Bear Lake

Bear Lake is one of the park’s most popular destinations for first-time visitors, and with good reason. From here you’ll have a front-row vantage point of the dramatic glacial valleys and hulking granite summits that make the Rocky Mountains such a singular landscape. With ten lakes in the area and superb vistas, you should definitely expect large crowds.

Hikes here range from easy jaunts around Bear Lake (0.5 miles) or to Alberta Falls (1.6 miles) to more challenging excursions that follow the glacial valleys up to their origins. Mills Lake (5.6 miles) is a good choice, as is the Loch (6.2 miles), which can be extended to the exquisite Lake of Glass and Sky Pond (9.8 miles), both of which are as serene as their names suggest. And while Flattop Mountain (12,324ft, 8.8 miles) may not be the park’s best summit, there’s no denying its magnetic pull from down below. Use the park shuttles to get to the trailhead.

Trailhead: Bear Lake/Glacier Gorge
Difficulty: Easy to strenuous
Total Distance: .8 miles
Elevation Gain: 45ft
Great for: Aspen groves and a picturesque lake

Bear Lake to Fern Lake

This day hike is a ranger favorite and known for its diverse scenery. On this hike you’ll climb up to the treeline and an alpine lake before dropping back down through fields of scree and into a forested valley. Here you’ll pass more lakes, waterfalls, aspen groves and elk-inhabited meadows.

Thanks to the park shuttle system, this is a one-way trip that requires no backtracking – and what’s more, it’s mostly downhill. You can’t miss Lake Helene, which sits serenely beneath the imposing rough-cut cliffs of Notchtop and Flattop mountains. To do this hike, park at Fern Lake Trailhead (the endpoint), and then take the shuttle to Bear Lake Trailhead. Shorten the trip by simply going to Lake Helene and back (5.8 miles).

Trailhead: Bear Lake
Difficulty: Moderate
Total Distance: 9.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1215ft
Great for: Great views and a mountain lake

A bull elk bugles a challenger to a rival bull in Rocky Mountain National Park

Longs Peak & Chasm Lake

Iconic in every way, Longs Peak is the pinnacle of RMNP and one of Colorado’s classic climbs. The tallest peak in the park (14,259ft), Longs Peak’s exhilarating and exhausting Keyhole Route is on many visitors’ to-do list. The top of this route is the crux, consisting of narrow traverses, vertiginous cliff faces and heart-pounding clambering up polished slabs of rock. Most people start the climb by 3am in order to reach the summit before noon.

The good news is that you don’t have to reach the summit or turn your legs to jelly. Chasm Lake, located at the foot of the Diamond – Longs’ legendary east face where technical climbers rope up to scale the 1000ft wall – is routinely rated as one of the park’s best hikes. Chasm features all the spectacular scenery of the peak without the risk and arduous ascent. However, at 8.4 miles round trip, you’ll still need to be in very good shape.

Trailhead: Longs Peak
Difficulty: Very Strenuous
Total Distance: 15 miles
Elevation Gain: 5100ft
Great for: A difficult but rewarding hike with spectacular views

Gem Lake

At the northeastern end of the park is Lumpy Ridge, composed of 1.8-billion-year-old granite formations that were sculpted by the elements rather than by glaciers. This markedly different style of erosion has resulted in an array of whimsically shaped boulders, balancing rocks and colossal domes. The trail to Gem Lake is a great way to explore the area, with superb vistas back to the Continental Divide all the way up to the jewel-like lake.

Kids love the abundant scrambling opportunities in this area (as do rock climbers), making it a good family hike. While relatively short, the elevation gain will keep you puffing.

Trailhead: Lumpy Ridge
Difficulty: Moderate
Total Distance: 3.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 910ft
Great for: Active families and unique landscapes

Area history is seen throughout Rocky Mountain National Park, such as in this log cabin at Holzwarth Historic Site

Mount Ida

One of the easier peaks to access along the Continental Divide, Mt Ida (12,880ft) is a choice spot to enjoy a prolonged top-of-the-world feeling and monumental views in all directions. Perhaps because it is on the western side of the park, this is a relatively unknown summit and an excellent place to escape the crowds along Trail Ridge Road. Indeed, most of the drivers across the valley will be craning their necks in admiration of the ridge you’re about to ascend.

This is a relatively gradual ascent, following the Continental Divide Trail past miniature alpine wildflowers (whose roots extend six feet below ground) all the way to the summit. The last stretch is a clamber through boulder fields and past a few false peaks – the reward is soon to come, with a sheer drop-off on the eastern side of the ridge that looks down upon a string of icy-blue alpine lakes.

