Destinations

Terradrift destination guides help you figure out where to go and what to do (and where to find the best vegan food) in cities all over the world without blowing your budget. We’ll help you experience the world in all sorts of destinations! Don’t forget to pack your hiking boots! Looking for a particular destination? Try our search feature!

Destinations | South America

What to Pack for an Antarctica Cruise from Clothing to Equipment
ByAlisha McDarris January 30, 2025May 29, 2025

Antarctica is a magical wonderland. It looms large as a dream destination for so many exploratory travelers. That includes us. So when we got the opportunity to go on the first ever Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Antarctica Direct Sail and Fly expedition, we were over the moon. We couldn’t wait to see penguins, whales, learn plenty about science and conservation and climate change on board, and marvel at this vast wilderness. If that’s you, whether you’ve already booked your trip or are currently in the dreaming and planning phase, it may be helpful to know what to pack for an Antarctica cruise. Specifically an expedition cruise. Here’s what we brought along.

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Adventure | South America

I Backpacked the First Ever Fjällräven Classic Chile. New AND Experienced Backpackers Should Consider It.
ByAlisha McDarris January 3, 2025May 29, 2025

When I joined the outdoor brand Fjällräven for their Classic USA in Colorado last summer, I had no reason to believe I’d get the chance to do it again at any of their other 7 Classic events around the world. But when they announced a brand new 4-day backpacking route in Patagonia in Chile, I was thrilled to do it all again, this time in such a remarkable trekking destination. It was certainly different than the USA Classic, but one thing that remained the same: it’s a great event whether you’ve been backpacking for years or you’ve never been backpacking before ever. Think you might want to check out a Fjällräven Classic yourself? Here’s what I learned from backpacking with 200 of my closest friends. Twice.

Read More I Backpacked the First Ever Fjällräven Classic Chile. New AND Experienced Backpackers Should Consider It.
Destinations | Europe

The 5 Best Hikes in Europe (Or at Least Our Faves)
ByAlisha McDarris October 17, 2024October 17, 2024

We love to travel here at Terradrift. And we’ve spent enough time exploring Europe now to definitely have our favorite spots for outdoor adventure. So if you’re headed to (or located in) mainland Europe, definitely check out these routes, which might just be some of the best hiking trails in Europe (they’re at least some of our faves so far).

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Adventure | North America

Our 5 Favorite Hikes in the USA! (A Non-Exhaustive List, Obvs)
ByAlisha McDarris October 17, 2024October 17, 2024

Here at Terradrift, we’re hikers first (even though we are also obsessed with backpacking and mountain biking). And as such, we’ve explored nearly every corner of the wide and wonderful landscape known as the U.S. Along the way, we’ve found some magical trails (including paddle trails) from coast to coast (including in Hawaii and Alaska). Naturally, there are millions of trails around this massive country, and we obviously haven’t hiked even close to all of them. We haven’t even hiked in every state (though we’ve been to almost every state)! But of the places we have laced up our vegan hiking boots, these are some of our favorite hikes in the USA!

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Adventure | North America

Ride the Rim at Crater Lake National Park: The Absolute Best Way to Experience the Park!
ByAlisha McDarris October 3, 2024June 19, 2025

Looking for a unique way to experience a national park that is the perfect balance of adventure and exploration but doesn’t involve sitting in the car and driving from lookout point to lookout point all day or spending four days backpacking in the wilderness? We’ve got just the thing: ride your bike around the Rim Road at Crater Lake National Park! “That’s crazy!” you say? “It’s too hilly and there are cars!” you say? Well, no, it’s totally not crazy! And yes, it’s hilly, but if you plan strategically and get to Crater Lake in early September, you absolutely can ride (almost) the entire rim road with no cars at all! It’s the totally FREE Ride the Rim event and it. was. baller.

