19 beautiful off-the-grid destinations that are actually worth the trek

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The "Hidden Beach" of the Marieta Islands sits tucked away under the surface, but once travelers arrive, they'll find a stunning secret beach with crystal-clear waters. The beach is accessible through a long water tunnel that visitors can either swim or kayak through.

The "Hidden Beach" of the Marieta Islands sits tucked away under the surface, but once travelers arrive, they'll find a stunning secret beach with crystal-clear waters. The beach is accessible through a long water tunnel that visitors can either swim or kayak through.

Click here to learn more about Hidden Beach »

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The dramatic landscape of Svalbard, located between Norway and the North Pole, is the Arctic North you’ve always dreamed about. With snow-covered mountains, glaciers, and vast ice fields, activities for travelers include everything from glacier hikes to snowmobile expeditions. The best part is that you can get some pretty incredible views of the Northern Lights here.

The dramatic landscape of Svalbard, located between Norway and the North Pole, is the Arctic North you’ve always dreamed about. With snow-covered mountains, glaciers, and vast ice fields, activities for travelers include everything from glacier hikes to snowmobile expeditions. The best part is that you can get some pretty incredible views of the Northern Lights here.

Click here to learn more about Svalbard »

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False Kiva is located within a remote area of Utah's Canyonlands National Park. The man-made stone circle provides visitors with incredible views of the park (especially during dramatic thunderstorms). Part of the difficulty in accessing the site is determining its exact location, since debates range on whether to keep it private or disclose it.

False Kiva is located within a remote area of Utah's Canyonlands National Park. The man-made stone circle provides visitors with incredible views of the park (especially during dramatic thunderstorms). Part of the difficulty in accessing the site is determining its exact location, since debates range on whether to keep it private or disclose it.

Click here to learn more about Canyonlands National Park »

Located on an uninhabited rock island off the coast of Koror in Palau, Jellyfish Lake is one of 70 saltwater lakes that are now cut off from the ocean. Thanks to its unusual location, it's filled with jellyfish that have lost their ability to sting. You'll need to purchase a permit to access the site, which is reached via a trail from Eil Malk.

Located on an uninhabited rock island off the coast of Koror in Palau, Jellyfish Lake is one of 70 saltwater lakes that are now cut off from the ocean. Thanks to its unusual location, it's filled with jellyfish that have lost their ability to sting. You'll need to purchase a permit to access the site, which is reached via a trail from Eil Malk.

Click here to learn more about Jellyfish Lake »

Click here to learn more about purchasing a permit »

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Hidden in the tourist trap that is the Grand Canyon, the Havasupai Falls are not nearly as crowded considering the eight-mile hiking trail you'll need to take to get there. The breathtaking area is famed for its clear blue waterfalls and travertine columns.

Hidden in the tourist trap that is the Grand Canyon, the Havasupai Falls are not nearly as crowded considering the eight-mile hiking trail you'll need to take to get there. The breathtaking area is famed for its clear blue waterfalls and travertine columns.

Click here to learn more about the Havasupai Indian Reservation »

Thanks to lifted restrictions on air routes, it is now much easier to get to the Azores Islands, a far-flung archipelago located in the mid-Atlantic. With its dramatic landscapes of forest-rimmed lakes, fishing villages, green pastures, and clear waters, the area is ideal for enjoying year-round water sports and top-notch dolphin and whale watching.

Thanks to lifted restrictions on air routes, it is now much easier to get to the Azores Islands, a far-flung archipelago located in the mid-Atlantic. With its dramatic landscapes of forest-rimmed lakes, fishing villages, green pastures, and clear waters, the area is ideal for enjoying year-round water sports and top-notch dolphin and whale watching.

Click here to learn more about Azores »

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Spanning across parts of both Argentina and Chile, the region of Patagonia is home to a vast wilderness filled with lush, green forests and soaring mountains. Hike through the stunning open plains and roaring waterfalls of Los Glaciares National Park to experience how beautiful nature can be.

Spanning across parts of both Argentina and Chile, the region of Patagonia is home to a vast wilderness filled with lush, green forests and soaring mountains. Hike through the stunning open plains and roaring waterfalls of Los Glaciares National Park to experience how beautiful nature can be.

Click here to learn more about Patagonia »

Fly to Ittoqqortoormiit in Greenland, which can only be reached via helicopter, to explore a unique world where dog sledding and wildlife expeditions are ways of life. From there, you can also sail the world’s longest fjord system.

Fly to Ittoqqortoormiit in Greenland, which can only be reached via helicopter, to explore a unique world where dog sledding and wildlife expeditions are ways of life. From there, you can also sail the world’s longest fjord system.

Click here to learn more about Ittoqqortoormiit »

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Outdoors enthusiasts will love Liechtenstein, which sits nestled between Switzerland and Austria. Set deep within the Alps, it provides countless opportunities for world-class skiing and hiking, as well as over 56 miles of marked bicycle paths for cyclists to enjoy in a charming setting of whimsical castles.

Outdoors enthusiasts will love Liechtenstein, which sits nestled between Switzerland and Austria. Set deep within the Alps, it provides countless opportunities for world-class skiing and hiking, as well as over 56 miles of marked bicycle paths for cyclists to enjoy in a charming setting of whimsical castles.

