50 Best Hikes in the World to Put on Your Bucket List

There’s nothing like getting out and getting some fresh air on a gorgeous hike. No matter if your idea of a hike is a leisurely walk along the coast of Italy or climbing the highest mountain on Earth, we’ve got you covered. Below are the best hikes in the world.

1. Torres del Paine W Circuit

Location: Patagonia, Chile
Distance: 37+ miles (60+ km)
Time: 5 – 6 days
Best time to go: October to March

The W Circuit is one of the most recommended hikes you’ll find. Not only will you appreciate the diverse landscapes and striking granite pillars, but you’ll probably meet some new hiker friends along the way. Looking for guided treks or other adventures in Patagonia Chile?

2. Inca Trail

Location: Peru
Distance: 26 miles (43 km)
Time: 4 – 5 days
Best time to go: May to September

Be prepared for a lot of ascending and descending when you sign up for one of the best hikes in the world. Along the way you’ll see ruins, mountains, and rivers before ending at the iconic Machu Picchu.

3. Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Hike

Location: Arizona, United States
Distance: 48 miles (77 km)
Time: 1 – 3 days
Best time to go: May to June, September to October

There’s no better way to experience one of the greatest wonders in the world. Located in one of the USA’s most beautiful parks, the views are absolutely mesmerizing, just make sure you’re prepared for the challenge.

4. Everest Base Camp Trek

Location: Nepal
Distance: 80 miles (130 km)
Time: 12+ days
Best time to go: March to May, September to December

Renowned as one of the best treks in the world, the Everest Base Camp Trek gives you a glimpse of the highest summit on Earth. Not only that, but you can also get to know the Sherpa people and visit ancient Tengboche and Thami monasteries.

5. Fitz Roy Trek

Location: Patagonia, Argentina
Distance: 36 miles (58 km)
Time: 4 – 7 days
Best time to go: November to April

One of Patagonia’s best-known landmarks, this rugged trek offers some of the most dramatic views in the world. Flora and fauna fill the park while striking rock formations create an amazing landscape.

6. Trek to Petra

Location: Jordan
Distance: 47 miles (76 km)
Time: 5 – 6 days
Best time to go: October to April

Take the road less traveled through the Kingdom of Jordan and experience one of the seven wonders of the world. Hike through canyons, gorges, and ridges, and see tombs and temples along the way all while avoiding crowds of tourists.

7. Yosemite Grand Traverse

Location: California, United States
Distance: 60 miles (96 km)
Time: 6 – 7 days
Best time to go: July to September

Known for some of the best hiking in the world, Yosemite National Park is famous for its views and huge sequoia trees. Praised by National Geographic, the Yosemite Grand Traverse will take you through waterfalls, green mountaintops, and meadows on its surreal trail.

8. Bay of Fires

Location: Tasmania, Australia
Distance: 16 miles (25 km)
Time: 4 days
Best time to go: October to May

This hike is highlighted by white beaches, blue waters, and orange-toned granite. The air is absolutely pristine and you’ll get a chance to experience ecology, wildlife, and rocky headlands along the way.

9. Long Range Traverse

Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Distance: 23 miles (37 km)
Time: 3 – 5 days
Best time to go: June to September

This leading backpacking trail takes you through a beautiful, yet rugged and unmarked backcountry route. Campsites dot the trail to make sure you stay on track, but you do have to be experienced in compass and map navigation. Make sure to be on the lookout for wildlife like caribou and moose.

10. Queen Charlotte Track

Location: New Zealand
Distance: 45 miles (70 km)
Time: 3 – 5 days
Best time to go: September to May

The true beauty of New Zealand is experienced on Queen Charlotte Track. One of the best places to go hiking in the world, the native bush and coastal views make this hike pretty close to perfect.

11. Kalalau Trail

Location: Kauai, Hawaii, United States
Distance: 22 miles
Time: 3 – 5 days
Best time to go: April to October

Traverse lush valleys and lofty sea cliffs on this stunning hike. Both thrilling and exhausting, it’s not hard to see why it always makes the list of the world’s best hikes.

12. Croagh Patrick

Location: Ireland
Distance: 8 miles
Time: 1 day
Best time to go: April to October

Topping the list of the best day hikes in the world, Croagh Patrick is one of Ireland’s most-climbed mountains and a significant place of Christian pilgrimage. At the top you’ll be rewarded with views of Clews Bay and the surrounding scenery near the town of Westport.

13. West Coast Trail

Location: British Columbia, Canada
Distance: 47 miles (75 km)
Time: 5 – 7 days
Best time to go: May to September

The West Coast Trail is a rite of passage for any true hiker. The trail includes bogs, forests, waterfalls, beach treks, moss-covered ladders, and more. Hike in the footsteps of the First Nation ancestors and support eco-friendly tourism when you take on one of the best hiking trails in the world.

