Do you want to know where the best hiking trails are in the world?
Yes, of course, you do! I’ve asked a few of my favourite hiking bloggers where they think the best place to go hiking is!
And here are their hiking top spots all around the world. Hopefully, this will give you some inspiration to book your next hiking trip.
Great Hiking Destinations Around the World
Best Hikes in the World
This list includes great hiking destinations around the world, organised in alphabetical order (and by each continent).
Simply click which country you’d like to go hiking in next and find out what amazing hiking trails have been recommended for each place.
World Hiking Trails and Destinations
Asia – Bhutan | India | Indonesia | Japan | Nepal | Vietnam
Africa – Morocco | Tanzania
Europe – Albania | Faroe Islands | France | Greece | Norway | Northern Ireland |Portugal | Wales
North America – Canada | United States
South America – Chile
Oceania – Australia | New Zealand
Best Hiking Trail in Albania
Hiking in the Albanian Alps
By Katalin Waga at Our Life Our Travel
Albania is a less touristy destination in the Balkans, especially if you consider hiking. On the northern part of the country, the mountains near Theth are popular among hikers and climbers.
The highest peak, Jezerce, can be reached from there too, not only from Montenegro. Another popular and easy hiking trail in the country takes you to Valbona, but our favourite trail was a hike to a valley with a tiny glacier.
The trail starts from the parking lot on the saddle before the road to Theth. It is an easy hike, in the beginning, then the trail leads slowly upwards to a saddle at 1,700 m/ 5,577 ft.
We chose the path on the way there and returned on the trail that climbers use the next day. The last ascent to the saddle is more demanding on both routes and you need to cross loser rocks too.
Finally, a great panorama opens in front of you. The valley has a cute little glacier with a glacier lake in the middle. If you hike to the other side, you will have a panorama with the peaks over the valley of Theth too.
Top tips for the hike
- If you plan to overnight there, make sure you take a good tent and down sleeping bags as the air cools down fast. Snow and ice were still present in June! And the glacier stays entire year-round.
- For a warmer place to sleep, you can easily do the round as a day trip and head to the villages for a cosy B&B accommodation.
Read next – Vango Banshee 200 – 2-man tent review
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in Australia
Kings Canyon, Northern Territory
From Lianne at The Red Center
Long stretches of dusty roads, sunburnt sand, and brilliant red rocks. It must be central Australia! Often overlooked by travellers to the iconic Uluru Rock, Kings Canyon, part of Watarraka National Park is an underrated destination for hiking.
The most popular hike, the rim walk, allows hikers to traverse the rim of the canyon. The trail is a 6 km/ 4-mile loop and takes about 3-4 hours. Get your heart pumping immediately with a few hundred rocky steps.
This is the most difficult part of the trail. As you climb, you will soon see spectacular landscapes of the canyon, gorge and the endless Australian outback. If that’s not breath-taking enough, peer over the cliffs into the gorge that drops 150 m/ 492 ft.
The scenery shifts dramatically along the way. One moment, you’ll be eyeing beehive-esque sandstone domes that make you feel like you’ve landed on Mars. Then walk further and you’ll question whether you have teleported to the rainforest in the Garden of Eden. A permanent source of water in the desert.
This shady spot is humming with rare plants and wildlife. The vibrant colours buzzing with life unlike the usual dusty landscapes in the outback. Kings Canyon’s magnificence makes it a highlight for Australia adventurers.
Even surpasses Uluru for many.
Read another great hiking trail in Australia, the Overland Track in Tasmania
Top tips for the hike
- Since most of the trail is exposed to the Australian sun, it’s best to start early in the morning.
- Bring plenty of water, snacks, a big sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- And don’t forget your camera and adventurous spirit!
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in Bhutan
Tiger’s Nest Monastery HIke
By Nicky at Go Live Young
Hiking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is a must-do when in Bhutan. The Taktshang Goemba (translated as Tiger’s Nest Monastery) is the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, miraculously perched on the side of a sheer cliff 900 m/ 2,952 ft above the floor of the valley.
In order to make this climb, you need to stay in Paro, the closest town to the monastery. As with all tourist activities in Bhutan, you will be accompanied by your local guide.
