Our Favorite Hikes in Five Years
To celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary earlier this year, we decided to make a compilation of some of our “favorites” from the past five years. The first list, which we made on our anniversary was our favorite hikes during our marriage.
What Does This List Include?
Any hikes we’ve done since our anniversary isn’t on here since we literally decided these while we did a walk on our anniversary. The list also doesn’t include any hikes which we did before we were married as there are some good contenders from our first year in California that would make it on the list. And, of course, it doesn’t include anything from before we were together.
Where are These Hikes?
During our first five years of marriage we spent nearly 2.5 years (combined over 2 times) living in California, a little over a year in Washington (in two cities), and about a year and a half living on the road/traveling so we’ve been able to pull from some different places but the majority of them are on the West Coast (California to British Columbia).
Are We Big Hikers?
When we moved to California in 2014, hiking became one of our primary hobbies. We didn’t really hike together before that move. It shows moving and your environment can really change you to some degree!
Back in 2014 (pre-marriage) we often did larger and more difficult hikes (compared to after/now). They were quite a struggle then but it got up our endurance. I had more time than the second time (third for me) we lived in California. I don’t want to go on too much with the details so we can get to it but I’ll just say so much about our hiking style and habits have changed over the years (and even months) with living in different locations, having different schedules and anything else going on. Today we still hike on a fairly regular basis.
Keep in Mind
NOTE 1: We each made our own separate lists, but there was some overlap so I’m not going to separate them. So some of the hikes listed only one of us put on our original list, while we both included others.
NOTE 2: These hikes are in chronological order, not in order of how much we liked them.
Best Hikes
Mount Dobongsan in Bukhansan National Park (South Korea)
Kyle: The trail was relatively steep and challenging which really made it feel like we earned it when we made it to the top. Along the route, the trail was constantly changing and providing new views and perspectives. The fact that there are operating Buddhist monasteries on the mountain also gave a unique atmosphere to the whole hike, a certain sense of serenity that is hard to reproduce. And although the views from the top were somewhat obscured by the smog, we still were able to get fantastic views of Seoul and the surrounding Bukhansan National Park.
Briana: I didn’t initially add this to my list because I complained a bit during the hike (we took the harder way) but one thing I did love about it was the display of fall colors! I also found the scenery (such as the jutting rocks) unique to other hikes we’ve done. We hiked Dobongsan within the first two weeks of our three-month stay in South Korea and fun fact: hiking is the national pastime of Korea.
When we hiked: October 2015
See: Our post on Hiking Mt Dobongsan.
Ngu Lam Peak in Cat Ba National Park (Vietnam)
Kyle: What makes this hike stand out so much, is the break out point. Most of the trail winds its way through dense tropical jungle along steep and sharp karst. There is a perpetual twilight in the undergrowth that really sells the “jungle” aspect to the climb. Then suddenly, near the end of the trail, the path rises above the canopy and greets you with an amazing view of jungle-covered mountains and fresh air. The change is dramatic and encourages you on to the watchtower, providing even better views of Cat Ba National Park.
Briana: At first I wasn’t big on this hike because I wanted to do a different hike in the park and there was more incline than I was expecting/wanting at the time. BUT I did end up really enjoying it. There was a local/authentic feel to the beginning (passing little houses with their laundry out, dogs on the trail, a little shop, museum, etc. — of course that is when we thought we were doing a different hike) and I was really into the aesthetic at the top (Kyle talks about). I had been hoping to do a hike with that kind of scenery for a while.
When we hiked: February 2016
See: Our post on Ngu Lam Peak.
Menoreh Hill (Java, Indonesia)
Kyle: It’s amazing we found Menoreh Hill honestly, we barely knew where we were going at all – and that is part of what made it fun. Much of the trail was, in reality, just walking along a very steep concrete path climbing a hill into the jungle.
We really didn’t know what we would find, and basically nothing was marked – which is how we found ourselves getting lost on a game trail. But we eventually found our way to a small village which a sign pointing the way. The muddy trail passed a chili pepper plantation and eventually ended at a small shelter with astounding views of the rice fields and Borobudur below. The views of the storms cascading over mountain cliffs were astounding.
