~ Top 10 Island Hikes ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Island Hikes

When you want to enjoy a vacation in full harmony with nature, an appealing choice always might be some remote and isolated place, away from the lights and pressure of the big city, and where you can come across abundant and colourful scenery. The shores of a lake, a picturesque river valley or a hiking trail high above a mountain hill - you can choose between plenty of tempting places. Such a relaxing and beautiful place provides a unique ambience for a wide variety of outdoor activities as well, and one of the most quintessential of them is hiking. The hiking trails are best for observation of the local flora and fauna, photographing, picnicking, biking, etc. Moreover, if you want to combine an isolated and remote place with some of the most impressive hiking trails in the world, then you will get the best recipe for the Top 10 island hikes. Here they are.


1. St George Island, Florida
 


St. George Island is a real jewel, surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico. The island itself is a nearly 30 miles long stretch of land, fulfilled by a wide array of vacation rentals, shops, restaurants, beach bars, cafeterias and other coastal eateries. The communities on the island are connected to the mainland and the city of Eastpoint via the St. George Island Bridge and, thus, you can easily enjoy the finest hiking experience for the week-end, for example. Almost a half of the island is covered by a scenic park, but the whole shoreline with the Gulf of Mexico is covered by a long stretch of fine sandy beaches. What a beautiful choice to walk on the beach for hours, then to make a sand castle and, then, to walk again until the sun goes down… Another tempting choice might be the wooden hiking trails within the park, where the horizons are dominated by tall pine trees and maritime forests.

[MysteRy]

2. Rock Island, Wisconsin
 


Rock Island is arguably one of the most beautiful and isolated islands in Door County, Wisconsin. It is situated near the tip of the peninsula and is most famous for its lush woodlands. Almost the entire island is undeveloped and it is also known as the Rock Island State Park. The long unspoiled coasts are covered mostly by rocks, but they are best for walking and enjoying the local wildlife. Only pedestrians are permitted to explore the island`s natural beauty, while a ferry from the nearby (Washington) island grants and access to this spectacular green oasis. On Rock Island you also can come across numerous flower species and several buildings, such as the Lighthouse, which will tempt you to take a couple of photos or even to make a whole album.

[MysteRy]

3. Angel Island, California
 


Angel Island is situated in San Francisco Bay, California, and is one of the best choices to escape a while from the noise and bustle of the huge megacities along the bay. The entire area of the island is covered by the Angel Island State Park, which offers a perfect fit for your family picnic with numerous outdoor adventures or maybe just a romantic getaway. Moreover, the mountain landscaping of the island is best for hiking, while the coasts provide tempting settings for captivation and inspiration. Especially the southern shoreline of the island offers breathtaking views of the skyline of San Francisco, which dominates the horizon.

[MysteRy]

4. Orcas Island, Washington
 


Another beautiful island in the U.S., famous for its gorgeous hiking trails is the Orcas Island, located along the northernmost portion of the Washington`s coast. Surrounded by crystal clear waters, the landscaping on the island is as diverse as it ensures numerous outdoor activities and amusements. For example, in Moran State Park is situated the highest point on the island - Mount Constitution (2,409 ft.), while the hikes to this high place are just fabulous. On the island are situated also numerous lakes and ponds, whose shores are best for hiking and enjoying the sunset`s rays, which are magically mirrored by the calm water surface. Actually, these are only a few examples of the most beautiful hikes on the Orcas Island.

[MysteRy]

5. Carcass Island, Falkland Islands



Carcass Island is a tempting choice for an absolutely natural relaxation and isolation. The island is one of the largest Falkland Islands and its area is covered by different landscapes. The whole island is undeveloped, except for a few coastal buildings and facilities. Thus, you can choose between numerous options for hiking - the inland forest trails are best for bird watching and photographing, while the coastal hiking trails offer even more attractions. The northern shores are mostly covered by rocks, which provide inspiring vistas from their tops, while the southern shores feature several unspoiled beaches. The infinite blue horizon is complemented by the views of the nearby islands, which are truly inspiring.

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6. Bequia Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines



Bequia Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are definitely a tempting choice, when it comes to island hikes. These exquisite islands are embraced by the alluring turquoise waters of the easternmost portion of the Caribbean Sea and provide plenty of options to enjoy such a unique tropical paradise. On the islands you can find numerous exotic accommodations, shops and eateries as well, while the tall palm trees create a perfect ambience for your exotic hiking trip.

[MysteRy]

7. Madeira Island, Portugal



The Portuguese island of Madeira is another fabulous destination, which offers a wide variety of hiking trails, surrounded by picturesque scenery. Indeed, the coasts of the island are arguably the best places for hiking, because they are surrounded by the blue waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and the views of the infinite blue horizon are just awesome. The rugged shores are covered by dramatic cliffs, whose colours are obviously a delight for all the senses. Also, along the southern shoreline is situated the main municipality of Funchal, as well as other smaller villages, which grant all the needed comforts for a really unforgettable experience.

[MysteRy]

8. Sardinia, Italy



Sardinia is an Italian island, as well as one of the largest jewels of the Mediterranean Sea. You can find basically all types of landscapes on the island - from flat coastal areas to steep green hills and tall mountain peaks. In addition, the humid Mediterranean climate is as refreshing as it delivers tempting settings for hiking all year round. The diverse terrain is accompanied by numerous communities as well, where you can find an abundance of accommodations, eateries and other amenities for the finest vacation. Indeed, you may need much more than a vacation to enjoy all the beautiful hiking trails on the island, because Sardinia is a really immense island.

[MysteRy]

9. Big Island, Hawaii
 


The Big Island is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands and features numerous landscapes and ecosystems, such as rocky shores, volcanic hills, lush rainforests, jungles, mountain deserts, etc. Thus, you can come across a plenty of choices for the best hiking trip, but the experience will be always unique, thanks to the caressing tropical sunshine. Of course, the spectacular black sandy beaches, surrounded by crystal clear bays and picturesque communities are definitely places that you can`t miss, but the volcano and the forest trails are accompanied by countless priceless vistas, too. Dramatic waterfalls, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and horseback trails are only a few of the most impressive ways to explore Hawaii.

[MysteRy]

10. Skye, Scotland
 


Skye is the second largest island in Scotland and is one of the most tempting places for island hikes in the country. The unique natural splendor and the humid climate are complemented by refreshing coastal winds, whose combination is the best recipe for a really awesome journey. The fabulous landscaping features a number of peninsulas, ranging from the mountainous core of the island. One of the well-distinctive terrains on the island is the basalt Black Cuillin, as well as the dramatic Red Cuillin granite formations, which stretches within the southern portion of the island. What about the rocky coasts? Spectacular sights to witness might be the remains of a castle, which rise over vertical cliffs, topped by inspiring green lands.


The hiking trails are always irresistible challenges for people of all ages. However, the hikes on the islands are even more appealing, because they are surrounded by unique natural beauty. Plenty of outdoor activities are only a major accent to the stunning natural landscapes, which feature lush maritime forests, surrounded by crystal clear water, steep cliffs, sandy beaches or hotel resorts. Thus, make sure to visit at least a few of the places, included in the Top 10 island hikes. Don`t forget your camera as well, because you will be seduced to take a photo after a photo, especially at sunset.