50 Active Vacations for the Fitness-Conscious: Hiking

Check out these hiking vacations:

• Exploring Yosemite's Points, Peaks, and Domes
• In Northern New Mexico
• Following the Lewis and Clark Trail
• Walking the Cotswolds
• Hiker's Cinque Terre
• Colorado Backcountry Hiker
• Backpacking in the Grand Canyon
• Hawaii Three Island Hiker
• Joshua Tree Backcountry Climbing
• Hut to Hut on the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire
• Backpacking the John Muir Trail
• Trekking Mont Blanc

Hiking in the Mahoosuc Range in Maine, the most rugged section of the Appalachian Trail.

Exploring Yosemite's Points, Peaks, and Domes

Where: Yosemite National Park, California
Duration: 3 days
Distance: 25 miles
Cost: $405 per person; does not include lodging
Operator: Y explore Yosemite Adventures (www.yexplore.com; 800-886-8009)
Difficulty: Moderate

"We have never been able to go on vacation and sit around," says Richard Hand, 61, a retired New Yorker who chose this series of day hikes with his wife, Jane, 59, last fall. "And the older we get, the more we want to do. It wasn't until after the trip that I broke my ankle sky diving." Mornings, you meet up with your guide for a day hike of 5 to 7 miles; nights are spent at your campsite, cabin, or room at the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge. Kids ages 10 and up are usually up to the hikes, which typically blend steep, rocky terrain and some small scrambles with flat trails. But expect to be on the move for about five hours. You'll have stunning views of Echo and Cathedral peaks as well as Upper and Lower Cathedral lakes and interesting rock formations.

In Northern New Mexico

Where: Santa Fe and Taos
Duration: 6 days
Distance: 25 to 35 miles
Cost: $2,898 to $2,998
Operator: Backroads (www.backroads.com; 800-462-2848)
Difficulty: Moderate

This series of hikes through the desert, river valleys, and alpine forests of northern New Mexico can vary from an easy two hours of walking to more than seven hours each day. One day, for example, you can choose either the 8.3-mile Frijoles Canyon Trail, which follows the Anasazi paths through the red rocks. You'll do a walking tour of Santa Fe, explore the mesa-lined Rio Grande valley and gorge, and visit Georgia O'Keeffe's Ghost Ranch. The digs are first rate, and meals are included. You'll stay two nights in Santa Fe, one in Taos, and wind up in Espanola at the luxurious Rancho de San Juan.

Following the Lewis and Clark Trail

Where: Powell, Idaho
Duration: 3 days
Distance: 28 miles
Cost: $655, adult; $525, child
Operator: Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures (www.trailadventures.com; 800-366-6246)
Difficulty: Moderate

This wilderness trip starts at Lochsa Lodge in Idaho, 57 miles west of Missoula, Mont., and retraces the explorers' arduous journey across the Bitterroot Mountains on the Lolo Trail. But it is vehicle supported, so you do have the option of skipping the tough stuff. The first day's hike, a whopper, left even experienced hiker Ralph White, 51, puffing. "Ten minutes into the hike, I thought I had made a serious mistake and might have to turn back," he says. "When you hit an ascent like that on the first full day—with no real idea of what awaits over the course of four more days—it is easy to understand why the Expedition was, in essence, demoralized by the terrain," says the assistant general counsel at the U.S. Government Accountability Office from Washington, D.C., who made the trip in 2005, the bicentennial year. The hike climbs steadily over 8 miles to Wendover Ridge, with a 3,000-foot gain in elevation and 2 miles of switchbacks. The remaining day hikes are relatively flat along logging trails with stops that teach you some history as you go at Bear's Oil & Roots Camp, Lonesome Cove Camp, Indian Post Office, Sinque Hole Camp, Indian Grave, Smoking Place, and Greensward Camp.

Walking the Cotswolds

Where: Near Cheltenham, England
Duration: 7 days
Distance: 5 to 10 miles daily
Cost: $2,850
Operator: English Lakeland Ramblers (www.ramblers.com; 800-724-8801)
Difficulty: Easy

The Dumbleton Hall Hotel, a handsome 19th-century stone manor house situated on 19 acres of rolling Worcestershire countryside about 100 miles west of London, is your home base for a series of daily walks through rolling green meadows, beech forests, and tiny villages of honey-colored limestone cottages with thatched roofs that cluster around spired churches. The walks are so pleasant and the climbs so gentle you hardly know you're working your muscles at all—let alone burning calories. You'll pass through Upper & Lower Slaughter, along the river Windrush and Ey valleys, and through Stanton, Laverton, and Buckland. For a dollop of royal English history, you can duck inside Sudeley Castle, the former home of Katherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII.