Trailhead: Milner Pass
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Total Distance: 10 miles
Elevation Gain: 2122ft
Great for: Sweeping views and challenging ascents

Tips & Safety

• These hikes are best done from mid-June to mid-October. Be prepared for snow and ice the rest of the year.
• Get an early start – dawn if possible – as this will not only improve your chances of spotting wildlife, but also ensure you get a coveted parking spot and are out of the high country by noon, when summer storms usually roll in.
• Don’t underestimate the altitude, especially if you’re coming from sea level. Give yourself time to acclimatize and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, ibuprofen, windbreaker and fleece. Staying hydrated is crucial.
• The park has six developed campsites. The best camping options, however, are in the backcountry, where you’ll find over 200 sites and greater seclusion. Hiking from Wild Basin Trailhead to Ouzel Falls and then Bluebird or Thunder Lake makes for an unforgettable backpacking trip.

This article was originally published in October 2014. It was updated in 19 August 2019.

Magnificent Mayan ruins, dazzling beaches and perfect turquoise waters, vibrant Mexican culture and food… what’s not to love about the Yucatán Peninsula? The crowds. Every year, millions of visitors descend on the Riviera Maya, making the stretch of coast from Cancún to Tulum feel, shall we say, over appreciated.

The Yucatan is filled with sublime spots to explore, why not get away from the crowds a little?

Fortunately, it’s a big peninsula, with many equally enticing but lesser traveled places that are begging discovery. So change it up. Bypass the most popular stops and discover what more the Yucatán has to offer at these alternative destinations.

Give Cancún a miss, go west to Mérida

For a city experience, bypass the built-up coastal resort of Cancún and head to the vibrant capital of the Yucatán state. Mérida is a gracious city of grand plazas and colonial architecture, world-class museums and pretty parks. The star attraction is the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, the region’s premier venue for Maya history and culture, showcasing artifacts from nearby archeological sites.

Mérida exudes charm, history and culture. A far cry from the thrum of Cancun’s over-touristed thoroughfares

Colonial culture is also on colorful display in Mérida, especially around the central Plaza Grande, where you can ogle impressive architecture like Casa de Montejo and Palacio de Gobierno. All this, and we haven’t even mentioned la cocina, surely one of the city’s main attractions. Sample fantastic Yucatecan cuisine at La Chaya Maya or Ku’uk; sip mezcal at Fundación Mezcalería; and congratulate yourself, because this is not what you would be doing in Cancún.

Take a break from Tulum, opt for artsy Valladolid

If you have your heart set on vacationing in a sophisticated, artsy town, replete with artisanal shops and boutique hotels, you might follow the crowds to Tulum. Or you might opt for Valladolid, a barely discovered, pastel-colored, colonial gem that is 60 miles inland.

Artsy Valladolid is a perfect place to admire the talents of Mexican artists © Tetra Images / Getty Images

Here, the magnificent Casa de los Venados houses the country’s largest private collection of Mexican folk art – more than three thousand pieces. Nearby, Calzada de Los Frailes stretches from the central Parque la Mestiza to the ruined Templo de San Bernardino. Along the way, the charming, walkable street is lined with upscale boutiques touting nature-inspired fragrances, handmade chocolates and haute fashions.

No need to forgo adventure in this artistic enclave. Just nine miles out of town, Chukum-Ha is a cenote (newly accessible in 2019) that is fitted out for rappelling, zip-lining and high-diving. The underground swimming hole is completely enclosed and scantly visited, so you can’t shake that feeling that this really is an entrance to the underworld.

Escape the Chichen Itzá crowds, explore in solitude at Ek’ Balam

Let’s face it: the magic of exploring an ancient archeological site is slightly diminished when you’re doing it with thousands of your closest friends. Chichen Itzá is a sight to see, for sure, but it’s worth seeking out lesser-known Maya ruins to contemplate the majesty and mystery of this legendary culture in more peaceful surroundings.

Discover the magic of Mayan culture tucked deep into the Yucatecan jungle

The ruin of the 8th-century city at Ek’ Balam is a fantastic option, located in a lush jungle setting 18 miles north of Valladolid. A dozen or so structures include the centerpiece Acrópolis, where you can explore the chambers in the ‘gallery’ at the base of the pyramid, and climb to the top for endless views. (Needless to say, you can’t do that at Chichen Itzá!) Afterwards, you can take a pedicab to cool off in X’Canché Cenote, where you might have the crystal clear waters all to yourself.

Avoid overdeveloped Akumal, walk on the wild side in Sian Ka’an

The turtle nesting beach and fish-filled lagoon attract visitors to fashionable Akumal, but the crowds and construction are scaring off the sea creatures. For a truer nature experience, continue 50 miles south to the Reserva de la Biosfera Sian Ka’an, a one-thousand-square-mile reserve that is home to hundreds of species of fish and birds.

