Best Hiking Holidays in the World

23 Hikes Around the World to Satisfy Your Healthy Wanderlust

May 5 2019 by Kate McKenna

There's no better way to experience a new place than by hiking through its countryside and wilderness. Whether you're an experienced hiker or more of a long-distance walker, some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world take you through the wildest scenery and quaintest villages, giving you access to areas of the globe you never thought possible.

If you're looking for your next holiday and want something a little more adventurous than relaxing on a beach for a week, these destinations will satisfy your wanderlust. From mountain to cross-country treks from one coast to another, these are the best hikes in the world.

Image Source: Flickr user akunamatata

1. Petra, Jordan

Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to 300 BC and the iconic Treasury building is only accessible on foot. While it's a short hike, only about a mile long, it's one of the most unique hikes in the world.

Image Source: Unsplash / Joshua Rodriguez

2. Pacific Crest Trail, US

The Pacific Crest Trail is 2,653 miles long, stretching from California through Oregon, Washington and finishing in British Columbia, Canada. With varying elevations passing through ten different mountain ranges, it's one of the longest and most scenic trails in North America.

Image Source: Unsplash / Sébastien Goldberg

3. Big Bend National Park, US

If you want to see one of the most ecologically diverse locations in the world, head to Big Bend National Park in West Texas. At over 1,251 square miles the park includes areas of the Chihuahuan Desert, the Rio Grande, vast mountains, and fertile valleys with over 1,200 species of plants. Despite being one of the least-visited parks in the United States, it offers some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the country.

Image Source: Unsplash / Kyle Glenn

4. West Highland Way, Scotland

This 96-mile long walking path through the Scottish Highlands will have you living out your Outlander dreams. The West Highland Way trail includes notable locations like the Devil's Staircase and is full of wildlife like golden eagles and red deer.

Image Source: Unsplash / George Hiles

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5. Bay of Fires, Tasmania

The Bay of Fires in Tasmania, off the coast of Australia, is one of the most otherworldly hiking locations you could find. Its name comes from the stunning red boulders that line the coast and walking the entire length of the trail can take up to four days making it a must-do hiking holiday.

Image Source: Unsplash / David Clode

6. Croagh Patrick, Ireland

Hiking to Croagh Patrick is a religious pilgrimage for many Irish Catholics, as it's named after the patron saint of Ireland. Considered the holiest mountain in the country, the hike up to the top of the mountain is about two hours long. Croagh Patrick is located nearby to plenty of beautiful Irish towns for you to explore as well.

Image Source: Flickr user Dale Simonson

7. Inca Trail, Peru

Perhaps one of the most well-known hikes on this list is the Inca Trail, which ends at Machu Picchu. There are three trail routes in varying difficulties that wind through mountain passes, cloud forests and alpine tundras. The longest trail into Machu Picchu takes four days, while the shortest is two days.

Image Source: Unsplash / Babak Fakhamzadeh

8. Tour du Mont Blanc, France, Italy and Switzerland

One way to check three countries off your bucket list would be to do the Tour du Mont Blanc. It's one of the most popular hiking trails in the world and can take 11 days to complete the whole route. But the payoff is incredible, winding its way through the mountains of Switzerland, Italy, and France, giving you spectacular views you can't get anywhere else.

Image Source: Flickr user akunamatata

9. Appalachian Trail, US

At over 2,200 miles long, the Appalachian Trail is the longest trail for hiking only in the world. The whole trail stretches from Georgia to Maine, but there are dozens of opportunities for partial hikes along the route.

Image Source: Flickr user Nicholas A. Tonelli

10. Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago is another pilgrimage route, this time honouring Saint James and ending at Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Composed of dozens of routes starting in various cities in France, Italy, England, and more, the most popular modern route is the French Way, which begins in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Whether you're Catholic or not, the hike is a beautiful way to experience the European countryside.

Image Source: Flickr user Staffan Andersson

11. The Dolomites, Italy

The Dolomites are a mountain range in Italy, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rugged mountains are surrounded by green fields and quaint towns with dozens of hikes in varying difficulties to fill your days.

