Latest news with #HollywoodSign
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Hollywood's next biggest legends revealed – from Margot Robbie to Zendaya
TOM Holland, Margot Robbie and Zendaya are on the way to the top of the Hollywood hot spot - according to Brits. Barbie star Margot and her fellow actors are set to become the next huge Hollywood legends - movie goers have predicted. 8 8 8 8 Oppenheimer actress Florence Pugh and Willy Wonka star Timothee Chalamet came in fourth and fifth place respectively. Elvis Presley biopic star Austin Butler featured high in the list, followed by Sydney Sweeney and former Queen's Gambit star Anya-Taylor Joy. The research was commissioned by Compare the Market in a poll of 2,000 adults, which also revealed 51 per cent of Brits think the UK deserves an iconic film landmark - like the 'Hollywood' sign in LA. The price comparison app created a huge replica of the world-famous sign - in Hollywood, Worcestershire. A spokesperson said: "For ten years, we've been helping the nation beat the midweek slump and make saving simples with 2-for-1 cinema tickets on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. 'And what better way to celebrate than by bringing a little slice of Hollywood to the UK's own Hollywood? 'The public's response, and even the message from Hollywood itself, shows how much people still love the magic of the movies.' Cinema nostalgia is on the rise with 51 per cent of 25-34 year olds saying recent cult movie sequels have been a hit. Around two thirds (68 per cent) of the same age group go to the cinema more now than ever. The research discovered that 48 per cent of Brits go on 'autopilot' during the week - with 55 per cent desperate for humpday entertainment. Hollywood's Pay Gap: Top Earners Revealed! More than four in 10 (44 per cent) rarely go out during the week, but 41 per cent are 'actively looking' for things to do. Steve Nissen, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, added: 'It's not every day you see the Hollywood sign pop up halfway across the world - let alone in another place called Hollywood. 'We're thrilled to see our iconic sign reimagined in Worcestershire and proud to share a little piece of Hollywood with our friends in the UK.' Down-to-earth actress Margot recently admitted she loves traipsing round London looking for ghouls. The Aussie, 34, revealed she gets spooked at The London Dungeon — but is too old for her former nightclub haunts. Margot, who was at Glastonbury last month with husband Tom Ackerley, revealed she no longer goes to her favourite London club Infernos in Clapham, where she used to live. She said at the Pilton Palais cinema: 'I'm 34 and I don't think they'd let me in. "They would be like, 'No go away old lady'. "Our roommate has a 99-year ban.' 8 8 8
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Why Alice Cooper saved the Hollywood sign
For more than 100 years, the sign has been a Los Angeles landmark both in real life and on the silver screen. In 1978, Alice Cooper told the BBC why he was helping to restore the dilapidated icon. Perched high on Mount Lee overlooking Los Angeles, the Hollywood sign is one of America's most instantly recognisable cultural icons. "[It] is like our London Bridge, our Big Ben," US shock rocker Alice Cooper said on a BBC music show, The Old Grey Whistle Test, in 1978. "In Hollywood, we don't have a landmark except for the Hollywood sign." The exact date the monument went up is contested, but its official centenary was celebrated on 13 July 2023, making it 102 years old this week. It has now become synonymous with the film industry, but it wasn't originally intended to be. In fact, it wasn't even meant to last longer than 18 months. The sign was designed as a short-lived billboard, advertising a new housing development in the Hollywood Hills. It consisted of 13 enormous capital letters, each 30ft (9m) wide and 45ft (14m) tall, that spelt out HOLLYWOODLAND – the name of the real estate group selling the properties. Made of wood and sheet metal and held up by a framework of telephone poles, the structure cost more than $23,000 (about $430,000 or £300,000 today) to build. To ensure it was especially eye-catching, it was illuminated with almost 4,000 lights that would flash the different sections of the sign, HOLLY, WOOD and LAND, consecutively. A handyman, Albert Koeth, was hired to keep the sign in good order and replace the bulbs as they burnt out. The idea was to promote an aspirational lifestyle choice to LA citizens rather than to act as some sort of endorsement of the entertainment industry. Over the following decade, as LA and the film business grew, the sign stayed in place. But as the depression of the 1930s began to bite, its upkeep was cut back, and it quickly fell into