The only way up to Tiger’s Nest it to ride a horse, (which you can only do to the halfway point) or walk. We chose to hike the whole way. It is a tough hike, taking between two and three hours on the way up. The hiking track is steep, rocky and very muddy at times.
After about an hour there is a cafeteria which serves drinks and snacks and offers good views of Tiger’s Nest Monastery perched high above. From here it is a steady uphill climb to a viewpoint at 3,140 m/ 10,301 ft overlooking Tiger’s Nest Monastery, offering truly spectacular views.
From this vantage point, you have to descend down hundreds of steps to a waterfall (trekking poles are handy for this section) before climbing back up yet more steps to the monastery entrance. You are able to go inside the monastery.
Although shoes must be removed.
And no cameras or backpacks are allowed.
We did this hike as a family with two children aged 12 and 8. The whole hike including visiting the monastery, rest stops, photo stops and a brief stop at the café took us six hours. It is a tough hike but perfectly doable with children.
And worthy of one of the great hiking trails in the world.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in Canada
The Rocky Mountains
By Steph at the Pink Backpack
The Rocky Mountains in Canada are one of the best places to go hiking in 2018 because it’s vast, diverse and obviously stunning! There is no shortage of hikes in the Rockies, ranging from beginner level hikes to more advanced and technical summits.
In addition to the wide variety of trails to choose from, the Rocky Mountains also encompass a diverse style of hiking trails. The mountain range has shady, wooded hikes that lead up to hidden lakes.
There are also exposed and craggy rocks up to panoramic viewpoints, flat interpretive trails leading to lake-side campsites and wild-card hikes which contain a mix of it all!
One of the best (and relatively unknown) places to go hiking in the Rocky Mountains is the Spray Lakes Reservoir, located South West of the quaint township of Canmore in Alberta.
Not only is the reservoir area absolutely beautiful, but it wraps around several notable mountains within the region, offering no shortage of hikes to choose from. West Wind Pass is a moderate, 2.8 km/ 1.75 miles out-and-back trail, yielding a 1,125 ft/ 343 m elevation gain and epic views.
The hike begins on a well-maintained wooded trail and eventually sharply turns and climbs, opening up into a valley. It is also possible to continue on the adjacent Rimwall trail, which will emerge about two-thirds of the way up, though this will tack on several more hours to your hike.
West wind pass is still accessible during the winter months (pending the volume of snow) and crampons or microspikes are highly recommended.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in Chile
Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia
By Nana at Patagonia Dreaming
Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile was named in 2013 as one of the new world wonders. Spending time in the park it is not hard to understand why. The park has turquoise blue lakes, impressive granite mountain formations, glaciers and exciting wildlife.
Like the puma, the Patagonian ostrich ñandu, guanacos (related to the llama) and the condors soaring the skies.
The park has various trekking routes for both beginners and intermediate hikers. The shortest hikes can be done in a day. And the longest hikes in around 7-10 days. If you want to do some of the more popular hikes, such as the “W” trek you need to book your campsites in advance.
If you want to avoid the crowd and consider yourself in an okay shape for hiking. Then I will recommend the Macizo Paine trek on the backside of the park.
There you will pass by at least three different glaciers like “Glacier Grey” the most popular and impressive one. Besides some of the best hiking opportunities in the world, you can do kayaking, ice hiking, horseback riding and boat rides in the park.
Looking for a new waterproof hiking jacket? Read my Berghaus Paclite review here
Top tips for the hike
- Prepare yourself for all kind of weather, especially wind, rain and strong sun. In Patagonia, the weather is the one that demands and its part of the experience.
- If you prepare yourself for all four seasons, then you will get one of the most beautiful hiking experiences in the world.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in the Faroe Islands
Island of Kalsoy
By Megan at Megan Starr
My best hiking trail this year had to be on the island of Kalsoy in the stunning Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic. Kalsoy is infamous for the Kallur Lighthouse which sits dramatically on a steep cliff at the top end of Kalsoy in a village called Trøllanes. I salivated over this lighthouse for years.
We took a ferry to the island, drove the tiny one-car tunnels to Trøllanes and began our hike. About halfway through, my fear of heights kicked in and I sat on the ground as a thick patch of fog blanketed us.
I slowly inched myself toward the lighthouse that I knew I was relatively close to, but I eventually gave up.
