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The top best hikes in the world

These famous hikes go through some of the most iconic and remote landscapes on earth, from mountains and canyons to coastlines and alpine regions. Let them be an inspiration for your next backpacking trip.
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Nepal - hike - Annapurna Circuit

Annapurna Circuit [Nepal]

Traverse deep gorges, arid plateaus, and high passes, encountering a mix of cultures and scenery that shifts with every stage of the journey.
Best time to go: February - May, September - November
Duration: 12 to 21 days
Distance: 160 to 230 kilometers
New Zealand - hike - Aoraki - Mount Cook Village Walks

Aoraki - Mount Cook Village Walks [New Zealand]

Walk beneath New Zealand’s highest peaks on accessible trails, crossing rivers and moraines with constant views of glaciers.
Best time to go: September - April
Duration: 1 to 2 days
Distance: 25 kilometers
Montenegro - hike - Balkan Trail

Balkan Trail [Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro]

Traverse a multi-day path linking mountain communities, passing through high pastures and experiencing the region’s changing landscapes and cultures.
Best time to go: April - June, September - October
Duration: 5 days
Distance: 75 kilometers
Spain - hike - Camino de Santiago de Compostela

Camino de Santiago de Compostela [Spain]

Follow centuries-old paths through varied countryside, passing through small towns and fields on a journey shaped by tradition and camaraderie.
Best time to go: April - July, September - October
Duration: 30 to 35 days
Distance: 780 kilometers
United Kingdom - hike - Cape Wrath Trail

Cape Wrath Trail [the UK]

Navigate untamed Scottish landscapes where navigation skills, solitude, and self-sufficiency are essential for crossing rugged, unmarked ground.
Best time to go: April - October
Duration: 10 to 14 days
Distance: 200 kilometers
Ireland - hike - Dingle Way

Dingle Way [Ireland]

Circle the Dingle Peninsula on foot, experiencing shifting seascapes, traditional culture, and the rhythm of rural life along the Atlantic edge.
Best time to go: April - October
Duration: 7 to 9 days
Distance: 179 kilometers
Italy - hike - Dolomites Alta Via 1

Dolomites Alta Via 1 [Italy]

Move from alpine lakes to rocky passes, staying in rifugi and witnessing the region’s shifting light and dramatic geology.
Best time to go: June - September
Duration: 10 to 12 days
Distance: 150 kilometers
Italy - hike - Dolomites’ Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Dolomites’ Tre Cime di Lavaredo [Italy]

Circle iconic rock formations on well-marked trails, encountering wildflower meadows and stark stone landscapes at every turn.
Best time to go: June - September
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: 10 kilometers
South Africa - hike - Drakensberg

Drakensberg [South Africa]

Climb into high-altitude terrain with steep ascents, unpredictable weather, and the chance to see ancient rock paintings in remote caves.
Best time to go: March - May, October - November
Duration: 12 to 14 days
Distance: 1,000 kilometers
Nepal - hike - Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek [Nepal]

Reach the foot of Everest by following a classic route through high-altitude villages, glacial valleys, and the heart of Sherpa country.
Best time to go: February - May, September - November
Duration: 12 to 14 days
Distance: 130 kilometers
Namibia - hike - Fish River Canyon

Fish River Canyon [Namibia]

Descend into a vast chasm, navigating boulder fields and dry riverbeds while camping under open skies and tracing ancient watercourses.
Best time to go: May - September
Duration: 5 to 7 days
Distance: 90 kilometers
Argentina - hike - Fitz Roy Trek

Fitz Roy Trek [Argentina]

Follow well-marked trails beneath dramatic spires, passing through dense woodland and open valleys with frequent weather changes.
Best time to go: October - April
Duration: 4 to 5 days
Distance: 40 kilometers
France - hike - GR10

GR10 [France]

Traverse the full length of the French Pyrenees, moving between isolated valleys, shifting climates, and distinct mountain cultures from Atlantic to Mediterranean.
Best time to go: May - September
Duration: 40 to 50 days
Distance: 1,000 kilometers
France - hike - GR20

GR20 [France]

Tackle rugged ascents and exposed ridgelines across Corsica, where demanding trails reveal wild landscapes and a fiercely independent island identity.
Best time to go: June - September
Duration: 15 to 16 days
Distance: 180 kilometers
United States - hike - Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim

Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim [the USA]

Descend from forested rim to the Colorado River, crossing stark layers of stone before climbing back into cooler pine forests above.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Duration: 2 to 3 days
Distance: 34 kilometers
Nepal - hike - Great Himalaya Trail

Great Himalaya Trail [Nepal]

Undertake a demanding journey linking Nepal’s farthest corners, crossing isolated valleys and high passes through ever-changing terrain.
Best time to go: February - May, September - November
Duration: 150 to 160 days
Distance: 1,700 kilometers
Australia - hike - Great Ocean Walk