disrepair. The songwriter Eden Ahbez, an early proponent of living the hippie lifestyle, camped for a time underneath the first L of the sign. Ahbez would later find fame for writing the 1948 Nat King Cole hit single Nature Boy. The sign also began to achieve some unwelcome notoriety: its association with the death of aspiring Hollywood star Peg Entwistle linked it to the darker side of Tinseltown's allure. The 24-year-old Welsh-born actress had left a successful Broadway career to move to LA with dreams of becoming a film star. But after struggling to find success, on the night of 16 September 1932 Entwistle climbed a maintenance ladder to the top of the letter H and jumped to her death. As the sign continued to rust and deteriorate, in 1944 the real estate company decided to donate it to the city, along with the remaining 425 acres of undeveloped land, for a token price of $1. By this time, a severe storm had already knocked down the letter H and many residents had come to regard the dilapidated sign as something of an eyesore. In 1949, a decision was reached to tear the whole thing down, but the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce managed to get the decision reversed on the proviso that they footed the bill to refurbish the crumbling sign and replace the missing letter. They shortened it, removing the LAND part, and a cultural icon was born. But by the mid-1970s, through a combination of neglect, weather damage and vandalism, the now 50-year-old sign was falling apart again. By the time the BBC's Bob Harris came to interview Cooper in 1978, a severe storm had further disfigured it, breaking off part of the first O and sending a second O tumbling down the side of Mount Lee, leaving the sign to read HuLLYWO D. The 'Save the Sign' campaign "Nobody will take the responsibility for restoring it or anything," Cooper told the BBC. "The poor old thing is up there, dear to our hearts, and dying right in front of us. And I figured it would cost say $40,000 or $50,000 to restore. So I suggested that we would go and do a concert somewhere and just give them all the money," he said. It would turn out that to bring the sign back to its former glory would cost considerably more than that. After compiling a structural report, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce found that repairing the sign was impossible. It would need to be completely replaced. And to ensure it could withstand the winds on Mount Lee, the new steel letters would need to be supported by steel columns sunken into a concrete foundation. The price tag for this project would be $250,000. A "Save the Sign" campaign was launched in May 1978, and the following month Hugh Hefner, founder of the international adult magazine Playboy, hosted a star-studded fundraiser at his mansion to raise money for the new sign. Cooper was the first person to sponsor a letter. "We figured it was $27,000 a piece, and I figured that would spark other people," he said. The rocker paid for the final O, which he dedicated to his friend, the comedian and film star Groucho Marx, who had died the previous year. "And Andy Williams [the US singer known for his version of the song Moon River] donated a letter, and Warner Brothers of course did, and Gene Autry [famous as 'the Singing Cowboy'] and some really neat people did," said Cooper. "We more or less kicked it off, and I still believe that everybody in the world owes Hollywood a dollar at least for all the entertainment that comes out of Hollywood – and if we can't take care of it, the ones that live here, that's kind of silly." The old sign was demolished, and a new 450ft (137m) long sign weighing 240 tonnes erected in its place. It has become the symbol of the city and the seductive promise of the film business. "When you look at the Hollywood sign, you think of Hollywood glamour. We know glamour isn't real, but it seems real," film researcher and journalist Karen Krizanovich told David Willis on the BBC's podcast H-O-L-L-Y-W-O-O-D in 2023. "When you see the Hollywood sign, you think it's real. This whole fantasy about Hollywood is real, because of that sign." More like this:• How a child star saved a Hollywood studio from bankruptcy• The only X-rated winner of the best picture Oscar• The cinema classic that made Clint Eastwood a star And the silver screen has responded in kind. Over the years, the Hollywood sign has featured in a myriad of films, starring alongside Charlton Heston in Earthquake (1974), Robert Downey Jr in Chaplin (1992) and Mila Kunis in Friends with Benefits (2011). But when it does turn up in films, such as Superman: The Movie (1978), The Day After Tomorrow (2004) and San Andreas (2015), it often doesn't make it out unscathed. Over the years, it has been altered to reflect the times. In 1976, student