My fear of heights won and I was gutted.
When I look back on the day, it was pretty perfect. I saw the lighthouse in photos and didn’t need to see it with my own eyes because the experience certainly trumped the ‘failure’. I urge you to go to Kalsoy and do that hike for me!
The hike will be easiest when others are around trekking the same path in summer. But, the moodiness of spring is alluring. If you’re not afraid of heights and love adventure, you’ll be just fine to do it in any season!
Check out some great summer hiking trails in Europe here
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in France
The Écrins National Park in the French Alps
By Julianna Barnaby at The Discoveries Of
The Écrins National Park is in the French Alps and definitely somewhere that should be at the top of your hiking bucket list for 2018. It’s one of ten French national parks. And boasts a wealth of mountains, glaciers, alpine valleys, meadows and woodlands that are perfect for exploring on two feet.
It won’t come as a surprise to say that, thanks to the Alpine setting, there are some pretty spectacular views. We hiked for quite a few days in different parts of the park and no two were remotely the same.
They even have a detailed app with all the maps and instructions needed for different hikes.
Of all the hikes we did, my favourite was the Pigeon Loft Loop, which starts at Gioberney. You climb out of the valley on a relatively steep path – hard work, but the views are pretty much guaranteed to distract you from the slog.
Once aloft, you take the undulating route along winding mountain paths to a small refuge. Here you can spend the night before carrying on with the rest of the hike back down to the valley. Crisp mountain air, hearty French food and gorgeous views.
Top tips for the hike
- Make sure that you save the maps from the App offline.
- And have plenty of battery on your phone! (I always carry a battery pack to charge my phone in emergencies)
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in Greece
Hiking on Ios Island
By Cristina at LooknWalk Greece
We love to hike. So what better way to enjoy the small Cycladic island of Ios than to hike between two gorgeous beaches, Mylopotas and Klima?
Depending on where you are staying on the island, you may want to catch a bus to Mylopotas Beach.
Or walk there (from the port it’s only 5 km/ 3 miles and the walk is scenic, via the Donkey path).
Now that you have made your way to the end of Mylopotas beach, there’s a trail (marked!) which takes a sharp right and goes up on the mountain. Then skirts the edge of the ridge, keeping the sea to your right all the time.
The scenery is amazing and you’ll be tempted to stop a lot to take photos.
If you do this hike at the start of the season (we did it in May), you’ll be rewarded with a completely empty Klima beach, perfect for a romantic picnic. We did the trail from Mylopotas to Klima in 2 hours.
And 1.5 hours on the way back, via the same route. So, expect to spend at least 5 hours on the hike. The photo was taken from the hiking path towards one of the smaller beaches that can be seen along the route.
Top tips for the hike
- When it comes to practicalities, while you don’t need good quality hiking boots, you should wear a pair of all terrains (just don’t do it in flip-flops).
- A water bottle is a must, while a bandana and sunscreen will come in handy as well.
- You can do this hiking trail without a guide but I recommend one because it’s cheap and the guide is a treasure trove of info about the island and everything else.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in India
Sham Valley trek in Ladakh
By Alex at Lost with a Purpose
The Ladakh region of Northern India is one of the most epic hiking destinations in the country. Vast landscapes stretch in every direction with picturesque Ladakhi village’s hidden amongst the high Himalayas. And you’ll be hard-pressed to find bluer skies elsewhere in India.
Most treks in Ladakh require a week or more to complete. That’s all well and good for those travelling long-term, but what about travellers who love hiking but have a time limit?
The Sham Valley trek, also affectionately known as the “Baby Trek”, is the perfect short hike in Ladakh. Whether you’re getting started on your Ladakhi adventure, or only have a few days to spare.
The hike is sure to meet all your expectations for epic views, high altitude trekking, and local village experiences.
Don’t let the name mislead you. You’ll be crossing mountain passes around 3,800 m/ 12,700 ft high, and will definitely get a good workout on the hike.
Though the Sham Valley trek can be extended to five or six days, the majority of the trek can be completed in three days. The path winds through villages offering delicious food and accommodation in the form of teahouses, so no need to pack heavy
Top tips for the hike
- Bring warm clothes. It gets cold at night, even in summer.
- And don’t forget your sense of adventure for this epic hike.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in Indonesia
Mount Batur trek in Bali
By Hannah and Adam at Getting Stamped
Bali in Indonesia is known for relaxing beaches, however, on our trip, we set our alarms for 2 am. Why? Because trekking Mount Batur at sunrise was on our bucket list.
The hiking trail up is pitch black but we went with a trekking guide and our headlamps helped lead the way. I started out the trek freezing cold and wearing lots of layers.
But by the time I hiked to the summit of Mount Batur I was down to shorts and a sports bra. Once at the top, we sat and waited for the sunrise and it didn’t disappoint!
We enjoyed taking in the view and warming up with tea and a breakfast of boiled eggs cooked by the heat of the mountain’s hot springs. And after enjoying the views slowly made our way down the mountain and onto the next bucket list item!
Top tips for the hike
- Take your time at the top and let other people hike down before you. This means you can have extra time to enjoy the view and chat with your local guide.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in Japan
Mount Takao hike in Tokyo
By Kristine at The Petite Wanderess
Autumn colours in Japan
So you think Tokyo is all about shopping and neon lights? There’s actually a ‘secret’ hiking spot where locals love visiting for forest-bathing time!
A quick 50 minutes by rapid train from Shinjuku station, Mount Takao is an easy hike you can do as a day trip. At 599 m/ 1,965 ft above sea level, you can get great views of the city.
There are two options to take you halfway up Mt Takao. Option 1, the steepest-inclined cable-car in Japan. Or option 2, a chairlift with no handlebars. You can then choose from five hiking trails to reach the summit, each offering different experiences.
The friendliest trail would be Trail 1 – mostly a paved road. If you love spending time in nature, I would recommend Trail 3, a quiet hiking trail through the Katsura woods.
Go in autumn for perfect weather and a special treat of the colours of the autumn trees towards the top. If you’re lucky, you can even get to see Mount Fuji in the distance!
Read next: Sleeping in a Capsule Hotel in Kyoto
Top tips for the hike
- Wear good shoes for the nature trails.
- Check the weather ahead, bring snacks & a small bottle of water.
- Note sunset hours & the last timing of the cable-car & chairlift rides.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in Morocco
Mount Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains
By Becky at Becky the Traveller
Mount Toubkal is the highest mountain in Morocco and all of North Africa. Only a short drive from Marrakesh you can leave all the hustle and bustle behind and escape to the mountains. Yippee!
I did a four-day trek, stopping overnight at the Berber villages on the route. And enjoyed some stunning views through the Atlas Mountains as I made my way towards Mt Toubkal. By day three our group had reached Mt Toubkal Base Camp, ready for the final hike to the summit.
You can read more about my hike in the Atlas Mountains here and why it made my best hiking destinations list!
Top tips for the hike
- If you do the hike in summer take plenty of water and keep hydrated.
- Remember this is a high altitude hike so take it slow.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in Nepal
Annapurna Circuit trek
By Natalia at My Trip Hack
As my mountaineer friend said – if you are into hiking, sooner or later you will end up in Nepal! This country has an abundance of treks of different difficulty level, length and scope – from one-day hikes around bigger cities to almost one month in the Annapurna area. One of the best places for hiking in the world!
I recommend Annapurna Circuit as it’s one of the most scenic and culturally rich treks. Moreover, due to its route which is gradually adding height, it’s suitable even for new trekkers. The classic Annapurna Circuit takes from 10 to 20 days depending on your walking pace.
There is an option to do a shorter hike up to Manang (five walking days). I wouldn’t recommend doing that due to fast altitude gain.
Moreover, there are so many charming local villages, where you can explore the local culture, that each day leaves a special memory.
There are many scenic side treks in the area which you can add to your route. For example, trek to Tilicho Lake, one of the largest lakes at over 4,900 m.
Top tips for the hike
- The route is clearly marked for independent trekkers and you’ll meet solo travellers on the way.
- Many trekking agencies estimate Annapurna Circuit as a moderately strenuous trek. Nevertheless, there are people of all ages and fitness levels hiking it annually. Read more top tips for Annapurna Trek here.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in New Zealand
Hooker Valley Track, South Island
By Rachel at Rachel on Route
My favourite place to hike so far has been New Zealand, with many different hiking routes.
