WILD ICELAND

Top places to visit

1. Lake Myvatn geo-thermal area- Approximately 90 kilometers east of Akureyri is Mývatn, Iceland’s fourth largest lake. It was most likely formed in a catastrophic volcanic eruption some 2300 years ago, and the area is still very volcanically active, the Krafla volcano being close by, its last eruption taking place in 1984.

2. Skaftafell park- Measuring 4800 square kilometers, Skaftafell is home to some of the strangest and most surreal landscapes on the planet; the area is formed by a constant duel of fire and water, and camping in the greens of a birch wood forest, surrounded by black desert sands, glacial rivers, and a spur of the Vatnajökull ice cap is always a humbling experience.

3. Asbyrgi canyon- In northeast Iceland, the horseshoe-shaped canyon, Ásbyrgi awaits travellers who thirst for spiritual fulfilment through the tranquil experiencing of natural splendour. The canyon is 3.5 km in length and 1 km across, split by a towering cliff structure from which travellers enjoy fantastic views, while below, pilgrims parade through a thicket of birch, willow, fir, larch and pine.

4. Þingvellir national park- Þingvellir is a national park in southwest Iceland, part of the Golden Circle and just a 45 minute ride from Reykjavik; it is brimming with historical, cultural, and geological importance.

5. Husey in east Iceland- Located between two glacial rivers, the Jökulsá á Brú and Lagarfljót, and surrounded by the Eastern Mountains, Húsey offers endless opportunities for excursions to discover Iceland's untouched nature; 175 species of plants grow in the area (more than in any other place in Iceland), providing ideal nesting spots for the 30 species of birds who squat there every spring.

WILD CANADA

Top places to visit

1. Auyuittuq National Park, Nunavut- Sweeping glaciers and polar sea ice meet jagged granite mountains in Auyuittuq National Park. Located in the eastern Arctic, on southern Baffin Island, the park includes the highest peaks of the Canadian Shield, the Penny Ice Cap, and the Akshayuk Pass. The park was established in 1976, and its meaning is "land that never melts". Whether you choose to hike, ski, or climb the peaks, this park offers camping, and also suggests experienced outdoorsmen explore this rugged, and majestic terrain. The wildlife is untouched, and beautifully adapted to its surroundings. There are fewer numbers of wildlife species in the arctic ecosystems as compared to the southern ecosystems. The arctic ecosystems include whales, colonies of seabirds, and herds of caribou. The coastal marine areas, including the northern fiords of the park, are rich in wildlife. Eight species of terrestrial mammals, six species of marine mammals, 18 species of breeding birds, and 13 species of fish have been recorded in the park area. Real outdoorsy types are often found exploring this enchanting natural beauty.

2. Historic Lunenburg, Nova Scotia- Situated on the province's South Shore, Lunenburg is located on the Fairhaven Peninsula at the western side of Mahone Bay. It’s a rather easy destination to get to from Maine, or other New England locations. This area of Canada is great for the traveler who loves hotel accommodations, but needs to experience nature to its fullest during the day. The town is nestled along the ocean, and its unique culture of maritime and wilderness make for a nice, well-balanced experience. The historic town has a lot to offer, such as colorful galleries and shops, arranged on a tidy grid of walkable streets, or the avid fisherman can visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic to understand the town's maritime history. A nearby preserve, Indian Falls, is home to numerous walking and hiking trails, on-site privies, rock beaches, and many look-out points. Pack a lunch, and make a day out of exploring the other nearby parks for some Canadian adventures. LaHave River Trail is another enchanting place to visit. Access attracts hikers, bicyclists, ATV riders, snowmobilers, skiers, and horseback riders!

3. Lake Louise – Banff National Park, Alberta- Located in Banff National Park, Lake Louise is a glacier lake of unusual and beautiful colors. In general, Banff National Park is a great starting place, as it has a healthy combination of unspoiled wilderness, modern amenities and opportunities for active exploration. Lake Louise is just one spectacular stop off within the park. This alpine lake, known for its sparkling blue waters, is situated at the base of impressive glacier-clad peaks that have long been at the heart of Canadian mountaineering. At about 2.5 kilometers long and 90 meters deep, the lake offers a surreal paddling experience in the warm summer months and one of the most scenic skating rinks in the world in winter. There are tons of activities, all year round. Try hiking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding or skiing. Numerous festivals happen at the park all year round, including Lake Louise Pond Hockey, MEC Ice climbing Festival, or the Subaru Banff Triathlon!

4. Big Muddy Badlands & the Outlaw Trail – Saskatchewan- If the desert landscape tickles your fancy, head north of Montana to the Big Muddy Badlands of Saskatchewan, for natures beautiful architecture of caves, buttes, and an undeniable outlaw feeling of the Wild West. In the heart of Big Muddy, you’ll find Castle Butte, a relic from the ice age, rising 70 meters in height, it served as a landmark to First Nations people, the NWMP and early settlers. Big Muddy encompasses centuries of history and a large part remains untold. Evidence of early civilization can be found throughout the area in the form of stone effigies, ceremonial circles and ancient buffalo jumps. Check out the Cypress Hills for a cowboy camp, or just some fun zip lining. The Grasslands area offers grass-covered cliffs, with free roaming wildlife, such as buffalo! Bird watching and other outdoor activities are vast in this part of Canada. And Lake Diefenbaker offers boating, kayaking, and other water activities. There is a lot to experience in Saskatchewan, so be sure to stay for a couple days!

5. Algonquin Provincial Park – Ontario- The first provincial park in Ontario, protects a variety of natural, cultural, and recreational features and values. As one of the largest provincial parks, Algonquin is diverse and offers something for nearly everyone. Vast wildlife, water activities, hiking and planned activities are all part of a typical day at Algonquin. Backpacking and camping is very popular throughout the park, as well as boating, dogsledding and snowmobiling, depending on which part of the year you visit. Algonquin is home to over 40 mammals, over 30 kinds of reptiles and amphibians (none venomous), and more than 130 breeding birds. One cannot expect to see all of them in a single visit but, by following a few guidelines, it is possible to see a good sample.