Danny Finegood used curtains to make it read HOLLYWeeD to coincide with the relaxing of marijuana laws. The prank would happen again in 2017. When Pope John Paul II visited LA in 1987, it was altered to read HOLYWOOD. And the same year it was changed to OLLYWOOD in reference to Colonel Oliver North's testimony in the Iran-Contra scandal. On 31 December 1999 the new sign – which didn't have bulbs like the original – was lit up again for the first time in 60 years in a blaze of colours to celebrate the new millennium. During the closing ceremony of last year's Paris Olympics, its two Os were used to create the bottom two rings of the Olympic symbol in a nod to LA hosting the Games in 2028. Speaking in 1978, Cooper, himself no stranger to theatricality, was comfortable with this dressing up of LA's most iconic monument. "I think they should have neon and flashing lights and everything on it," he said. -- For more stories and never-before-published radio scripts to your inbox, sign up to the In History newsletter, while The Essential List delivers a handpicked selection of features and insights twice a week. For more Culture stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Saudi Gazette
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
Brad Pitt's Los Angeles home 'ransacked', police say
LOS ANGELES — Actor Brad Pitt's home in Los Angeles has been ransacked by a trio of thieves. Three suspects broke into the home in Los Feliz late on Wednesday through a front window and "ransacked the location," according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Police did not confirm the home belonged to the Oscar-winning actor, but the address matched that of a home Pitt purchased in 2023. Authorities said the suspects fled with stolen items, though it's unclear what was taken. The actor was not home at the time of the burglary, US media reported. Pitt was in the UK earlier this week for the London premier of his new film F1, which is released on Friday. He was accompanied by fellow Hollywood star Tom Cruise and Lewis Hamilton, who has seven Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles. Authorities said the burglary happened around 22:30 local time on police would not confirm the value of items stolen. The BBC also contacted representatives for the large three-bedroom home sits just outside Griffith Park — which is home to the famous Hollywood Sign. It is surrounded by a large fence and greenery that shields the home from public burglary follows others reported in the city targeting other celebrities, including Nicole Kidman and Keith month, a man was also arrested on stalking and vandalism charges after he allegedly rammed his vehicle into the gate of the home of Pitt's ex-wife, Jennifer Aniston. — BBC
News.com.au
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Home closest to Los Angeles' iconic Hollywood sign hits market
A rare home below the Hollywood sign has hit the market for the first time in almost 40 years for USD$2.25 million ($A3.5 million). Nestled into the hillside of Beachwood Canyon, the A-frame chalet isn't just close to the famous sign — it's the closest residence to it, the New York Post reports. 'It is extremely limited,' agent Christopher Soffer told the outlet. 'Being the closest house to the Hollywood sign in the world is as limited as it gets.' 'It's perched up in the trees, almost like a treehouse. 'You have this sense when you're there that you really feel like you're entrenched in this lifestyle and this period of time that seems to have faded away with the modern age.' Built in 1963 and tucked at the end of a private road, the three-bedroom home is a rarity in both style and setting. Its A-frame design — uncommon in Los Angeles — is clad in wood inside and out, creating a cabin-in-the-woods ambience in the middle of one of the city's most iconic neighbourhoods. 'There's tons and tons of wood,' Mr Soffer said. 'You kind of also feel like you're in a cabin in the woods, which is beautiful because the entire A-frame is essentially made out of wood.' The home's current owners, digital effects pioneer Jeffrey Kleiser and sculptor Diana Walczak, have used the space as both a residence and creative incubator. Ms Walczak, best known for sculpting the Michael Jackson HIStory statue and designing its digital version for the album cover, and Kleiser, whose credits span 'Tron' to 'X-Men,' are consolidating their property portfolio, according to Mr Soffer. 'They've absolutely loved living there and they are creatives themselves,' Mr Soffer said. 'They've actually recorded in that house, numerous bands over the years.' One of the most famous is The Association, the 1960s band behind hits like 'Cherish' and 'Windy'. Their connection to the property earned it a cameo in Linda McCartney's photography book, 'The Sixties'. The home's creative legacy doesn't stop at music, and has quietly played host to artists, sculptors and filmmakers over the decades. 