explore the diverse wildlife
  • 🦏 Spot the majestic one-horned rhinoceros in its natural habitat
  • 🐘 Embark on an exhilarating elephant safari in Kaziranga
Cairngorms National Park
Scotland’s Wild Heart of Adventure
8.1
The Cairngorms hold the largest area of arctic tundra found in Britain. Ancient Caledonian pine forest survives in scattered pockets across the park. Visitors can spot reindeer, reintroduced here after centuries of local extinction. Ski lifts operate on the higher slopes during Scotland's snowy winter months.
Highlights:
  • 🏰 Explore historic Balmoral Castle and royal estate
  • 🐾 Visit Highland Wildlife Park for rare Scottish animals
  • 🏞️ Hike to Loch an Eilein with its 13th-century castle
Shiretoko National Park
Brown bears and drift ice in Hokkaido
8.3
Shiretoko protects a remote peninsula where brown bears roam largely undisturbed. Drift ice from the Sea of Okhotsk reaches this coastline each winter. Visitors can cruise the shoreline to spot bears fishing along the rocky edge. The park earned recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Hike to Kamuiwakka Hot Falls and soak feet
  • 🛥️ Take a wildlife boat cruise to see bears
  • 🌲 Walk the scenic Shiretoko Five Lakes boardwalk
Huanglong National Park
China's Colorful Terraced Wonderland
7.0
Huanglong protects terraced pools of mineral rich water in shades of blue and green. Calcium deposits built up over centuries to form the pools' distinct colours. Visitors can walk boardwalks winding past hundreds of these terraced ponds. Snow capped peaks rise above the valley through much of the year.
Highlights:
  • 🏯 Admire Huanglong Temple set amid alpine landscapes
  • 🥾 Walk the scenic boardwalk to Wucai Pond viewpoint
  • 🏞️ Marvel at the colorful travertine pools terrace formations
Big Cypress National Preserve
Florida's wild swamp wilderness experience
7.5
Big Cypress protects a swamp forest bordering the Florida Everglades to the north. Bald cypress trees draped in Spanish moss rise from shallow standing water. Visitors can paddle canoe trails winding through cypress domes and open prairie. Florida panthers, among the most endangered cats in the world, roam this preserve.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Paddle through mangrove tunnels on a guided kayak trip
  • 🐊 Spot alligators and wading birds along the Loop Road
  • 🛻 Take a swamp buggy tour through the cypress landscape
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Pristine lakes, untouched wilderness paradise
8.4
The Boundary Waters protects over a thousand lakes connected by portage trails. Motorised boats are banned across most of the wilderness area. Visitors can paddle for days without crossing a single road or building. Wolves and loons are commonly heard calling across the water at night.
Highlights:
  • 💧 Discover waterfalls like Devil’s Cascade and Johnson Falls
  • 🥾 Hike to Eagle Mountain, Minnesota’s highest point
  • 🛶 Go on an overnight canoe camping trip through lakes
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
Amazon wilderness teeming with life
8.1
Cuyabeno protects flooded Amazon rainforest crossed by winding black water rivers. Pink river dolphins surface regularly along the reserve's slow moving waterways. Visitors can paddle canoes through flooded forest to spot monkeys and caimans. Indigenous communities within the reserve still practice traditional fishing methods each season.
Highlights:
  • 🐬 Spot pink dolphins swimming in the lagoons
  • 🛶 Take a canoe ride on serene waterways
  • 🌳 Explore dense jungle trails with expert guides
Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve
Colorful lakes in Tibetan mountains
7.8
Jiuzhaigou takes its name from nine Tibetan villages scattered throughout the valley. Mineral rich lakes here glow in shades of turquoise and deep green. Visitors can walk boardwalks past waterfalls cascading between terraced pools. Snow capped peaks and colourful autumn foliage frame the valley each October.
Highlights:
  • 📸 Capture perfect reflections at Mirror Lake early morning
  • 💧 Walk the boardwalk above Pearl Shoal Waterfall
  • 🌈 Admire the vibrant hues at Five Flower Lake
Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
Ancient Maya Ruins in Pristine Jungle
7.7
Calakmul protects Maya ruins hidden within one of Mexico's largest tracts of rainforest. Twin pyramids here once served as the centre of a powerful ancient city. Visitors can climb temple structures rising above the surrounding jungle canopy. Howler monkeys and jaguars still roam through the dense reserve today.