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North America

A Coastal Oregon Road Trip: Beaches, Sand Dunes, Rocky Coastline, and No Crowds!
ByAlisha McDarris September 19, 2024April 7, 2026

Oregon–pretty much the whole state–is a gold mine of outdoor adventure. There’s mountain biking, hiking around mountains, backpacking, kayaking, and so much more. And the Oregon Coast is no exception. Between sandy beaches, whale watching, sandboarding, biking and hiking, you’ll never run out of things to do. But if you want to avoid the crowds, follow this coastal Oregon road trip itinerary for fewer people and plenty of quality outdoor time, epic views, and moody Pacific Northwest weather.

Read More A Coastal Oregon Road Trip: Beaches, Sand Dunes, Rocky Coastline, and No Crowds!
North America

Indigenous Tours in Banff: 5 Amazing (and Meaningful) Adventures with the Region’s Original Guides
ByAlisha McDarris July 25, 2024July 1, 2025

When I head into the mountains, either the Wasatch range near my home, the Austrian or Swiss Alps, or the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park, I am always moved. Sure, I love to move fast and summit peaks as much as the next outdoor lover, but for years immersing myself in nature has been as much about the peace and calm I find there, enjoying the majestic scenery, and taking time to bear witness to the power of nature. But when I got to go to Alberta, Canada recently and spend time in the Rockies around Banff and Jasper (the tailbone of Turtle Island–a.k.a. North America), the wonder I have always felt in the outdoors was amplified each time I set out to explore with the region’s Indigenous guides. Here are 5 Indigenous tours I heartily recommend in the area.

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Destinations | North America

Hiking in West Virginia: Dolly Sods and Beyond!
ByAlisha McDarris June 27, 2024July 1, 2025

In the list of states long overlooked when it comes to hiking, biking and outdoor adventure, West Virginia ranks pretty high on the list. But for those who know, this little state that’s as much the north of the south as it is the south of the north is brimming with wide open spaces to explore. There are tons of wilderness areas, state parks, and forests to get lost in (please don’t get lost), so we recently headed to Tucker County, home to Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley, and Dolly Sods, to see what makes the region so special. Here’s how to spend a long weekend to a week biking, chasing waterfalls, and hiking in West Virginia.

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Destinations | North America

7 Hikes Near Hood River and Mt. Hood, Oregon (and Other Outdoorsy Fun)
ByAlisha McDarris May 31, 2024July 1, 2025

Until two years ago, when I attended PCT Days in Cascade Locks and then spent a few days on the Pacific Crest Trail with a thru-hiker friend of mine, I had never been to the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood area. But it was perhaps even more captivating than what I had seen and experienced in other areas of Oregon. So I couldn’t wait to return and explore the outdoor adventure opportunities and hikes near Hood River and nearby Mt. Hood. After all, the Columbia River is wide and impressive, the sun bright, the mountain views pretty dang spectacular, and the trails abundant. So we recently spent a few days exploring, hiking, biking, and discovering some of what there is to do in the region (mostly where trails are concerned). Spoilers: we found plenty. So if you’re ready to plan your own adventure, here are some of our favorite hikes near Hood River and Mt. Hood!

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Adventure | Destinations | North America | Travel Tips

Are Group Hiking Trips Worth It? I Went to Sedona to Find Out.
ByAlisha McDarris May 9, 2024December 16, 2025

Whether you don’t like to hike or travel solo, can’t convince anyone from your friends or family group to join you on an exploratory hiking trip, or you simply like the camaraderie and all-inclusive pre-planned schedule group trips offer, a fully guided group trip may be for you. And if you love the outdoors, chances are you’ve heard about REI Adventures trips, which are packed with hiking, camping, lodges, and plenty of other outdoorsy fun. But are REI Adventures worth it (or any group hiking trip, for that matter)? I recently joined REI on their Sedona, Arizona luxury hiking trip to see what these sorts of experiences are all about and who is sure to enjoy them (and who probably won’t).

Read More Are Group Hiking Trips Worth It? I Went to Sedona to Find Out.