Great Ocean Walk [Australia]

Walk parallel to dramatic cliffs and wind-battered beaches, with each turn revealing new perspectives on Victoria’s wild southern edge.
Best time to go: September - May
Duration: 8 days
Distance: 104 kilometers
Vietnam - hike - Ha Giang Loop

Ha Giang Loop [Vietnam]

Ride or hike winding roads that cut through remote highlands, passing cliffside hamlets and valleys carved by centuries of subsistence farming.
Best time to go: March - May, September - November
Duration: 3 to 5 days
Distance: 350 kilometers
United States - hike - Haiku Stairs (Stairway to Heaven)

Haiku Stairs (Stairway to Heaven) [the USA]

Climb a steep, stair-stepped route along a narrow ridge, often shrouded in mist, with sweeping views over Oahu’s windward coast.
Best time to go: March - November
Duration: 2 to 4 hours
Distance: 3.5 kilometers
Switzerland - hike - Haute Route

Haute Route [Switzerland]

Cross high passes and ancient glaciers on a demanding trek linking Chamonix and Zermatt, relying on mountain refuges for overnight stays.
Best time to go: June - September
Duration: 12 to 14 days
Distance: 180 kilometers
Peru - hike - Huayna Picchu

Huayna Picchu [Peru]

Climb a steep, exposed trail above Machu Picchu for sweeping views and a close look at Inca engineering perched on a knife-edge ridge.
Best time to go: April - October
Duration: 5 to 2 hours
Distance: 2.5 kilometers
Peru - hike - Inca Trail

Inca Trail [Peru]

Follow a centuries-old route through shifting ecosystems and past ruins, culminating in a sunrise arrival at the Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu.
Best time to go: April - October
Duration: 4 days
Distance: 43 kilometers
United States - hike - John Muir Trail

John Muir Trail [the USA]

Travel deep into the Sierra Nevada, crossing high passes and remote valleys where granite walls and clear lakes shape every mile.
Best time to go: June - September
Duration: 10 to 14 days
Distance: 347 kilometers
Jordan - hike - Jordan Trail

Jordan Trail [Jordan]

Traverse the length of the country on foot, linking remote valleys, mountain ridges, and small communities over weeks of continuous hiking.
Best time to go: March - May, September - November
Duration: 40 days
Distance: 650 kilometers
Switzerland - hike - Jungfrau Region Hikes

Jungfrau Region Hikes [Switzerland]

Experience a network of trails weaving through deep valleys and high meadows, with frequent train access and views of the Bernese Alps.
Best time to go: June - September
Duration: 5 to 7 days
Distance: 500 kilometers
United States - hike - Kalalau Trail

Kalalau Trail [the USA]

Follow a rugged path along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, traversing lush valleys and steep cliffs to reach isolated sands at trail’s end.
Best time to go: March - November
Duration: 2 to 3 days
Distance: 35 kilometers
New Zealand - hike - Kepler Track

Kepler Track [New Zealand]

Climb from lakeside forest to exposed ridgelines, experiencing dramatic shifts in landscape and weather over a well-marked circuit.
Best time to go: September - May
Duration: 3 to 4 days
Distance: 60 kilometers
Australia - hike - Kings Canyon Rim Walk

Kings Canyon Rim Walk [Australia]

Climb to a high rim for sweeping views, then descend into a sheltered gorge where rare plants thrive in permanent shade and water.
Best time to go: March - November
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: 6 kilometers
Japan - hike - Kumano Kodo

Kumano Kodo [Japan]

Walk historic routes through dense woods and remote hamlets, encountering shrines and traditional inns along the way.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Duration: 5 to 10 days
Distance: 170 kilometers
Sweden - hike - Kungsleden

Kungsleden [Sweden]

Experience remote wilderness as you cross open fells and birch woods, passing through Sweden’s most dramatic mountain scenery north of the Arctic Circle.
Best time to go: June - September
Duration: 25 to 30 days
Distance: 440 kilometers
Australia - hike - Larapinta Trail

Larapinta Trail [Australia]

Experience the heart of Central Australia, where ancient geology and sparse vegetation create a landscape shaped by heat, wind, and time.
Best time to go: April - October
Duration: 12 to 14 days
Distance: 223 kilometers
Peru - hike - Lares Trek

Lares Trek [Peru]

Traverse remote valleys dotted with traditional communities, sharing trails with herders and crossing high passes surrounded by glaciated peaks.
Best time to go: May - September
Duration: 3 to 4 days
Distance: 33 kilometers
Iceland - hike - Laugavegur Trail

Laugavegur Trail [Iceland]