14. Tour du Mont Blanc

Location: France / Italy / Switzerland
Distance: 110 miles (170 km)
Time: 8 – 12 days
Best time to go: July to September

Consistency ranked among the best long distance hiking trails in the world, the Tour du Mont Blanc takes you through three different countries and a variety of lovely terrain. Be prepared to make friends with everything from marmots to wild alpine goats as you admire woodlands, glaciers, meadows, and more along the way.

15. Mount Kilimanjaro

Location: Tanzania
Distance: Depends on the route
Time: 5 – 9 days
Best time to go: June to October

This dormant volcano is not only one of the best mountain hikes in the world, but it’s also Africa’s highest mountain. Though you may not see much wildlife, you’ll enjoy many beautiful landscapes as well as flowers and plants unique to Kilimanjaro.

16. Bibbulmun Track

Location: Australia
Distance: 623 miles (1000 km)
Time: 6 – 8 weeks
Best time to go: April to November

If you want to tackle one of the best long hikes in the world but want to avoid the crowds, then Bibbulmun Track is the trail for you. Lookouts, boardwalks, and footbridges are scattered throughout the trail to highlight the amazing coastal, forest, and valley views you’ll encounter on the trail.

17. The Narrows

Location: Utah, United States
Distance: 16 miles (26 km)
Time: 1 – 2 days
Best time to go: June to October

Definitely among the greatest slot canyon hikes, the trail is essentially the Virgin River. The Narrows is a nice hike for any skill level, just make sure you’re prepared to get wet.

18. Santa Cruz Trek

Location: Peru
Distance: 31 miles (50 km)
Time: 4 days
Best time to go: April to October

Lagoons, rivers, snow-capped mountains, and valleys encompass the trail of the Santa Cruz Trek. While most of the hike is flat, prepare yourself for Punta Union, at 4,750 meters it’s the highest point of the trek.

19. Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Location: New Zealand
Distance: 12 miles (19 km)
Time: 1 day
Best time to go: November to April

Known for being among the best day hikes in the world, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing gives you a little bit of everything. Dramatic landscapes don’t even begin to describe what you’ll see as you trek past ancient lava flows, steaming vents, crater lakes, glacial valleys, and more.

20. Appalachian Trail

Location: United States
Distance: 2,200 miles (3,500 km)
Time: 5 – 7 months
Best time to go: May

Taking you through 14 states, the Appalachian Trail highlights the best long distance hikes in the world. It goes through two national parks and eight national forests as you cross some of the highest peaks of the Appalachian Mountains. Even though the distance is arduous and the terrain is challenging, that doesn’t stop around two million people from hiking parts of the trail every year.

21. GR20

Location: Corsica, France
Distance: 112 miles (180 km)
Time: 15 days
Best time to go: June to September

Renowned for some of the best hiking in Europe because of its beautiful mountain trail, it’s also arguably the most difficult GR route. The rugged trail is made more pleasant by the swimming holes and fantastic views along the route.

22. Pays Dogon

Location: Mali
Distance: Depends on the route
Time: 1 – 7 days
Best time to go: October to February

Welcome to the jewel of West Africa. Experience amazing landscapes, fascinating culture and welcoming people, on your trek through Dogon Country. But the highlight is the stunning 500-meter Bandiagara Escarpment.

23. Overland Track

Location: Australia
Distance: 40 miles (65 km)
Time: 5 – 6 days
Best time to go: October to May

Join the more than 9,000 walkers who enjoy the waterfalls, lakes, and mountains on the Overland Track each year. While the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is famous for this iconic hike, it’s not a bad idea to get off the trail and take some alternate tracks to the peaks of Cradle Mountain and Mount Ossa, Tasmania’s tallest mountain.

24. Routeburn Track

Location: New Zealand
Distance: 20 miles (32 km)
Time: 3 days
Best time to go: October to April

Some people say that New Zealand is the undisputed best place to hike in the world, and the Routeburn Track only helps their argument. This adventure will take you along rivers and through alpine gardens and meadows while you get picturesque views of valleys and mountain ranges.

25. Walker’s Haute Route

Location: France / Switzerland
Distance: 125 miles (200 km)
Time: 12 – 15 days
Best time to go: June to September

This remote trek welcomes you to the world of huge snow-capped summits and glaciers. Beginning in one of France’s greatest gems, Chamonix, you’ll pass 10 of the 12 highest summits in the Alps while admiring lovely villages, flower-filled meadows, and green alpine valleys.

