Are you ready to escape the concrete jungle and move to a place that is footsteps away from hiking? Pack your bags and start a new chapter of life, living in a mountain town with endless hiking opportunities. And if you can’t afford to move, these are some must-visit destinations, which pull at the heart strings of trekkers.Chamonix, France
This maybe one of Europe’s most picturesque mountain towns. Activity flourished year round, thanks to skiing, but there is no shortage of hiking. Most hikers come to explore, or view, the popular Mount Blanc, standing tall at 15,781 feet. The Chamonix Valley features more than 350 kilometers of maintained trails, with endless backcountry opportunities.

Ashville, North Carolina
Ashville is the perfect family-friendly town that is surrounded with hundreds of miles of hiking. Locals and visitors hike the Blue Ridge Mountains to explore the diverse terrain from waterfalls to meadow bluffs. The region contains hundreds of miles of trails ranging from kid to mountaineer friendly hikes.

Banff National Park, Canada
Located in Alberta, the British Canadian Rockies are more than a majestic site to see. This outdoor playground hosts endless recreation opportunities, with hiking being most popular. The National Park contains over 1,000 miles of defined trails, including trekking atop or near glaciers.
Ouray, Colorado
Put your feet in motion in Ouray with over 76 maintained trails. Trails range from easy to extremely difficult, thus catering to all adventurous spirits. For a postcard perfect hike, trek during wildflower season to experience the awe-inspiring views sparkled with hues of pink, purple and white.

Namchee Bazaar, Nepal
Located near Everest, Namchee Bazaar is every hiker’s daydream—perfectly situated to explore the majestic snowcapped Himalayas. This is part of the hiking circuit for Everest and includes difficult hikes and intense scrambles. Hikers must be in top shape to live and hike here, thanks to altitude changes.

Zermatt, Switzerland
The picturesque Zermatt is located at the base of Matterhorn and has easy access to Monte Rosa and Matterhorn. Zermatt is known for its eco-conscious lifestyle, banning combustion engine cars, in need of wanting to maintain clean air. Hiking and mountaineering are the top outdoor activities. Photographers, grab the wide angle lens as the mountain views are big and spectacular.

by Elizabeth Kovar