Best Timeshares for Hiking Trips

When adventure seekers envision the best hiking trips, they often think of challenging terrain and being immersed in nature. For timeshare vacationers, this may be the case but often hiking can end up as a glorified walk.

That’s the funny thing about hiking, since some people plan for an experience just short of a Mayo Clinic stress test, while others may be looking for the next rest bench.

I remember visiting family in Northern Virginia a few years ago and my cousin wanted to hike up to the Bears Den Lookout with the whole family. Even the Park website calls it a “short, easy hike.” Next thing I knew I was climbing rocks and over boulders to get to this place. The view towards the west was terrific. My Sketchers took a pounding but lived to tell about it.

It ended up being a lot of fun and I really enjoyed hiking with the kids. What this has to do with timeshares is anyone’s guess, but it brings to mind why the term hiking can mean different things to different people.

Best Hikes Are Often Not Onsite

For timeshares, it is important to note that the best hiking may not be right at the resort, but in a National Park or State Park close to the resort. Timeshare resorts are famous for embellishing their amenities, and this is one term that can rank near the top of the exaggeration scale.

We wanted to provide a list of the best timeshares for hiking trips based on a combination of great hiking trails along with the level of amenities and comfort required by today’s timeshare owners.

And a great hot tub to soak away the soreness of the day.

Top Timeshares in Hiking Destinations

Below you’ll see a list of the timeshare resorts in locations known as great hiking destinations. Because we wanted to diversify the destinations, the resorts below are the most popular for their respective town or region.

The resorts chosen are based on the popularity of the offers submitted by prospective buyers through our online platform, so this is chosen by you, the consumer. For resort details, please click on the names of the resorts.

Diamond Resorts Lake Tahoe Vacation Resort

(South Lake Tahoe, CA)

Because the resort is located in South Lake Tahoe, you are close to some of the best hiking in the area. You’ll have a choice of easier hikes along the shoreline or more aggressive hikes in the higher elevations. Check out the Cascade Falls trail, about eight miles from town, or the Eagle Lake trail featuring the beautiful Eagle Falls. A little closer is the Mt. Tallac trail, a more strenuous hike of about 10 miles round trip with an elevation of about 3,200 feet. It is the tallest peak for hiking in Tahoe.

Marriott's Newport Coast Villas

(Newport Coast, CA)

Most people think of the coast and beaches when they think of this area, but there are wonderful state parks and peaks around this always popular timeshare resort. The resort sits in the midst of several trails, with Crystal Cove State Park offering a number of options such as the moderate El Moro Canyon Loop and Red Tail Ridge trails or the more difficult Pacific Ridge trail. An easier option is the Crystal Cove trail which intersects the coast, even though it is a longer trail than the others.

Wyndham Bali Hai Villas

(Princeville, HI)

At the northern end of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, the Emerald Isle is always a fascinating outdoor destination. The Wyllie’s Beach trail is close to these timeshares and considered an easy hike, as are the Puu Poa and Sea Lodge Beach trails. More active hikers may want to venture out of town to the Okolehao trail and its 1,200 feet of elevation. Plus, there is always the stunning Na Pali Coast to consider.

Diamond Resorts The Point at Poipu

(Koloa, HI)

Along the southern end of Kauai in the Poipu region near the southern-most tip of the island, you will have some great hiking options. The Mahaulepu trail takes four miles round trip and along the coast and over rocky terrain, but with wildlife viewing and terrific coastal scenery. The Makauwahi Cave trail takes you to the largest limestone cave in Hawaii with fossils and about 100 types of native plant life. The more adventurous hikers will want to head out to Waimea Canyon State Park, about an hour drive from the resort.

Wyndham Smoky Mountains

(Sevierville, TN)

From this Wyndham timeshare resort you will have access to the amazing Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its 800 miles of trails winding through the mountains. Closer to the resort, try the Headrick Top Trailhead, the Cedar Falls Nature Walk or further east to Foxfire Mountain trail. The bigger attractions are in the Smokies, so head toward Gatlinburg and into the park where you will find the easier Laurel Falls trail and moderate Grotto Falls trail (about 1 ½ hours) and more difficult Rainbow Falls trail (about 3 hours) and Chimney Tops trail (2 ½ hours).

Wyndham Branson at The Meadows

(Branson, MO)

With the Ozark Mountains as your backdrop, this timeshare resort near Table Rock Lake is the perfect launching point. The White River trail is just down the road from the resort, considered a moderate hike and meanders through the Table Rock State Park. Just north of town are also moderate hikes at the Roark Creek Waterfall trail and Hennings Wildlife Refuge. Further out of town is Dogwood Canyon with nine miles of trails featuring streams and waterfalls.

Marriott's Maui Ocean Club

(Lahaina, Maui, HI)

Wonderful Maui always satisfies vacationers looking for a fun, back to nature getaway. From your home base on Kaanapali Beach on the northwest side of the island, you will have numerous opportunities for hiking. Near the resort is the Waihe’e Ridge trail, but further inland you will find the sensational views of the Iao Needle Lookout – easy but beautiful. West Maui Forest Reserve is more challenging for inland hiking but make sure you head to the other side of the island to hike the Haleakala Crater. Regardless of where you go, you will have a sensational experience.

Wyndham Nashville

(Nashville, TN)

There’s more to Nashville that country music, but did you know that hiking was part of it? One advantage of the resort’s location out of downtown is easier access to many of these trails, such as the Day Loop trail at Long Hunter State Park. Stones River Greenway trail is an easier option that is close by. A little further out is Radnor Lake State Park and the moderate trails of Ganier Ridge and South Cove. The Harpeth Woods trail in Edwin Warner Park is also a great scenic choice.

Diamond Resorts Los Abrigados Resort and Spa

(Sedona, AZ)   

Spectacular Sedona with its amazing red rock formations calls to outdoor adventurists from around the country. The region is dotted with several hiking trails, with the Airport Mesa trail one of the closest to the timeshare resort and featuring amazing view of the Mogollon Rim cliffs. Cathedral Rock trail is a little further out but offers fabulous looks at Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. There’s also Bear Mountain trail to consider, with an elevation of nearly 2,000 feet, but you really can’t go wrong with any hike in Sedona.

Wyndham Grand Desert

(Las Vegas, NV)

Okay, this may be pushing it but many people don’t realize what terrific hiking is available in the Las Vegas region. Surprised? Yes, there is more to Vegas than shows and casinos.

Red Rock Canyon is brilliant and only about 10 minutes out of town. Mount Charleston is on the other side of Red Rock and peaks at nearly 12,000 feet, while Valley of Fire State Park is about an hour drive north. Plus, you can drive to the Grand Canyon but plan for a long day since it's about 5 hours each way. 

Are there more great hiking destinations in the U.S. with timeshares? Sure. Places like the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the Poconos of Pennsylvania and Breckenridge, Colorado immediately come to mind.

Remember that these resorts and locations were chosen from our visitors, so if you have a place in mind and you want to know if there are timeshare resorts in the area, please click here to leave us a message.