Best Hiking Spots for Fantasy Nerds

This week we wanted to talk about some hiking spots that we think not only make you feel as if you’re in a fantasy, but also inspire creativity when writing about settings. Writing a fantasy setting can be quite daunting, but some time in nature can work wonders, especially if those spots inspire ideas for a setting! This is a list of some of our favorites (so far) in the United States.

Bandelier National Monument – New Mexico

We both remember being blown away by these cliff dwellings when we visited them in New Mexico. You climb up ladders and hike winding cliff paths to get to these houses built into the cliffside by the Ancestral Pueblo people. The view looking out from the cliff dwellings is stunning. If you are thinking of creating a fantasy world with a cliff-dwelling people, Bandelier is a great place to visit.

Manson Pike Trailhead – Tennessee

When I lived in Tennessee this was one of my favorite spots for a quick hike with endless beautiful views and pathways. This photo is of a small break off the main path that opens up into this incredible stone walkway through the river, I always felt it led to a whimsical realm. It’s perfect to make any Fantasy Nerd feel blissfully lost in a fantasy world.

Nederland – Colorado

This small mountain town in Colorado quickly became one of my favorite places. There are various small hikes that move through the city, but this one leads through a bridge that is covered with intricate paintings. I think the view speaks for itself, an incredibly charming town intertwined with nature. Luckily for me it’s about a forty minute drive up into the mountains from where I live, if you’re ever in Colorado I highly recommend visiting Nederland! It’s the perfect town for any Fantasy Nerd, and would certainly be brimming with inspiration!

South Mountain Fairy Trail – New Jersey

This unbelievable trail in South Mountain is sprinkled with fairy homes hidden along the paths. These miniature homes are made of twigs, rocks, acorns, and wood, just as you would expect to find in a fairy forest! The fairies even have tiny furniture in their homes. It seems like so much fun to walk through the enchanting woods and hunt for fairy homes hidden in tree stumps and nestled in the hillside. It is a must-see for Fantasy Nerds, and we want to visit there someday. If you visit just remember, aside from the fairy houses exhibited, they try to promote the “Leave no trace” philosophy in nature.

Lookout Mountain Park – Colorado

What better inspiration for a setting than looking down on a city from above? The view is absolutely breathtaking, and the mountains seem endless! The hike itself is uphill and can be relatively tough, but it’s so worth it when you make it. There are multiple pathways that branch out even further, one goes in a kind of half circle teetering on the edge of the mountain; which I thought would be the perfect setting for an epic battle!

What Do You Think?

Are there any hiking destinations that you think a Fantasy Nerd would enjoy? Does being in nature help you write better fantasy settings? If you found this post helpful, we would love for you to leave a comment, or even buy us a cup of coffee! We promise to share!

Thanks so much for reading!

-Clever & WTF