Highlights:
  • 🐦 Join birdwatching tours for over 300 species
  • 🌳 Explore dense jungle trails with diverse wildlife sightings
  • 🗿 Climb ancient Mayan pyramids in Calakmul ruins
Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park
Barrier of spears touching sky
7.7
The Drakensberg escarpment forms a wall of basalt cliffs along South Africa's eastern border. San rock art found in caves throughout the park dates back thousands of years. Visitors can hike towards Amphitheatre, a curved cliff face nearly five kilometres wide. Tugela Falls, among the world's tallest waterfalls, drops from the escarpment's edge.
Highlights:
  • 🦅 Spot eland and bearded vultures soaring above valleys
  • 🖼️ Explore ancient San rock art at Giants Castle Reserve
  • 🥾 Hike the Giants Cup Trail through breathtaking mountain scenery
Wadi Rum
Valley of the moon's timeless magic
8.1
Wadi Rum protects a desert valley of red sand framed by towering sandstone cliffs. Ancient rock carvings left by early travellers survive on the canyon walls. Visitors can ride camels or 4x4 vehicles across the vast open desert. The valley served as a filming location for several major science fiction movies.
Highlights:
  • 🏕️ Spend a night in a traditional Bedouin desert camp
  • 🏂 Sandboard down giant red sand dunes for adrenaline rush
  • 🚙 Take a thrilling 4x4 jeep tour through vast desert landscapes
Wadden Sea
World's largest tidal flats ecosystem
8.1
The Wadden Sea forms the largest unbroken system of tidal flats in the world. Twice daily tides expose vast mudflats stretching along three countries' coastlines. Visitors can join guided mudflat walks called wadlopen across the exposed seabed. Millions of migratory birds stop here each year to rest and feed.
Highlights:
  • 🦭 Visit the Wadden Sea Seal Sanctuary to see rescued seals
  • 🦅 Observe millions of migratory birds resting and feeding
  • 🚶‍♂️ Walk on mudflats during low tide with a guide
Danxiashan World Geopark
China’s Red Cliffs and Legends
6.7
Danxiashan protects red sandstone formations shaped by millions of years of erosion. Steep cliffs and canyons here inspired the term Danxia used for this landform globally. Visitors can walk elevated boardwalks past columns and natural stone arches. The park earned recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.
Highlights:
  • 🌁 Walk the Cloud Platform Path suspended above deep gorges
  • 📸 Photograph the striking layered rock formations at sunrise
  • 🧗‍♂️ Hike to the Red Stone Peaks for iconic Danxia views
Bandhavgarh National Park
Tiger territory in ancient forests
7.2
Bandhavgarh holds one of India's highest densities of wild Bengal tigers. A ruined hilltop fort overlooks the park's forests and grasslands below. Visitors can join jeep safaris that regularly spot tigers along forest tracks. Ancient rock cut caves within the park date back over two thousand years.
Highlights:
  • 🦚 Spot leopards, deer, and exotic birds at sunrise
  • 🏰 Climb to Bandhavgarh Fort and explore ancient ruins
  • 🐅 Go on a tiger safari through the Tala zone
Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park
Where volcanoes meet ancient traditions
6.5
Mount Bromo smokes steadily inside a vast volcanic caldera called the Sea of Sand. Sunrise viewpoints overlook the smoking crater surrounded by ash coloured plains. Visitors can ride horses across the caldera floor towards the volcano's base. Mount Semeru, Java's tallest peak, erupts periodically in the distance.
Highlights:
  • 🐎 Explore the vast Sea of Sand and ride across it on horseback
  • ⛰️ Climb Mount Semeru, Java's highest peak, on an adventurous trek
  • 🌅 Witness the sunrise from Penanjakan Hill for breathtaking views
Chapada Diamantina National Park
Waterfalls, Caves and Diamond History
7.7
Chapada Diamantina takes its name from diamonds once mined across the region. Waterfalls plunge from tabletop mountains into clear natural swimming pools below. Visitors can hike to Poco Encantado, a cave pool lit by shafts of sunlight. Sandstone plateaus here rise dramatically above the surrounding Bahia countryside.