26. Baltoro Glacier & K2

Location: Pakistan
Distance: Depends on the route
Time: 2+ weeks
Best time to go: June to September

One of the longest glaciers outside of the polar regions, Baltoro Glacier combines with K2, the world’s second highest mountain, to be one of the best hiking trips in the world for the ultimate adventure seekers. Both challenging and dangerous, only about 300 people have successfully made it to the peak of K2.

27. Kungsleden (The King’s Trail)

Location: Sweden
Distance: 270 miles (440 km)
Time: 20 – 30 days
Best time to go: July to September

One of the most famous hiking trails in the world, Kungsleden, or the “King’s Trail”, takes you through all types of gorgeous scenery, from alpine terrain to mountain heaths. If you don’t want to hike the entire trail, it’s divided up into four parts and has multiple entry points.

28. Pacific Crest Trail

Location: United States / Canada
Distance: 2,650 miles (4,264 km)
Time: 4 – 6 months
Best time to go: April to September

The Pacific Crest Trail stretches through the United States from the Mexican border to the Canadian border through Washington, Oregon, and California. Made even more popular by one of the best travel books ever, Wild, true beauty awaits you on this amazing hike.

29. Laugavegurinn

Location: Iceland
Distance: 34 miles (55 km)
Time: 2 – 4 days
Best time to go: June to September

The sights you’ll get on this trail are literally out of this world. No other trail in the world can compare to Laugavegurinn in terms of the landscapes. Ice caves, colorful hills, black volcanic deserts, river crossings, and waterfalls are only some of the greatness you’ll experience when you choose this hike.

30. Scottish National Trail

Location: Scotland, United Kingdom
Distance: 537 miles (864 km)
Time: 1- 2 months
Best time to go: June – September

The first hike to stretch the length of Scotland, the Scottish National Trail will show you the best of the scenic countryside. It’s perfect for hiking or walking, but it does get more challenging the more north you go.

31. Sierra High Route

Location: California, United States
Distance: 195 miles (314 km)
Time: 3 – 4 weeks
Best time to go: June – September

For most of this hike you’ll be above the treeline and you’ll also spend a good amount of time climbing on rocks. It’s a wonderful hike to challenge yourself as most of it will have you crossing off-trail granite slabs, meadowlands, and other difficult terrain.

32. Te Araroa Trail

Location: New Zealand
Distance: 1850 miles (3000 km)
Time: 3 – 6 months
Best time to go: September to May

If you’re not already convinced that New Zealand is one of the best places to hike in the world, the Te Araroa Trail will surely win you over. Extending the length of New Zealand’s two main islands and with scenery including forests, volcanoes, beaches, and cities, this is one adventure you absolutely don’t want to miss (if you have a few months to spare, that is :D).

33. Mount Kailash Trek

Location: Tibet
Distance: 32 miles (52 km)
Time: 2 – 3 days
Best time to go: May to October

Sacred to many different religions, thousands of visitors per year treat this hike as a pilgrimage. Although you can’t climb the mountain because it’s believed to be a mortal sin, the trek will reward you with views of lush valleys, gorgeous lakes, and snow-capped summits.

34. Cinque Terre

Location: Itay
Distance: Depends on route
Time: 1 day
Best time to go: April to October

Walk the coast of the Italian Riviera while you experience absolutely breathtaking views. While Trail #2 is the most popular, there are a handful of other beautiful trails that you can pick from as well. For more information check out Cinque Terre guide here.

35. North Drakensberg Traverse

Location: South Africa
Distance: 40 miles (65 km)
Time: 4 – 6 days
Best time to go: October to April

Rightfully deserving a ranking among the most famous hiking trails, the North Drakensberg Traverse leads you along the edge of the Drakensberg escarpment. This remote and challenging trek includes rich vegetation and wildlife along with views of buttresses, spires, gorges, ridges, and more.

36. Arctic Circle Trail

Location: Greenland
Distance: 99 miles (160 km)
Time: 9 – 11 days
Best time to go: June to August

The only towns are at the beginning and the end of the trail, so the Arctic Circle Trail truly allows you to get away from the chaos and get in touch with nature. This backcountry hike gives you the freedom to catch trout for dinner, take pictures of foxes and reindeer, or anything else your heart desires.

37. Dolomites

Location: Italy
Distance: Depends on route
Time: 1+ day
Best time to go: June to September

The Dolomites are a perfect playground for any hiker. There are countless trails that will guide you through a variety of landscapes from sky-high peaks and alpine meadows to evergreen woods and beautiful lakes.

38. Camino De Santiago

Location: Spain / France / Portugal
Distance: 500 miles (780 km)
Time: 30 – 35 days
Best time to go: April to September

Highlighted in one of the great travel movies of our time, The Way, the Camino De Santiago hardly needs an introduction. Leading to the place where the apostle James is believed to be buried, this hike will help you get in touch with yourself and nature as you pass through classic villages and the picturesque countryside.

