This opinionated guide to the best trails in top hiking destinations features trails that take you above timberline to turquoise lakes nestled in dramatic cirques, to passes with see forever views and to glorious alpine meadows filled with wildflowers.

Nonstop views accompany this strenuous trail climbing the southern slopes of Bear Mountain. From the summit enjoys vistas of the red rock formations, deep canyons and peaks rising to the south and west along with the San Francisco Peaks to the north.

After walking a half mile openings in the trees offer views of Red Mountain No 2 (12,219-ft.) and No 3 (12,890-ft.) to the south. Brown Mountain (13,339-ft.) rises across the valley to the east. As you ascend the aspen give way to evergreens and small meadows with ever improving views of the colorful Red Mountains.

Pass an unmarked trail/route at 0.3 miles climbing to Pass 11120, a saddle on the ridge between the Island and Wall Lake basins. Soon our trail curves to the left (northwest) around the northeast lake shore and starts climbing.

The trail now descends on moderate grades and then skirts the east side of a meadow before climbing over a low knoll to the eastern shore of a pretty pond at 10.9 miles. Here views extending northeast toward Mt. Lester (12,342-ft.) and the high peaks at the head of the Pole Creek Valley.

Topographic and satellite maps of the Peekaboo Trail in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park in Utah. The hiking trail features great views as it cross Squaw Canyon and Lost Canyon and then follows a high traverse along slickrock benches and …

A bridge across the Arkansas River provides access to mountain biking, hiking and horseback trails along the of the Midland Trail system. The Barbara Whipple trail, actually several interconnecting trails on the east side of the Arkansas River, is a popular place for a short walk.

The path now travels through alpine meadows before curving to the southeast and climbing on moderately-steep to steep grades to Middle Fork Pass. Along the way enjoy far reaching views of the peaks rimming the west side of the valley.

Four hiking trails ranging from 0.25 miles to 4.2 miles traverse these amazing groves, taking you past bristlecone pines of all shapes, sizes and ages, some over 4,000 year old. For more information and driving directions see the hiking guides …

Hiking Detail for the Kreuzboden to Saas Almagell (Hohenweg Kreuzboden) Trail - This scenic walk, with panoramic views of the Mischabel Range, traverses high above the east side of the Saas Valley before entering the beautiful Almageller Valley.