Much like the name suggests, this hike is like something
straight out of a storybook. You’ll pass along spindly bridges that
straddle the Quinault River – along which riverbanks are packed
with quartz crystals – and wind between enormous, moss-draped trees
while elk wander in the distance. Those who venture deep enough
will stumble upon the Enchanted Valley Chalet, an emergency shelter
for travellers caught in treacherous conditions and a fantastic
location from which to watch the moonlight reflecting off the
surrounding cliff walls.

The loop around Lost Lake offers more than just a hike – once
you’ve circled the lakeshore path, rent a canoe or a few kayaks to
get a different perspective, or go for a dip au naturel if there
aren’t too many onlookers (bearing in mind that this isn’t the

South of France). The lake also offers unobscured views onto
Mount Hood, which is snow-capped even in the summertime.

The Cape Flattery trail, which winds along cliffs jutting out of
the ocean, offers wild ocean views while remaining accessible to
most hikers. Ancient, gnarled trees loom overhead as you make your
way through the beginning of the trail until it opens up, offering
peeks of the sea until sweeping vistas unfold of waves crashing
against islands and a lone lighthouse in the distance.

We’d forgive you for thinking that Spider Meadow was a backdrop
in The Sound of Music – it’s the ideal picnicking ground during a
multi-day trip. The rest of the 14-mile excursion will be spent
alternating between creek crossings, leisurely walks through
flowery fields and navigating steeper inclines surrounding Glacier
Peak. Pack quick-dry clothes for tricky manoeuvres across creeks,
and revel in the utter serenity of your ever-changing surroundings
on this trail.

A set of stunning, fairy-tale-like cascades, Proxy Falls are a
must-see in Oregon, and easily accessible thanks to a quick
1.5-mile loop. The water sinks through holes in the lava rock at
the base, making it a completely different viewing experience from
typical falls that feed into a stream. This visual spectacle isn’t
the only astounding thing about this hike; the lush green
surroundings would seem just as at home in
Brazil as they do here.

Only two miles long, this hike is easily doable as a pregame to
a day on the beach. The path winds past a waterfall and offers
views over the curving beach and rocks jutting out of the water.
After the majority of the hike is done, there’s a steep decline
down to the sand, where you can kick off your hiking shoes and dip
your toes in the water. A word to the wise: the Pacific waves are
frigid, so dipping a toe might be the most you want to do before
setting up a picnic a little higher up the beach, from where you
can watch the tides wash in and out.