Have you added these amazing hikes to your hiking bucket list?
We are far from hardcore hikers. In fact, my friends used to call me “indoorsy” before I started training for our Inca Trail hike five years ago. We do, however, like to get out and explore, knowing some places you can only access on foot.
We’ve compiled a list of the best hikes in the world, including the distances and best times of the year. So far, we’ve completed two of these hikes plus sections of others.
We hope to get our bodies in shape so we can hike them all in our lifetime. If an indoorsy person like me can do it, you can too!
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Last Updated: December 18, 2024
25 Best Hikes in the World to Put on Your BUcket List
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.
Inca Trail Alternates: Check out The Ancascocha Trail, Lares Valley Hike, or Salcantay Trek if you’re looking for less crowded alternatives. With each, you still get amazing views and you can easily add a day to explore Machu Picchu as well.
See More: How to Hike the Inca Trail in 4 Days + What to Pack for Your Inca Trail Hike
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 wondrous Torres del Paine National Park. You get a chance to see volcanic peaks, glaciers, and beautiful lakes.
You can also do the longer longer “O” circuit that encompasses the “W”.
If you want to beat the crowds, try the hike in their winter. It’s probably not as cushy as the summer trek, but during our hike we only saw one other person with a guide vs 800-1000 people who are on the trail every day during their summer. It’s unreal to have the park to yourself.
Here are some posts we wrote to help you plan your trip:
- How to Hike the W Circuit in the Winter
- W Circuit Winter Packing List
- Summer Packing List for the W Circuit
See More: Ultimate Guide to Torres del Paine National Park
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. Check out REI’s guide here.
4. Kilimanjaro →
Location: Tanzania, Africa
Distance: roughly 35 miles
Time: 7+ days
Best Time to Go: January, February, or September
Africa’s highest peak (19,340 feet) is widely popular and 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. This is the next major hike we want to do.
Guides: If you’re seeking a reliable Kilimanjaro outfitter, we highly recommend considering Altezza Travel. This company offers supremely serviced Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions and is highly rated, securing the #1 spot on TripAdvisor. With over a decade of experience in the field, Altezza Travel is a trusted choice for your adventure.
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.
6. Everest Base Camp Trek →
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 this is the most challenging trail on the planet, and many cannot finish because of unpredictable weather in the high Himalayas. Traversing 11 passes, most of which are more than 16,000 feet, you can only do this hike with a guided tour.
8. Grand Canyon Rim-To-Rim Hike
Location: Arizona, United States
Distance: 44 miles
Time: 1-2 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 its 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.
See More: 17 Breathtaking Things to Do at the Grand Canyon
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!
See More: 21 Best Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge
10. Yosemite Grand Traverse →
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 (our favorite NP!), part of the John Muir Trail, and the Cathedral Range. You hike through waterfalls, granite basins, sprawling meadows, and even ascend Half Dome via the Cable Route.
See 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
This hike lives up to its name with routes like the Golden Stairs, the Stone Crib, and the Scales. Its rich gold miners’ history brings you amazing views of Alaska and Yukon Territory and helps you experience the wildness and vastness of this area.
See More: 17 Unforgettable Things to Do in Denali National Park
12. Tonquin Valley
Location: Alberta, Canada
Distance: 27 miles
Time: 3-5 days
Best Time to Go: July to September
Ansel Adams traveled to Tonquin Valley to take photos of the beautiful scenery and landscape. And a quick Google search will convince you that getting into the valley is well worth the experience and effort.
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 one of the best hikes in the world.
See More: 25 Things to Do in Melbourne for First Timers
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.
See More: 10 Day Guide to New Zealand’s South Island
15. Mountains of the Moon
Location: Ruwenzori Range, Uganda
Distance: 38 miles
Time: 6-7 days
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: 20 miles
Time: 2-4 days
Best Time to Go: May to September
This stunning coastal hike takes you on steep trails and tropical heat as you trek through jungle, waterfalls, and the mile-long arc of Kalalau Beach.
17. Tour Du Mont Blanc Trek
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 gives you a chance to hike through 3 countries and trek through mountain passes, alpine meadows, glacial valleys, and the base of the highest mountain in Western Europe. Check out REI’s guide here.
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 the tundra and explore hidden lakes, and you may even share campsites with moose, caribou, or black bears.
See More: 25 Amazing Things to Do in Newfoundland
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. You can also have a 15-mile add-on to start or end at the 200-foot-high Skogafoss waterfall.
