Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Hokkaido

OutsideApr 30

Forget National Parks, Geoparks Are the Most Underrated Hiking Spots on Earth

While national parks often separate people from the land, UNESCO Global Geoparks celebrate the relationship between human culture and the earth’s rarest geological phenomena. Here's why these 229 sites are one of the best-kept secrets in travel.

fiery centerpiece within Toya-Usu geopark

25 things in this story

Toya-Usu UNESCO Global GeoparkSightstretch of volcanic terrain with caldera lakes
Shikotsu-Toya National ParkSightfiery centerpiece within Toya-Usu geopark
Mt. UsuSightactive stratovolcano with four eruptions in past century
Rie EgawaPlaceguided hikes with Sotoasobu Guides
Sotoasobu GuidesPlaceoffers guided hikes with Volcano Meister Rie Egawa
Mt. Usu Climbing RouteTrailshort, steep 1.8-mile climb to volcano crater rim
Mt. Usu RopewaySightwindow-walled gondola open year-round
Mt. Usu Outer Rim TrailViewpoint3-mile loop to Lake Toya Observation Deck
Lake Toya Observation DeckSightepic view from Mt. Usu Outer Rim Trail
Nakajima Island LoopTrail5-mile loop through native spruce and oak
Akebono ParkParkcampsite on the edge of Lake Toya
Arutori-misaki Camp SitePlacecampsite near the base of Mt. Usu
Okishi Seaside CampsitePlacecampsite on the shoreline of Uchiura Bay
Elsewhere
Upopoy National Ainu Museum and ParkMuseumShiraoi, Japanlearn about Japan's indigenous Ainu people
Hoshino Resorts KAI PorotoHotelShiraoi, Japanweaves Ainu culture into design, luxurious onsen
Stonehammer geoparkSightSaint John, Canadaancient geology, prehistoric discoveries
Irving Nature ParkParkSaint John, Canada600-acre peninsula with Bay of Fundy coastline
Seal TrailTrailSaint John, Canada2-mile loop along fossil-laced shoreline
Heron TrailTrailSaint John, Canada1.6-mile trail linking to Seely Point Lookout
Seely Point LookoutSightSaint John, Canadasweeping views of Saints Rest Marsh
Split Rock TrailTrailSaint John, Canada5.4-mile route through exposed geology
In Step AdventuresPlaceSaint John, Canadaguided hikes in Stonehammer geopark
Inside Out Nature CenterPlaceSaint John, Canadafamily-friendly guided hikes in Stonehammer geopark
Five Fathom Hole TrailTrailSaint John, Canada
Black Beach TrailTrailSaint John, Canada

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Shikotsu-Toya National Park

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Forget National Parks, Geoparks Are the Most Underrated Hiking Spots on Earth