'That place kind of attracts a very interesting crowd and has a very interesting creative energy to it,' Mr Soffer said. Though it's tucked into the hills, the property is not without modern acclaim. It has been featured on 'Staycation,' the Emmy-winning travel show, and was recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of California's best Airbnbs. The owners even produce 'Hollywood Honey' on the premises, courtesy of a small hillside apiary tended by a local beekeeper. The house's positioning on the ridge yields dual vistas: the Hollywood sign at its back and sweeping views of downtown LA, Griffith Park, and — on clear days — the Pacific Ocean at its front. 'When you are building on a site like that, the Hollywood sign is as direct as it gets,' Mr Soffer said. 'When you're sitting on either of the rooftop decks, all you can see is the Hollywood sign … and on the front of the house, you have these panoramic views of the city.' The listing also marks a nod to the roots of the surrounding area. 'Originally, Beachwood Canyon was built by a single guy and he had done it because he wanted to create a neighbourhood that was perfect for Hollywood and studio production,' Mr Soffer said. 'When they first built the Hollywood sign, it was actually almost like an advertisement for the neighbourhood.' At the time, the sign was even illuminated at night — a touch of glamour that has since disappeared. 'They actually used to have lights on the Hollywood sign, believe it or not,' Mr Soffer said. 'I would love to see that today, but I think it might be a little bit too bright for the current landscape of the neighbourhood.' Despite its proximity to a tourist magnet, the property offers peace and privacy. 'They said everyone is so enamoured by the sign, everyone's in such a good mood when they're up there,' Mr Soffer said of the owners. 'They've never had any issues with break-ins or trespassing or anything like that over the years.' There's little risk of competition either: 'To the right of the property, if you're facing the property, there's only one other lot that can be developed,' Mr Soffer noted. 'As of now, there's nothing on it. It's just a raw piece of land. And beyond that, it's pure wilderness.' It's that blend of exclusivity, architectural significance, and Hollywood history that Mr Soffer believes makes the home one-of-a-kind. 'The architectural community loves these types of houses — A-frame houses,' he said. 'They aren't typical for Los Angeles, and when they do pop up, it's something to be cherished.'
Miami Herald
21-06-2025
- Miami Herald
15 Jaw-Dropping One-Day Bucket List Hikes Around the Globe
I'm a travel-loving mom, wife, and firm believer that fresh air fixes (almost) everything. Whether we're hiking an active volcano, wandering through a sleepy seaside town, or enjoying a picnic in the mountain wilderness of Sedona, I'm all about getting my family out into the world and soaking up every bit of its jaw-dropping beauty. But let me be clear: I love a good adventure, not chaos. As long as what we're doing doesn't require a Sherpa or a week off from my busy schedule as a working mom, I'm all in. So I've made it my mission to explore smarter. That means finding the kinds of experiences that are big on wonder, low on stress. Think memorable one-day hikes, charming small towns that don't need an itinerary, and family adventures that fill your camera roll and your heart – but not your suitcase with unnecessary gear. Because travel should inspire, not exhaust. And yes, you can have a wild, beautiful adventure, without losing your mind in the process. So here are 13 epic one-day hikes that all the family will appreciate… Get more adventure travel inspiration with our newsletter! You can't actually hike up to the sign itself. The closest you'll get is the overlook behind it, which still offers a stellar panoramic views. The sign is fenced off and heavily secured to prevent up-close visits but don't fret, it's thrilling to be so close to such an iconic sign. Super cheat: If you want someone else to handle the logistics join a guided hike, and simply follow along as you noodle your way through the Hollywood Hills, towards the peak. Tour companies like have a 1 hour hike which is the most efficient way to reach the sign. To reach the top of the sign and view it from behind, pick a longer tour and allow 2.5 hours. More info: Hollywood Sign. Why it's epic: These jagged limestone peaks look like a backdrop from The Sound of Music – but with better coffee. The Dolomites offer jaw-dropping panoramas, rugged beauty, and trails rich with history. Cortina d'Ampezzo, dubbed "The Queen of the Dolomites," is a Best of the Alps destination and UNESCO World Heritage Site. How to do it: Hike the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop, a six-mile, family-friendly trail with unforgettable Alpine views. Arrive early to snag a parking spot at the trailhead or hop on a public bus. For more adventure, take the Lagazuoi cable car and explore WWI-era tunnels or via ferrata trails with a licensed mountain guide. Super cheat: We booked with Gruppo Guide Alpine Cortina – and honestly, I wouldn't have done it without our expert guide, David. He made it safer, smoother, and far more memorable (meaning mom could enjoy the day too!). In the Dolomites, an expert guide enabled us to go further and higher faster than I would have ever endeavored on our own. More info:Cortina Tourism | Best of the Alps | Cortin Trekking Experience Why it's epic: Skip the full Inca Trail and opt for this equally rewarding (and shorter) climb. Machu Picchu Mountain offers a heart-pounding ascent and panoramic views over the Sacred Valley that feel straight out of an ancient dream. How to do it: You need to buy a Circuit 1 + Machu Picchu Mountain ticket in advance from the Peruvian Government website. The trail takes about three to four hours in total, and is steep, but the views at nearly 10,000 feet are breathtaking. Wear sturdy shoes, bring plenty of water and sunscreen and aim to catch the sunrise if you can. Super cheat: We took the train from Ollantaytambo, followed by a wild switchback bus ride to the ruins. It's a long journey so build in at least two days on-site for this expedition. I was immediately struck by its ancient history. Having a guide, Mario, was invaluable – he really brought the 15th-century citadel to life and we left feeling more educated and entertained. More info: Machu Picchu Official Site | Mountain Trail Guide Why it's epic: They call it "The Chief" for a reason. This granite behemoth offers jaw-dropping views of Howe Sound and the surrounding forests. How to do it: The Stawamus Chief is the distinctive towering mountain that overlooks the town of Squamish about halfway between Whistler and the moderate nine-mile out-and-back trail. There are three peaks to choose from, each one more stunning than the last. Bring layers because it can get chilly. Super cheat: If this hike is too much,take the Sea to Sky Gondola (which starts near the Chief trailhead) to a different spot and walk any number of short loops and trails. You can also sign up for the Via Ferrata route at the top of the gondola with Mountain Skills Academy. Note that "The Chief" trailhead and Sea to Sky trail only intersect about a quarter of the way up either. More info: Whistler Sea to Sky Gondola | Satwamus Chief Trail | Mountain Skills Academy Why it's epic: Wandering through a storybook gorge of crashing waterfalls, glowing blue pools, and misty cliffs, is like stepping into a Brothers Grimm tale. How to do it: The Partnach Gorge trail is just under two miles, making it a breeze for kids or low-effort adventurers. Want a little more? Continue up to Eckbauerbahn for classic Bavarian Alps views. You'll stroll along narrow limestone pathways as waterfalls and rapids roar beside you. It's dramatic, magical, and completely unforgettable. Super charge your adventure: Don't skip Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak. Hop on the cable car for a swift ride to 9,700 feet, where you'll find sweeping alpine views from a huge observation deck. We felt like we were walking through the clouds as we were elevated in every way. There are a few hiking trails (short but steep, hiking boots essential) to make you feel like you've ventured to the top of the world. More info: Visit Garmisch-Partenkirchen | Zugspitze Info | Partnach Gorge Why it's epic: Hike the warm-weather version of one of the world's most iconic ski runs. With postcard-worthy views, mountain air, and rustic huts serving schnitzel and apple strudel, it's peak Austria in every sense. How to do it: Start in Kitzbühel and take the Hahnenkamm gondola up to the mountaintop station. From there, follow the Panoramaweg trail, a scenic, well-marked three-hour hike with sweeping Alpine views and plenty of photo ops. The area boasts more than 1,000 km of trails and was the first in the Alps to receive a European hiking quality seal. Super cheat: Break up the day with a meal at Hahnenkammstüberl, a cozy mountain hut serving hearty Austrian fare. At a spectacular lunch with a view we watched paragliders launch as we sipped coffee. More info: Visit Kitzbühel | Panoramaweg Trail Why it's epic: Climbing Mount Fuji is the ultimate bucket-list experience. It's Japan's highest peak and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering an awe-inspiring journey above the