See 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: South Island, New Zealand
Distance: 20 miles
Time: 2-4 days
Best Time to Go: November to April
Fiordland National Park has fantastic hiking options. Although Milford Track is the most popular hike in the park, the Routeburn Track allows you to see equally spectacular views with fewer people on the trail.
See 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: 26 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
This is considered one of the best hikes in the Middle East and takes you through gorges, ridges, and rocky terrain. You end this epic hike exploring the temples and tombs of this fascinating city.
25. Cinque Terre National Park →
Location: Italy
Distance: Varies
Time: Varies
Best Time to Go: Mid-March to Mid-October
Much less crowded than the Amalfi Coast, the Ligurian coast in Cinque Terre National Park offers spectacular views of the rocky coastline. Two of the most popular hikes are Alta Via or “High Path,” which is 22 miles and Sentiero Azzurro or “Blue Path,” which is 7.5 miles.
We explored each of the five towns and the Blue Path a couple of years ago but could only hike parts of the trail because a flood destroyed much of it. We hope to go back now that the trail has fully reopened.
See More: Hiking Via Dell’Amore + Essential Tips for Visiting Cinque Terre
Best Hikes in the World Part II + Readers’ Favorites
- Abel Tasman Coast Track, New Zealand
- Boiling Lake, Dominica
- Cordillera Huayhuash Trek, Peru
- Fish River Canyon, Namibia
- Great Himalaya Trail, Nepal
- Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory, Australia
- Whale Trail, South Africa
See More: Best Hiking Trips in the World Part II
Recap of the Best Hikes in the World
- Inca Trail
- Torres del Paine W Circuit
- Appalachian Trail
- Kilimanjaro
- Kungsleden
- Everest Base Camp
- Snowman Trek
- Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim
- Pacific Crest Trail
- Yosemite Grand Traverse
- Chilkoot Trail
- Tonquin Valley
- Bay of Fires
- Queen Charlotte Track
- Mountains of the Moon
- Kalalau Trail
- Tour du Mont Blanc
- The Long Range Traverse
- Laugavegurinn / Fimmvörðuháls Pass
- Sierra High Route
- Routeburn Track
- Scottish National Trail
- Fitz Roy Trek
- Trek to Petra
- Cinque Terre National Park
Map of the Best Hikes in the World
Frequently Asked Questions
How many miles should a beginner hike?
A beginner hiker should start with hikes that are 5 miles or less in length. These hikes should have a moderate elevation gain and be on well-maintained trails. As the hiker gains experience, they can gradually increase the distance and difficulty of their hikes.
What is considered an extreme hike?
An extreme hike is a hike that is challenging due to its length, elevation gain, technical difficulty, or environmental conditions. Extreme hikes often require a high level of fitness and experience.
What is the most famous hike in the world?
The most famous hike in the world is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru. This 4-day hike takes hikers through the Andes Mountains to the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu.
What is the most intense hike in the world?
The most intense hike in the world is the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. This 21-day hike takes hikers through the Himalayas and is considered one of the most challenging hikes in the world.
What are the Big 3 US hikes?
The John Muir Trail in California, the Pacific Crest Trail in California, Oregon, and Washington, and the Appalachian Trail in 14 states from Georgia to Maine.
What is the world’s scariest hiking trail?
The world’s scariest hiking trail is the Trolltunga in Norway. This hike takes hikers to a rock formation that juts out over a 700-foot cliff.
What is the most iconic hike in the US?
The most iconic hike in the US is the Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, California. This hike is challenging but offers stunning views of Yosemite Valley.
What is the hardest hike in the US?
The hardest hike in the US is the Denali Peak in Denali National Park, Alaska. This hike is over 20 miles long and has an elevation gain of over 18,000 feet.
What is the hiking capital of the US?
What is the deadliest trail in national parks?
The deadliest trail in national parks is the Angels Landing Trail in Zion National Park, Utah. This hike is 5.4 miles long and has an elevation gain of over 1,400 feet. There have been over 30 deaths on this trail since 1990.
What is the hardest day hike?
The hardest day hike in the US is the Mount Whitney Trail in Sequoia National Park, California. This hike is 22 miles long and has an elevation gain of over 14,500 feet.
What state has the most hiking?
The state with the most hiking is California. California has over 10,000 hiking trails, including the John Muir Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Yosemite Valley Loop.
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Download these helpful language apps.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
Do you keep a hiking bucket list? Which of these have you done? Are there any other best hikes in the world that we’re missing?
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SEE More Best Hikes in the World by Region
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.
