Hello friends and hikers – ready to get outdoors and take a hike? November 17 is #TakeAHikeDay in the United States and it’s a day to celebrate our National Trails System. And with more than 83,000 miles of trails, today we’re tipping our hat to hikers of every skill level and inviting adventurous spirits to come along with us to enjoy the great outdoors.
As we start our journey, we’ll begin with a bit of history. In 1968 the National Trails System Act was formalized under President Lyndon B. Johnson, “to promote the preservation of public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources of the Nation.” Take a Hike Day was born.
Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions embrace that same spirit of adventure, exploration and preservation in all our trips. Many itineraries offer hiking opportunities and are expertly led as our Adventures Guides and Experts do so well. Hiking is also an excellent way for travelers to become fully immersed in a destination.
So, it’s time to lace up our boots and go outside to take a hike and let our Adventures Guides and Experts lead us on new journeys. Here are just a few exciting Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions family trips which include hiking.
Alaska – National Geographic Expeditions
This stunning trip includes a hike through Denali National Park, the heart of Alaska’s untouched wilderness, and includes amazing landscapes and wildlife. A National Geographic Expert leads this excursion and will encourage travelers to experience a hike by using all the senses – from viewing the landscapes all around, listening to the sounds of the land and wildlife, smelling flowers, trees and leaves, and picking up and feeling rocks and moss.
Arizona and Utah – Adventures by Disney
Hike endless trails and be inspired by the spirit of the Old West. On this trip, we’ll visit the Grand Canyon, one of the seven wonders of the natural world, and have a privately led hike at the South Rim. Next stop is Monument Valley, the site of many Hollywood western movies and other animated four-wheeled adventures, and where Junior Adventures will enjoy their own dinner party and Disney movie night (ka-chow!). Guests will also hike among the incredible and famous red rock canyons at Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. This trip is offered as a family trip or as an Adult-Exclusive trip.
Channel Islands to Baja California – National Geographic Expeditions
The Channel Islands are an incredible eight-island archipelago off the Southern California coast, and each island has a unique ecosystem to support its own flora, fauna and wildlife. The National Geographic Venture expedition cruise ship will take travelers to Channel Islands National Park, where hiking trails align with coastal cliffs and weave throughout the park’s interior. Keep an eye out for gray whales as they migrate south for the winter!
Montana and Wyoming – Adventures by Disney
Big Sky Country never disappoints. On this trip, we’ll hike or bike Grand Teton National Park. The National Park Service refers to the Grand Tetons as “Mountains of the Imagination,” and though I haven’t yet found Figment waiting for us, what we will find is a deep sense of the extraordinary. This itinerary also includes a privately guided nature walk in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, a walk at Lake Jenny which was carved in Cascade Canyon 12,000 years ago, whitewater rafting in the Snake River, seeing Old Faithful and glamping under the stars.
New England – Adventures by Disney
It’s just a short hike from the Trapp Family Lodge to the Maple Sugar Shack, but I’m sure many of us would venture a longer hike just to experience and savor the goodness of pure Vermont maple syrup. The Trapp Family Lodge (of the Von Trapp family fame) is home for two of the eight nights on this itinerary, and they will be magical. We’ll also drive through covered bridges, see Montpelier and enjoy a hike through New Hampshire’s picturesque White Mountains.
Yosemite National Park – National Geographic Expeditions
Did you know you can plan a National Geographic Expeditions trip at the convenience of your schedule? And this Yosemite National Park Private Expedition is one of the itineraries offering the flexibility of dates and group size (from two to six-or-more persons). This spectacular trip offers hiking in one of the most recognized and photographed National Parks, and one of America’s greatest natural treasures. Known for its waterfalls, mountains, meadows and giant sequoias, Yosemite is a must-see and must-do for any hiker. Our experts will guide us through a variety of trails to suit an individual’s pace. The hiking paths traverse through the sequoia groves, or under El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Dome, Wapama Falls, the John Muir Trail, Cook’s Meadow Loop and more. Bring your camera and be inspired by Ansel Adams. In one word Yosemite is breathtaking.
And if you’re looking for more hiking adventure, check out our international destinations and hiking trips, including:
