Of the 30 miles of trails that crisscross the crater, some are suited for half-day hikes; other routes require two days.

Catch a taxi from Marrakesh to Imlil; it's an easy half-day hike to the base camp.

Though this is only a half-day hike, an early start proved as helpful here as on longer trails.

The spa's program was built around strenuous half-day hikes - some through steep trails in the shadow of the redwoods, others through endless rolling hills.

The mountain offers a splendid half-day hike with stunning views over the coast.

Trips to places associated with Thoreau, from half-day hikes to multi-day outings.

That trek takes several days, but there are numerous short day or half-day hikes to nearby villages and waterfalls, all marked on a map available locally.

Here are three of our favourite half-day hikes.

A comfortable half-day hike to the Pedra Bonita goes past a hang gliders' platform, through low forest to a handsome view on the summit.

I question the sufficiency of two one-litre bottles of water for a half-day hike on a hot day like this.