Experience Iceland’s varied interior on a route linking wild landscapes, where each day brings new terrain and the challenge of self-sufficiency.
Best time to go: June - September
Duration: 4 to 6 days
Distance: 55 kilometers
Canada - hike - Long Range Traverse

Long Range Traverse [Canada]

Navigate unmarked terrain by map and compass, crossing bogs and ridges in a landscape shaped by wind and wildlife.
Best time to go: June - September
Duration: 6 to 10 days
Distance: 35 kilometers
Colombia - hike - Lost City Trek (Ciudad Perdida)

Lost City Trek (Ciudad Perdida) [Colombia]

Navigate humid rainforest and remote valleys to reach archaeological ruins, encountering indigenous communities and challenging climbs along the way.
Best time to go: December - March
Duration: 4 to 6 days
Distance: 44 kilometers
Türkiye - hike - Lycian Way

Lycian Way [Türkiye]

Trace rugged headlands and mountain slopes, discovering remote beaches and archaeological sites scattered along turquoise shores.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Duration: 10 to 15 days
Distance: 540 kilometers
Switzerland - hike - Matterhorn Circuit

Matterhorn Circuit [Italy and Switzerland]

Complete a full circuit around the Matterhorn, crossing into Italy and Switzerland and Italy and Switzerland while navigating rugged terrain and isolated hamlets.
Best time to go: June - September
Duration: 5 to 7 days
Distance: 140 kilometers
New Zealand - hike - Milford Track

Milford Track [New Zealand]

Journey through lush valleys and over a mountain pass, encountering frequent rain, towering cliffs, and abundant waterfalls.
Best time to go: October - April
Duration: 4 days
Distance: 53.5 kilometers
Japan - hike - Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji [Japan]

Climb through barren slopes and mountain huts, timing your push for sunrise and contending with altitude and unpredictable weather.
Best time to go: June - September
Duration: 5 to 10 hours
Distance: 14 to 20 kilometers
Tanzania - hike - Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro [Tanzania]

Climb Africa’s highest peak, crossing five ecological zones from lush forest to barren summit, with each day revealing new terrain.
Best time to go: June - March
Duration: 5 to 10 days
Distance: 70 to 100 kilometers
Morocco - hike - Mount Toubkal

Mount Toubkal [Morocco]

Climb steep switchbacks to North Africa’s highest point, passing through stark landscapes and high-altitude villages before reaching sweeping summit views.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Duration: 2 to 3 days
Distance: 18 kilometers
United States - hike - Muliwai Trail

Muliwai Trail [the USA]

Climb out of Waipi’o Valley through dense rainforest, then cross wild plateaus before descending to a secluded bay on Hawaii Island.
Best time to go: March, May - November
Duration: 2 to 3 days
Distance: 18 kilometers
Australia - hike - Overland Track

Overland Track [Australia]

Journey through Tasmania’s wilderness, crossing high passes and deep forests, with each day offering new terrain and changing weather.
Best time to go: September - May
Duration: 6 to 7 days
Distance: 65 kilometers
United States - hike - Pacific Crest Trail

Pacific Crest Trail [the USA]

Experience a continuous journey from desert to alpine, crossing three states and countless landscapes shaped by weather and elevation.
Best time to go: April - July, September - October
Duration: 120 to 180 days
Distance: 4,265 kilometers
United Kingdom - hike - Pembrokeshire Coast Path

Pembrokeshire Coast Path [the UK]

Trace a rugged coastline with frequent ascents and descents, encountering wildlife and tidal inlets that demand careful planning.
Best time to go: April - October
Duration: 10 to 15 days
Distance: 299 kilometers
United Kingdom - hike - Pennine Way

Pennine Way [the UK]

Traverse exposed high ground and remote moors, where unpredictable weather and long distances between settlements test endurance.
Best time to go: April - October
Duration: 16 to 19 days
Distance: 429 kilometers
Italy - hike - Puez-Odle Altopiano

Puez-Odle Altopiano [Italy]

Traverse a high limestone plateau, discovering rare flora and expansive vistas above the more traveled Dolomites valleys.
Best time to go: June - September
Duration: 4 to 6 days
Distance: 20 kilometers
New Zealand - hike - Routeburn Track

Routeburn Track [New Zealand]

Ascend through ancient forest to high alpine basins, with sweeping views and clear streams marking each stage of the route.
Best time to go: October - April
Duration: 2 to 4 days
Distance: 32 kilometers
Peru - hike - Salkantay Trek

Salkantay Trek [Peru]

Cross beneath the shadow of Salkantay Mountain, moving from icy heights to lush jungle, with changing scenery at every stage of the journey.
Best time to go: April - October
Duration: 4 to 5 days
Distance: 74 kilometers
United States - hike - Sawtooth Wilderness