39. La Ciudad Perdida (Lost City Trek)

Location: Colombia
Distance: 46 miles (75 km)
Time: 4 – 6 days
Best time to go: December to March

Adventure through the tropical jungles of northern Colombia to the ancient ruins of an indigenous city called Teyuna (The Lost City). Along the trek you’ll get to enjoy breathtaking jungle scenery, swim in the refreshing Buritaca river, and learn about indigenous communities.

40. Hadrian’s Wall Path

Location: England, United Kingdom
Distance: 84 miles (135 km)
Time: 6 – 7 days
Best time to go: May to October

History is all around you when you walk Hadrian’s Wall Path. While you’re crossing northern England you’ll encounter former Roman forts and settlements, market towns, farms, countryside, and obviously lovely views.

41. Muliwai Trail

Location: Hawaii, United States
Distance: 18 miles (29 km)
Time: 2 days
Best time to go: April to October

Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, the Muliwai Trail challenges you to ascend into the forest past some icy pools and waterfalls to experience perfect ocean views. Trekkers must cross 13 gulches and endure almost ten miles of steep (and sometimes dangerous) switchbacks, so the Muliwai Trail is only recommended for expert hikers.

42. Israel National Trail

Location: Israel
Distance: 631 miles (1,015 km)
Time: 45 – 60 days
Best time to go: February to May

Stretching the length of the country from north to south, the Israel National Trail boasts a variety of fauna, flora, scenery, and culture. The beauty of Israel’s wilderness will have you in awe as you cross through the biblical landscapes. There’s no wonder why National Geographic ranked it as one of the world’s best hikes.

43. Mount Toubkal

Location: Morocco
Distance: Depends on route
Time: 2 – 5 days
Best time to go: April to September

It’s about time you discover the green valley and mountain scenery offered by one of the best mountain hikes in the world. A hike up Mount Toubkal lets you get to know the Berber communities as you make your way to the top of North Africa’s highest summit.

44. Great Ocean Walk

Location: Victoria, Australia
Distance: 65 miles (104 km)
Time: 8 days
Best time to go: October to May

One of Australia’s premier trails, hiking the Great Ocean Walk is an experience everyone should have. Experience nature like never before as you come face-to-face with wildlife while you’re admiring the deserted beaches, cliff-top panoramas, forests, and heathlands.

45. West Highland Way

Location: Scotland, United Kingdom
Distance: 96 miles (154 km)
Time: 7 – 8 days
Best time to go: June – September

Beloved by the Scottish and everyone else who’s hiked it, the West Highland Way was Scotland’s first long-distance trail and it still remains the most popular. The amazing variety is a major perk of this hike as you’ll pass the Scottish Highlands, Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and much more.

46. Otter Trail

Location: South Africa
Distance: 26 miles (44 km)
Time: 5 days
Best time to go: October to April

The Otter Trail is one South Africa’s oldest trail and it nature lover’s paradise. Rivers, beaches, waterfalls, caves, wildlife, marine life, and indigenous trees are only some of the majestic sites you’ll get along the way.

47. Chilkoot Trail

Location: Canada / Alaska, United States
Distance: 33 miles (53 km)
Time: 3 – 5 days
Best time to go: June to October

With a history dating back to the Klondike Gold Rush, the Chilkoot Trail extends from Alaska to British Columbia and takes you past numerous historical and natural sites. There are three different climate sections on the trail so you’ll get to experience coastal rainforest as well as boreal and high alpine forest.

48. Tonquin Valley

Location: Alberta, Canada
Distance: 27 miles (43 km)
Time: 3 – 5 days
Best time to go: July to September

Located in one of Canada’s best alpine regions, the Tonquin Valley is famous for its views of the stunning Amethyst Lake. It is a backcountry trail so be prepared to meet some caribou, bears, and other wildlife.

49. Berliner Höhenweg

Location: Austria
Distance: 43 miles (70 km)
Time: 1 week
Best time to go: June to September

If you’re comfortable with high-alpine terrain, then this is the hike for you. Glaciers and mountain landscape light up the trail, and you’re bound to meet some new friends on this popular hike.

50. Snowman Trek

Location: Bhutan
Distance: 217 miles (350 km)
Time: 3 – 4 weeks
Best time to go: October

As one of the most difficult high-altitude treks in the world, it will definitely be an adventure to remember if you finish it. Head into one of the most remote valleys in Bhutan as you traverse nine passes higher than 4,500 meters, six mountains above 7,000 meters, and the Paro Chhu river valley. During the trek you’ll pass small villages and Buddhist monasteries, and you can even learn more about Buddhist traditions and the cultural heritage of Bhutan.

The best hiking trails in the world remind us that while there are beautiful sites all around us, some of the greatest places on the planet can only be reached by foot.