From rugged mountain trails to lush jungle treks, the world is full of breathtaking hikes that challenge and inspire. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or a casual hiker, these 20 epic trails should be on your bucket list.
1. Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous and breathtaking treks in the world, leading adventurers through stunning Andean landscapes, ancient Inca ruins, and culminating at the majestic Lost City of the Incas.
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
⭐ Must-See: Sun Gate sunrise over Machu Picchu, Wiñay Wayna ruins
📅 Best Time to Go: May-September (dry season)
💰 Fees: ~$600-$800 (permit + guided tour required)
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Cusco, take a train to Ollantaytambo, then start the trek
💡 Tips: Book permits 6+ months in advance—only 500 people allowed per day!
2. Everest Base Camp, Nepal
The Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek is one of the most iconic and challenging hikes in the world, taking adventurers deep into the heart of the Himalayas with jaw-dropping views of Mount Everest (8,848m) and other towering peaks.
🥾 Difficulty: Challenging (high altitude)
⭐ Must-See: Kala Patthar viewpoint, Tengboche Monastery
📅 Best Time to Go: April-May & September-November
💰 Fees: ~$1,200-$2,500 (guided trek, permits included)
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Lukla from Kathmandu, then trek 12-14 days
💡 Tips: Acclimatize properly to avoid altitude sickness.
3. Torres del Paine “W” Trek, Chile
The Torres del Paine “W” Trek is a bucket-list adventure through Chile’s wild and untamed Patagonia, named for its three-pronged route that traces the park’s most iconic landmarks. This 71 km (44-mile) journey weaves past towering granite spires, electric-blue glaciers, and emerald lakes, offering some of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth.
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
⭐ Must-See: Grey Glacier, French Valley, Base of the Towers
📅 Best Time to Go: November-March (Patagonian summer)
💰 Fees: ~$50 park entry + $10-$30/night camping
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Punta Arenas, bus to Puerto Natales, then to the park
💡 Tips: Book refugios (huts) early—they sell out fast!
4. Tour du Mont Blanc, France/Italy/Switzerland
The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is one of the most famous long-distance treks in the world, circling Western Europe’s highest peak (Mont Blanc, 4,807m / 15,774ft) through France, Italy, and Switzerland. This epic alpine journey offers stunning glaciers, charming villages, and breathtaking mountain vistas.
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
⭐ Must-See: Aiguille du Midi, Val Ferret, Courmayeur
📅 Best Time to Go: July-September
💰 Fees: Free, but huts cost ~$50-$100/night
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Geneva, then bus/train to Chamonix
💡 Tips: Pack light—many huts offer half-board (dinner & breakfast).
5. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m / 19,341ft) is Africa’s highest peak and the world’s tallest freestanding mountain. Trekking to its snow-capped summit is a bucket-list adventure, passing through lush rainforests, alpine meadows, and lunar-like volcanic landscapes.
🥾 Difficulty: Challenging (altitude + long trek)
⭐ Must-See: Uhuru Peak (highest in Africa), Shira Plateau
📅 Best Time to Go: January-March & June-October
💰 Fees: ~$2,000-$5,000 (permits + guides mandatory)
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Kilimanjaro Airport, transfer to Moshi/Arusha
💡 Tips: Choose the Lemosho or Machame route for best acclimatization.
6. Zion Narrows, USA
Zion National Park’s Narrows is a world-famous slot canyon hike where the Virgin River carves through towering Navajo sandstone cliffs, creating a stunning, narrow gorge with walls up to 1,000 feet high. Unlike typical trails, this hike involves wading, swimming, and scrambling through the river itself, making it a unique and unforgettable experience.
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate (river hiking)
⭐ Must-See: Wall Street section, Orderville Canyon
📅 Best Time to Go: May-September (avoid flash floods)
💰 Fees: $35 Zion NP entry + $15 permit for top-down hike
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Las Vegas, drive 2.5 hrs to Zion
💡 Tips: Rent canyoneering shoes & neoprene socks in Springdale.
7. The Haute Route, France/Switzerland
The Haute Route is one of Europe’s most legendary alpine treks, traversing 200 km (124 miles) from Chamonix, France (Mont Blanc) to Zermatt, Switzerland (Matterhorn). This high-altitude journey crosses 11 mountain passes, skirts glaciers, and delivers panoramic views of the Alps’ most iconic peaks.
🥾 Difficulty: Challenging (high alpine)
⭐ Must-See: Matterhorn, Lac de Moiry
📅 Best Time to Go: July-September
💰 Fees: Free, but huts cost ~$50-$100/night
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Geneva, train to Chamonix or Zermatt
💡 Tips: Some sections require basic mountaineering skills.
8. Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, USA
The Kalalau Trail is one of the most dramatic and dangerous hikes in the USA, winding 22 miles (round-trip) along the Na Pali Coast of Kauai. This legendary trail takes adventurers through jungle valleys, sea cliffs, and hidden beaches, with the reward of reaching the secluded Kalalau Beach—a paradise only accessible by foot or kayak.
🥾 Difficulty: Strenuous (narrow cliffs + river crossings)
⭐ Must-See: Hanakapi’ai Falls, Kalalau Beach
📅 Best Time to Go: April-October (avoid winter rains)
💰 Fees: $20/person + $35 parking (permit required)
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Lihue (Kauai), drive to trailhead
💡 Tips: Permits sell out fast—book months ahead!
9. Overland Track, Australia
Winding 65 km (40 miles) through the heart of Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Area), the Overland Track is Australia’s most famous multi-day hike. This 6-day journey takes trekkers through ancient rainforests, past glacial lakes, and beneath the jagged peaks of Cradle Mountain and Mount Ossa (Tasmania’s highest peak at 1,617m).
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
⭐ Must-See: Cradle Mountain, Lake St. Clair
📅 Best Time to Go: November-April (summer)
💰 Fees: ~$200 (Oct-Apr, includes shuttle)
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Launceston, shuttle to Cradle Mountain
💡 Tips: Huts are first-come, first-served—bring a tent.
10. The Dolomites Alta Via 1, Italy
The Dolomites Alta Via 1 (AV1) is a 120 km (75-mile) high-altitude trail traversing Italy’s most dramatic mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 10-12 day hut-to-hut trek takes hikers through jagged limestone peaks, wildflower meadows, and past World War I ruins, offering some of the best alpine scenery in Europe without glacier crossings.
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
⭐ Must-See: Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lagazuoi
📅 Best Time to Go: July-September
💰 Fees: Free, but rifugios cost ~$50-$100/night
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Venice, bus to Cortina d’Ampezzo
💡 Tips: Pack cash—many huts don’t take cards.
11. Milford Track, New Zealand
The 53 km (33-mile) Milford Track is New Zealand’s most famous Great Walk, a 4-day, one-way trek through the heart of Fiordland National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Area). This iconic trail takes hikers from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound, passing pristine rainforests, thundering waterfalls, and glacier-carved valleys beneath towering peaks like Mitre Peak (1,692m).
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
⭐ Must-See: Sutherland Falls, Mackinnon Pass
📅 Best Time to Go: November-April
💰 Fees: ~$70 (hut fees) + transport
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Queenstown, bus to Te Anau
💡 Tips: Book huts a year ahead—only 40 independent hikers/day.
12. The Camino de Santiago, Spain
The Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes leading to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of St. James the Apostle are said to rest. The most popular route, the Camino Francés, spans 780 km (500 miles) from the Pyrenees to Galicia, but pilgrims can choose from dozens of paths across Europe.
🥾 Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
⭐ Must-See: Cathedral of Santiago, Pyrenees views
📅 Best Time to Go: April-October
💰 Fees: Free, but albergues cost ~$10-$20/night
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Madrid/Barcelona, train to start points
💡 Tips: Get a pilgrim passport for stamps & discounts.
13. The Laugavegur Trail, Iceland
The Laugavegur Trail (officially Laugavegurinn) is Iceland’s most famous multi-day hike, taking trekkers through volcanic deserts, steaming hot springs, glacial rivers, and neon-green valleys between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk. This 4-5 day adventure showcases the raw, otherworldly beauty of Iceland’s highlands—often called “the best hike on Earth” by outdoor enthusiasts.
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
⭐ Must-See: Landmannalaugar hot springs, Þórsmörk
📅 Best Time to Go: June-September
💰 Fees: Free, but huts cost ~$80/night
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Reykjavik, bus to Landmannalaugar
💡 Tips: Weather changes fast—pack waterproof gear.
14. The West Coast Trail, Canada
The West Coast Trail (WCT) is one of the world’s most challenging and rewarding coastal hikes, stretching along the rugged southwestern edge of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Originally a lifeline for shipwreck survivors, this 6-8 day trek takes hikers through old-growth rainforests, tidal shelves, and remote beaches, with dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and wildlife encounters along the way.
