Karen has written extensively about adventure travel, hiking, sustainable tourism, music, culture, international health, and history. She has received more than 20 awards for writing, editing, and photography, including a Gold Lowell Thomas Award and a silver National Outdoor Book Award.
Recent Favorites
Berkshire Magazine: An American Elm
The Baldwin Hill Elm is one in a million. Here’s why its fame extends to the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. and the Guardian newspaper in England. (August, 2022)
Saturday Evening Post: Hiking into the Past on America’s National Historic Trails
Cover story about the experiences and lessons offered on America’s 19 Congressionally designated national historic trails. (March-April 2022)
OutsideOnline: Hiking the AppalachianTrail: A Beginner’s Guide.
Digital edition. Feature package on what it’s like to hike the AT — and how to be successful in a challenge some 75 percent of hikers fail to complete. (June, 2021). Honorable Mention in service writing, 2022 Lowell Thomas Awards.
Saturday Evening Post: Peace in the Time of Covid-19
Digital edition. Finding peace and balance in the upheaval of cancer surgery during the pandemic. (June, 2020)
Afar.com: This 175-Mile Trail Takes You Through the Hidden Treasures of Hawaii
The Ala Kahakai is an ancient trail on the “Big Island” used by many generations of Native Hawaiians. It connects cultural, historic, and religious sites. (September, 2020)
Frommers.com: America’s Greatest National Historic Trails: Scenic Routes in the Footsteps of History
10 of the most interesting sites in America’s national historic trails system. (September, 2020)
Favorites: Narratives/Features
Saturday Evening Post: National Parks at 100
Cover story. A personal look at the past, present, and enduring value of the national parks. (Spring, 2016, print edition).
Virtuoso Travel + Life: Of Witch Doctors, Rambutans, and What News of Waking Up
In Zanzibar, Karen Berger learns that learning about language means learning about life.
Buckettripper.com: Paying Respects at Struthof Concentration Camp in Alsace, France
A hike across France takes Karen to the front gates of a WWII concentration camp. This story was a gold medal winner in the North American Travel Journalists competition for 2013.
Short Favorites: Trip Reports
National Geographic Traveler: A Town of Two Tales
Genial Bayeux, France, just wanted to mind its own business, but two of Europe’s great invasions clinched it a place in history.
Robb Report: High Wire Action
On a heli-hiking trip in British Columbia, Karen takes to the skies to explore an above-tree-line paradise.
Round-ups/Service
NBCNews.com (from Forbestraveler.com): America the Musical
America’s top music cities, past and present
NBCNews.com (from Forbestraveler.com): High-Flying Heli Adventures
World-wide helicopter adventures from skiing to safaris.
Karen’s stories have appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, Delta Sky, Morning Calm, OutsideOnline, Backpacker, Islands, Robb Report, Family Circle, National Geographic Traveler, AAA publications (including Westways, Via, Texas Journey, New Mexico Journey, Alabama Journey, and Northern New England Journey), France Guide, the New York Times, New England Travel and Life, Weight Watchers, Child, AMC Outdoors, Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, Frommers.com, Virtuoso’s Travel+Life, Scouting, Out Here; Berkshire, Litchfield, and Ridgefield magazines; Forbestraveler.com, GORP.com, Away.com, TravelClassics.com, MSNBC.com, USAToday.com, Weather.com, Afar.com, Heathymagination.com, and other major Internet and print markets.