A great hike from Wellington is the Southern Walkway. A day hike from Wellington’s Oriental Bay down to the nearby Island Bay. It’s an 11 km/ 7 miles walk, taking around 4 hours and climbs Mt Victoria and Mt Albert, resulting in some wonderful scenery.
The Hooker Valley Track, another one of the best hikes in New Zealand, which was the hike that took us from Aoraki Mt Cook village through the Hooker Valley filled with alpine streams, suspension bridges and ends at the beautiful Hooker Lake, with a spectacular view of Mt Cook.
The hike is quite flat, well signposted and is around 10 km/ 6 miles (return) so suitable for all fitness levels. It takes around 3 hours (give or take, unless like me you stop for lots of photos along the way!)
It wasn’t the most challenging walk I’ve done, but by golly was it one of the most beautiful.
Pretty much all the walks in New Zealand are stunning. The scenery, the flora and fauna, mountains, coast and wonderfully fresh air – you can’t really go wrong with any hike in this awesome country.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Read next: Abel Tasman Coast Track – A hiking guide to New Zealand’s best walk
Best Hiking Trail in Norway
Kjeragbolten Hike
By Eniko at Travel Hacker Girl
Norway has three iconic hikes which you can do in three days. Preikestolen is a fun, easy 6 km/ 4-mile hike that takes 2-4 hours and you easily do with children. If you are brave you can sit on the edge and look down to Lysefjorden.
The reason I wanted to visit Norway so bad was, however, was to stand on Kjeragbolten.
It is a rock wedged between cliffs and there is a 1,000 m/ 3,280 ft vertical drop under you and makes a pretty epic picture! I found it easy to step onto the rock but was terrified once I was standing on it, even scared to breathe. And I didn’t dare to look down.
After about a minute I took a deep breath and stepped back to safe grounds. A major hiking bucket list item crossed off!
Read next – Best places to hike in Europe
The total hike was a 12 km/7.5 miles hike, taking between 6-8 hours. It is challenging at times and you have to hold onto the chains that are provided, but the scenery was so beautiful.
The following day we embarked on a 22 km/13.5-mile hike, which took over 10 hours. We walked through forests, meadows, snow, streams and passed many waterfalls.
And at the top, we were rewarded with great views and cool pictures.
Top tips for the hike
- Don’t take too much water with you as there were streams on all our hikes, where we simply filled out bottles.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in Northern Ireland
Silent Valley Trails in the Mourne Mountains
By Nathaniel at Nate Meets World
The Silent Valley Reservoir is a gem in Northern Ireland that shouldn’t be overlooked. Tucked away in the Mourne Mountains, its beautiful blue colour truly stands out at the bottom of the sloping valley.
October is an excellent time to go hiking there since the crowds are much smaller. Silent Valley has around 10 km/ 6 miles across 4 trails, ranging from 1.6 km/ 1 mile to 3.4 km/ 2 miles.
Most of these are suitable for all ages and skill levels so bring the whole family! You can easily take a weekend trip out from Belfast and spend a night or two in the lovely town of Attical!
The surrounding nature trails south of the reservoir can easily be completed in 2-3 hours although there are many more trails to explore. You can continue hiking along the eastern edge of the reservoir to reach Ben Crom Reservoir or even scale the peaks of Slieve Binnian or Slieve Muck!
However, if high peaks are not your cup of tea, I recommend the hiking trail up Knockree, about 6 km/ 4 miles, which is a hill south of Attical. You will be treated to an excellent 360-degree view of the Mourne Mountains and the Irish Sea.
The best time to do this hike is in the evening to see a beautiful sunset over the mountains.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Read next: Hiking UK – 22 Best day hikes in the UK
Best Hiking Trail in Portugal
Hiking in the Algarve
From Jemma at The Portugalist
Most people think of ‘Blue Flag’ beaches and buzzing nightlife when they imagine the Algarve. But head off the tourist trail and you’ll discover some truly breath-taking hikes.
Spring, autumn and winter are the best times for hiking. Temperatures are mild, and increased rainfall means lush plant life along the trails.
Hikes include coastal routes like the Seven Hanging Valleys, which connects the beaches of Praia da Marinha and Praia da Vale Centeanes.
