Let our experts be your guide to three of the world’s most majestic ranges for lovers of the great outdoors. For more amazing travel ideas, see our 1,000 Dream Trips
1. Take a walk on the wild side in the Alpujarras
Rising up from the Mediterranean on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada in Andalucia, the Alpujarras is a paradise for walkers, birdwatchers and nature lovers.
Why it’s special
These mountains were the last refuge of the Moors in Spain, with villages built in the style brought by the Berbers of North Africa. Artists, writers and free spirits of all nationalities now live in houses that date back hundreds of years. As the crow flies, it is only about 30 miles from the Mediterranean to the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada, which rise to more than 11,400ft. This means that an extraordinary variety of terrains unfolds as you drive up from the coast, from orchards laden with oranges, lemons and pomegranates to hillsides carpeted with chestnut and cherry trees and a vast lunar landscape at the highest altitudes. Indigenous plant species include unique varieties of violet, poppy, gentian and saxifrage. Ibex, with long curved horns, leap across the rocks, and you might see kestrels, hoopoes or even a golden eagle.
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2. Conquer the 60-mile Velebit Hiking Trail
Croatia’s most challenging hiking route takes you through magnificent rugged mountains and primeval forests with spectacular views of the Adriatic Sea.
Why it’s special
The Velebit mountain range extends 94 miles from Senj, near Rijeka, in the north, down the Adriatic coast to the River Zrmanja, near Zadar. Leading you through sublime karst terrain, verdant meadows and primeval beech forests, the impressive 63-mile Velebit Hiking Trail is well marked (red-white-red stripes, and red circles with white centres) and doable in seven to 10 days. Set off from the Northern Velebit National Park office in Krasno, hiking south, all the way to the Paklenica National Park office in Starigrad-Paklenica. En route, you’ll experience stunning views down to the shimmering Adriatic, pass the Velebit Botanical Garden near Zavizan, and find cosy overnight accommodation in mountain huts (bedding and meals provided) and more basic mountain shelters (bring your own sleeping bags and food). You might even spot some rare local inhabitants – brown bears, grey wolves, Eurasian lynx and chamois goats.
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3. Strike out for the Rockies
From easy lakeside strolls to multi-day mountain treks, the majestic landscapes of the Rockies offer some of the finest hiking in the world.
Why it’s special
How many places have you visited with high expectations only to be disappointed? That’s not going to happen in the Canadian Rockies, where all the superlatives barely do justice to the majesty and scale of the landscape. Many other parts of the world have lakes, mountains and rivers, but none combine them so beautifully or so accessibly. Much of the region is wilderness, open only to the experienced trekker, but the best scenery is protected by four national parks – Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kooteney – and there is a huge network of trails for everyone. Even the easiest strolls – an amble around Banff’s Lake Moraine, say – reward you with breathtaking scenery. And the parks are superbly organised, making visits – and hikes – easy to plan. The beauty of the Rockies is that you can show up and start walking. The numerous trails are well marked and accessible from the highways. Be warned though: hike in the Rockies and you’ll be spoiled for life.