One of our absolute favorite ways to experience the world is by taking in its beautiful and unique scenery! Why not consider challenging yourself to one or more of these hikes and treks as you travel the globe, all of which are chock-full of amazing views?
There’s nothing quite like getting out and taking in the fresh air and beautiful landscapes during a gorgeous hike, and we’re sure you’ll agree. Here are 10 bucket list-worthy hikes from all around the world that we know you’ll never forget:
Inca Trail
Highlights
- Follow the footpaths of the Inca and explore the Andes the way the locals did – by foot!
- Trek through beautiful scenery and see a variety of flora that changes with the seasons
- Pass several small ruin sites like Llactapata, Tambo, and more
- Breathe in Peru’s fresh mountain air
- Climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, better known as Dead Woman’s Pass – the highest point of the trek
- Walk through the Sun Gate and catch your first glimpse of the forgotten city of Machu Picchu.
Time
The Inca Trail takes four days to complete.
Distance
The Inca Trail is 43 kilometers long.
Location
The journey to Machu Picchu will start in Peru’s city of Cuzco at “Kilometer 82”. This trailhead is situated 82 kilometers along the railway from Cuzco, on the way to Machu Picchu.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to hike the Inca Trail is from May to September.
West Coast Trail Vancouver Island
Highlights
- The West Coast Trail features the best of the rugged West Coast!
- Hike along the ocean and through sandy beaches, over giant boulders, and past spectacular caves and waterfalls.
- Keep your eyes peeled to possibly see orcas and humpback whales swimming close to the shore
- Climb up and down rickety wooden ladders (over 100 of them!), cross fallen logs, ride cable cars across rivers
- Spend nights sleeping under the stars on beaches
- Most likely experience some (or a lot!) of the infamous West Coast rain
This hike is completely self-guided, so walkers will need to reserve a place on the trail at the start of the year; spaces are limited.
Time
This hike will take you between 6 to 8 days
Distance
You will walk about 75 kilometers on this trail
Location
This hike is situated in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island. Trail access is from the villages of Port Renfrew, Bamfield, and Nitinaht.
Best Time to Visit
The trail is closed from October 1 to April 30 due to poor weather, lots of rain, and high tides. The most popular time to hike the trail is in July and August when the weather is usually the most pleasant.
The Pacific Crest Trail
Highlights
The Pacific Crest Trail is America’s second-longest trail, and is not for the faint of heart!
- On the Pacific Crest Trail, you can witness some of America’s most scenic and varied terrain, from hot deserts to snowy mountains.
- Hike from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington on a National Scenic Trail.
- Sleep under the stars – on this trail, you can choose to set up camp wherever you want!
- Experience the beauty of the Sierra Nevadas as you travel through lush forests
- Enjoy vistas of volcanic peaks in the Cascade Range.
The trail is divided into 30 sections: 18 sections in California, 7 in Oregon, and 5 in Washington. The average length of each section is 91 miles. Hikers will usually walk anywhere from 10-20 miles a day.
Thousands of hikers and equestrians enjoy this amazing hike every year. This trail is amazing, whether you want to do the whole thing or just plan your visit around doing some of its shorter hikes.
Time
If you hike the whole trail, it will take you between 4-6 months.
Distance
In total, the Pacific Crest trail is a whopping 4,265 kilometers long.
Location
Beginning in southern California at the Mexican border, the Pacific Crest Trail travels through California, Oregon, and Washington until reaching the Canadian border.
Best Time to Visit
Late April to Late September is the best time to hike the trail for the best chance at pleasant weather and trail conditions.
Nepal’s Everest Base Camp
Highlights
Everest is more than a mountain, and the journey to its base camp is more than just a trek. This route is even dubbed by some as “the steps to heaven”.
- Enjoy fantastic views from the mountain flight into Lukla
- Look out for the peak of Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world
- Experience stunning views throughout your entire trek
- See beautiful forests, Sherpa villages, and foothills
- Meet the Himalayan locals during teahouse stays
- Conquer high passes and glaciers
- Enjoy the main event of reaching Everest Base Camp!
Time
Hiking to Everest Base Camp takes 13 days
Distance
The hike to Everest Base Camp is 62 kilometers
Location
Treks to Everest Base camp start in Kathmandu in Nepal. From Kathmandu, travelers will usually take a flight to Lukla in the Khumbu region of eastern Nepal to start their journey to Base Camp.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit and do this hike is from August to November.
Tanzania’s Mt Kilimanjaro
Highlights
Follow in the footprints of some of the world’s most famous explorers and mountaineers as you climb Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak.
- Trek through verdant rainforests, alpine deserts, and across glaciers
- Sleep under the stars by night
- Option to enjoy staying in huts on the Marangu route instead of camping every night.
- Experience virtually every ecosystem on earth—glacier, snowfields, deserts, alpine moorland, savannah, and tropical jungle – all of which are found on Kilimanjaro.
- Experience the bend of the horizon from Africa’s highest peak!
Time
The amount of time needed depends on which route you choose to hike. The popular Marangu route for example can be completed in a minimum of five days.