Hiker's Cinque Terre

Where: Portofino, Italy
Duration: 7 days
Distance: 25 to 37.5 miles
Cost: $3,298
Operator: Country Walkers (www.countrywalkers.com; 800-464-9255)
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

This journey winds you in and around the Cinque Terre ("Five Lands") and seaside towns of Portofino and Portovenere on the Italian Riviera. You trace high coastal footpaths and pass through olive groves, terraced vineyards, and pine forests, covering distances of 3 to 7 miles a day. Overnights are spent in three hotels along the route. The Cinque Terre section of the trip—the third day—runs through five small remote fishing villages strung along the coast northwest of La Spezia. You may choose to walk the entire Cinque Terre or take the train at one of several points throughout the day if the going gets too tiresome. Be prepared for moderate to strenuous days under the beaming Ligurian sky. On the last day, a boat trip whisks you to the island of Palmaria, where you walk a network of paths with dazzling views of cliffs and nearby Tino Island. Swimming is optional.

Colorado Backcountry Hiker

Where: Vail
Duration: 6 days
Distance: 60 to 70 miles
Cost: $1,498
Operator: The World Outdoors (www.theworldoutdoors.com; 800-488-8483)
Difficulty: Moderate with challenging options

This trip takes hikers back into Colorado's high country, with stays at rustic log cabin huts along portions of the 10th Mountain Trail System. The guided trip is intended for reasonably fit adults who feel comfortable being active four to six hours a day; more aggressive hikers can tackle tougher trails throughout the week and cover more mileage. The typical hikes are no more than 9 miles a day, with climbs from 8,000 to 12,000 feet. But on trips like this, the elevation matters more than the distance in terms of difficulty. The first day's hike, for instance, kicks off in the White River National Forest, where you'll ascend 1,700 feet to the Peter Estin hut (elevation 11,200 feet). The attractions here: remote wilderness, aspen meadows, wildflowers, elk and deer viewings, night skies. It's a good idea to get to Vail at least two days before your trip to adjust to the elevation. Even so, you'll always want to remain well hydrated. If not, you can count on being lightheaded.

Backpacking in the Grand Canyon

Where: Phoenix
Duration: 3 days
Distance: 28.2 miles
Cost: $775
Operator: Just Roughin' It Adventure Co. (www.justroughinit.com; 877-399-2477)

It's up and out by 6 a.m., for a ride to the South Kaibab trailhead on the South Rim, about 225 miles from Phoenix. Day 1 is spent hiking 6.7 miles (nearly all downhill) to the Bright Angel Campground, carrying your food—meals and snacks are provided—and stoves. After an early breakfast the next morning, anyone who wants to heads off to Ribbon Falls, a round-trip hike of 12 miles. Finally, there's the 9.5-mile trek back out of the canyon--all uphill and with 25 to 30 pounds on your back. Since this is a strenuous hike, tour guides advise participants to physically and mentally prepare by hiking, running, and cross-training for 60 to 90 minutes most days of the week for at least 12 weeks before your trip.

Hawaii Three Island Hiker

Where: Lihue, Kauai
Duration: 8 days
Distance: 50 miles
Cost: $3,298
Operator: The World Outdoors (www.theworldoutdoors.com; 800-488-8483)
Difficulty: Moderate

Aloha. Get psyched for four full days and two half-days of hiking, a half-day of snorkeling, and some much-needed hammock time as you island hop from Kauai to the Big Island to Maui. Be prepared for action up to six hours a day, with hikes of up to 12 miles and the occasional climb of up to 2,500 feet on mountainous terrain. In Kapaa, Kauai, you begin with a 4-mile hike on the legendary Na Pali coast. This ancient Hawaiian route to the remote Kalalau Valley is one of the premier trails in the state; the path hugs sea cliffs rising a thousand feet above the ocean with waterfalls washing over their faces. Trail conditions and time permitting, you might attempt the rugged 4-mile round trip up to the remote 120-foot Hanakapi'ai Falls, one of the more spectacular on the north shore. Other hikes in Kauai include a climb through bird-filled koa forests, a trek along the You'Nu'alolo Cliffs, and the 9.5-mile Awa'awapuhi Grand Loop hike.

On the fourth day, you fly to Hilo and stretch your legs with a 4-mile walk along the Crater Rim Trail, encircling Kilauea's caldera and passing through both desert and rain forest. You'll also hike over lava fields to see fresh lava flowing from the Kilauea volcano. On Maui, you explore the black sand beach of Wai'anapanapa State Park and hike the dramatic Pipiwai Trail to breathtaking Waimoku Falls.

Joshua Tree Backcountry Climbing

Where: Joshua Tree National Park
Duration: 3 days
Distance: 9 miles
Cost: $575 per person
Operator: REI Adventures (www.rei.com/adventures; 800-622-2236)
Difficulty: Moderate-plus

Friday night orientation, gear check, and dinner take place at the Indian Cove campground in this national park 155 miles from Los Angeles, with its granite monoliths and rugged mountain terrain. Then at dawn's early light, rain or shine, backpacks are strapped on, properly fitted, and the backcountry journey begins. After trekking across roughly 4 miles of rolling terrain, you'll set up a wilderness base camp and spend the rest of the weekend working on your rock climbing skills and pushing to the next level. The climbing portions of this guided trip, which is offered during the spring and fall months, are moderate. You can rest at any time and don't have to climb anything you don't want to tackle. You do carry your own backpack, however, filled with your personal gear and a portion of the food and group gear.