The trail winds through fragrant pine forests, around sinkholes, and up orange cliffs. The azure Atlantic will be your constant companion, peppered with geological features like sea stacks, grottoes and arches.
Another great trail is the circular walk from the mountain town of Monchique to the top of Picota.
At 774 m/2,539 ft it’s the second highest mountain in the Monchique range. The walk starts with a steep incline and a scramble up rocks to the summit, where you’re treated to incredible views of the region to its coast.
After that, you wander back to town through cork forests, terraced farmland and colourful wildflowers.
Of course, the region’s most rewarding hike is the ‘Via Algarviana’, a 300 km/ 186-mile long-distance walking trail. Stretching from Alcoutim on the Spanish border to the Cabo de São Vicente, Europe’s southwestern most point.
This is the backbone of the Algarve’s hiking scene. And you’ll probably spot the routes way-markers as you explore the rest of the regions 30+ hiking trails.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro, Northeast Tanzania
By Becky at Becky the Traveller
Mount Kilimanjaro had to make an appearance on the best hiking trails in the world list.
It is the highest free-standing mountain in the world and this means it is accessible for people to reach the summit without any technical mountain climbing experience, including me!
You can opt for one of the different hiking trails that start at different points around the mountain but all end up at the top. I opted for the Rongai Route, a 6-day hike from the Kenyan side of the mountain.
A challenging but very rewarding hike.
Top tips for the hike
- At 5,895 m, this is a serious height so hike slow and enjoy the great scenery
- Keep your camera batteries and phones close to your body heat.
- Read all my Kilimanjaro hiking tips and packing list here.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trails in the United States
Lake Tahoe in California and Nevada
By Meg at Fox in the Forest
Lake Tahoe in both California and Nevada is a hiking mecca. Trails criss-cross the landscape and offer everything from the casual stroll to the multi-day thru-hike. For easier trails, try the various walking paths along the lake.
And to enjoy fantastic views of the iconic Emerald Bay, check out the Cascade Falls Trail.
If you love high places, try summiting Mount Rose. At 10,785 ft/ 3,287 m high, Mount Rose is the tallest mountain on the Nevada side. Don’t be fooled, this 11-mile/ 17 km trail is certainly a lung buster!
For overnight backpacking check out the various trails in the Desolation Wilderness. Just be sure to check with the local ranger station to see which permits you need.
Want to try a thru-hike, but don’t have months to tackle the big beasts like the Pacific Crest Trail? Consider hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail a 165-mile/ 266 km trail the circumnavigates the lake.
The trail can be done in sections as well and offers fantastic views of Lake Tahoe and a chance to connect with nature.
Top tips for the hike
- Whichever trail you choose, Lake Tahoe is tough to beat. Always make sure to obey local wilderness laws and clean up after yourself.
- Leave the trail nicer than when you found it and don’t camp within 200 ft/ 60 m of lakes and streams. Happy Hiking!
Mount Katahdin – Baxter State Park in Maine
By Nicole at Wandering with a Dromomaniac
If you are looking for a challenge in 2018 Mount Katahdin is it. Located in Baxter State Park, Maine, this 1,605 m/ 5,267 ft mountain offers a varied hike for the more advanced hiker. Following the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail, the scenery constantly changes.
At the base, there are tall evergreens and leafy towering trees. The higher you go the shorter the trees and the land becomes more barren.
Eventually, the trees disappear altogether, you are left with boulders that you have to climb to reach the plateau. Then a grassy area just before the final ascent to the summit. And what a summit!
At this point, you have the opportunity to hike along the Knife’s Edge. A narrow trail with drops off on either side. Not for the faint of heart, the summit provides ample opportunity for panoramic views of the mountain and Baxter State Park.
Top tips for the hike
- The weather on Katahdin can be very unpredictable so plan accordingly. It may be a nice day at camp but hail is not an uncommon sight at the summit.
- Leave as early in the morning as possible because it provides you with more time to enjoy the summit.
- Take plenty of water and snacks and take your time and enjoy everything this mountain has to offer.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
The Devil’s Garden Trail in Utah
From Jamie at Photo Jeepers
The Devil’s Garden Trail is the longest and most difficult maintained trail in the Arches National Park, Utah, USA. The hike can be tailored to fit the time you have available and the number of arches you want to see.
