Whether you hike through ancient ruins, climb white peaks, or explore Alpine lakes in mountain canyons, traveling the world on foot is undeniably inspiring. So, where are the best hikes and treks on earth? There are countless hikes and treks worldwide, but a few stand out as the best, set in stunning natural hubs rich in history, great food, and amazing people. From can’t-miss rite-of-passage hike highlights like the Inca Trail to adventure-the-beaten-path trails in Kyrgyzstan, get the boots out and hit the trail on some of the best hikes in the world!
First up on our epic adventure is the oh-so-fabulous Inca Trail in Peru. One of the greatest and most important hikes around! The Inca Trail leads you over a constantly changing mountain path. The trail takes you over ancient Inca ruins and finally deposits you at the grand Machu Picchu. Built in one of the Andes’ most historically significant sites, this is where the ancient Inca lived and, more importantly, made their pilgrimages. So you get a sampling of history, too, with your hike!
But here is the thing: while trekking solo may be tempting, you might want to consider joining a group trekking adventure to Machu Picchu in Peru for a richer experience. This can enhance your experience and provide encouragement when the hike gets tough.
Okay, so let’s talk itinerary. Start with the most popular 4-day itinerary. It has you walking from a cloud forest, up a dead woman’s pass and into the heart of the Andes mountain ridge. The scenery changes every day with cloud forests, snow-capped peaks and open alpine forests. The Andes are a unique landscape with 22,000-foot mountains, grasslands and dense sub-tropical forests, all at an easy day’s hike.
From the Inca Trail to the italian Dolomites, the best hikes in the world offer breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences.
The famous trek rewards visitors with towering spires of granite, turquoise lakes and thick glaciers for days on end. Unlike other spots on this list, you can trek here year-round thanks to the mild weather!
The name of this trail comes from the shape that it forms – which, you guessed it, is a “W.” The “W” shaped trail allows trekkers to visit all of the highlights in just a few days. The trail is also likely to be teeming with wildlife like guanacos, foxes, large bird varieties and lots more.
The trek is physically demanding, but it is not difficult to trek if you compare it to other treks. The Ascencio Valley trail that takes to the base of Torres is a real workout. However, it is nothing that most reasonably fit hikers won’t be able to complete. And since it does not take that long to do, it’s balanced between challenging and accessible for most people.
Great for hikers at any skill level, the W Trek is nice and short compared to some other multi-day hikes. The trek takes about four to five days, making it ideal for those short on time or not looking for a weeks-long adventure.
Pro Tip: Although this trek is easy and doable solo, joining an organised trekking trip in Patagonia can elevate the experience. You’ll discover the best food spots, learn about the region’s history, and make an already incredible journey even better. If adventure calls, exploring the world’s top hikes should be on your travel bucket list!
Now, it’s time to take it up a notch by trekking through the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal! This challenging yet rewarding hike will leave you with unforgettable memories—and glutes of steel! Unlike a one-day trek, this world-class trail takes you through diverse terrains, from lush rainforests to rugged mountain peaks.
This epic multi-day trek winds through forests, terraced fields, and picturesque villages, with towering mountains dominating the horizon. The highlight? Thorong La Pass, soaring above 5,000 meters.
This is not for the faint of heart or a beginner-level trekker! That’s why a group trekking expedition in Nepal’s Annapurna region might be a great idea—it keeps you motivated when the trail gets tough!
You’ need plenty of grit and fitness to push through! But this thrilling adventure leaves you with an exhilarating high long after you finish!
The Annapurna Circuit offers some of the greatest Himalayan view in the world. You’ll see Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, Machapuchare and Manaslu, among many other towering peaks. For a truly breathtaking moment, camp overnight and wake up early to witness sunrise over the mountains!
Beyond the trek, the Annapurna Circuit offers a rich cultural and spiritual experience. Scattered among the mountains are Buddhist and Hindu villages with hidden temples. Along the way, you can stop in these villages, enjoy delicious, healthy food, unplug from the modern world, and maybe even take a moment to reflect or pray. By the end of this trek, you might just emerge not only stronger and fitter but also spiritually recharged.
If you find yourself in Marrakech, why not travel just 60 kilometres away to hike Mount Toubkal, Morocco’s highest peak? Part of the Atlas Mountain, it soars 4,167 meters above sea level. Doesn’t that make you want to lace up your boots and experience it? Get ready for a challenging hike with spectacular views!
A moderate to tough trek, the route takes you through barren landscape, picturesque Berber villages and lush green valleys nestled between mountains. Along the way, you’ll pass the impressive Alhambra Valley, green terraces, and crystal-clear mountain streams. This adventure offers the perfect mix of culture, nature and breathtaking scenery.
Though Mt.Toubkal is a non-technical climb, the ascent is physically demanding once you start gaining altitude. Like many top treks, it challenges even experienced adventurers. However, any reasonably fit hiker can reach the summit. Several routes lead to Toubkal Refuge, with the Imlil route being the most popular.
