Five hikes... In U.S

ANGEL’S LANDING

Not for the faint hearted, this 5.4mile hike in Utah’s Zion National Park affords breathtaking views of Zion Canyon’s 270-million-yearold russet rock layers. In Refrigerator Canyon, a flat shady path is hugged by sandstone walls and dotted with trees. Climb the 21 switchbacks called ‘Walter’s Wiggles’ to Scout Lookout and then, if you dare, the final hairraising walk along a knife-edge ridge to Angel’s Landing for 360-degree views of the canyon from 1,800 metres above its floor.

© Joel Moysuh at Unsplash

Spectacular hikes IN U.S NATIONAL PARKS

This year marks 150 years since the creation of America’s first national park. Celebrate with one of these epic hikes

© Jack Nieuwoudt at Unsplash o o k a trip to the U .S . B

THE SLIDING SANDS TRAIL

This 11-mile hike in Hawaii’s Haleakala National Park on Maui Island might look like a descent into hell and back, as you enter the smoking crater of the world’s largest dormant volcano. You’ll feel like a Martian as you lower into the flame-hued crater, crunching over the cinder floor of this barren amphitheatre, where cones smoke in the distance. It’s hard going in places, thanks to the black sand, and what goes up must come down as this is not a loop tail. Look out for the rare Silversword, a spiky plant which lives for an incredible 90 years but flowers only once.

GRINNELL GLACIER TRAIL

Montana’s Glacier National Park is larger than Kent, with 700 turquoise lakes and 35 glaciers. This 7.2mile strenuous hike starts gently, hugging two picturesque lakes (you can cheat here and hop on a boat), before climbing the flanks of Mt. Grinnell to a high point. Sit beneath a dramatic ring of peaks and jagged ridges, with views of the sparkling Grinnell, Salamander and Gem glaciers and the fir-trimmed Upper Grinnell Lake. You’ll cross wildflower meadows, pass the pretty Grinnell Falls and see grazing bighorn sheep.

© Cole Allen at Unsplash

CADILLAC SOUTH RIDGE TRAIL

This scenic seven-mile trail on Mount Desert Island takes you to the highest point in Maine’s Acadia National Park and the whole eastern seaboard, with 360-degree views of New England from its flat granite summit. You’ll start in the forest and climb slowly to the picturesque Featherbed Pond, nestled in greenery, before ascending above the treeline as the path becomes a barren granite ridge. At the top, pause for bird’s eye views of the Gulf of Maine, the scattered Cranberry Islands and the fishing port of Bar Harbor.

TALL TREES TRAIL

A permit-only hike in California’s Redwood National Park, this 4.5-mile trail has some hard climbs but it’s worth it to reach this mystical grove where some of the park’s tallest trees grow. They sit along the glittering Redwood Creek, where you can stop to relax on the gravel banks or cool off your feet in the crystal clear water. The gigantic redwood trees rise up majestically from a carpet of five-foot-tall ferns and a dense undercanopy of smaller trees like hazelnut.

Get to know

SABAH

SABAH

What’s it all about?

Situated in the north of Borneo Island, Sabah is a diverse Malaysian state offering unique culture, exotic food and off-the-scale biodiversity. This is a destination that will appeal to those with adventurous taste buds – thanks to its tangled jungle, challenging mountains and underwater surprises – as well as explorer families and couples looking for romantic settings. Kota Kinabalu is the state capital of Sabah (known as KK by the locals), and a modern city with international infl uences alongside its cultural heritage. Com munit y con nect ion s Community tourism aims to boost sustainability, improve the livelihood of locals by helping them develop and manage tourism themselves and offer visitors an authentic window into Sabah’s culture. The region is home to more than thirty ethnic groups speaking over 80 languages and each with their own customs. Visit communities to get involved in paddy planting, rubber tapping and river fi shing, play traditional instruments and games, create handicrafts or cook local dishes. In the Mari Mari Cultural Village you can watch clothes being made from jackfruit bark or see a blowpipe demonstration. from jackfruit bark or see a blowpipe demonstration.

CAUGHT IN A BAIT BALL

Underwat er love

Diving is big in Sabah and Sipadan Island is one of the top-rated dive spots in the world, famous for its prolifi c turtles. At nearby islands like Mabul, Kapalai nearby islands like Mabul, Kapalai and Mataking, large marine life like sharks, along with tiny vivid sea creatures and colourful corals, sea creatures and colourful corals, are guaranteed sightings.

Pandhu Waskitha & Tim Phillippus MARI MARI CULTURAL VILLAGE

a holiday to Sabah o k B o

And anot her th ing

Tree planting is a great activity you great activity you can do in Sabah can do in Sabah that makes a positive impact… positive impact…

GOOD FOR NATURE Planting trees provides shelter and food for animals, insects and birds, enriches the soil for further growth and absorbs carbon.

GOOD FOR COMMUNITIES APE Malaysia’s (apemalaysia. com) treeplanting activities are supported by local family-run tree nurseries in the Sukau villages, while KK Wetlands, which plants in the Sulaman Lake Forest Reserve and Lemaas Forest Reserve, employs locals to monitor growth.

GOOD FOR YOU Plant a tree to commemorate a special occasion like an engagement, or remember a loved one.

IDYLLIC ISLANDS

Rel ax at th e beach

Sabah is gifted with a long coastline and hundreds of islands, with stretches of white sandy beaches and crystal clear turquoise water. Head here to try water sports like scuba diving or snorkelling or just for plain relaxing. A cruise is a great way to explore the coast. Whether you’re looking for a quiet cruise to appreciate Sabah’s famously fi ery sunsets, or a pumped-up party on the South China Sea, North Borneo Cruises has it.

TIMBA TIMBA ISLAND

Thrill ing advent ures

Activities can start almost as soon as you land in Sabah. Just off KK is Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, a group of fi ve islands with a 250-metre zipline – the Coral Flyer – connecting Gaya to Sapi. If you don’t mind getting wet, the raging Padas River offers grade four to fi ve white water rafting, or head to the Kiulu River for a milder ride. The three highest mountains in Malaysia are all in Sabah but UNESCO World Heritage-recognised Mount Kinabalu is the highest, at 4,095 metres. Climbing this mystical granite peak is a great way to appreciate Sabah’s scenery. It’s one of the youngest mountains in the world (between 7-8 million years) and a biodiverse hotspot home to the world’s largest fl ower, the carniverous Raffl esia. Extreme thrill seekers can take the via ferrata on Mount Kinabalu (meaning iron road and comprising a series of metal staples that allow you to climb steep rock sections), which is the world’s highest at 3,776 metres.

rescued and released. Next door is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and nearby the Rainforest Discovery Centre with its canopy walkway for bird watching. Cruise the Kinabatangan River to spot wild orangutan, the nosy proboscis monkey, pretty hornbill birds and, if you’re lucky,

The forest around Kinabatangan River is home to 10 species of primate

Jungle loo k

Sandakan is Sabah’s wildlife capital. Head to the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Sanctuary to see these auburn primates close-up and learn about their plight and how they are rescued and released. Next door is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and nearby the Rainforest Discovery Centre with its canopy walkway for bird watching. Cruise the Kinabatangan River to spot wild orangutan, the nosy proboscis monkey, pretty hornbill birds and, if you’re lucky, a Bornean pygmy elephant.

ORANGUTAN

PROBOSCIS MONKEYS