The Pravčická brána rock bridge is the largest in Europe and one of the Czech Republic’s most impressive, and yet lesser-known, natural attractions. You’ll find it in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, which is full of enchanted forests (the “Narnia” movies were fittingly filmed here) and a dense network of hiking trails. It’s especially lovely in the early autumn, when the leaves start to turn and it becomes a place that is both wild and peaceful, whimsical and stunning by turn.

Why would you head to roughly 70 degrees North latitude on the globe to hike to Alta Canyon in Norway? The stunning, jaw-dropping scenery that awaits. After a nearly tree-free (and crowd-free) trek over a section of the Finnmarksvidda plateau, you’ll encounter a shockingly verdant view of a canyon below — one cut through by one of the world’s most famous rivers among intrepid anglers. It’s a 7-mile geological marvel. Come prepared for unpredictable weather and other potential dangers, but also for reindeer and eagle sightings.

Less than two miles from an opulent Cape Town neighborhood lies a silent world of vaults, apses and transepts where gnarled yellowwood trees arch skyward. They’re vying for the meager sunlight that makes it into the sylvan cathedral that is the Tranquility Cracks on Table Mountain. Millions visit the mountain each year, but few take on The Cracks. Sure, there’s a degree of danger — like sheer rock faces to navigate and crevices to squeeze through — and you need to be prepared for any weather, but the incredible ocean views and astounding botanical diversity are worth every ounce of preparation.

The air in Torres del Paine, Patagonia, is like nothing you’ve breathed before — its crispness makes you feel alive. And its scenery is like life in high definition. That’s why hikers travel halfway around the world to this stunning national park just a stone’s throw from Antarctica. And hiking the challenging trails of this 1,127-square-mile park is not limited to ramblers on two feet. EcoCamp Patagonia offers an all-terrain wheelchair — named Joëlette — for free to anyone with a disability or reduced mobility.

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Sure, you can pay to see the iconic Cliffs of Moher along with the tour bus crowds. But why wouldn’t you take a path much less traveled … and free? A 14-mile hike between the surfing town of Lahinch and the village of Doolin, known for its pubs featuring traditional Irish music, is the first leg of the Burren Way, a 76-mile trail. This stretch has incredible scenery and, most notably, goes past a turnoff for the cliffs — which means you can see the same stunning views but without the tourist hordes. And you get to have a drink in Doolin at the end.

The higher Himalayas aren’t the only hiking option in Nepal. The half-day Kathmandu Valley trek from Telkot to Nagarkot is safer than Everest and offers better insight into daily life in rural Nepal than any Himalayan jaunt. The compact hike also offers stunning views and the opportunity to get up close with nature. Don’t be fooled, though: The hike may be short, but with a 1,500-foot incline at an altitude of over 7,100 feet, it’s challenging, and you’ll sweat buckets. Of accomplishment.

Want a much cheaper, less crowded alternative to the Inca Trail? The Choro Trail, on the outskirts of Bolivia’s capital, also travels ancient Inca paths — and you just might have the route to yourself. Over three days and 34 miles, you’ll descend — yes, it’s mostly downhill — from an altitude of 16,000 to 4,000 feet on mostly paved paths, passing through communities that haven’t changed for centuries, and seeing firsthand the impact of high altitude on climate, vegetation and the human psyche. There are cloud forests and waterfalls too.

Where is your favorite off-the-beaten-track hike? Share your hidden gem with us and we may cover it next.