24 Best Places to Hike in the World According to Local Adventurer-Peace of mind is the best investment. Who is not at peace during a beautiful hike. Often people find comfort to retract from the chaos of our everyday lives and wander where natures beauty is a reminder that life is short, and the world is much more of a bigger place than we like to think. The Local Adventurer lists the 25 best places to hike in the World and we need to listen to them.
1. Inca Trail
Location: Peru
Distance: 26 miles
Time: 4 days
Best Time to Go: May to September
One of the most popular hikes in the world, the Inca Trail takes you through 26 miles of grueling inclines and declines. You get a chance to explore ruins, jungle, and beautiful mountain scenery, and of course, end the hike at Machu Picchu.
2. The Torres del Paine “W” Circuit
Location: Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
Distance: 37-50 miles
Time: 4-6 days
Best Time to Go: Popular from October and April. We preferred July (their winter).
The popular route that follows the letter “W” takes you through the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park. You get a chance to see volcanic peaks, glaciers, and beautiful lakes. Our friend just went on the longer “O” circuit that encompasses the “W” and the photos looked unbelievable. We can’t wait to do this hike or if we can add a few extra days, we might even challenge ourselves to do the “O”! If you really want to beat the crowds, it’s not as cushy, but you should do the hike in their winter! We saw one other person and guide vs 800-1000 people who are normally on the trail every day during their summer months.
3. Appalachian Trail
Location: Georgia to Maine, United States
Distance: 2,180 miles
Time: 5-7 months
Best Time to Go: Year Round
This hike is one of the longest continuously marked footpath in the world and is not an easy feat. It takes you through 14 states and takes careful planning and execution if you want to do it one go.
4. Kilimanjaro
Location: Tanzania, Africa
Distance: roughly 35 miles
Time: 7+ days
Best Time to Go: January, February, or September
Although it is widely popular now, at 19,340 feet, this is Africa’s highest peak and is still on most people’s bucket list. With a wide range of climbing routes, most travel with a guided tour to reach the spectacular view above the clouds.
5. Kungsleden
Location: Sweden
Distance: 65 miles
Time: 3-5 days
Best Time to Go: August to Early September
Kungsleden, or “The King’s Trail,” is a 275-mile traverse, but get a glimpse of this amazing landscape with a shorter hike. See the amazing Arctic landscape, open tundra, big glaciers, and brush up against Sweden’s highest peak, Mount Kebnekaise.
Location: Nepal
Distance: 70 miles
Time: 16 days
Best Time to Go: March to May, September to November
This trek is becoming popular as you get the opportunity to experience the people and culture that makes their home at these elevations. You also get to be face-to-face with the highest point on Earth.
7. Snowman Trek
Location: Bhutan
Distance: 200+ miles
Time: 25+ days
Best Time to Go: April or October
Some say that this is the hardest trail on the planet and many are unable to finish because unpredictable weather in the high Himalaya. Traversing 11 passes, most of which are more than 16,000 feet, you can only do this hike with a guided tour and is at the top of most hikers’ bucket lists.
8. Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Hike
Location: Arizona, United States
Distance: 44 miles
Time: 4-6 days
Best Time to Go: March to May, September to November
This hike gives you an in-depth look at on of Earth’s greatest features. Not only does it help you appreciate it’s vastness physically, the views and scenery that you get by being up close and personal with it will be more rewarding than any view point you’ll get by a quick stop.
9. Pacific Crest Trail
Location: California, Oregon, and Washington, United States
Distance: 2,650 miles
Time: 6-7 months
Best Time to Go: April to October
Trek through 7 national parks and numerous national forests, state parks, and wilderness areas on this hike. Along the way, you will experience the Mojave Desert and also reach heights of over 13,000 feet. After reading Wild, I kept thinking if she can do this, maybe we can too!
Location: California, United States
Distance: 60 miles
Time: 6-7 days
Best Time to Go: Mid-July to Mid-September
This trek takes you through some of the best of Yosemite National Park (my favorite NP!), part of the John Muir Trail, and the Cathedral Range. You hike through waterfalls, granite basins, sprawling meadows, and you even ascend Half Dome via the Cable Route.
More: 11 Scenic Hikes in Yosemite National Park
11. Chilkoot Trail
Location: Alaska and Yukon Territory, United States and Canada
Distance: 33 miles
Time: 3-5 days
Best Time to Go: Late June to Early October
With routes like the Golden Stairs, the Stone Crib, and the Scales, this hike lives up to its name. Its rich gold miners history brings you through amazing views of Alaska and Yukon Territory and helps you experience the wild and vastness of this area.