Let me tell you something about the views from the peak of Mt.Toubkal. They will blow you away and show you a very different side to Morocco! You will be able to see all the Atlas Mountains along with the Sahara desert and on clear days, the ‘black spots’ i.e. the hundreds of kasbahs which are found on the plains to the north.
Whether you prefer multi-day treks or scenic day hikes, the world’s best hikes offer something for every hiker.
Pro tip: Mount Toubkal is full of history and hidden gems—not just for locals or seasoned explorers. Opting for an organised trekking trip to Mount Toubkal will enhance your experience far more than venturing out with a few friends unprepared!
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago, located in the North Atlantic Ocean, it is a stunning subtropical island, actually four islands in all. It is an island of adventure, with a dramatic volcanic landscape, an excellent destination for walking and trekking.
Well, a group hiking adventure in Madeira’s natural beauty is really the appeal you’re looking for! So on the list of the world’s best hiking trips, this is one. The island is a delight for anyone who loves the great outdoors so a group hiking adventure on Madeira? Oh, you’re going to love it! These can be one-off walks, or as many half-day, full-day walks as you like, if you prefer days of trails and nature and beauty, book a multi-day group adventure!
Best place to start? The Levada walks. They criss-cross the mountains and are unique to Madeira. Follow these magical trails as they skirt the island’s picturesque landscape, weave through beautiful woodlands and enjoy stunning views of the ocean and the mountains.
In terms of biodiversity, Madeira is an island and is covered with unique flora and fauna, where most of it is related to endemism. The forest of Laurisilva, where high humidity conditions continuously persist, is one of the remaining relics of the Laurel forest and is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage.
If you want to hike away from the beaten path and want to find hidden hikes that not many other people do, then Kyrgyzstan is the place for you. ‘The Celestial Tien Shan’ mountain range is one of the most inspirational and unexplored places on earth right now. If you are looking for a real “unlike any other” experience that is deep off the grid, not seeing anyone for days and just living in the mountains, then Kyrgyzstan trekking is what you are looking for. This is the sort of thing that must be enjoyed in numbers with something like a group trekking adventure in Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shan Mountains.
Hiking routes take you through some of the most dramatic scenes on earth, across the untouched alpine meadows, through azure lakes and the huge glaciers.
One great thing about hiking in Kyrgyzstan is that you don’t have to share the trails. Naturally, the paths are less than world-famous and by that, we mean not as crowded or well-known as the other places on this list. So this means you get all this beauty mostly to yourself – no helicopters swooping in, no masses of crowded hikers. Perfect for the hiker who enjoys a fair amount of solitude!
It may not be a trekking hike in the familiar mould, but it certainly is one of the weirdest and coolest hikes in the world. And one you want to experience with a group hiking journey through Bolivia and Chile. Here is what you can look forward to – a salt flat to die for.
This place is bare – with not a lot to see – but that is the beauty of it! It is surreal and feels empty and endless! The biggest salt flat in the world, Salar de Uyuni, covers 10,582 square kilometres (4,086 square miles). This is the white expanse of salt that can only be described as being akin to walking on a white sandy beach or an inch of snow.
Say you head on over to Italy to enjoy Italian food from the source. You eat some absolutely decadent Italian food, cheese and wine and then when you are done – you work off all the calories that you undoubtedly gained by taking on the epic Dolomites! This is a mountain range located in northern Italy. With sheer cliffs, open valleys and pretty alpine villages, the Dolomites are hard to beat in terms of hiking mountains.
Listed in the Natural World Heritage list by UNESCO, the Dolomites is a very special place. And what sets this place apart from the rest of the hiking trails on this list is the meadows of rare orchids or massifs spotted with wildflowers – something you can only see in the Dolomites. This trip is certainly one that requires company and loads of pictures and that can be accomplished if you go and join a group trip in the Dolomites for an unforgettable trekking experience and hike the highest peaks in Northern Italy.
There are so many cool places to see on this planet and there’s no better way to see them all than by taking epic hikes in the most beautiful places on Earth. Sure, you can drive to them, but there are gorgeous places that cars can’t quite reach and only your two feet can. And if you really want to milk everything you can out of these hikes, find your perfect group trekking adventure because some of these treks can get pretty difficult and you want some encouragement to keep going when it gets tough!
See the world from on high, walking in the shadow of giant peaks in the Himalayas or disappearing below the waterline exploring temples deep in the Amazonian jungle – the best treks in the world truly do have it all and something to offer every single type of hiker. Choosing among the best hikes in the world can be tough, but each trail promises stunning views and a sense of achievement.
When it comes to epic walks and treks, there are plenty and so many more unexplored corners waiting to be discovered around the planet. What are you waiting for? Pack your gear because you’re about to tick off the best hikes in the world!