Highlights:
  • 🕳️ Explore the vast Lapa Doce Cave with guided tours
  • 💧 Swim in the crystal-clear waters of Poço Azul
  • ⛰️ Hike to the top of Morro do Pai Inácio for panoramic views
Craters of the Moon National Monument
Otherworldly volcanic landscape on Earth
7.7
Craters of the Moon preserves a vast field of hardened lava flows in Idaho. Volcanic eruptions here occurred as recently as 2,000 years ago. Visitors can walk across cooled black basalt and explore lava tube caves. Astronauts trained here in the 1960s to prepare for lunar missions.
Highlights:
  • 🚗 Drive and stop along the 7-mile scenic Loop Road
  • 🦇 Explore lava tube caves with a free permit
  • ⛰️ Hike to the top of Inferno Cone for panoramic views
Daisetsuzan National Park
Japan's largest national park, in Hokkaido
8.3
Daisetsuzan spans Hokkaido's largest national park, centred on a cluster of volcanic peaks. Autumn colour here arrives earlier than almost anywhere else in Japan. Visitors can soak in remote hot springs reachable only by hiking trail. Brown bears roam freely through much of the park's dense forest.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Soak in natural hot springs at Asahidake Onsen
  • ⛰️ Hike to Mt. Asahi summit, Hokkaido's highest peak
  • 🚠 Ride Asahidake Ropeway to scenic Sugatami Plateau
Great Basin National Park
Ancient trees, caves and starry skies
7.8
Great Basin protects ancient bristlecone pines, among the oldest living trees on Earth. Some specimens here have survived for more than 4,000 years. Visitors can tour Lehman Caves, a limestone cavern beneath the park's surface. Dark skies here rank among the clearest for stargazing in the country.
Highlights:
  • 🌌 Stargaze under one of America’s darkest skies
  • 🕳️ Explore the stunning Lehman Caves with a guided tour
  • 🥾 Hike to the summit of Wheeler Peak
Jotunheimen
Home of giants and glaciers
8.5
Jotunheimen takes its name from the Old Norse for home of the giants. Norway's tallest peaks, Galdhopiggen and Glittertind, both rise within this range. Visitors can hike multi day routes connecting remote mountain huts across the terrain. Glaciers here feed rivers that carve dramatic valleys below the peaks.
Highlights:
  • ⛺ Camp under the stars beside Gjende Lake
  • 🏔️ Summit Norway’s highest peak, Galdhøpiggen, for sweeping views
  • 🥾 Hike the majestic Besseggen Ridge between turquoise lakes
Kamikochi
Clear river valley beneath the Hotaka Range
8.5
Kamikochi stays closed to private vehicles, accessible only by shuttle bus or on foot. The Azusa River runs clear beneath the towering Hodaka mountain range. Visitors can walk flat riverside trails suited to casual hikers of any level. Japanese macaques are occasionally spotted along the valley's forested edges.
Highlights:
  • 🍂 Admire autumn foliage along Kamikochi’s forest trails
  • 🗻 Hike to Myojin Pond surrounded by sacred mountains
  • 🌉 Walk the scenic Kappa Bridge overlooking the Azusa River
Kanha National Park
Tiger paradise in magical wilderness
7.6
Kanha helped inspire the setting of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. Sal forests and open meadows here support a healthy population of Bengal tigers. Visitors can join jeep safaris tracking tigers across the park's grasslands. Barasingha deer, once nearly extinct, have recovered here through conservation efforts.
Highlights:
  • 🦜 Join a guided birdwatching tour through the sal forest
  • 🦌 Observe barasingha deer grazing in open meadows
  • 🐅 Spot Bengal tigers on an early morning jungle safari
Katmai National Park
Bears, salmon and volcanic wonders
7.2
Katmai hosts one of the world's largest gatherings of brown bears each summer. Bears fish for salmon leaping up Brooks Falls during the annual run. Visitors can watch from viewing platforms built just above the churning water. The park also protects a valley formed by a massive 1912 volcanic eruption.