Most casual tourists hike the first part of the Devil’s Garden loop trail to Landscape Arch, then return back the way they came. The rest of the trail requires scrambling over long, narrow sections of slickrock with steep drop-offs and crawling through existing arches.
For many hikers, this is the fun part of the trail.
The remaining portion of the trail is primitive and difficult. It requires trekking through ruggedly beautiful backcountry that few of the more casual tourists in Arches will ever get to see.
Read next: Utah hiking trails – 7 lesser-known hikes in Utah
Top Tips for the hike
- Arrive EARLY to avoid the parking hassles. There are only 150 parking spaces that fill up quickly during peak usage. Park in the designated spots as overflow parking is not allowed.
- Carry plenty of water. Staying hydrated is important, even during cooler weather.
- Wear sunscreen and a sun hat to protect yourself from the sun at any time of year. The only shade on this hiking trail is underneath the arches themselves.
- Watch for cairns and bring a map if you plan to hike the primitive trail.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in Vietnam
Sapa in North Vietnam
By Madhurima at Orange Wayfarer
Sapa is in the northwestern part of Vietnam and is home to the Hmong tribes.
The ethnic residents of the Fansipan mountain range are darker in skin colour and retain their authentic lifestyle still date. A hike to the nearby villages of Cat Cat and Lao Cai from SaPa town is incredibly picturesque and scenic.
I suggest avoid booking with the tour agencies, instead, take the hike on your own. Walking through the villages allows you to glimpse at the beautiful step cultivation of the lush paddy fields, especially during the rainy season.
If you want to spend a few more days in the mountains you can stay with Vietnamese families in homestays.
The mountain ranges are extremely serene, away from the hustle of busy Hanoi. A few days of hiking in Sapa will rejuvenate your soul and mind. If you have a bit more time you can do a day to tour in the cable car up Fansipan.
Top tips for the hike
- Carry plenty of water on the road since the trail has no shops.
- Start your hike early and spend a good part of the time in the villages, observing the local life unfolding.
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Best Hiking Trail in Wales
Snowdonia in North Wales
By Becky at Becky the Traveller
Snowdonia is one of three beautiful National Park’s in Wales.
Situated in the north of Wales its mountainous landscapes make it a perfect place for hiking and easily up there with the best places to hike in the world.
Each year many people come to hike the popular Mt Snowdon and whilst this is a beautiful hike there are many more wonderful hikes in this National Park, from Cadair Idris in the south to Tryfan mountain in the north.
For those who love a really hard hike, there’s even the Welsh 3000s Challenge that you can try out which is hiking all 14 summits over 3000 ft in a 24 hour period. It’s seriously tough!
Read more about the best hikes in Snowdonia here.
Top tips for the hike
- Be prepared with the right hiking gear, the weather can change quickly when hiking in the mountains.
- Trekking poles are perfect for the downhill sections of the hike
Back to top – Best hiking trails contents
Hopefully, that has given you some hiking inspiration to plan your next big hiking adventure.
What’s your favourite hiking trail in the world? Tell me in the comments below.
Save me to your travel Pinterest boards for later
[ezcol_1third]*Becky the Traveller participates in the Amazon Services Associates Programme, as well as other affiliate programmes. If you make a purchase through these, I earn from the qualifying links. This is at no extra cost to you. Read more here.
Many great destinations for adventurous traveling this year! I put my eye on Morocco and Ladakh 😉 Thank you for this post!
You’re very welcome Natalia, I’m glad it’s given you some inspiration for your hiking travels! Morocco is a gorgeous and the Atlas Mountains are a wonderful place to hike. Let me know if you would like any more tips 🙂
These all look like great hikes! I’m impressed by the photo of the tiger temple in Bhutan. I hope one day I’ll get to hike there too!
Thanks Karin, yes the Bhutan hike is on my list too, it looks amazing!
I loved your website. It’s full of many fantastic places to visit, some of the walks I’ve done myself. Obviously, there’s many, many more to experience.
Thanks so much Mark, yes I totally agree, I could spend every day hiking and still not do them all!
Can’t wait to hike in Norway this spring <3
Ah wow that will be amazing, that’s on my list too!
Pingback: My Hiking Essentials