Beautiful Forests
Perfect for walking, bird watching and observing the change of the seasons.
Arashiyama Genrokuzancho, Ukyō-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 616-0007, Japan
In western Kyoto, there is a very large forest of bamboo. As you can see in the photo, the shoots grow very tall, making those who stroll by look quite small. I'm sure there are times when this road is crowded, but when we were there, people were...
Angkor, Cambodia
Visitng Ta Prohm feels like you are rediscovering a lost kingdom being reclaimed by the forest. The trick is to go to Ta Prohm first, while everyone else is at Angkor Wat, and explore the crumbling ruins alone.
Calacalí, Ecuador
Book a suite at Mashpi Lodge and you can spot howler monkeys, sloths, butterflies, and hundreds of bird species from your Philippe Starck bathtub-with-a-view. Opened in April 2012 on the 3,000-acre Mashpi Biodiversity Reserve, the lodge has...
Hawaii, USA
Witnessing the sunrise from the summit of this otherworldly national park is on many a bucket list--and for good reason. At just over 10,000 feet, the volcanic Haleakalā resembles Mars. There are species of plants, including the spindly...
Lover's Ln, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
If you are looking for a great walk in San Francisco, try the Presidio National Park. Lover's Lane is a nice one to start with. If you drive, just after entering the southeastern gate (Presidio Blvd. Gate), you can make a left and park your car in...
Presidio Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
Artist Andy Goldsworthy's Wooden Line meanders its way through a grove of Eucalyptus in the Presidio, inviting all to take off shoes and balance beam through the forest. The sculpture, formed from the trunks of eucalyptus, gently curves its way...
Grenoble, France
Early October mornings, after a few days of rain, are perfect for collecting wild mushrooms in the mountain forests just minutes away from Grenoble. A local friend guided me to his secret spots and taught me where to look, and we came back with...
White Mountain Rd, Bishop, CA 93514, USA
The Bristlecone Pine Forest high up in the White Mountains of California has got to be experienced to be believed. Some trees can live for around 5000 years. And even after they die, the tree trunks can stay for another five thousand years. So...
65670 US-26, Welches, OR 97067, USA
On Route 26 to Mount Hood, keep an eye out for the brightly painted sign ushering travelers into the Wildwood Recreation Area. Full of idyllic picnic sites surrounded by trees blanketed in Spanish moss and the lively Salmon River, the day-use area...
Main Ridge, Trinidad and Tobago
Main Ride Forest Reserve was established on April 13, 1776, as is on record as the “oldest legally protected forest reserve geared specifically towards a conservation purpose.” It encompasses 9,780 acres of rainforest, and is home to about 220 to...
80-1 Motohakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken 250-0522, Japan
Just a stone’s throw from Lake Ashi at the foot of Mt. Fuji lies Hakone Jinja, a wonderfully old Shinto shrine nestled among the forests that dot the surrounding hinterlands. The tree-lined approach by foot through the red torii gate lends a...
2400 US-101, Yachats, OR 97498, USA
It was eerie at first, almost scary, stepping into this dense world alone, but the forest opened its arms to me. As I followed the winding path, my bravery grew. I was alone here, in the thick coastal Oregon forest. The earth beneath my shoes was...
Egmont, BC V0N 1N0, Canada
A post about Skookumhcuck Narrows seems like it should be focused on the amazing body of water at the end of the trail, but our timing was off and we missed the impressive ebb and flow for the day. If you're up and around the Sunshine Coast,...
Smith Rock, Oregon, USA
Crater Lake may get all the press but Smith Rock is a worthy rival for Central Oregon's greatest viewpoint. The two are separated by a 2.5 hour drive and thus easily experienced in the same day. The view from Smith Rock's parking lot alone is...
KM18, Jalan Telupid Tongod, Kinabatangan, Sabah, Malaysia
On our way to the BRL in Danum Valley with Wildland Adventures, we witnessed 3-foot Small-Clawed River otters undulating across the road, Red leaf monkeys flying through the trees, a galloping Bearded Pig, a group of Pygmy elephants blocking the...
21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA 95006, USA
Upon arrival at Big Basin State Park, the ranger hands you a small piece of paper with check boxes. Each carload needs to check where they will be hiking and list their equipment. The sheet is placed on their dashboard in case the car remains...
1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941, USA
Just 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge is Muir Woods National Monument, a 554-acre park; old-growth coast redwoods, the tallest trees in the world, cover 295 of those acres. Peaceful and lush, the forest is ideal for simply communing with...
Jin'an, Fuzhou, China
This pretty park is easy to get to, just 30 minutes from central Fuzhou. There are so many things to do here: visit the aviary, walk through the bamboo forest, ride the giant slide. If you have time, shop for fresh food at the market and bring it...
Andros Island, The Bahamas
Treks, hikes, and walks aren’t top of mind when it comes to the Bahamas, but nearly every island has a network of trails that offer visitors a unique look at the interior. The Bimini Nature Hiking Trail is an easily-accessed network that puts...
Wife and I wanted to see the biggest trees in North America. This led us to the northern part of California. We had read about the elusive and secretive Grove of Titans online and hoped to find it! After much research and exploration our efforts...
Ardennes, France
There is no better place in Belgium, for observing the change of the season, than the Ardennes region. Right now a lot of the trees look like they are on fire. A gorgeous sight. Ardennes region is a very foresty area filled with chestnuts trees,...
7070 Le Roeulx, Belgium
In spring, lots of forests in Belgium get covered in bluebells. You can see them in different places as you drive on the highway. This particular spot is in Le Roeulx and I think it's even better that the more famous one in Halle. It is right by a...
Naglių g. 8, Nida 93123, Lithuania
Nida is a lovely Lithuanian resort town located on the Curonian Spit, a 60-mile sliver of land that separates the freshwater Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. A summer getaway popular among Lithuanians, Russians, and Germans, the region is...
Kampung Kinaratuan, 89300 Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia
The rafflesia is the world’s largest bloom and can be over 100cm in diameter. It only grows in a few places on earth. One of those places is the rain-forests of Borneo. It is the state flower of Sabah, Malaysia and Kinabalu National Park is a good...
Buizingen, 1501 Halle, Belgium
Hallerbos (Flemish) or Bois de Halle (French) is a beech forest just south of Brussels. It's a popular spot for walking, cycling and horseback-riding. Every spring, for a few short weeks, the forest makes a magical transformation into a blue...
