Outdoor Project

Among the rolling hills and vineyards of the Tuscan countryside you can find some of the most spectacular hot springs in all of Italy. Cascade del Mulino can be found just outside the small town of Saturnia, Italy, in the Province of Grosseto. These hot springs are free to visit and quite popular. To avoid crowds, it is best to visit these hot springs on weekdays or any time in late fall, winter, and early spring.

In recent years, the first major viewpoint on the Howe Sound Crest Trail, known as Saint Marks Summit, has become a hugely popular destination. The views are spectacular and have played really well on social media, so the trail quickly became an iconic local spot. Since then most of the trail has been widened, making access even easier. It's incredibly popular on a weekend day in summer. Normally it's snow free by the first or second week of July, but check the BC Parks website for trail reports.

Nestled in the southwestern corner of Cleveland National Forest, Lawson Peak is one of three immense granite-topped peaks that tower above the outskirts of San Diego. Although Lyons Peak is currently not legally accessible, Gaskill Peak may be reached from Lawson Peak by adding 2 extra miles to the trip.

This section of the Shawangunk Ridge Trail follows the High Peters Kill Trail and can be started from the lower parking lot at Minnewaska State Park Preserve or the Coxing Trailhead parking lot in the Mohonk Preserve.

You are sure to find beautiful places to hike in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, and Marion Mountain is one of them. Hiking in from Marion Lake Trailhead you will walk along old-growth and new-growth forest. The trail starts off gently, and you are almost always not far from a creek until you reach Marion Lake. But before you reach Marion Lake you will first reach Lake Ann. You are sure to find ducks swimming in the lake and sometimes someone fishing. As you continue along, there is an unmarked trail that takes you to the beautiful Marion Falls and Gatch Falls.

The Spring Mountains are a high-elevation retreat of cool forest and snowy peaks just north of Las Vegas. The range is quite expansive and rugged, with boundless backcountry terrain for intrepid adventurers, but there are also familiar comforts in the form of vacation rentals, campgrounds, and short trails. One of the best family-friendly hikes is Cathedral Rock just outside of Mount Charleston Village.

At the Oregon Zoo in Portland, they take holiday lighting to the next level. Bring family, friends, or just yourself as you walk though and enjoy the zoo after hours and watch it come to life with acres of lighting displays. It might be a little chilly, but they have hot drinks to warm you up. Or, if you attend an adult-only night, they have something harder than coco to keep you toasty. With music, food, and lights all around, how could you not get into the holiday spirit this season?

Queensland's Sunshine Coast evokes images of spectacular sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. However, there are hidden gems nestled in the lush green hills that serve as a beautiful backdrop to the region's beaches. One of those gems is Kondalilla Falls in the Kondalilla National Park.

Garibaldi Lake is a spectacular vista and makes it's way into nearly all the top 10 hiking lists for near-Vancouver trails. The trail weaves through the woods before topping out at the edge of Garibaldi Lake. It's a very popular trail because it isn't too long. The trail itself is very well maintained and a great route for newer hikers looking for a big day out. It can take from four to six hours total to hike depending on your fitness. While the distance sounds long, the downhill goes by really quickly. 

Watersprite Lake has rapidly gone from obscurity to one of the most popular hikes near Vancouver. All summer it’s a busy trail. The immensely photogenic lake at the top has started to pop up everywhere, further expanding the popularity of this area. Recent trail work by the BC Mountaineering Club and Chasing Sunrise has been immensely helpful and has made what was a pretty ragged trail far more accessible.