2020 has led to a damper being put on a lot of our travel plans, as the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down travel and made it outright impossible in some cases. Fortunately, there are more and more virtual tours available these days, which can temporarily transport us to a completely different place.
One of my favorite virtual tours I have discovered recently is a tour of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
The Grand Canyon National Park is the home to one of the most recognizable natural wonders in the United States. The most common route used to hike the Grand Canyon is the Bright Angel Trail, which begins on the canyon’s South Rim and leads all the way down to the Colorado River.
This eight-mile long trail is one of the newest virtual treks Google Maps has made available in a 100% virtual format.
Doing this hike in real life is difficult and strenuous—with a sixteen-mile round trip, a 10% average grade, and unpredictable and varied temperatures making it a hike that’s best for experienced trekkers.
Whether or not you have this type of expertise, observing the burnt red natural landscape and the Colorado River coursing through the canyon on this virtual trek can be done from the safety and comfort of your own home. It’s a brilliant way to lose yourself in one of the most impressive places on Earth.
So, if you find yourself with wanderlust and a desire to seek out something new while you’re at home, a visit to the Grand Canyon National Park and a hike on its Bright Angel Trail might just be the remedy you were looking for.