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If you have a passion for the great outdoors and hiking, keep reading because we have 4 unmissable hikes that have a light at the end of the tunnel, a rainbow over the hill. No, actually it’s a spectacular and unmissable waterfall.
Beginners Hike: Emery Creek Falls, Georgia (6 miles)
If you have recently gotten a taste for the outdoors or are looking for an easier hike, check out the Atlantis Trail which begins near Chatsworth, Georgia. The round-trip hike to Emery Creek Falls is 6 miles, perfect for novices and people building up their fitness. The hike mainly consists of walking along a gravelly path, through luscious green forests, with cascading streams by your side. They are fed by the waterfall, which passes 20 creek crossings.
The Best Waterfall: Yosemite Falls, California (7.2 miles)
For a full day of hiking venture to the top of the Yosemite Falls, along the well-marked trail built between 1873 and 1877. While the views and challenges are great, be sure to take at least 4 litres of water with you. The trail will guide you over steep grounds, but once you are above the tree line you can admire your goal, as the falls will be in sight. The upper part of the hike is both rocky and arduous, but the reward on reaching the top is being in close proximity of America’s tallest waterfall. It rises 739 metres above the valley floor, so the climb will be no surprise. Only accept this hiking challenge if you are in good physical health.
Quantity over Quality: Starved Rock State Park, Illinois (combination of 12.3 miles)
Starved Rock State Park, has lots of opportunities to hike and admire a waterfall, you can see a waterfall along 14 of the 18 canyons. To see the best waterfalls, plan you hikes to the following canyons. The distance represent a round trip on leaving the visitor’s centre. St. Louis (3 miles), French (0.8 miles), Wildcat (2 miles), Tonty (3.8 miles), Ottawa (7.8 miles) and Kaskaskia Canyon (8 miles) . Also, bear in mind, the best time to see waterfalls is in spring, after the snow and ice has thawed or after a heavy rainfall.
Don’t spend all your time looking at your hiking boots. Be sure to look up, you might be lucky and catch a glimpse of an eagle flying overhead.
Advanced Hike: Beaver Falls, Arizona (24-mile hike)
This 24-mile roundtrip trail starts at the Hualapai Hilltop trailhead and continues through into the Havasupai Indian reservation to the Supai Indian Village. This hike will take 3 days, with 2 nights camping. Along the way you will experience 4 Major Waterfalls – Little Navajo, Havasu, Mooney, and Beaver Falls. and back to the Trailhead.
Along with all the necessary camping and hiking gear remember to pack your swim suit. Be prepared and take a dip in Havasu Creek. Your hiking break will take place in the cascading aqua-hued water pools from Beaver Falls. They sit over a limestone terrace, so you may want to bring water shoes.
If these don’t take your fancy, discover your closest national park on the National Park Service’s website. Remember, when hiking there are two important rules to follow. The first is your personal safety is paramount and the second is only leave footprints. Happy Hiking!
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