Beyond the city: four back-to-nature daytrips

By Gemma Askham

September 4, 2023

Combine your next city break with an outdoor adventure, whether it’s lounging in a hot spring or scaling a volcano.

To truly appreciate the city, you sometimes need to get away from it. While a week in the wilderness might not be on the cards, even a day trip can work wonders to help you recharge, see things differently and feel at one with nature. That might mean exchanging New York’s skyscrapers for soaring mountain vistas, drifting over the desert outside Marrakech or getting up close to a glacier. Whatever your version of urban escapism, these four day trips deliver.

Glorious views of Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson River in autumn

New York: climb Bear Mountain

Why nibble the Big Apple when you can explore the whole orchard? An hour’s drive north of Mandarin Oriental, New York, Bear Mountain State Park takes in 5,200 acres of all-seasons terrain. Go midweek to swerve the weekend migration of NYC locals, here for summer picnics or a spot of skiing come winter, when cross-country trails wind through the glittering trees. Hiking trails range from gentle saunters, such as the loop of Hessian Lake, to the challenging ascent of Bald Mountain, which requires proper hiking gear. Epic year round, the landscapes are incredible in autumn, when the baked-golden foliage is best admired from the Perkins Memorial Tower. Look out for resident wildlife, from woodpeckers to deer (the black bears are more reclusive and not to be approached). In any case, the mountain is named for its contours, which – if you squint – resemble a recumbent bear.

Visitors exploring the picturesque Lion Forest Garden in Shanghai

Shanghai: linger in otherworldly gardens

Gardens might not be your first thought when it comes to Shanghai – a soaring metropolis, more known for its urban growth. An hour’s drive west of the city, though, is the canal-crossed city of Suzhou, home to a series of extraordinary gardens. Nine are Unesco-protected, including the 11th-century Canglang Ting, with its lotus pond and latticed lookouts. They were designed as places of quiet contemplation for intellectuals, so pathways are intentionally uneven to slow the walker’s pace (which can be tricky for anyone with restricted mobility). Water, stones and pavilions are as important as the plants, and there’s beauty at every turn, from the limestone labyrinths of the Lion Forest Garden to the painterly, pavilion-dotted Humble Administrator’s Garden. The lakeside Master of the Nets Garden is another standout, once owned by two artist brothers, and stalked by their pet tiger.

Glorious aerial view across a volcano crater in the volcanic region of La Garrotxa, Spain

Barcelona: scale volcanoes in La Garrotxa

Around 90 minutes’ drive towards the French border, La Garrotxa National Park feels a world away from Barcelona. Spanning more than 12,000 hectares, it takes in 40 extinct volcanoes, and is scattered with mediaeval towns. An excellent starting point is Olot, a pocket-sized city dominated by four volcanos. From the tourist office, it’s around half an hour’s walk to Montsacopa’s crater, with views across the vast volcanic plain and Pyrenean peaks. The city is also famed for its food, from its signature, stuffed patates d’Olot to its fine dining: the farm-set, fiercely seasonal Les Cols holds two Michelin stars. If that all feels too urban, hike the seven-mile trail from the Santa Margarida Volcano the to Croscat’s towering cone. It takes you via the Jordà beech forest, whose rustling trees grew on top of ancient lava.

Panoramic views across the deep valley of Cajón del Maipo, Chile

Santiago: find adventure in Cajón del Maipo

Santiago is a city with a backdrop like no other: the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. It’s quite something to wake up to, not least if you’re staying in a suite with a terrace at Mandarin Oriental, Santiago. Set against a cloud-dappled sky, the origami folds of rock seem almost superimposed – but travel 15 miles southeast, and you’re within rock-touching distance. Here, the Cajón del Maipo gorge is the setting for myriad adventures, from canyoning and climbing to hiking and rafting. If that’s too much, it also has its peaceful side, from the hot springs at Termas Valle de Colina (a longer drive from the city) to the Parque Pailalén observatory, which offers night-time treks and stargazing.

About the Author

Gemma Askham

Gemma is a freelance travel and lifestyle journalist, who writes for Condé Nast Traveller, Fodor’s and British Airways High Life.