Hiking is an exciting activity and a favorite amongst many people around the world.
Hiking is advantageous because it serves fitness cum leisure purposes. Hiking is a perfect form of a workout because you need to walk on incline for extended periods of time and leisure because hiking destinations around the world are beautiful and ones that you would invariably want to have on your travel list.
Hiking done in groups is fun because it gives a chance to interact with people who are likeminded and share similar interests. As you are all working towards a common goal, it motivates you to accomplish your task. It is an opportunity to build lifetime friends and pals.
There are many groups that organize hikes and you can enroll with them depending upon your choice of destination.
Hiking needs you to be fit because hiking terrains are tough and can be covered only if you are in good shape. It is an activity that involves a mix of fitness, fun and adventure.
The normal length of a hike is 7 to 12 miles (11 to 19 km) for a half day or 12 to 20 miles (19 to 32 km) for a full day.
As you hike along the trail, it gives you a chance to contemplate and be in touch with your inner self. Hiking is a good way to discover new places and explore the outdoors and nature.
There are many places across the world that are supposed to be good for hiking and in this article we will explore some of them.
Top 10 hiking destinations around the world
1. Tour Du Mont Blanc - France, Italy, Switzerland
Considered by many to be the most beautiful hike in western Europe (and some would argue the World), this epic hike takes you through three countries: France, Italy and Switzerland on a magnificent 110 miles (170km).
You’ll walk through alpine meadows, historic villages and forests all while gazing at the stunning granite peaks of the European Alps of the Mont Blanc Massif (mountain range)!
One night you can splurge on a gourmet French meal and the next day, after a day’s hike, be relishing a fabulous pasta dish in Italy.
You’ll cross borders, encounter multiple languages (mostly French and Italian, and some German), and experience multiple cultures, food and customs.
Duration: 11 days
Best time to visit: June-September
2. The Great Ocean Road Walk - Australia
The Great Ocean Walk shadows the iconic Great Ocean Road.
Every day is different as those stunning coastal landscapes you see from your car window pass beneath your feet.
The big skies and wild nature will astound you.
Discover the region’s diversity of plants, animals and scenery.
Weave your way through tall forests, coastal heathlands and beside rocky shore platforms.
Cross creeks and rivers and pass above wild-rocky shores and deserted beaches with panoramic views from windswept cliff-tops.
The amazing views along this trail will replenish your soul and truly change your outlook on the wonders of nature!
Duration: 8 days
Best time to visit: September-November and March-April
3. The Jordan Trail - Jordan
The Jordan Trail thru hike is in the heart of the Middle East – a 675 km hiking trail stretching the length of Jordan.
Get ready to experience the trip of a lifetime as you hike through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world from Um Qais to Aqaba!
Beautiful yet challenging, this hike is a paradise for adventure junkies.
This 675 kms stretch is not a child’s play for sure! Make sure to carry your gear according to the ranging terrains and climates of this region.
Is hiking even fun without any element of thrill and adventure? Not to mention, the majestic deserts, oases, mountains, and canyons along the route only make this journey so compelling!
Duration: 40 days
Best time to visit: March-May or September-November
4. Great Himalaya Trail - Nepal
Famous as the “longest and highest” hiking trails in the world, stretching across Pakistan, India, Bhutan, and Nepal.
Imagine being able to experience a variety of cultures, traditions, and landscapes all in one trail!
Spanning the length of the Himalaya, across ancient Kingdoms and extraordinary mountains, the Great Himalaya Trail is unlike any hike you ever dreamed of.
Walk past mountains, glaciers, forests, rivers – sheer beauty all along!
Witness the magical sights of valleys, fields, cities and so much more on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Make sure to pack your gear carefully as this hiking trail can be very challenging.
Duration: Around 150 days
Best time to visit: April-June and October-November
5. Grand Canyon - USA
With its ridges, plateaus, streams, diverse ecosystem, and various trails, the Grand Canyon offers a unique experience to trekkers around the world.
It is the classic and among the best hiking places in the world that tops the bucket list of every adrenaline junkie!
This unique experience is a great opportunity to unleash your wanderlust so take the hike you have always been dreaming of now!
Duration: An average of 4 hours and 30 minutes
Best time to visit: March-May and September-November
6. Milford Track - New Zealand
New Zealand’s most famous walk welcomes you to discover its beauty and challenges.
Located amid the mountains and rainforest of Fiordland National Park, this trail is described as one of the finest walks in New Zealand.
Experience one of the ‘the finest walks in the world’ – along valleys carved by glaciers, through ancient rainforests and past cascading waterfalls.
The alpine and fiord scenery is too beautiful to be true! Among the best hiking places in the world, it will surely take your heart away with its natural essence.
Duration: 4 days
Best time to visit: Late October or April
7. West Coast Trail - Canada
There is’nt a better way to experience a unique coastal landscape of crashing waves, tide pools, rock formations, old growth forest, birds, and wildlife than to meander along a beach for a week and soak it all in.
And Ithere is’nt a better beach to meander than the 75-kilometer West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island.
Famous for its ruggedness, hundreds of man-made ladders and bridges, lush rainforests, and beautiful beach campsites, the West Coast Trail offers an experience as rich as the island’s flora and fauna itself.
It’s an epic walk into the history of the Pacific Coast and Vancouver Island.
Duration: 6-8 days
Best time to visit: July-August
8. Mount Kilimanjaro Trail - Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro gives you the unique experience of standing on top of the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
The summit has seven main routes that are equally beautiful and not too challenging.
You trek through cultivated fields, rain forests, moorlands, and suddenly alpine deserts full of rock and scree.
Beyond that, there are arctic snowfields and glaciers.
On this trek, you have a strong local Tanzanian flavour added to your experience as residents of the villages that surround the mountain will fill you with stories, culture, and food of the region.
This trek must be done not only to experience the Kilimanjaro trek but also to experience the wilderness and culture of Africa.
Duration: 5-9 days
Best time to visit: December-early March and late June-October
9. Inca Trail - Peru
Inca Trail is the most well-known and one of the best hiking places in the world.
Embark on an adventure of a lifetime and discover the hidden treasures along the iconic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru.
The Inca trail winds its way through the Inca ruins, lush tropical forests, pristine high-altitude lakes, and mysterious ruins, offering an unforgettable experience that combines breathtaking scenery with rich cultural heritage.
Duration: 4 days
Best time to visit: May-September
10. Isle of Skye - Scotland
Skye is one of the top locations in Scotland to visit. It is a world class destination for walkers and climbers.
It is famous for its scenery and landscapes that will take your breath away.
The Island of Skye is 50 miles long and the largest of the Inner Hebrides.
You can hope to find adventurous mountain peaks, relaxing pools, and coastlines.
The Isle of Skye is also a great destination for Wildlife watching with the white tailed sea eagle at the top of bird watchers lists. Otters, seals, whales, dolphins and red deer are just some of the other impressive creatures that can be seen on and around the Isle of Skye.
The capital town of Portree is a great place to unwind and chill while exploring the island.
Duration: 4-5 days
Best time to visit: April-June and August-September
That was a round up of some of the best hiking places to visit in the world! So what are you waiting for? Get out your hiking gear and head straight to one of these locale to experience the time of your life and thrilling unforgettable advernture.