11 Best Hiking Trails in The World

Hiking is my hands-down favorite travel activity. There’s just so much that you can see in this world that’s only accessible by foot, over mountaintops, glaciers, and through canyons and gorges.
Over the past five years, these have been my favorite hikes from all around the world. They range in difficulty and length, though they all have one thing in common: They’re stunning.

From Kyrgyzstan to Patagonia, South Africa, the Swiss Alps, the American Southwest, and so many amazing things in-between, here are a few of the best hiking trails in the world.

1. Ala Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan: Moderate (57 km, 35.4 mi)

This gem in Central Asia is the country’s most popular trek, though still flying well under the radar of similarly beautiful treks elsewhere in the world. The trail is blanketed with wild flowers in just about every color, and once you get to the top of the pass, the views in every direction are just magical.

Some parts of the trail are incredibly steep, though overall, no technical know-how is needed and the trail is clearly marked, unless you want to add on extra days in either direction in which case there is no trail.
Make friends with the locals along the way, sleep in a yurt for a night, and experience why Kyrgyzstan is the Patagonia of Central Asia. Read more about the trek here.

what to wear on a hike and still look cute
http://www.savvyhiking.com/what-to-wear-on-a-hike-and-still-look-cute

2. Inca Trail, Peru: Moderate (33.7km, 21 miles)

The Inca Trail is unquestionably a bucket list hike with gorgeous Incan ruins all along the way, culminating at Machu Picchu, one of the ancient Wonders of the World. The amazing thing about the trail is it’s still 85% intact exactly the way that the ancient Incans built it. It’s also the only trail that takes visitors into Machu Picchu the way that the Incans visited themselves.

The trail takes about four days to complete and guides are required. Most tour companies bring a huge team of porters, big tents, and fresh veggies and food for elaborate meals. If you’re used to backpacking on your own, eating instant camp meals, prepare to be spoiled.

I’ll be leading a tour group in Peru next April, as well as visiting the Amazon and Rainbow Mountain, and much more! Read more about it here.

3. Wrangell St. Elias, Alaska, USA: Difficult, Varies

If you want raw, rugged, unadulterated nature, then look no further than Alaska. Apart from Denali and the popular cruise route, most of the state is devoid of people and full of adventures.

Wrangell St. Elias is the biggest national park in the US, yet it seems like nobody has ever heard of it! This 8-day trek over glaciers, multiple passes, through tundra, marshes, and moraine isn’t for solo hikers or first-timers, as it requires route finding with a map and compass, and a bush flight in and back out. Yet this is what makes it so wonderful – you’re unlikely to see anyone else out there, though you might spot some bears and moose! You can read more about the trek here.

keto hiking food
http://www.savvyhiking.com/tips-to-choosing-keto-hiking-food-for-a-multi-day-hike

4. Annapurna Circuit, Nepal: Moderate, Varies between 160–230 km (100-145 mi)

The Annapurna circuit is the slightly less crowded, more picturesque, but equally challenging cousin of Everest Base Camp. It’s a tea house trek, meaning that you can leave the tents, cooking equipment, food, and basically everything but clothing and snacks behind.

More of the trek is becoming accessible by road, and what was once a minimum 14-day trek can be shrunk down depending on your time constraints. Though at 5416 meters (17,769 feet) in altitude, the Thorung La Pass is not to be taken lightly. The highest season is in November with April following in popularity. For an added bonus, tack on the Sanctuary Trek and Poon Hill at the end. For more on how to prepare, click here and here for a day-by-day breakdown.

5. Huemul Circuit, Argentina: Difficult (60 km, 37 mi)

The Southern Patagonian Ice Field. This is one of the best views I saw in Patagonia. So amazing

The Huemul Circuit out of El Chalten, Argentinian Patagonia, is one of only four trails in Patagonia that provides a view of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the third largest frozen body of fresh water in the world.

This hike isn’t easy. You’ll need to carry along all of your gear and provisions for four days, bring along a map with the GPS points routed ahead of time since the trail can be unclear, pull yourself across two rivers with a harness and pulley, and prepare for one of the craziest downhills around. It’s nearly three hours of a steep descent on loose dirt, however the view is unmatched in Patagonia, and that’s saying a lot!

