Lost Mine Trail
A popular hike in Big Bend National Park with endless views of the Chisos Mountains.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 7.3 km
- Ascent
- 340 m
- Descent
- 340 m
Top 10 Trails of 2021: Greg Heil's Best Hikes of the Year
Greg Heil's top 10 hikes in 2021.
Hiking Moderate, Difficult, Severe, Extreme
Also in Colorado, United States of America • Nevada, United States of America • Oregon, United States of America • Texas, United States of America • Washington, United States of America • Wisconsin, United States of America
Description
At the beginning of 2021, I set a personal goal of covering at least 500 miles on foot over the next 12 months. I know, I know, that doesn't sound like a lot to some of the ultrarunners that will inevitably read this article, but when you consider that mountain biking is my main sport and I spent 167 days riding and pedaled over 2,500 miles last year, plus about 9 days spent SUPping, 9 days of snowboarding, a few days of rock climbing, and more, it felt like a pretty jam-packed 12 months of adventure!
I not only reached 500 miles, but I soared past it in the final two weeks of the year thanks to an epic vacation to the Big Bend region of Texas. The final count for the year: 529 miles covered on foot.
As I took a few minutes to review the dozens of hikes from 2021, I was inundated with a flood of memories—beautiful vistas, difficult challenges, and epic trips from a whole host of incredible days spent in the mountains and deserts.
While I always publish a year-in-review summary of my favorite mountain bike trails from the previous year, for the first time ever, I'm pairing my mountain biking round-up with a hiking rendition as well. So without further ado, here are 10 of my favorite hikes from 2021.
Routes included
Grand Balcon Nord
Packed with incredible views—likely the best bang-for-your-buck hike in Chamonix!
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 6.2 km
- Ascent
- 186 m
- Descent
- 587 m
Glacier Basin Day Hike
Day hike to and from the Glacier Basin Campground—not the full mountaineering ascent to the summit of Rainier.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 11 km
- Ascent
- 524 m
- Descent
- 524 m
Trail of Ten Falls
One of the top hikes in the Pacific Northwest!
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 12 km
- Ascent
- 508 m
- Descent
- 508 m
Turtlehead Peak
This upthrust rock formation stands prominently by itself, providing an unbelievable 360-degree view from the summit!
Extreme Hiking
- Distance
- 7.3 km
- Ascent
- 606 m
- Descent
- 606 m
Calico Tanks
A popular and stunning, yet somewhat technical, hike in Red Rocks.
Severe Hiking
- Distance
- 3.8 km
- Ascent
- 123 m
- Descent
- 123 m
Scarp Ridge Out-and-Back
A stunning hike into the alpine along a knife-edge mountain ridge.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 7.9 km
- Ascent
- 630 m
- Descent
- 630 m
Meyer's Beach Sea Cave Trail
The best hike on the mainland for viewing Lake Superior's sea caves.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 7 km
- Ascent
- 137 m
- Descent
- 137 m
Burroughs Mountain Loop
A stunning alpine loop hike up Burroughs Mountain.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 8.1 km
- Ascent
- 343 m
- Descent
- 343 m
Window Trail
The most popular trail in the Chisos Basin.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 7.4 km
- Ascent
- 222 m
- Descent
- 222 m
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