🥾 Difficulty: Strenuous (mud, ladders, tides)
⭐ Must-See: Tsusiat Falls, Pachena Bay
📅 Best Time to Go: May-September
💰 Fees: ~$150 (permit + reservation fee)
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Victoria, bus to trailhead
💡 Tips: Tide charts are critical—plan crossings carefully.
15. The GR20, Corsica, France
The GR20 (Grande Randonnée 20) is a legendary long-distance trail traversing the rugged spine of Corsica’s mountain ranges, from Calenzana (north) to Conca (south). Often called “the toughest trek in Europe,” this 15-day route combines sheer granite peaks, glacial lakes, and dense pine forests with technical scrambles, chain-assisted climbs, and unpredictable weather.
🥾 Difficulty: One of Europe’s toughest
⭐ Must-See: Lac de Nino, Cirque de la Solitude
📅 Best Time to Go: June-September
💰 Fees: Free, but huts cost ~$20-$50/night
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Ajaccio/Bastia, bus to trailhead
💡 Tips: Pack ultra-light—some sections require scrambling.
16. The Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
The Annapurna Circuit is one of Nepal’s most iconic and diverse treks, circling the Annapurna Massif while crossing the Thorong La Pass (5,416m / 17,769ft)—one of the highest trekking passes in the world. This 12–21 day adventure takes hikers from lush subtropical valleys to arid high-altitude deserts, passing Tibetan-influenced villages, Buddhist monasteries, and jaw-dropping Himalayan vistas.
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
⭐ Must-See: Thorong La Pass, Muktinath Temple
📅 Best Time to Go: March-May & October-November
💰 Fees: ~$20 (TIMS card + permit)
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Kathmandu, bus to Besisahar
💡 Tips: Teahouse trekking means no tent needed!
17. The Appalachian Trail, USA
The Appalachian Trail (AT) is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, stretching from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, Maine. This epic 5-7 month thru-hike traverses the Appalachian Mountains, offering a mix of dense forests, rolling meadows, and rugged peaks—along with a unique trail culture of “trail angels,” shelters, and hiker camaraderie.
🥾 Difficulty: Very Strenuous (2,190+ miles!)
⭐ Must-See: McAfee Knob, Great Smoky Mountains
📅 Best Time to Go: March-September (NOBO)
💰 Fees: Free, but shelters cost donations
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Atlanta/DC, shuttle to Springer/Katahdin
💡 Tips: Thru-hikers take 5-7 months—plan resupplies carefully.
18. The Fish River Canyon, Namibia
The Fish River Canyon in southern Namibia is one of Africa’s most epic and remote multi-day hikes, descending into a dramatic desert canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon in places. This 4-5 day challenge follows the dry (or barely flowing) Fish River, offering otherworldly landscapes, natural hot springs, and rugged wilderness with no marked trail or facilities.
🥾 Difficulty: Strenuous (desert trek)
⭐ Must-See: Sulphur Springs, Ai-Ais hot springs
📅 Best Time to Go: May-September (cooler months)
💰 Fees: ~$20 (permit required)
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Windhoek, drive to Hobas
💡 Tips: Carry ALL water—no sources along the trail.
19. The Snowman Trek, Bhutan
The Snowman Trek is the ultimate high-altitude Himalayan trek, traversing 11 mountain passes above 4,500m (14,764ft)—including Gangla Karchung La (5,120m / 16,798ft)—while weaving through the Lunana region of Bhutan. This 25-30 day journey is reserved for elite trekkers, combining glacial valleys, untouched villages, and sacred peaks in one of Earth’s last truly wild places.
🥾 Difficulty: Extreme (high altitude + remote)
⭐ Must-See: Jhomolhari Mountain, Laya Village
📅 Best Time to Go: September-October
💰 Fees: ~$250/day (Bhutan’s mandatory tour fee)
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Paro, arrange guided trek
💡 Tips: Only for experienced trekkers—27 days, 11 high passes!
20. The Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa/Lesotho
The Drakensberg Grand Traverse is Southern Africa’s most epic and demanding trek, following the escarpment ridge between South Africa and Lesotho through the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg World Heritage Site. This 12-14 day off-trail expedition crosses remote peaks, alpine plateaus, and ancient San rock art sites, with altitudes ranging from 2,500m to 3,482m (Thabana Ntlenyana, Lesotho’s highest peak).
🥾 Difficulty: Very Challenging (unguided wilderness)
⭐ Must-See: Amphitheatre, Tugela Falls
📅 Best Time to Go: April-October
💰 Fees: Free (but register with KZN Wildlife)
✈️ Getting There: Fly to Durban, drive to Cathedral Peak
💡 Tips: Self-sufficient navigation required—no marked trail.
