Epic Hikes of the World ( PDFDrive )

© Jan Wlodarczyk | Alamy
giving praise to the amazing vista on Norway’s Pulpit Rock
FAIRVIEW MOUNTAIN, CANADA
On nearly any hike through the Canadian Rockies, you’ll be treated to some
stunning lookouts, but this challenging trail in Banff National Park offers perhaps
one of the best wraparound panoramas in the entire mountain range.
Switchbacking 3 miles (5km) up the mountainside from the turquoise shoreline of
Lake Louise, the trail emerges at the mountain summit at 3323ft (1013m) after three
or four hours of tough climbing. Thankfully, Fairview turns out to be an entirely
fitting name: from the top, you’ll get an incredible overview of the lake itself, as
well as a host of glaciers, forest and spiky summits along the green Paradise
Valley. It was a favourite of the Swiss mountaineering guides who pioneered many
of summit routes in this part of Canada, and it’s not hard to understand why.
Start/End // Lake Louise
Distance //6.5 miles (10.6km) return
More info // www.pc.gc.ca
DESOLATION PEAK, WASHINGTON, USA
In 1956, Beat writer Jack Kerouac famously spent two months alone while manning
a fire lookout at the top of this wild, airy summit in the North Cascades. Kerouac’s
stay prompted numerous poems, essays and prose experiments, and you’d have to
be made of stone not to be at least a little inspired by the view from the top, which
takes in the peak of Hozomeen Mountain, the shores of Lake Ross and the
snowcapped mountains of the North Cascades. Unfortunately, you won’t get to
see it without putting in some effort: first you need to cross Lake Ross to reach the
trailhead, then clamber up the punishingly steep trail, which ascends more than
4265ft (1300m) of altitude in a little under 5 miles (8km). Unfortunately, the lookout
tower itself isn’t open to the public, so Kerouac fans will have to make do with
paying their respects outside.
Start/End // Lake Ross
Distance // 10 miles (16km) return
More info // www.nps.gov