Highlights:
  • 🌋 Explore volcanic landscapes shaped by past eruptions
  • 🚁 Fly over the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
  • 🐻 Watch brown bears catch salmon at Brooks Falls
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Where predators rule the Kalahari
6.9
Kgalagadi spans the border between South Africa and Botswana without any fences. Red sand dunes stretch across this arid stretch of the Kalahari Desert. Visitors can spot black maned lions adapted to the harsh desert environment. Dry riverbeds here occasionally fill after rare seasonal rains.
Highlights:
  • 📸 Capture dramatic desert landscapes bursting with life after rain
  • 🦌 Spot springboks and gemsboks on sunset game drives
  • 🦁 Watch black-maned lions roam the red dunes at sunrise
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Otherworldly dunes with turquoise lagoons
6.9
Lencois Maranhenses holds white sand dunes that fill with rainwater each year. Turquoise pools form between the dunes during the rainy season months. Visitors can swim in these temporary lagoons before they evaporate by autumn. The park's name translates roughly to bed sheets, describing its rippled dunes.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Watch the sunrise reflect on the mesmerizing lagoons
  • 🚙 Take a thrilling 4x4 ride across the vast dunes
  • 💧 Swim in the turquoise lagoons after a hot dune trek
Los Glaciares National Park
Where glaciers meet towering peaks
8.4
Los Glaciares protects Perito Moreno, one of the few glaciers still advancing worldwide. Massive chunks of ice regularly calve into the lake with a thunderous crack. Visitors can walk boardwalks positioned for close views of the glacier's face. Mount Fitz Roy rises sharply above the park's forests further north.
Highlights:
  • 🛥️ Take a boat tour on Lago Argentino to glaciers
  • 🥾 Trek Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre trails
  • 🚶‍♀️ Walk along the Perito Moreno Glacier boardwalks
Mammoth Cave National Park
World's Longest Known Cave System
7.6
Mammoth Cave holds the longest known cave system on Earth, mapped past 400 miles. New passages continue being discovered and surveyed within the cave network. Visitors can join guided tours through massive underground chambers and tight passages. Blind cave fish live in the cave's dark underground streams.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Paddle the Green River through forested limestone valleys
  • 🕯️ Take a guided lantern tour through historic cave routes
  • 🕳️ Explore the vast underground chambers of Mammoth Cave
Manú National Park
Pristine Amazon biodiversity wonderland
7.3
Manu protects one of the most biodiverse regions found anywhere in the Amazon. Elevation changes across the park support everything from cloud forest to lowland jungle. Visitors can spot macaws gathered at clay licks along the riverbank. Isolated indigenous communities within the park have little contact with outsiders.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Cruise down the Madre de Dios River at sunrise
  • 🦜 Spot macaws and toucans at a clay lick hide
  • 🌿 Take a guided jungle trek through the Amazon rainforest
Pantanal Matogrossense National Park
World's largest tropical wetland paradise
7.6
The Pantanal forms the world's largest tropical wetland, far exceeding the Amazon in wildlife density. Jaguars here are spotted more reliably than almost anywhere else on Earth. Visitors can take boat safaris along rivers thick with caimans and capybaras. Seasonal flooding shapes nearly every aspect of the wetland's ecosystem.
Highlights:
  • 🐎 Experience horseback riding across flooded plains and trails
  • 🛶 Take a boat tour through the Pantanal’s winding waterways
  • 🐆 Join a guided wildlife safari to spot elusive jaguars
Simien National Park
Jagged peaks of ancient wilderness
7.4
Simien Mountains protect jagged peaks carved by erosion over millions of years. Gelada baboons, found nowhere else on Earth, gather in large troops here. Visitors can hike ridgelines with sheer drops falling thousands of feet below. Walia ibex, a rare mountain goat, cling to the park's steep cliffs.
Highlights:
  • 🌄 Witness breathtaking sunrise views over the escarpments
  • 🐒 Spot Gelada monkeys grazing on the mountain plateaus
  • 🥾 Hike to the dramatic cliffs and peaks of Ras Dashen
Similan Islands
Thailand's underwater paradise
7.1
Similan Islands National Park protects nine granite islands off Thailand's Andaman coast. Coral reefs here rank among the healthiest found anywhere in the country. Visitors can dive alongside manta rays and reef sharks in clear water. The park closes seasonally to let marine ecosystems recover from visitor traffic.
