Are you ready to get active and explore? It’s time to hit the hiking trails. From remote misty isles to tropical locations, sprawling walks that require weeks of commitment and tracks that can be completed in just a few hours, here are the best bucket list hikes from all over the world.
Here’s our guide to the best hikes in the world. It’s time to pull on those walking boots…
Appalachian Trail, USA
The longest hiking-only footpath (around 3,500 kilometres) in the world winds its way from Georgia to a craggy mountain finish in Maine, crossing 14 states and taking in some of the most remote landscape in the USA along the lengthy way.
Completing the mammoth thru-hike (i.e working your way across the entire Appalachian Trail) takes an epic six months on average, so most hikers opt to complete shorter chunks of the classic route: think a four-day walking and camping trip through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee or a relatively gentle 10-day, 160km journey through the wilderness of Shenandoah National Park.
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appalachiantrail.org.
Bibbulmun Track, Western Australia
One of the greats when it comes to long distance walking trails. From the setting off point in Kalamunda just east of the Perth Hills to the finish line some 1,000km later in Albany on the south coast, it’s spectacular scenery and awe-inspiring vistas all the way (rugged coastline, gorgeous national parks, vast valleys and dense forest land included).
With numerous campsites and stop-off points dotted along the track, it’s up to the individual whether they go all out and aim to become an “end-to-ender” ( take six weeks or so to complete the full distance) or dip in and out and tackle a section or two of the Bibbulmun Track at a time. Those in the know say that the best time to hit the trail is in August or September, when the wildflowers are in full bloom and the weather is good.
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bibbulmuntrack.org.au.
GR20, Corsica
Corsica’s GR20 is, to put it lightly, a toughie. A 170km trail that sees walkers clambering up rubbly mountain tracks, scaling dizzyingly steep ascents, ploughing through dense pine forests, crossing deep gorges and navigating glacial lakes in a bid to traverse the island.
The mountain hut accommodation is basic (you can also camp) and you’ll need to put in a solid six hours walking a day to complete the trail in the recommend two weeks, but the beautiful scenery offers up ample reward along the way and the sense of achievement at the end is euphoric.
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le-gr20.fr/en.
Jordan Trail, Jordan
Nothing if not ambitious, the Jordan Trail is a long-distance, cross-country hike that spans the entire country, starting in the rolling hills of Mediterranean-influenced Um Quais on the northern border and ending – some 40 days later – at the red city of Aqaba.
In the 650km between those two destinations hikers can expect to encounter archaeological wonders set amidst desert wilderness, orange-hued sand dunes, spectacular canyons and wadis, nature reserves humming with wildlife, and the highlight for many, the ancient stone city of Petra. Of course, if you don’t fancy committing to the full distance you can opt to tackle one of the shorter 80km sections: the Dana to Petra route being especially popular.
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jordantrail.org.
Kalalau Trail, Hawaii
Although best known for their incredible beaches and potential for big wave surfing, the epic vistas, dramatic, volcanic landscapes, soaring mountains and crystalline waters found on Hawaii’s islands mean they have serious bucket list hiking potential, too.
Coming in at 18km for the round trip, the Kalalau Trail on Kauai, might be relatively short compared to some on this list, but underestimate this hike at your peril. As beautiful as it may be, this is a formidable two-day climb – at some points crawl – that sees hikers navigating the dramatic cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, often skirting along exposed crumbling thin strips of rock which give way to sheer drops below. Hard work is duly rewarded though and never is that truer than with the silver of beauty of Kalalau Beach.
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kalalautrail.com.
Tour du Mont Blanc, France
Hiking up Mount Blanc is not to be sniffed at, but you know what all the cool kids want to do? Circumnavigate the iconic French mountain. The multi-day Tour du Mont Blanc covers some 170km, passing through three countries (Switzerland, Italy and France), each with their own distinct culture and cuisine.
Winding your way around this massif is obviously no walk in the park, but neither is it going to test you to the lengths of exhaustion like some in this compilation. Summer is the time to complete the famous circuit: the scenery is captivating – a wonderful mix of verdant green valley, dense meadows, snowy peaks and pristine alpine lakes – the trail bustles with people and the welcome at the European-style inns, should you venture into the nearby towns of an evening, is warm.
Expect the Tour du Mont Blanc to take you around ten days to complete, working on a gentle average of covering around 20km per day. For context, the winner of the annual Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc, which covers the same ground, usually finishes in under 20 hours.
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autourdumontblanc.com.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Yes, reaching the summit of the world’s highest free-standing mountain is still considered a hike. Scaling Kilimanjaro (you can’t call it Kili ‘till you’ve completed the trip – its’s the rules) requires grit, determination, plenty of pre-training to build up your strength and stamina, and a willingness to embrace altitude sickness.
You’ll be rewarded for your endeavours in absolute spades though. The sense of achievement upon making your way on to the roof of Africa is lifechanging, the views are tear-inducing and the bragging rights immense.
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climbing-kilimanjaro.com.
Paps of Jura, Scotland
While admittedly not the most exotic destination on the list, this is an absolute belter of a hike none the less. Off the mainland of Scotland, a scattering of remote, unspoilt islands boast exceptional white sand beaches, miles of untamed wilderness, crashing waters and old-world charm in abundance. The enticingly remote Jura, one of the largest islands in the Inner Hebrides, has all that and more; the more being the opportunity to trek up the Paps of Jura, a triad of distinctively shaped, mounded mountains.
Navigate your way to the top of Beinn an Oir (the highest of the three) and revel in the views of the barren, windswept landscape, famous cave-studded raised beaches and dramatic, surging sea below.
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isleofjura.scot/the-paps-of-jura.
Runyan Canyon Park, Los Angeles
Can you even call yourself a hiker until you’ve sipped on a green juice while powering up a mountain in Los Angeles? We’re inclined to think not. Runyan Canyon Park is one of the most popular places in the city to do so: expect Hollywood vibes, yoga tribes and Angelenos accompanied by their four-legged friends (the area is dog-friendly).
The hype is worth it, too; this is a great place for a morning or afternoon hike, with two different routes (the lengthier one offering a real workout), amazing views spanning from downtown LA to the Pacific Ocean and scope for selfies galore.
laparks.org/runyon.
Torres del Paine, Patagonia
The iconic jewel in Patagonia’s glittering crown boasts icy glaciers, churning rivers, stunning fjords, snow-covered mountains, seemingly boundless beech forests and beautiful valleys.
What this does mean is that Torres del Paine is one of the most popular trekking destinations in the world and in summer it gets crowded. (Visit in winter and it’s a different, no less beautiful but decidedly colder story.) Visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage Site can opt to do a Full Circuit, otherwise known as the O Circuit (crossing the entire park in around nine days), tackle the longer Q Circuit or embark on the most popular trail of the three, the winding 4-to-6-day-long W Trek, which takes in a number of park highlights, includes the Grey Glacier (the biggest glacier in Torres del Paine), the French Valley and the Mirador Base de las Torres.
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