The Sian Ka’an Nature Reserve has acres of natural wonders waiting to be appreciated

The best way to explore the reserve is by boat tour, where you might see dolphins, sea turtles and even crocodiles and manatees. The local Community Tours Sian Ka’an is a superb, sustainable choice. Most tours include swimming, snorkeling and picnics on deserted beaches. (In case you’re wondering, the beach in Akumal is never deserted).

Like Isla Mujeres? You’ll love Laguna Bacalar

Travelers flock to Isla Mujeres to escape the Cancún heat and to revel in the gorgeous, jewel-toned waters. She’s a beaut alright, but she’s so close to the city that she sometimes feels overrun by day trippers. Not so at Laguna Bacalar, a picturesque lake located 200 miles south.

Enjoying the beauty of the Yucatán is quiet and calm in Laguna Bacalar

Never underestimate humanity’s ability to turn the mad or the mundane into a competitive sport. In our pursuit of amusement, we have brought some wonderfully weird sports to the fore, which not only offer an insight into the psyche of nations, but also provide travellers with a unique opportunity to meet eccentric – and passionate – locals.

So switch up that afternoon at the football or evening hockey game for something a little more…unique, and grab tickets to one of these unusual spectator sports from around the world.

The competitive sport of lawn mower racing was dreamt up in an English pub © Ben Birchall –

1. Lawnmower racing, UK

Like all the best ideas, lawnmower racing entered the world via a pub. It was 1973 and Jackie Stewart was winning his third Formula One title while a group of wannabe racers from West Sussex dreamed of making motorsport – historically the preserve of the wealthy – more accessible to the masses.

Over a few pints they came up with lawnmower racing, which now has its own governing body – the British Lawn Mower Racing Association (BLRA) – and a 30-race championship that runs from May to October. Most races are part of larger rural events, such as Cranleigh Show in Surrey, where spectators can experience other eccentric pursuits such as ferret racing. The BLRA remains defiantly uncommercial and donates all profits to charity. It also advises spectators to bring packed lunches with them to races.

2. Sheep shearing, New Zealand

Competitive sheep shearing? Ewe better believe it. In fact, it’s kind of a big deal in New Zealand, which proudly host the annual Golden Shears International Championships; a lanolin-infused jamboree touted as ‘the Wimbledon of sheep shearing’.

Held in the town of Masterton every March, the four-day event seeks to identify the world’s fastest sheep shearer, with spectators merrily fleecing themselves out of a few dollars as they bet on the outcome. The event provides an illuminating insight into local life, but it’s not all about shearing; live bands bring a party vibe to proceedings and there’s much food and drink to be enjoyed. Can’t make the Masterton event? Fear not, shearing competitions are also held in Europe, Australia and the US.

Wife carrying sees pairs of competitors racing to complete an obstacle course in the quickest time © AFP / Getty Images

3. Wife carrying, Finland

Legend has it this curious sport is a nod to the ancient custom of wife stealing, whereby gangs of Finnish robbers supposedly raided villages and made off with other men’s wives.

Mercifully, this nefarious activity has been confined to the pages of folk tales. But in an amusing subversion of this fabled criminal act, wife carrying continues, albeit with consenting females, who acrobatically cling to male counterparts as they navigate an assault course – climbing over large wooden obstacles and plunging headlong into cold-water pools in the process. The quickest pair win the wife’s weight in beer. As you might expect, much lager is consumed on the sidelines too, particularly in Sonkajärvi, Finland, which hosts the original Wife Carrying Championships in July. Competitions also take place in Australia, Estonia, Hong Kong, the US and UK. And before you ask, no, the participating couples don’t actually have to be married.

4. Lucha libre, Mexico

Part sport, part amateur dramatics, lucha libra is a form of freestyle wrestling with a devoted fan base in its native Mexico. Competitors are renowned for their elaborate masks, which keep their identities a secret. That’s until they are defeated in a high-stakes fight, which often require losers to reveal their faces (other ignominious forfeits include having their heads shaved).

It certainly makes for compelling viewing, and the tequila-charged atmosphere adds to the sense of occasion. Don’t forget to bring some loose change: when spectators are impressed by a victorious wrestler, they throw money at them. The coins are then collected by the wrestler and stored in a commemorative vase to remind them of the victory.