Highlights:
  • 🌄 Climb Sail Rock for panoramic island views
  • 🏖️ Relax on the white sand of Donald Duck Bay
  • 🤿 Dive among colorful coral reefs and tropical fish
Sossusvlei
Towering red dunes meet white clay
7.5
Sossusvlei holds a white clay pan trapped between some of the world's tallest sand dunes. Dead camelthorn trees have stood blackened here for over 600 years without decaying. Visitors can climb Big Daddy dune for sweeping views across the desert floor. The extreme dryness of the area preserves the ancient trees almost perfectly.
Highlights:
  • 🏜️ Marvel at the red dunes contrasting the deep blue sky
  • 📸 Visit Deadvlei and photograph the ancient camelthorn trees
  • 🌅 Climb Dune 45 at sunrise for breathtaking desert views
Tayrona National Park
Where Jungle Meets Turquoise Caribbean
7.5
Tayrona protects both dense rainforest and rocky Caribbean coastline in one park. Indigenous Kogi communities still consider parts of this land sacred territory. Visitors can hike through jungle before reaching secluded coves along the coast. Ancient stone terraces built by earlier civilisations survive within the park's boundaries.
Highlights:
  • 🦜 Spot howler monkeys and exotic birds along forest paths
  • 🌴 Swim in crystal-clear Caribbean waters surrounded by palm trees
  • 🏝️ Hike through jungle trails to the stunning Cabo San Juan beach
Voyageurs National Park
Watery wilderness of northern Minnesota
8.0
Voyageurs takes its name from French Canadian fur traders who once paddled these waterways. Roughly forty percent of the park's area is covered by interconnected lakes. Visitors can explore mainly by canoe or boat rather than by road. Northern lights are visible here on clear nights away from city lights.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Paddle a canoe through the peaceful waterways and explore wildlife
  • 🌌 Witness the breathtaking northern lights over pristine lakes
  • 🚣‍♂️ Explore hidden islands by boat and camp overnight
Waterton Glacier International Peace Park
Where two nations preserve wilderness
8.9
Waterton-Glacier spans the US-Canada border as the world's first international peace park. Glacially carved valleys connect turquoise lakes on both sides of the boundary. Visitors can drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road across dramatic mountain passes. Grizzly bears and mountain goats roam freely across this shared wilderness.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Canoe or kayak on serene Waterton Lake
  • 🚗 Drive the scenic Red Rock Canyon Road
  • 🥾 Hike the challenging Crypt Lake Trail with stunning views
North York Moors
Heather moorlands meet rugged coastline
8.1
North York Moors holds one of England's largest expanses of heather moorland. Purple blooms cover the hillsides each August during peak flowering season. Visitors can ride a heritage steam railway through the park's forested valleys. Whitby's coastline nearby inspired parts of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula.
Highlights:
  • 🚶‍♂️ Walk the scenic Cleveland Way coastal trail
  • 🏰 Explore the ancient ruins of Rievaulx Abbey
  • 🚂 Ride the historic steam train from Pickering to Whitby
Tanjung Puting National Park
Orangutan paradise in Borneo jungle
7.3
Tanjung Puting protects rainforest home to one of the largest wild orangutan populations. Rivers wind through peat swamp forest across the park's interior. Visitors can cruise slow wooden boats called klotoks to spot orangutans feeding. Camp Leakey within the park has studied orangutan behaviour since the 1970s.
Highlights:
  • 🌳 Explore the lush rainforest on guided jungle treks
  • 🛶 Take a traditional klotok boat tour along Sekonyer River
  • 🦧 Observe wild orangutans at Camp Leakey feeding stations
Morne Trois Pitons National Park
Volcanic wonders in pristine rainforest
8.0
Morne Trois Pitons protects Dominica's volcanic interior, named for three jagged peaks. Boiling Lake, a flooded fumarole, steams within the park's remote backcountry. Visitors can hike a demanding trail to view the bubbling grey blue lake. The park earned recognition as the Caribbean's first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlights:
  • 💦 Explore the twin Trafalgar Falls and natural hot springs
  • 🏞️ Swim beneath the 50-foot cascading Emerald Pool waterfall
  • 🌋 Hike the challenging trail to the Boiling Lake
Kaieteur National Park
World's Most Powerful Single-Drop Waterfall
7.7
Kaieteur Falls drops in a single sheer plunge nearly five times the height of Niagara. Guyana's dense rainforest surrounds the falls on nearly every side. Visitors can reach the falls only by small aircraft or a multi day trek. Golden frogs unique to this area live inside giant bromeliad plants nearby.