The difficulty is what keeps most visitors away, so if you’re feeling adventurous, read about how to do it here.

6. The O in Torres del Paine, Chile: Moderate (130 km, 80.1 mi)
Patagonia’s most loved trek, the circuit in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, earned its fame for a reason. Picture glacier after glacier, another glimpse of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field for those who do the entire O (rather than the W, which is shorter), and mountain formations that have no equal.

ecotek outdoors hybern8
http://www.savvyhiking.com/top-3-sleeping-pads-for-hiking-great-value-for-your-money

The trail is easy to find, and is moderately difficult. Unless you book prearranged tents and refugios ahead of time, you’ll need to carry all of your own gear for this one. You can read more about how to properly prepare for trekking in Patagonia, known for intense wind and wet, rocky trails here, and how to get the most out of the O in Torres del Paine here.

7. Coyote Gulch, Utah, USA: Moderately Easy (12km, 7.4 mi)
Coyote Gulch in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument can be done over multiple days or, for those willing to rappel down a canyon wall, in just one day.

In comparison to the more popular hikes in Utah like those in Zion, Coyote Gulch has hardly any people at all. You can camp overnight right under the famous Jacob Hamblin Arch, and wander through all day long without seeing more than a few other people along the way. The hike is fairly easy and flat, though it’s mostly through sand and water, so bring along waterproof hiking boots!

This is one of my favorite hikes in the American Southwest. You can read more about how to do it in one day here.

8. Doi Luang Chiang Dao, Thailand: Moderate (12km, 7.4 mi)

Doi Luang Chiang Dao in northern Thailand is the country’s third tallest peak, but it’s easily the most beautiful. The hike is steep in the beginning and the end, and flat in the middle. It takes you through a temperate jungle, full of interesting vines growing through rocks, sakura blossoms depending on time of year, and up to a peak with 360-degree views of undulating mountain after mountain.

I expected this to be a sweaty, buggy affair, but found the hike to be pleasant and even a bit cold. Most people do this hike as an overnight, but it’s possible to do it in one day. You can read more about how to do that here.

9. Kawah Ijen, Java, Indonesia: Easy (8 km, 5 mi)

Kawah Ijen in East Java is in a word, magical. Hiking in with the stars, seeing the amazing blue flames (and trying not to choke from the fumes) and marveling at the local workers who haul sulfur up and down the mountain all day, made this one of my favorite travel experiences to date. It’s a fairly easy morning hike – just make sure to bring a head lamp!

At the time that I did this hike 5 years ago, there was hardly any information about it and there were only a few people who made it to the flames. I understand that the popularity has exploded since (It’s one of my most popular blog posts – sorry!), but I still think it must be an incredible experience. You can’t see blue flames many other places in the world!

10. Cerro Tronador, Argentina: Moderate (36 km, 22 mi)

The Cerro Tronador and Refugio Otto Meiling trek out of Bariloche, Argentinian Patagonia has multiple ‘wow’ factors: The glacier at the top, and this view at the bottom of an area where it cascades over the mountainside.

lattcure outfitters sleeping bag
https://www.hikingbay.com/finding-the-best-lightweight-sleeping-bag-for-hiking

This hike is best split up into a 2 day, one night hike. The refugio at the top does have some basic sleeping space that one can book ahead of time in town, or it’s possible to bring your own gear and camp at the top. Read more about the hike, and others in the area, here.

11. Edelweissweg, Switzerland: Moderately Easy (varies)

For an incredible panoramic view of the Matterhorn, for those who still want to hike in Zermatt, Switzerland without climbing the actual Matterhorn, the Edelweiss trail is perfect.

From town, take the gondola up to Fury and start from there in the early morning. Some of the trail winds up in switchbacks (and back down of course), but a good portion of it is a panoramic view of the Matterhorn, with plenty of wildflowers to guide your way.

The trail is easy to navigate though it branches off often so bring a map. It’s perfect for a day hike though there are huts along the way if you want to break it up, or make it part of a longer hike. Choose your own adventure. Read more here.