Click here to learn more about Liechtenstein »

To get to Socotra — an archipelago miles off the coast of Yemen — you'll have to take a flight from the United Arab Emirates or Sana, Yemen. Once you arrive, you'll discover a landscape unlike any other on earth; the unique dragon's blood tree gets its name from its red sap.

To get to Socotra — an archipelago miles off the coast of Yemen — you'll have to take a flight from the United Arab Emirates or Sana, Yemen. Once you arrive, you'll discover a landscape unlike any other on earth; the unique dragon's blood tree gets its name from its red sap.

Click here to learn more about Socotra »

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Guatemala's Semuc Champey is a paradise for those in search of turquoise waters hidden amidst a lush landscape. Though the ride there can be bumpy, once you arrive, you’ll find a limestone bridge with a series of natural pools that provide cool waters ideal for swimming.

Guatemala's Semuc Champey is a paradise for those in search of turquoise waters hidden amidst a lush landscape. Though the ride there can be bumpy, once you arrive, you’ll find a limestone bridge with a series of natural pools that provide cool waters ideal for swimming.

Click here to learn more about Semuc Champey »

In the reclusive corners of the Ennedi region of the Sahara desert, you'll find one of the world's most fascinating natural wonders: the Lakes of Ounianga. Somehow, 18 interconnected lakes managed to form amidst the barren landscape to make for a stunning site. Private tour operators like Undiscovered Destinations can help navigate you here.

In the reclusive corners of the Ennedi region of the Sahara desert, you'll find one of the world's most fascinating natural wonders: the Lakes of Ounianga. Somehow,  18 interconnected lakes managed to form amidst the barren landscape to make for a stunning site. Private tour operators like Undiscovered Destinations can help navigate you here.

Click here to learn more about the Lakes of Ounianga»

Click here to learn more about Undiscovered Destinations »

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Accessible via small airlines, air taxis, and hiking trails, Alaska's Gates of the Arctic National Park's vast landscape of valleys, rivers, and mountains was molded by years of erosion. Hikers are treated to incredible scenery in the summer and aurora-lit night skies in the winter.

Accessible via small airlines, air taxis, and hiking trails, Alaska's Gates of the Arctic National Park's vast landscape of valleys, rivers, and mountains was molded by years of erosion. Hikers are treated to incredible scenery in the summer and aurora-lit night skies in the winter.

Click here to learn more about the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve »

Deception Island, located in the South Shetland Islands archipelago, is home to volcanic slopes, glaciers, and waters heated by geothermal activity. Its beaches teem with black sands and thousands of chinstrap penguins. Since chartering a vessel here can be dangerous, we recommend going via a tour company like Oceanside Expeditions.

Deception Island, located in the South Shetland Islands archipelago, is home to volcanic slopes, glaciers, and waters heated by geothermal activity. Its beaches teem with black sands and thousands of chinstrap penguins. Since chartering a vessel here can be dangerous, we recommend going via a tour company like Oceanside Expeditions.

Click here to learn more about Deception Island »

Click here to learn more about Oceanwide Expeditions »

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The Oneonta Gorge, located in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, is next to the busier Multomah Falls but often overlooked by tourists. You'll need to hike the winding creek bed to reach its spectacular views.

The Oneonta Gorge, located in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, is next to the busier Multomah Falls but often overlooked by tourists. You'll need to hike the winding creek bed to reach its spectacular views.

Click here to learn more about the Oneonta Gorge »

Mountain lovers will be in awe when visiting Concordia, a glacial junction located in the heart of Pakistan's Karakoram range. Visitors will also be treated to four mountain ranges that rise over 26,000 feet (only 14 such mountains exist in the world). For those who are trained in mountaineering, you can attempt K2 here.

Mountain lovers will be in awe when visiting Concordia, a glacial junction located in the heart of Pakistan's Karakoram range. Visitors will also be treated to four mountain ranges that rise over 26,000 feet (only 14 such mountains exist in the world). For those who are trained in mountaineering, you can attempt K2 here.

Click here to learn more about trekking in Concordia »

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Easter Island is one of the world's most remote islands, located more than 2,000 miles from Chile's mainland. The Ahu Tangerine is the largest Ahu — a stone pedestal or shrine — on the island and functions as a base for the large restored statues that sit on top of it. There are a total of 887 statues on the island.

Easter Island is one of the world's most remote islands, located more than 2,000 miles from Chile's mainland. The Ahu Tangerine is the largest Ahu — a stone pedestal or shrine — on the island and functions as a base for the large restored statues that sit on top of it. There are a total of 887 statues on the island.

Click here to learn more about Easter Island »

Mykines is the most westerly of the 18 main islands located in the Faroe Archipelago, which lies approximately halfway between Norway and Iceland. Here, villages are filled with grass-roofed houses, and the island is known for its large population of puffins.

Mykines is the most westerly of the 18 main islands located in the Faroe Archipelago, which lies approximately halfway between Norway and Iceland. Here, villages are filled with grass-roofed houses, and the island is known for its large population of puffins.

Click here to learn more about Mykines »

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Reflection Canyon, located on the side of Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is known for its stunning colorful reflections. It's typically reached either by boat or through a 55-mile road called the Hole-in-the-Rock Road.

Reflection Canyon, located on the side of Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is known for its stunning colorful reflections. It's typically reached either by boat or through a 55-mile road called the Hole-in-the-Rock Road.

Click here to learn more about the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area »