Image Source: Unsplash / David Marcu

12. Cinque Terre, Italy

Many tourists visit Cinque Terre to see the gorgeous multicoloured homes built into the edge of the cliffs, but it's actually one of the best destinations for hiking in the world. The most popular trail takes about six hours, but you can split it up over a few days and stop in some of the five towns along the way to recharge and get a glass of the region's famous wine.

Image Source: Unsplash / Linh Nguyen

13. Hadrian's Wall Path, UK

Hadrian's Wall essentially marks the boundary between England and Scotland and, as a result, is in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK. You can walk the 84-mile path from one coast to the other, stopping at pubs and market towns along the way. The path is relatively easy yet still gives you incredibly views of the English and Scottish countrysides.

Image Source: Flickr user Robert Linsdell

14. Ciudad Perdida, Colombia

Ciudad Perdida or the Lost City is older than Machu Picchu, and the hike to the ruins is not for the faint of heart. It takes four to six days and is over 27 miles of hilly hikes through hot, humid jungles and mountains. The path even contains several river crossings — but if you're up to it, the Lost City Trek is one of the most spectacular hikes in the world.

Image Source: Flickr user Kevin

15. Kungsleden, Sweden

The Kungsleden trail is one of the most famous, passing through Sweden's Lapland region between Abisko and Hemavan. At almost 250 miles long, with both lowland and mountain hiking trails, the scenery is absolutely stunning.

Image Source: Flickr user dilettantiquity

16. Otter Trail, South Africa

The Otter Trail is so difficult that there are age restrictions in place (12 to 65), and you'll need to give yourself five days and four nights to complete the South African hike. The scenery is absolutely stunning, ranging from white sand beaches to dramatic cliffs, and you'll spend your nights in huts overlooking the ocean.

Image Source: Flickr user Dave Lonsdale

17. Chilkoot Trail, US and Canada

The Chilkoot Trail is a National Historic Site, which winds through Alaska and British Columbia. The route through the mountain pass is rocky, difficult, and sometimes covered in snow, so it's important to be prepared. But the Chilkoot Trail is also wild and beautiful, and totally worth it.

Image Source: Flickr user Joseph

18. Everest Base Camp, Nepal

While Mount Everest itself should only be attempted by the most experienced climbers, the Everest Base Camp trek is suitable for almost anyone. The hike is gentle but takes up to two weeks to complete, with plenty of stops on the way. As its name suggests, the trek will take you to the foot of Mount Everest through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the world.

Image Source: Flickr user Ben & Gab

19. Kalalau Trail, Hawaii

If you're looking for a warmer hike, the Kalalau Trail is a great way to see the rugged coast of Hawaii's Kauai island. It's an 11-mile hike through five mountain valleys that ends on Kalalau Beach. It's so popular that many tourists don't know they need to prepare for the hike, and all hikers need a permit to access the trail.

Image Source: Flickr user Geordie Mott

20. Banff National Park, Canada

You could spend a week hiking in Alberta's Banff National Park and still not complete all of the trails. With over 994 miles of trails through valleys, mountain passes, glaciers, and lakes, there is so much to see. The park becomes Kootenay National Park when you cross over into British Columbia with even more hikes and stunning vistas to see.

Image Source: Unsplash / John Lee

21. Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand

New Zealand is known for having some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, and Te Araroa Trail is the best way to see it. Along the way you can see beaches, volcanoes, forests, and cities. With over 1,800 miles of trails from the North of the island to the South, you'll want to pick and choose your routes.

Image Source: Flickr user Daniel Walker

22. Long Range Traverse, Canada

Hiking the Long Range Traverse in Newfoundland and Labrador's Gros Morne National Park is rugged and spectacular. It's an unmarked trail about 15 miles long and takes the typical hiker three to four nights to complete. It's ideal for those looking for a real backcountry experience, off the beaten path.

Image Source: Unsplash / Krista Kankula

23. Fitz Roy Trek, Argentina

No list of hikes would be complete without a trek in Patagonia. Argentina's Fitz Roy Trek in El Chalten is composed of several routes, some manageable in a day and others that can take up to two days to complete. Either way, you'll find yourself with spectacular views of Monte Fitz Roy, glaciers, meadows, and lakes.

Image Source: Unsplash / Arto Marttinen