Briana: This is probably in my top three hikes in general. It was a great adventure! We basically drove around a part of Java looking for a different hike, got lost, and eventually just started climbing up a mountain somewhere (which Kyle thought was the place we were trying to go).
While I didn’t include other hikes due to various frustrations, for some reason I do still include this one. The hike involved big spiders, getting very off a trail when we didn’t even know if we were on a trail, steep edges and almost falling, a storm coming in, getting muddy, etc. It felt like true exploration and a very authentic experience.
When we hiked: May 2016
See: That Time We Climbed the Wrong Mountain on Java
Bear Gulch at Pinnacles National Park (California, USA)
Kyle: There’s never a dull moment along this trail. First you start off on a gentle path snaking along a little stream, then you come to a tunnel with cold wind blowing out of it. When you enter, you then have to climb a waterfall inside a very narrow cave, that emerges at pond. From there you hike 2000 feet up until you’re actively climbing along narrow stone paths while California Condors soar around you at the peak of an extinct and ancient volcano.
Briana: I love Pinnacles. I think the only reason I didn’t list this one specifically is because I wanted to pick a previous hiking experience we had there (which was a few weeks before we got married). This was still great, though. The landscape is unique to others we typically did in California and we enjoyed seeing the wildlife as well. I did get a tad claustrophobic in the cave but it’s a cool experience to go through.
When we hiked: March 2017
See: Our post on Pinnacles National Park
Burney Falls Trail Loop at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park (California, USA)
Kyle: To me, it’s really nice, I just didn’t think of it as a hike. It’s more like a walk through the park.
Briana: So this is a short trail (around 1 mile with 150 ft gain) but I’m still going to call it a hike. When I first saw Burney Falls, it was a moment when my jaw literally dropped because it exceeded my expectations. So seeing the falls was part of it but I enjoyed the hike around as well. The area was nice and I was in a good mood.
When we hiked: May 2018
See: Chasing Waterfalls Near Redding
Kings Creek Trail at Lassen Volcanic National Park (California, USA)
Kyle: King’s Creek trail was really nice. It was surprising too. The stream and the falls along it, the colors, it was a great trail.
Briana: Another weekend adventure hike FTW. We had kind of an interesting experience here where someone was looking for their family members and then later on the trip we heard some other people talking about how those people found their family members and we were also told there was a bear up trail (though didn’t see it) and so on but the hike itself was quite pleasant.
I think a large part of what I liked about this hike aside from the landscape was that it was fall. The changing colors, the weather, etc. was all just really nice.
When we hiked: October 2018
See: Weekend in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Cinder Cone at Lassen Volcanic National Park (California, USA)
Kyle: There is just something really appealing about hiking up a volcano, and then down into its crater. The unique difficulty of climbing up a slope made completely of cinder rocks and sand also made for a memorable challenge. The views from the rim also offered otherworldly sights of the painted dunes and lava flows that you can’t commonly find anywhere else.
Briana: The actual climb section of the hike was a little rough as it feels like you’re sliding back on the rocks as you ascend. Climbing a volcano, the martian-like landscape, plus the bit of fall (weather and colors) made it a cool and unique hike.
When we hiked: October 2018
See: Weekend in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Land’s End in San Francisco (California, USA)
Kyle: Like the other one, it seems a little more like a walk in the park than a true trail but it’s a great city trail. It’s just not what I first think of when I think of hiking because it’s so urban but it shouldn’t be discounted. We went and did it many times because we liked it. It’s not like you’re getting away from the city because it’s right there but that gives it its own charm as well.
Briana: This is more of a walking trail but I think you could still maybe call it a hike. We’ve hiked Land’s End multiple times and it is always generally nice but I am specifically recalling the time we hiked at sunset. It was a weird day. It was Halloween and I had gone into San Francisco for a work training. After I got done we drove over to Land’s End and painted our faces and walked along the trail at sunset. There was almost no one there and it was just pleasant and the colors were great.
When we hiked: October 2018
See: 39 Scenic Bay Area Hikes or Golden Gate Park Day Trip
Lake 22 in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (Washington, USA)
Kyle: The hike would be great just about any time of year, but there was something really special when we did it in the middle of a rainstorm. We had the trail pretty much to ourselves, the waterfalls were flowing fiercely, and the mist that drifted in and out of the trail really took us away from the outside world. Once reaching the actual lake, the ceiling created by the storm made it look like the mountain rose up forever, with our own private and cozy glacial lake to enjoy.