Highlights:
  • 🐦 Spot rare Guianan cock-of-the-rock bird nearby
  • 🥾 Hike rainforest trails to panoramic waterfall viewpoints
  • 🌊 Witness the majestic Kaieteur Falls, tallest single-drop
Setonaikai National Park
Island seascapes, bridges and art islands
8.2
Setonaikai protects Japan's Inland Sea, dotted with hundreds of small islands. Naoshima, one island within the park, has become known for large scale outdoor art. Visitors can island hop by ferry between contemporary art museums and quiet fishing villages. Cherry blossoms and citrus groves line many of the smaller islands each spring.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Witness the powerful whirlpools of Naruto Strait
  • 🖼️ Explore contemporary art on Naoshima and Teshima islands
  • 🚴‍♂️ Cycle the scenic Shimanami Kaido bridge route
Kerama Shoto National Park
Kerama blue seas, coral and whales
8.4
Kerama Shoto protects a cluster of islands known for exceptionally clear surrounding water. Coral reefs here support one of Japan's healthiest marine ecosystems. Visitors can snorkel or dive among sea turtles in the shallow reef waters. Humpback whales pass through nearby channels during the winter breeding season.
Highlights:
  • 🐢 Spot sea turtles while diving around Tokashiki Island
  • 🛶 Take a scenic glass-bottom boat tour over turquoise waters
  • 🤿 Snorkel among vibrant coral reefs and tropical fish
Chūbu-Sangaku National Park
Northern Alps peaks, snow walls and onsen
8.5
Chubu Sangaku protects the Japanese Alps, home to peaks rising above 3,000 metres. Kamikochi, a valley within the park, offers flat trails suited to casual hikers. Visitors can hike more demanding routes towards Yarigatake's sharp summit. Japanese macaques are occasionally spotted bathing in the park's hot springs.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Soak in natural hot springs surrounded by mountain scenery
  • 🏔️ Climb Mount Hotaka or Mount Yari for panoramic views
  • 🥾 Hike through the dramatic alpine landscapes of Kamikōchi Valley
Aso-Kuju National Park
Giant caldera, active volcano and highlands
8.1
Aso-Kuju protects Mount Aso, whose caldera ranks among the largest volcanic craters on Earth. Grassland stretches across much of the caldera floor between smoking peaks. Visitors can drive across the caldera or ride a cable car towards the crater rim. Controlled burns each spring help maintain the park's open grassland habitat.
Highlights:
  • 🐎 Ride horseback across the grasslands of Kusasenri Plateau
  • 🥾 Hike the Kuju Mountains for sweeping views of lush valleys
  • 🌋 Peer into Mount Aso’s active volcanic crater and feel the heat
Iguazú National Park and Reserve
Epic Waterfalls and Wild Rainforest
7.9
Iguazu Falls spans nearly 275 individual waterfalls along the Argentina-Brazil border. Devil's Throat, the tallest section, drops water with a constant deafening roar. Visitors can walk elevated catwalks positioned just above the thundering falls. Rainbows form regularly in the mist rising from the crashing water below.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Walk the Upper Circuit trail to view multiple cascading waterfalls
  • 🛶 Take a jungle boat ride through the mist of the falls
  • 🌊 Stand before the breathtaking Iguazú Falls at Devil’s Throat
Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park
Japan's largest karst plateau with caves
6.8
Akiyoshidai protects Japan's largest karst plateau, dotted with limestone pinnacles across open grassland. Beneath the surface, Akiyoshido cave stretches for over ten kilometres through the rock. Visitors can walk lit pathways past underground pools and towering stalactites. Controlled burns each spring keep the plateau's grassland from turning to forest.
Highlights:
  • 🔥 Witness the spectacular grass-burning festival (Yamayaki) every February
  • 🥾 Hike the karst plateau trails with stunning limestone pillars
  • 🕯️ Explore Akiyoshido Cave, Japan’s largest limestone cave
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