5 ways to explore the great outdoors

Spending time in nature stimulates the brain and soothes our souls. Here are five ways to explore the great outdoors.

1. Discover The Forth Bridges Trail, Edinburgh, Scotland

The Forth Bridges Trail, one of Scotland’s newest visitor trails, highlights the country’s iconic Forth Bridges, three bridges spanning three centuries. The five- mile circular route, located nine miles west of central Edinburgh, has multiple entry points and brings together 16 points of interest in North and South Queensferry and along the Forth Road Bridge, an area rich in history, heritage, wildlife, nature and beauty. Along the trail, families will spot the world’s smallest working lighthouse, the rock ledges where ferries landed, and Hawes Inn, mentioned in Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel “Kidnapped.” The trail covers both sides of the Firth of Forth and the bridges can be crossed on foot, by bike or train. Opened in 1890, the Forth Bridge is a Scottish icon, recognized as the most famous of cantilever designs and holds the record as the world’s longest cantilever bridge. In 2015, UNESCO inscribed the Forth Bridge as the sixth World Heritage site in Scotland.

For more: www.VisitScotland.com; www.theforthbridges.org

2. Play at Pronghorn Resort, Bend, Ore.

Set amid ancient juniper groves in Central Oregon’s high desert, this resort, near Bend, is a mecca for outdoor lovers. Bond with your crew during a round of golf on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course, or ponder the meaning of darkness during a tour of the on-property cave. Ride bikes or plan a hike along nearby rivers or on forested trails. Spend a day at the full-service spa, sampling restorative services. Visit the wellness teepee for yoga classes, music-enhanced, guided meditations, crystal guidance workshops and herbal tastings. Stay in vacation rentals or the 104-room Huntington Lodge where panoramic views of the Cascade mountains will take your breath away.

For more: www.PronghornResort.com

3. Explore the rolling hills of Logan, Ohio

Visit the rolling hills of southeastern Ohio for great hiking, caving, multigenerational zip-lining, canoeing on the Hocking River and guided day and moonlit hikes. An eco-tour through a nature preserve includes a history and cultural presentation by a Native American of Shawnee descent, who provides insight into what life was like in the region during the time of his ancestors. Take in Ash Cave, considered the largest, most impressive recess cave in the state. Stay in a historic cabin, yurt or geodome at the cozy, family-run Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls where a warm fire, fresh-baked cookies and extraordinary dining await explorers at day’s end.

For more: hockinghills.com; innatcedarfalls.com.

4. Hike in Jackson Hole, Wy.

As a gateway to two of our most stunning national parks — Grand Teton and Yellowstone — this Wyoming paradise has long been a favorite stop for active travelers.

Lace up your hiking shoes and explore amid the jagged peaks of the magnificent Teton Range. You’ll find family- friendly scenic trails that hug the shores of String, Leigh and Trapper lakes. Spend a sunny day picnicking, wading, floating, fishing or kayaking on the Snake River.

Spend the night in one of 25 small, but cleverly-designed (by Wheelhaus) and sustainably built, rustic cottages where you can cook dinner on your own grill, and savor s’mores around a campfire while planning your next day’s adventure.

For more: www.wyomingtourism.org; https://www.firesidejacksonhole.com

5. Sioux Charley Lake, Nye, Montana

This six-mile round-trip hike provides a visual feast of nature’s bounty. The initial views include tumbling waterfalls through a canyon-walled section of the Stillwater River, known locally as “the washtubs.” The river braids and the canyon widens as hikers move toward the Beartooth Mountain peaks, ambling through forest and meadows dotted with wildflowers or the changing colors of the season. While some stretches have been affected by recent flooding, the lake area or intermittent rock outcroppings provide an ideal setting for a family picnic.

For more: www.visitmt.com; www.MTHikes.com.