Distance
Depends on which of the 7 routes you choose; the Marangu route is 72 kilometers.
Location
To get to Kilimanjaro, you need to first fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport. There are 7 official routes for hiking Kilimanjaro and therefore multiple different starting points. However, Marangu is considered the easiest route up and one of the most popular. Which route to choose all depends on which route is best for you and your skill level!
Best Time to Visit
September to March is the ideal time to do this hike.
Patagonia’s Torres del Paine Circuit
Highlights
You’d be hard-pressed to identify a part of the world that can top Patagonia for natural splendor! And once you’ve seen it for yourself, you won’t even bother to try.
- See stunning volcanic landscapes and sprawling prairies stretching to the horizon.
- Trek to the base of Las Torres and see the dramatic three towers and turquoise lagoon
- Hike on reasonably flat terrain through towering mountains
- Relax and walk along the pebble beach and admire the crystal-clear glacier water.
- Admire massive glaciers where you can watch the ice floes of the Grey Glacier
- Trek through other incredibly diverse scenery.
Patagonia’s Torres del Paine Circuit brings you to remote, lesser-visited sections of the National Park and the truly unimaginable scenery to be found there.
Time
Allow approximately 11 days
Distance
This incredible circuit is 133km.
Location
This circuit starts and finishes in Puerto Natales, a city in Chilean Patagonia.
Best Time to Visit
December to March is the best time to visit to hike in the best conditions!
The Basho Wayfarer, Japan
Highlights
Japan boasts numerous ancient trails, connecting its temples and cities. This self-guided trip follows a route taken by the poet Matsuo Basho over 300 years ago.
- Relax in onsen hot springs along the way
- Discover beautiful temples like Entsuin and Zuiganji
- Experience the beautiful coast to colorful forests and remote countryside
- Pass through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hiraizumi
- Head into the mountains of Natagiri-toge
- Finish your journey at the temple of Yamadera
This trek is suitable for anyone who is an occasional walker and can walk for more than four hours comfortably.
Time
This trek will take around 6 days.
Distance
Daily walking distances are between 5–14km. Options are provided to lengthen or shorten each day’s itinerary to suit your energy levels.
Location
This hike starts in Sendai and finishes at Yamadera
Best Time to Visit
This hike is available from mid-May to early November
Cape to Cape Track, Western Australia
Highlights
- See unique flora and fauna, awesome coastal and inland views
- Trek through limestone ridges, isolated white beaches, giant granite marbles, and the tall Karri forest
- Experience stunning vistas of Sugar Loaf Rock
- Take the time to go surfing at some of the beaches along the way
- Marvel at spectacular blowholes, beautiful waterfalls, and turquoise coves
This hike is the ultimate way to see some of the finest scenery in Australia!
Time
This hike will take you approximately five days to complete.
Distance
This trek is about 76 miles.
Location
Starting at the lighthouse at Cape Naturaliste and finishing at the lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to walk the Cape-to-Cape track is March-May (autumn) or September-November (spring). There’s very little shade along this hike so it’s a good idea to avoid going in the summer.
Europe’s Mont Blanc
Highlights
The Tour du Mont Blanc covers more than 100 miles and passes through three countries: Switzerland, Italy, and France.
- Be rewarded with mesmerizing views of glaciers, steep valleys, and, of course, Mont Blanc itself.
- Travel across high passes and through Alpine meadows, recharging at night with delicious mountain cuisine in simple refuges.
- Ride cable cars and experience unforgettable views
- Enjoy amazing views of the deep, green forest and the foothills of the surrounding mountains.
- Visit mountain villages
- Challenge yourself to conquer one of the world’s premier hiking routes and uncover the alpine heart of Europe.
Time
This trek takes 8 days to complete.
Distance
This hike is 125 kilometers long.
Location
This trail begins and ends in Chamonix, France.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit is June to September.
Plain of the Six Glaciers, Alberta
Highlights
- Experience beautiful lakeside views of the iconic Lake Louise
- See the six surrounding hanging glaciers along the way
- Pass beneath tall quartzite cliffs and look out for rock climbers
- See views of the bright turquoise Lake Louise from high up
- Possibly see some wildlife along the way like chipmunks, mountain goats, and grizzly bears
- Enjoy tea and a snack at the Plain of the Six Glaciers Tea House (bring cash!)
Consider taking the alternate route up the Big Beehive and back down to Lake Agnes.
Time
Allow about 4-7 hours to do this hike, depending on your skill level and how many times you want to stop to enjoy the views!
Distance
The Plain of the Six Glaciers Trail is 14.6 kilometers.
Location
Begins and ends at Lake Louise in Banff National Park.
Best Time to Visit
Late June and through the summer is the best time to do this hike so that the snow in the high alpine has melted.
START PLANNING YOUR FAVOURITE TREK TODAY
When you’re ready to explore a new or favorite destination and make your hiking and trekking dreams come true, contact one of our TierOne Travel agents. They have extensive experience in life-changing adventure travel and will be able to craft something incredible that is suited to your unique needs.
One call; endless experiences!
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – Anonymous