clouds. Watching the sunrise from the summit (called Goraiko) is magical. How to do it: The Yoshida Trail is the most popular and beginner-friendly of Fuji's four routes. The 8.1-mile climb begins at the 5th Station and winds its way up with several mountain huts and rest stops. Open from early July to mid-September, the trail can get busy, especially during the Obon holiday or on weekends. It's recommended to stay in a mountain hut overnight and summit at dawn. Super cheat: Buy a wooden walking stick at the base and get it stamped at each station – an unforgettable souvenir. Book buses in advance from Tokyo for a seamless start. More info: Climbing Mt. Fuji | Express Buses Why it's epic: With 275 thundering waterfalls straddling Argentina and Brazil, Iguazú Falls is a full-sensory experience – think rainbows, toucans, and misty jungle magic. The raw power of the Devil's Throat will leave you speechless – and drenched! How to do it: Take the Circuito Superior trail, a 1.5-mile elevated walkway with epic views of the upper falls. For a deeper adventure, ride the Rainforest Ecological Train to Devil's Throat first thing in the morning as wait times soar later. Add the lower circuit (1.8 miles) for views of smaller cascades and access to boat tours. Super cheat: Book the speedboat tour for an adrenaline rush and close-up views. Yes, you'll get soaked, but it's unforgettable – most memorably, our captain drove us straight under the falls! More info: Argentina Travel | Iguazú National Park Why it's epic: A true icon, Table Mountain is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature; once you see the panoramic views of Cape Town, the Atlantic Ocean, and Robben Island, you'll understand why. It's wild, dramatic, and incredibly photogenic. How to do it: Prefer fewer edges? This is your trail. Platteklip Gorge, at just 1.8 miles one-way, is the most direct route to the summit. This may not be the laziest hike – it can get steep with significant elevation gain – but it's not technical and is essentially a giant rocky staircase. You can do the climb in about two to three hours and glide back down via cable car (book in advance). Super cheat: For the laziest route to the top, take the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway both ways for the summit experience without breaking a sweat. Or, try the more scenic (but tougher) India Venster route, if you're feeling bold. More info:Table Mountain Cableway | Hike Table Mountain Why it's epic: It's the shot you've seen a hundred times on Instagram but trust us, the real thing blows the filters out of the water. Roy's Peak serves up jaw-dropping views over Lake Wānaka and the snow-dusted Southern Alps that feel almost too perfect to be real. How to do it: Start from the Roy's Peak Track carpark on Mt Aspiring Road and prepare for a leg-burning 9.9-mile (16km) out-and-back hike. With no shade and relentless incline, this six hour trek isn't for the faint-hearted but the summit makes every sweaty step and sheep encounter worth it. Pack sunscreen, water, and a hat. No technical skills needed, just sheer grit. Super cheat: Get there early because parking fills up fast. Also, avoid 1 Oct-10 Nov (when they're closed for lambing), and be ready for crowds. If you're an early bird, plan a sunrise mission for fewer people and next-level views. More info: Roy's Peak Track – DOC Why it's epic: There's nothing like standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon to make you feel very, very small. Carved over millions of years by the Colorado River, this mile-deep marvel is pure geological theatre. With towering red rock walls, surreal desert light, and sweeping views that shift with every step, hiking here feels like wandering through the Earth's most dramatic open-air museum. How to do it: Day hikers have plenty of choices, from scenic strolls to calf-burning canyon descents. For a relaxed option, stick to the Rim Trail, a mostly flat, 13-mile paved path with shuttle stops every mile or so. Want a challenge? Tackle a section of the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point or descend the Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa for bigger payoffs and fewer crowds. Super cheat: For less effort, use the free park shuttle to pick and choose sections of the Rim Trail. Head out early for magical lighting and cooler temps. More info: Rim Trail – Grand Canyon Trust | Grand Canyon National Park Why it's epic: The Bright Angel Trail is the Grand Canyon's celebrity hike for a reason. Hugging the canyon's cliffside with jaw-dropping views the entire way down, it's a classic for first-timers and return visitors alike. This well-maintained trail lets you truly descend into the heart of the canyon, passing through layers of time, sandstone, and unreal