Briana: Here is what made it a top hike for me:
(1) The weather: it was rainy/misty and around the 40s or 50s. I like this because it can be comfortable hiking weather and it really fits the region and the particular hike.
(2) The whole hike was beautiful and it changed slightly throughout. There are times when we get to the last few miles at the end and I’m just ready to be done but not on this trail.
(3) The end destination was breathtaking. And when we arrived there wasn’t anyone else there. It’s probably one of my favorite landscapes I’ve ever seen. I love glacial lakes!
When we hiked: May 2019
See: Essential Washington Cascades Hikes
Maple Pass in North Cascades National Park (Washington, USA)
Kyle: Regarded as one of, if not the best, trails in Cascades National Park, it certainly earns the title with a little bit of everything: glacial lakes, high ridgelines, sweeping views, waterfalls, and a constantly changing landscape. We were lucky enough to be able to pick wild huckleberries along the trail for a late in the day snack.
Briana: This hike was gorgeous and offered different landscapes. We thought we would get tired but actually it wasn’t a problem that day, maybe due to the nature keeping us engaged.
When we hiked: Aug/Sep 2019
See: Essential Washington Cascades Hikes
Stawamus Chief (British Columbia, Canada)
Kyle: steep, exhausting – pretty much straight up – and I twisted my ankle pretty bad right at the peak. Yet somehow Stawamus still sticks out as a gem. I don’t know why exactly, maybe it was the fantastic views of Howe Sound and the mouth of the Squamish River, or maybe it was super friendly chipmunks that greeted us at the top. Or maybe, it was climbing of chains and feeling like we earned our way to the peak.
Briana: I wasn’t a huge fan of this hike. It’s not that long, but too many stairs! (Can you tell it didn’t make my list?) Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for an incline that day. And then Kyle rolled his ankle. I did like the wildlife and scenery, though. Plus the views at the top were great.
When we hiked: July 2019
See: Summer Weekend in Whistler
Joffree Lakes at Joffree Lakes Provincial Park (British Columbia, Canada)
Kyle: This set of glacial lakes was certainly crowded, but despite that, it still stands out as excellent. Each lake offered something a little different to look at, and the waterfalls were spectacular. We got the opportunity to hike through, up, and out of a rainstorm in the valley and were greeted by birds that were happy to land in your hand if you happened to have a peanut.
Briana: The scenery was truly beautiful (as I said before, I love lakes like this) and we did get to experience some rain on the hike which I enjoy but it was definitely a more crowded hike, possibly even the most crowded hike we’ve ever done. Still, worth the hike — you get to see multiple of these lakes with unreal colors, and the hike itself is great and feels very natural.
When we hiked: July 2019
See: Summer Weekend in Whistler
Best Hikes: Some Honorable Mentions
Santa Teresa and New Almaden County Parks
I have to mention these two because we did them so much, especially Coyote Peak at Santa Teresa. While it can be a little more dangerous, we’ve also done both at sunset (by accident) and have gotten some lovely views that way. Plus there are flowers in the spring and the area is a little different in general depending on the time of year.
There are a variety of hiking options at each park and we did many different hikes at each park and also repeated them. They were great quick options for us — only 15-20min from our apartment with shorter trail options included and we enjoyed these hikes. There are a couple of other parks that we frequented as well but went to these the most.
Other
Just to mention a few others: we’ve done Big Basin multiple times and love the big trees, Henry Cowell also has nice big trees plus the railroad bit, the hikes we did at Rainier with my grandma were nice and we even got to see some wildflowers as well, the Big Four is another beautiful and pretty short hike (with parts even being wheelchair accessible I think) in this area, the Big Sur area hikes can be nice, and other hikes in the Santa Cruz like Land of Medicine Buddha are also pretty cool.
You may be wondering why hikes like those at Yosemite are missing. Again, it’s only because we did those before the five years. Maybe we’ll do another post with those at some point.
Best Hikes Summary
This is just a sample of some of the hikes we have done over the years. Rankings could vary on the day but we look back fondly on most of these (we each chose our own).
Have you done any of these? What is your favorite hike you’ve ever done?
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