Kabaddi is played competitively by both men and women

5. Kabaddi, India

A variation of a game most of us played in the schoolyard, kabaddi is a lot like tag, only with a rulebook and scoring system that could reduce a child to tears. In essence: two teams of seven players face off on a rectangular arena. One player from the offensive team, the ‘raider’, crosses the mid line in the centre of the play area and attempts to tag as many opposition players as possible. If the raider makes it back to their team’s side, that team scores a point for every opposition player tagged. However, the other team are able to physically restrain the player from making it back, in which case the team scores nothing. An additional point is awarded if the raider steps over the ‘bonus line’. Also, this must all be done on a single breath. Simple enough, right?

Though considered a national sport in Bangladesh, it is India that has perhaps the most competitive league. Dubbed the Pro Kabaddi, it unfolds dramatically in stadiums across the country, where players twist, kick, duck and dive around the arena, cheered on by huge, vociferous crowds spilling from the grandstands.

6. Call of Duty Championship, US

It was once something you begrudgingly did while waiting for your turn on Mario Kart, but now watching other people play computer games is a bona fide spectator sport, with e-sport events now taking place all over the world (and also streaming to huge audiences online).

It’s particularly popular in the US, where fans pay upwards of $50 to watch pro pad-bashing players battle it out in the biggest shoot-‘em-up of all: Call of Duty. The first-person shooter series, which has been a firm favourite with gamers for over a decade, has its own World League Championship. Held in August, the tournament’s winning team nets a cool $2 million. In terms of the spectator experience, expect a largely male and millennial crowd, who typically sit in neat rows, clutching beers and watching the drama unfold on huge screens. And just think, your parents told you playing video games would get you nowhere in life…

Chess boxing: a sport that tests both the mind and body

7. Chess boxing, worldwide

Brains and brawn combine in this thinking person’s combat sport, which brings together the unlikely bedfellows of boxing and chess. Matches unfold over 11 rounds – six chess, five boxing – and competitors (or ‘nerdletes’, as the nerdy athletes are known) must either KO their opponents in the ring or outwit them on the chessboard.

The sport is popular in India (the believed birthplace of chess), where it is reported to have lifted some professional competitors out of poverty. However, perhaps the best place to watch a match is in London, where spectators can enjoy the all-out action of a big fight mixed with the quiet suspense of a chess match (plus a series of weird and wonderful ringside performances between bouts) that culminates in one of the Big Smoke’s most memorable nights out. Fights are organised by London Chess Boxing and take place throughout the year. There’s also the hotly-anticipated World Amateur Championships, which take place in December, and in 2019 will be held in Turkey.

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The number of medical marijuana dispensaries is growing in Jamaica

Medical marijuana dispensaries

Jamaica’s revised drug laws have allowed the creation of medical marijuana dispensaries, the first of which opened in 2018. Equal parts doctor’s clinic, Amsterdam-style coffee shop and hipster boutique, these are currently the only places where travelers to Jamaica can legally buy cannabis products.

At the time of writing, there are four dispensaries in Jamaica – Island Strains in Montego Bay, Epican in Kingston and Kaya in both Falmouth and St Ann’s Bay. To buy products, ID such as a passport or driving license is required (over 18 only), as well as proof of your medical need to buy ganja. This can take the form of a doctor’s prescription from home or a consultation with an on-site medic, although some dispensaries currently allow self-certification by the completion of a medical form.

A variety of products are offered, including marijuana buds, oil extracts and cartridges for vaping. The new dispensaries take ganja cultivation as seriously as wineries do their terroir. Nearly two dozen distinct Jamaican-grown Sativa, Indica and hybrid strains of the herb are grown on their own plantations for therapeutic and medicinal purposes.

The knowledgeable staff can talk you through their properties and relative concentrations of THC and CBD, the active ingredients in marijuana.

Don’t expect a cloud of smoke when you enter a dispensary – in-house smoking rooms are discreetly tucked away from the main consultation and purchase areas. Most also run their own cafes and juice bars, offering completely ganja-free refreshments.

Due to wider international restrictions on access to banking networks, businesses are cash-only – a reminder of the still-evolving legal situation in Jamaica and beyond.

Be mindful of what you smoke in Jamaica, as some strains can be very potent © Peeterv / Getty Images

Dangers

At a dispensary, discuss with the staff your requirements as well as your previous experiences. Some strains are notoriously strong, particularly when taken through a traditional Jamaican steam chalice.

Outside the dispensaries, unlicensed vendors are taking advantage of the new permissiveness of the ganja laws, and it’s not unusual to see space cakes or similar edible items openly for sale in cafes or infused in butter in your lobster meal. Be careful, the strengths can vary widely.

Caution is also required if offered ganja plantation tours. Currently, these remain unlicensed and therefore illegal.

When leaving Jamaica it’s important to remember that it is strictly illegal to take any medical ganja product with you. Stick instead to the customs-friendly THC- and CBD-free hemp products sold at the dispensaries.