For adventurous souls, hiking offers the perfect blend of physical challenge and breathtaking natural beauty. Whether it’s trekking through dense forests, climbing high-altitude mountain paths, or navigating coastal trails with sweeping ocean views, some hikes stand out for their unique landscapes and experiences. Below is a guide to the 10 best hikes in the world, ideal for nature enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike.
The Inca Trail is one of the most iconic hikes in the world, taking you through ancient Incan ruins, lush cloud forests, and majestic mountain landscapes, all leading to the famed Machu Picchu. This four-day trek covers about 26 miles and reaches altitudes over 4,200 meters. Due to its popularity, booking ahead is essential.In the heart of Patagonia, the W Circuit in Torres del Paine National Park is a dream for outdoor enthusiasts. The trail showcases glacial lakes, dramatic peaks, and diverse wildlife. Covering about 50 miles, the trek usually takes around five days, making it perfect for those looking for a challenging yet scenic hike.Stretching approximately 2,190 miles from Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian Trail is a renowned long-distance hike in the United States. While most hikers tackle shorter sections, completing the entire trail (a thru-hike) takes about five to seven months. Its diverse landscapes include forests, rivers, and rocky peaks, offering hikers a chance to experience America’s eastern wilderness.Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak and a bucket-list hike for many. The Machame Route is one of the most popular paths to the summit, providing breathtaking views and a range of ecosystems. This challenging trek usually takes six to seven days, with a rewarding sunrise view from the top for those who make it.Hiking to Everest Base Camp is a journey into the heart of the Himalayas, offering incredible views of some of the world’s highest peaks. This trek, covering around 80 miles, takes about 12 days, allowing you to acclimatize to the high altitude gradually. Along the way, you’ll encounter vibrant Sherpa culture and unique monasteries.Often referred to as the “finest walk in the world,” the Milford Track in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park is a 33-mile trail showcasing pristine rivers, lush forests, and cascading waterfalls. The hike takes around four days to complete, with only 40 hikers allowed to start each day, ensuring an exclusive experience.The Haute Route connects Chamonix in France to Zermatt in Switzerland, covering approximately 112 miles. This trek, which takes around 12 days, offers dramatic alpine scenery with views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. It’s a challenging hike, requiring experience in high-altitude trekking.Located in Zion National Park in Utah, The Narrows is a unique hike through a slot canyon, where you wade through the Virgin River with towering walls on either side. This 16-mile hike can be done in one day, but many hikers choose to break it up into two, camping overnight.The West Highland Way is a 96-mile trail running from Milngavie to Fort William in Scotland, showcasing the best of the Scottish Highlands. This trek takes about six to eight days, offering views of lochs, mountains, and quaint villages along the way.For those seeking a truly remote adventure, the Snowman Trek in Bhutan is one of the most challenging hikes in the world. Spanning 200 miles, this trek takes around 25 days and crosses multiple high-altitude passes. The trail offers stunning views of Bhutan’s pristine landscapes and traditional villages.
1. Inca Trail, Peru
The Inca Trail is one of the most iconic hikes in the world, taking you through ancient Incan ruins, lush cloud forests, and majestic mountain landscapes, all leading to the famed Machu Picchu. This four-day trek covers about 26 miles and reaches altitudes over 4,200 meters. Due to its popularity, booking ahead is essential.Highlights:
- Length: 26 miles
- Best time to go: May to September
- Key sites: Machu Picchu, Wiñay Wayna
2. Torres del Paine “W” Circuit, Chile
In the heart of Patagonia, the W Circuit in Torres del Paine National Park is a dream for outdoor enthusiasts. The trail showcases glacial lakes, dramatic peaks, and diverse wildlife. Covering about 50 miles, the trek usually takes around five days, making it perfect for those looking for a challenging yet scenic hike.Highlights:
- Length: 50 miles
- Best time to go: November to March
- Key sites: Grey Glacier, French Valley
3. Appalachian Trail, USA
Stretching approximately 2,190 miles from Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian Trail is a renowned long-distance hike in the United States. While most hikers tackle shorter sections, completing the entire trail (a thru-hike) takes about five to seven months. Its diverse landscapes include forests, rivers, and rocky peaks, offering hikers a chance to experience America’s eastern wilderness.Highlights:
- Length: 2,190 miles
- Best time to go: March to October
- Key sites: Great Smoky Mountains, White Mountains
4. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak and a bucket-list hike for many. The Machame Route is one of the most popular paths to the summit, providing breathtaking views and a range of ecosystems. This challenging trek usually takes six to seven days, with a rewarding sunrise view from the top for those who make it.Highlights:
- Length: 37 miles (Machame Route)
- Best time to go: June to October, January to February
- Key sites: Shira Plateau, Uhuru Peak
5. Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal
Hiking to Everest Base Camp is a journey into the heart of the Himalayas, offering incredible views of some of the world’s highest peaks. This trek, covering around 80 miles, takes about 12 days, allowing you to acclimatize to the high altitude gradually. Along the way, you’ll encounter vibrant Sherpa culture and unique monasteries.Highlights:
- Length: 80 miles
- Best time to go: March to May, September to November
- Key sites: Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery
6. Milford Track, New Zealand
Often referred to as the “finest walk in the world,” the Milford Track in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park is a 33-mile trail showcasing pristine rivers, lush forests, and cascading waterfalls. The hike takes around four days to complete, with only 40 hikers allowed to start each day, ensuring an exclusive experience.Highlights:
- Length: 33 miles
- Best time to go: October to April
- Key sites: Mackinnon Pass, Sutherland Falls
7. The Haute Route, France-Switzerland
The Haute Route connects Chamonix in France to Zermatt in Switzerland, covering approximately 112 miles. This trek, which takes around 12 days, offers dramatic alpine scenery with views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. It’s a challenging hike, requiring experience in high-altitude trekking.Highlights:
- Length: 112 miles
- Best time to go: July to September
- Key sites: Mont Blanc, Matterhorn
8. The Narrows, USA
Located in Zion National Park in Utah, The Narrows is a unique hike through a slot canyon, where you wade through the Virgin River with towering walls on either side. This 16-mile hike can be done in one day, but many hikers choose to break it up into two, camping overnight.Highlights:
- Length: 16 miles
- Best time to go: May to October
- Key sites: Wall Street section, Orderville Canyon
9. West Highland Way, Scotland
The West Highland Way is a 96-mile trail running from Milngavie to Fort William in Scotland, showcasing the best of the Scottish Highlands. This trek takes about six to eight days, offering views of lochs, mountains, and quaint villages along the way.Highlights:
- Length: 96 miles
- Best time to go: May to September
- Key sites: Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor
10. Snowman Trek, Bhutan
For those seeking a truly remote adventure, the Snowman Trek in Bhutan is one of the most challenging hikes in the world. Spanning 200 miles, this trek takes around 25 days and crosses multiple high-altitude passes. The trail offers stunning views of Bhutan’s pristine landscapes and traditional villages.Highlights:
- Length: 200 miles
- Best time to go: October to November, April to May
- Key sites: Laya Village, Jhomolhari Base Camp