12. Tonquin Valley
Location: Alberta, Canada
Distance: 27 miles
Time: 3-5 days
Best Time to Go: July to September
Ansel Adams made his way to this valley to take photos of the amazing scenery and landscape. And a quick google search will convince you that it’s well worth the experience and effort to get into the valley.
13. Bay of Fires
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Distance: 16 miles
Time: 4 days
Best Time to Go: October to May
This hike takes you to endless beaches of white sand, boulders covered in blood red lichen, and alongside turquoise water. You can do this hike on a guided trip or on your own, but the scenery makes it all worth it.
14. Queen Charlotte Track
Location: New Zealand
Distance: 44 miles
Time: 3-5 days
Best Time to Go: Year Round
Located on the north end of the South Island, this trek takes you through sunny hills, next to beautiful blue waters, and gives you plenty of options on how to take this journey.
More: 10 Day Guide to New Zealand’s South Island
15. Mountains of the Moon
Location: Ruwenzori Range, Uganda
Distance: 38 miles
Time: 6-7days
Best Time to Go: December to March
These peaks make up the highest range in Africa at over 16,000 feet. Besides the views, this enchanting place also brings you face-to-face with high altitude glaciers and elephants in the same place.
16. Kalalau Trail
Location: Kauai, Hawaii, United States
Distance: 22 miles
Time: 3-5 days
Best Time to Go: May to September
This amazing coastal hike takes you on steep trails and tropical heat as you trek through amazing jungle, beautiful waterfalls, and explore the mile-long arc of Kalalau Beach.
17. Tour du Mont Blanc
Location: France, Italy, Switzerland
Distance: 105 miles
Time: Around 10 days
Best Time to Go: Anytime from July to mid-September
Experiencing a Mont Blanc holiday not only gives you the chance to hike through 3 countries, but also trek through mountain passes, alpine meadows, and glacial valleys, and the base of the highest mountain in Western Europe.
18. The Long Range Traverse
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Distance: 25 miles
Time: 3-6 days
Best Time to Go: July to September
Less of a trail, and more of a frolic through the Gros Morne National Park, this hike takes you to a land that seems untouched. You will trek over tundra and explore hidden lakes, and you may even share campsites with moose, caribou, or black bears.
19. Laugavegurinn/Fimmvörðuháls Pass
Location: Iceland
Distance: 50 miles
Time: 4 days
Best Time to Go: June to September
Taking you through volcanic landscapes, lichen-covered rocks, and amazing views of rhyolite peaks, this hike packs in more variety in its 50 miles than most hikes do. You also have the option of a 15-mile add-on to start or end at the 200-foot-high Skogafoss waterfall.
More: Your Iceland Winter Road Trip Guide + 5 Epic Day Trips from Reykjavik
20. Sierra High Route
Location: California, United States
Distance: 195 miles
Time: Around 13 days
Best Time to Go: Summer or Early Fall
Keeping you between 9,000 and 11,500 feet, most of this hike runs parallel to the Join Muir Trail but gives you more scenery and solitude.
21. Routeburn Track
Location: New Zealand
Distance: 20 miles
Time: 2-4 days
Best Time to Go: November to April
Located on the South Island, Fiordland National Park has amazing hiking options. Although Milford Track is the most popular hike, the Routeburn Track gives you a chance to see equally spectacular views with fewer people on the trail.
More: Photo Diary of Fiordland National Park
22. Scottish National Trail
Location: United Kingdom
Distance: 470 miles
Time: 5-6 weeks
Best Time to Go: April and May
Opened in 2012, this trail is Scotland’s first end-to-end walking route. Giving you views of the most amazing landscapes in the country, this hike becomes more difficult as you go. If time is an issue, you can also break this journey into four sections.
23. Fitz Roy Trek
Location: Patagonia, Argentina
Distance: 36 miles
Time: 4-7 days
Best Time to Go: February to March
This takes you through Los Glaciares National Park, which by the way is the size of Delaware, and gives you views of beech forests, open plains, glaciers, waterfalls, and the iconic Fitz Roy Massif.
24. Trek to Petra
Location: Jordan
Distance: roughly 50 miles
Time: 5-9 Days
Best Time to Go: October to April
Considered one of the best hikes in the Middle East, this trek takes you through gorges, ridges, and rocky terrain. You end this epic hike exploring the temples and tombs of this fascinating city.
Great post man, keep up the awesome writing!
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve read some amazing posts before, but this one surely takes the cake!
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Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after
I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say great blog!