scenery. How to do it: Start at the South Rim trailhead and hike down to the 3-Mile Resthouse, which gives you a solid 6-mile round trip and over 2,000 feet of elevation change. Expect four to six hours round-trip. Feeling strong? Continue to Havasupai Gardens (formerly Indian Garden) for a full nine-mile adventure. Super cheat: Pressed for time or energy? Turn around at the 1st Tunnel, 2nd Tunnel, or 1.5-Mile Resthouse for a shorter, still spectacular hike. Watch your step as mules use this trail too – and let's just say they leave behind souvenirs! More info:Bright Angel Trail – NPS Why it's epic: It's not every day you hike near an active volcano through rainforest alive with wildlife. With views of the Arenal Volcano and encounters with sloths, colourful frogs, and tropical birds, this hike is part National Geographic special, part nature therapy. A bonus is that it includes meaningful cultural immersion with Costa Rica's Indigenous Maleku community. How to do it: Two great trails offer different vibes. Firstly, the Arenal Volcano Trail is around three miles there and back through jungle paths to a volcano viewpoint. Expect to hike for around 90 minutes. Or head to the Ecocentro Danaus Ecological Reserve, for a short but rewarding half-mile loop through a private biological preserve, packed with wildlife sightings and cultural insight. Perfect for slow walkers and those who are less fit. Super cheat: Stick to Ecocentro Danaus for a laid-back loop with major wildlife payoffs. Combine both trails in one day to satisfy your inner explorer without overdoing it. More info: Visit Costa Rica | Ecocentro Danaus Why it's epic: This 5.5-mile, three to four hour hike delivers pure alpine magic; think crystal-clear lakes, wildflowers, and iconic views of the Matterhorn reflected in its still waters. The Five Lakes Walk is a moderately easy trail that feels anything but ordinary, winding through meadows and forests with dramatic peaks always in sight. It's a dream for photographers and casual hikers alike. How to do it: From Zermatt, take the Sunneggabahn funicular to Blauherd, where the trail begins. Follow the 5-Seenweg signs past five scenic lakes: Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee, and Leisee. Three offer perfect Matterhorn mirror moments, especially on calm days. The trail has gentle inclines and plenty of places to stop, rest, or picnic with a view. Super cheat: If you have children, head to the small alpine lake, The Leisee, for a barbecue and swim stop. It's a magical experience – kids love jumping off the lake's raft. More info: Sunneggabahn to Blauherd | Zermatt Tourism Why it's epic: A true alpine adventure in one of Europe's smallest (and most overlooked) countries, this 7.5-mile loop rewards hikers with panoramic views of both the Swiss and Austrian Alps. From the ridgeline, drink in the sight of the dramatic Falknis chain, the Schesaplanastock, and deep valleys stretching into Malbun, Gamperdona, and Valüna. It's a breathtaking way to explore a country that some people cross on foot in one day. How to do it: Start in Malbun and follow the Fürstin-Gina-Weg trail, a moderate-to-challenging five hour loop that ascends to the Augstenberg summit, skirting the Austrian border. The route is well-marked and scenic, but there's significant half mile elevation, so not for beginners or tiny children. Super cheat: Take the chairlift to Sareis, then hike from Sareiserjoch to skip around 1,000 feet of climb and save about 45 minutes. Feeling lazy? Book an e-bike instead of hiking, via the website below. More info:Liechtenstein Tourism From rainforest volcanoes to canyon-carving trails, these 15 epic bucket-list hikes deliver a serious wow factor, with varying degrees of effort. Whether you're chasing waterfalls in Argentina, altitude in Japan, or postcard-perfect views in Austria and South Africa, each trail has its own magic. You don't have to be an elite trekker to enjoy them either as clever shortcuts, cable cars, and scenic turnarounds make most of these adventures accessible. Just pack your boots, water, and a sense of awe. Because no matter how far you go, the views, wildlife, and wild stories you'll collect along the way are what make each trail totally unforgettable. Happy hiking! The Faroe Islands Await: Unleash Your Inner Explorer with this Hiking GuideHere's What You Need to Know about the Trek to Everest Base Camp NepalClimb Sydney Bridge for a Once-in-a-Lifetime AdventureBucket List Hike: Conquer the Wave in Arizona with Confidence16 Breathtaking Yosemite Hiking Trails for EveryoneOlympic National Park Itinerary: Three Perfectly Green Days of Hiking The post 15 Jaw-Dropping One-Day Bucket List Hikes Around the Globe appeared first on She Buys Travel. Copyright © 2025 SheBuysTravel · All Rights Reserved