Sawtooth Wilderness [the USA]

Venture into Idaho’s rugged backcountry, where sharp summits and clear lakes reward those willing to travel far from roads and crowds.
Best time to go: June - October
Duration: 7 to 14 days
Distance: 1,200 kilometers
Italy - hike - Sentiero Azzurro (Cinque Terre)

Sentiero Azzurro (Cinque Terre) [Italy]

Follow a narrow route linking five coastal settlements, with steep ascents and sea views shaped by centuries of human cultivation.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Distance: 12 kilometers
Bhutan - hike - Snowman Trek

Snowman Trek [Bhutan]

Endure long days over challenging terrain, entering seldom-visited valleys where small communities live amid some of the Himalaya’s most demanding landscapes.
Best time to go: March - May, September - November
Duration: 25 to 30 days
Distance: 356 kilometers
United Kingdom - hike - South West Coast Path

South West Coast Path [the UK]

Cover a vast and varied coastline, with frequent elevation changes and shifting terrain requiring stamina and attention to daily logistics.
Best time to go: March - November
Duration: 30 to 40 days
Distance: 1,014 kilometers
New Zealand - hike - Te Araroa Trail

Te Araroa Trail [New Zealand]

Undertake a months-long journey across the country, linking beaches, forests, farmland, and mountains in a single continuous trail.
Best time to go: October - May
Duration: 100 to 120 days
Distance: 3,000 kilometers
Australia - hike - Three Capes Track

Three Capes Track [Australia]

Walk along exposed headlands and through coastal forest, with each section offering expansive views and a sense of southern latitude.
Best time to go: October - April
Duration: 4 days
Distance: 48 kilometers
China - hike - Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge [China]

Navigate steep switchbacks above the Jinsha River, where sheer drops and distant peaks create a sense of scale that never fades.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Duration: 2 to 3 days
Distance: 28 kilometers
New Zealand - hike - Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Tongariro Alpine Crossing [New Zealand]

Cross a dramatic volcanic plateau, passing steaming vents and vividly colored lakes in a landscape shaped by recent eruptions.
Best time to go: October - May
Duration: 6 to 8 hours
Distance: 19.4 kilometers
Chile - hike - Torres del Paine Circuit

Torres del Paine Circuit [Chile]

Complete a demanding loop around iconic peaks, crossing windswept passes and camping beside rivers, with wildlife and shifting light throughout.
Best time to go: October - March
Duration: 7 to 10 days
Distance: 130 kilometers
Morocco - hike - Toubkal Circuit

Toubkal Circuit [Morocco]

Complete a demanding circuit linking isolated villages and mountain passes, with changing scenery and overnight stays in traditional guesthouses.
Best time to go: March - June, September - November
Duration: 6 to 8 days
Distance: 100 kilometers
France - hike - Tour du Mont Blanc

Tour du Mont Blanc [France]

Circle Western Europe’s highest massif, crossing borders and high cols while encountering varied alpine scenery and mountain refuges along the way.
Best time to go: May - September
Duration: 10 to 12 days
Distance: 170 kilometers
Norway - hike - Trolltunga

Trolltunga [Norway]

Undertake a long, exposed hike to a narrow rock tongue suspended above a vast valley, surrounded by stark wilderness.
Best time to go: May - September
Duration: 10 to 12 hours
Distance: 28 kilometers
Chile - hike - W Trek

W Trek [Chile]

Experience a condensed route linking the park’s most famous sights, with varied terrain and reliable refugios for shelter each night.
Best time to go: October - April
Duration: 4 to 5 days
Distance: 80 kilometers
Canada - hike - West Coast Trail

West Coast Trail [Canada]

Navigate slippery boardwalks, cable cars, and beach crossings, where logistics and timing are shaped by tides and weather.
Best time to go: May - September
Duration: 5 to 7 days
Distance: 75 kilometers
United Kingdom - hike - West Highland Way

West Highland Way [the UK]

Experience Scotland’s changing landscapes, from wooded valleys to open moor, with reliable waymarking and a mix of wild and serviced stretches.
Best time to go: April - October
Duration: 6 to 8 days
Distance: 154 kilometers
United States - hike - Yosemity Half Dome

Yosemity Half Dome [the USA]

Climb steep switchbacks and use fixed cables to reach a broad summit, with sweeping views over Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra.
Best time to go: April - October
Duration: 10 to 14 hours
Distance: 23.2 kilometers
United States - hike - Zion Narrows

Zion Narrows [the USA]

Wade through cool water between sheer sandstone cliffs, navigating shifting currents and narrow passages deep within Zion National Park.
Best time to go: April - June, September - November
Duration: 12 to 14 hours
Distance: 8 kilometers

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