Foresyte community ranks the great outdoors.
For those who feel more at home in the wild than in the city.
Some nature destinations donât just make you stop and stareâthey redefine what it means to be surrounded by something raw, wild, and utterly unforgettable. This list goes beyond the typical tourist trails and straight into the heart of natureâs most untamed wonders. If hiking boots and a camera feel more essential to you than a city guide, these five places are must-adds to your travel plans.
Charged up? Letâs get into it.
#5 Banff National Park, Canada
If Canada had a postcard, Banff would be on it. Nestled in Albertaâs Rocky Mountains, this park is a jaw-dropping blend of jagged peaks, glacier-fed turquoise lakes, and forests so dense and green youâll feel like youâve stepped into another world.
Banff is no place to just stand and admireâitâs built for adventure. With over 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) of hiking trails, you can take an easy stroll through Johnston Canyon or push yourself on the stunning Sentinel Pass trek.
Prefer water? Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, or just drifting among reflections of snow-capped peaks. Come winter, Banff transforms into a ski and snowboard haven with top-tier resorts like Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Ski Resort.
Wildlife? Oh yes. Grizzlies, elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats roam freelyâphotographers, take note. And when you need a breather, soak it all in at the Banff Upper Hot Springs.
#4 Patagonia, Chile and Argentina
So remote, it feels like the edge of the world.
Patagonia is wildâmassive, mysterious, and largely untouched. Split between Chile and Argentina, itâs home to staggering glaciers, turquoise lakes, roaring waterfalls, and wind-carved mountains that stretch forever.
In Chile, Torres del Paine National Park offers iconic granite peaks and two of the best multi-day treks on Earth: the W Trek and the O Circuit. Expect to meet guanacos (think llama cousins), soaring condors, andâif youâre luckyâa puma.
On the Argentine side, Los Glaciares National Park is home to the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier, where ice calves off the glacier into the water with a roar youâll feel in your chest. Further north, Mount Fitz Roy near El ChaltĂŠn has trails that lead to mirror-like lakes and sky-high views.
Patagonia delivers not just adventure but peaceâthe kind that reminds you just how small and connected you really are.
#3 Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
A fairy tale brought to life.
Sixteen interconnected lakes. Dozens of cascading waterfalls. Lush green forests. Plitvice Lakes feels like it was painted into existence. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Europeâs most stunning natural destinations.
The magic? Itâs in the colors. The lakes shift between emerald green and electric turquoise depending on the minerals and light. Wooden boardwalks wind through the park just inches above the crystal-clear waters, offering up-close encounters with Veliki SlapâCroatiaâs tallest waterfall at 78 meters (256 feet).
Wildlife thrives here, too. Think brown bears, lynxes, wolves, and rare bird species in the dense forest. Thereâs no swimming or loud boatsâjust nature at its purest. Each season offers something new, from summer greenery to frozen winter waterfalls.
This is a place that brings instant calm. No noise, just birdsong and the rush of waterfalls.
#2 Yosemite National Park, USA
An American masterpiece in granite and water.
If thereâs a national park that defines the raw soul of American wilderness, itâs Yosemite. Set in Californiaâs Sierra Nevada, itâs where granite cliffs rise thousands of feet, giant sequoias touch the sky, and waterfalls thunder down like clockwork.
Start with El Capitan, a 3,000-foot sheer rock face thatâs a rite of passage for elite climbers. Even from below, itâs awe-inspiring. Then thereâs Half Dome, an equally iconic granite crestâtough to summit, unforgettable at the top.
The waterfalls? Outrageous. Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and Vernal Fall are just a few, all framed in rainbow mist on sunny days. In February, Horsetail Fall glows orange with the sunset in the famous âFirefallâ illusion.
Keep your eyes open for black bears, coyotes, and mule deer in the meadows. And donât miss Mariposa Grove, where 2,000-year-old giant sequoias stand tall in silent wisdom.
Yosemite isnât just a visitâitâs a reminder of natureâs grandeur at every turn.
#1 The Scottish Highlands, UK
Misty mountains, glens, and legends in the air.
The Highlands are pure atmosphere. Here, drama meets tranquility in sweeping landscapes carved by glaciers and layered in centuries of history.
Start with Glencoe, a cinematic valley of shadowy cliffs and misty trails. The area is full of accessible hikes and jaw-dropping peaks like Buachaille Etive Mòr, known as much for its climb as its presence. Youâll pass ancient castles, remote lochs, and maybe even a shaggy Highland cow or two (theyâre icons for a reason).
The Highlands are where legends liveâin the land and the people. The stillness here feels earned, like a place that invites you to slow down and listen.
This is nature at its most soulful. No filters needed.
Dreaming of your next trip?
Let Foresyte help you turn those travel dreams into travel plans.
Discover fresh ideas, exchange itineraries with other travelers, and stay organized without the stress.
Your wild side deserves a travel companion built for adventure.
Always free to use on the App Store.