Climbers learn about ropes, knots, rappelling, and climbing from a professional rock-climbing instructor, which makes the adventure suitable for fit people with little or no previous experience. (But more experienced climbers are accommodated, too.) All climbing instruction in Joshua Tree is provided by American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) trained and/or certified rock climbing guides. At the end of the day, you reconvene at camp to relax and enjoy dinner.

Hut to Hut on the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire

Where: Manchester, N.H.
Duration: 5 days
Distance: About 30 miles
Cost: $1,250
Operator: Adventures in Good Company (www.adventuresingoodcompany.com; 877-439-4042)
Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Traversing some of the tallest peaks in the region, this slice of the Appalachian Trail is widely regarded as one of its most splendid. Spaced a day apart are a series of rustic huts where you'll be served hot and hearty meals and a warm bed at the end of the day. So no need for a fully loaded backpack. This particular trip is for women in very good physical condition. While extensive hiking experience is not essential, you should be prepared to hike uphill for two hours at a time, on a trail that is usually rocky and uneven, with a pack containing your clothing and water. Some of the path is exposed, and those with a significant fear of heights might find it tricky.

Hike times vary depending on the terrain. The Webster Cliff Trail takes five to six hours and gains 3,000 feet, whereas the Crawford Path takes about three hours and gains 2,000 feet. The Crawford Path takes you up and over Mount Pierce, Mount Eisenhower, Mount Franklin, and Mount Monroe before reaching Lake of the Clouds Hut. The third day is the longest, about 7.5 miles over six to seven hours, as you traverse Mount Washington (at 6,288 feet the highest peak in the White Mountains) followed by Mount Clay and Mount Adams. The final hiking day, you descend 3,500 feet from the ridges to Pinkham Notch. Tips from the outfitters: To prepare for this trip, consider taking a loaded daypack to the nearest park after work twice a week to walk up and down hills. Start about four to six weeks before the trip with walks of an hour and work up to two. This should be in addition to your regular aerobic exercise. If you don't exercise regularly, start an exercise program at least three months before your trip. Walking on the flat is not adequate preparation for this trip, so if you don't live near hills, work out on a stepping machine or climb stairs.

Backpacking the John Muir Trail

Where: Yosemite National Park
Duration: 23 days
Distance: 212 miles
Cost: $3,450 per person (group of 11 to 12); $3,850 per person (group of 8 to 10)
Operator: Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides Inc. (www.symg.com; 800-231-4575)
Difficulty: Strenuous

This three-week-plus trek is for the hard core. This year's outing runs from July 12 to August 3. The John Muir Trail spans 212 miles from Yosemite National Park to Mount Whitney along the crest of the famed Sierra Nevada. The hiking is, in a word, challenging; daily stretches run between 8 and 14 miles, plus you're carrying 40 to 50 pounds. (Better not try it unless you're aerobically fit and have trained while carrying weight and by hiking up and down stadium bleachers.) You depart from the Tuolumne Campground, crossing Raferty Creek, and turn south and enter the canyon of the Lyell Fork with views of Mount Lyell, the highest peak in Yosemite National Park. You climb up and over Donahue Pass, and you're off into the wilds. The final section of trail includes a crossing of Forester Pass (13,200 feet) and an attempt at Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the continental U.S. All camping gear can be provided; backpacks, sleeping bags, ground pads, tents. But you have to carry it.

Porter guides hike in four resupplies of food during the journey, making the pack weight manageable. All meals are provided while in the backcountry. The outfit is known for providing excellent meals even in remote surroundings.

Trekking Mont Blanc

Where: Chamonix, France
Duration: 9 days
Distance: Nearly 60 miles
Cost: $3,448
Operator: Country Walkers (www.countrywalkers.com; 800-464-9255)
Difficulty: Challenging

Brace yourself for some demanding ascents and descents on this hiking circuit from France to Italy to Switzerland and back to France around western Europe's highest peak. (Mont Blanc is 15,774 feet). The sights are spectacular—from snow-capped alpine summits to green pastures dotted with wildflowers to clear mountain streams, rock spires, and glaciers—as you make your way from family-run inn to inn. Be prepared: Seven miles can take up to five hours to cover. In general, you spend five to seven hours a day on the trail, including stops for picnic lunches and for sipping hot chocolate and exploring villages such as Les Contamines-Montjoie, the Italian resort of Courmayeur, and the Swiss hamlet of Ferret. On the last day, you board the La Fiegere cable car for a panoramic ride on your return into the Chamonix valley, then walk a final 20 minutes along the glacially fed Arve River to your hotel—and the heated swimming pool.