This selection of 21 of the best hikes in Asia will give you a great idea of where to go hiking in Asia, from high mountain trails to volcanic peaks.
There are so many possible ‘best hikes in Asia’ to do and there are plenty of other options than those listed here, but these are some of the main ones most people would be interested in and are spread out across different parts of Asia.
Best Hikes In Asia
These best hikes in Asia are mixed between shorter, easier hikes, to longer tough treks. Note that the phrases trekking and hiking are very similar in what they mean, but for clarity, the phrase ‘hike’ is used here.
Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Let’s start with a very obvious one for the best treks in Asia.
The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most popular and iconic trekking routes in the world. It takes you to the base camp of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth, and offers stunning views of the Himalayas and the surrounding landscapes.
The trek typically takes about 12 to 14 days to complete, depending on your itinerary and acclimatization schedule. This includes both the ascent to Everest Base Camp and the descent back to Lukla.
Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is another famous and stunning trekking route in Nepal. It offers a diverse range of landscapes, cultures, and terrains as you circumnavigate the Annapurna Massif.
It starts in the town of Besisahar and goes through various landscapes, including lush forests, terraced fields, high mountain passes, and traditional villages.
The duration of the Annapurna Circuit Trek varies depending on the specific route you take and your walking pace. Typically, it takes around 14 to 21 days to complete the full circuit. Shorter variations are also possible.
Mount Fuji, Japan
The iconic volcanic peak offers stunning views and is a popular pilgrimage for hikers during the climbing season (July to September). Mount Fuji is one of the best hikes in Japan you can do.
Mount Fuji is located on Honshu Island, about 100 kilometres southwest of Tokyo.
There are several trails to the summit of Mount Fuji. The most popular routes include the Yoshida Trail (from the fifth station) and the Subashiri Trail (from the fifth station). The trails vary in difficulty and scenery.
Tavan Bogd, Mongolia
Hike through the Altai Mountains to Mongolia’s highest peak for breathtaking views of glaciers and alpine lakes. Tavan Bogd, also known as the Five Holy Peaks, is a mountain massif located on the border between Mongolia and Russia.
The highest peak of this range, and the highest in Mongolia, is Mount Khüiten. Tavan Bogd is situated in the far western region of Mongolia. The trekking area is within the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.
The main attraction of the area, Mount Khüiten, stands at an elevation of about 4,374 meters (14,201 feet). Climbing this peak is a challenging endeavour that requires mountaineering skills, but trekking around its base and admiring its beauty is a rewarding experience.
Poon Hill Trek, Nepal
The Poon Hill Trek, also known as the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, is a popular short trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal. It’s renowned for its stunning sunrise views over the Himalayas, including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
The trek is relatively short and doesn’t require extensive preparation, making it a great choice for trekkers with limited time or experience. The Poon Hill Trek usually takes around 4 to 5 days to complete, depending on your starting point, pace, and side trips.
The main highlight is the sunrise view from Poon Hill (3,210 meters / 10,531 feet). It offers panoramic views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machapuchare (Fishtail), and other Himalayan peaks bathed in the golden light of dawn.
Rakaposhi Base Camp, Pakistan
Hiking to Rakaposhi Base Camp is a personal favourite of Backpackingman. One of the main reasons for that is that you can hike to the base camp from the Karakorum Highway in just one day, but get to experience epic glaciers and mountain peaks.
However, there is also a longer route you can take coming from the other side of the mountain if you want to spend a few days hiking in the region. Rakaposhi is one of the prominent peaks in this region and offers a beautiful trekking experience.
Sapa, Vietnam
Sapa, located in the northern part of Vietnam, is a renowned hiking destination known for its stunning terraced rice fields, ethnic minority villages, and breathtaking mountain landscapes.
Hiking in Sapa provides an opportunity to explore the local culture and natural beauty of the region. The area is famous for its picturesque terraced rice fields, especially during the planting and harvesting seasons. The landscapes offer stunning photo opportunities.
The best time to hike in Sapa is during the dry season, which generally runs from October to April, there are numerous routes you can take, and they are all relatively easy and short. This is one of the best hikes in Asia for hiking around rice terraces. It’s seriously beautiful.
Mount Apo, Philippines
Conquer the highest peak in the Philippines, located on the island of Mindanao, for stunning views and diverse ecosystems.
The duration of the trek varies depending on the chosen route and your pace. Typically, the trek takes about 3 to 4 days to complete, including ascent, descent, and time at the summit.
Little Pamirs, Afghanistan
The Little Pamirs are located in Afghanistan, bordering on Tajikistan. The 10-day return trek through a mountain valley to a remote mountain lake where ethnic Kyrgyz nomads live in their yurt tents is one of the most beautiful and unique treks in Asia.
Backpackingman has hiked/trekked all over the world and this is the best trek he has ever done. Read Backpackingman’s story and guide to hiking the Little Pamirs in Afghanistan.
Mount Fansipan, Vietnam
Trek to the “Roof of Indochina” for panoramic vistas of the surrounding lush landscapes. Mount Fansipan is situated in the Lào Cai Province of northern Vietnam, near the town of Sapa.
The duration of the trek varies depending on the chosen route, starting point, and pace. Typically, the trek can take around 2 to 4 days to complete, including ascent, descent, and time at the summit.
The Kelimutu Lakes, Indonesia
Hike to the three volcanic lakes, each with a different vibrant colour. The Kelimutu Lakes hike is a unique hiking experience that takes you to the summit of Mount Kelimutu, an active volcano located on the Indonesian island of Flores.
What makes this hike particularly fascinating is the presence of three coloured crater lakes at the summit, each with its own distinct hue that can change over time.
The summit of Mount Kelimutu reaches an elevation of approximately 1,639 meters (5,377 feet) above sea level. The duration of the hike varies depending on the chosen route and your pace.
Typically, the hike to the summit and back takes around 3 to 4 hours, making this one of the best hikes in Asia for a shorter trip, albeit very steep.
Mount Bromo, Indonesia
The Mount Bromo hike is a popular and surreal trekking experience in Indonesia, known for its otherworldly landscapes and stunning sunrise views. Mount Bromo is an active volcano located in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park on the island of Java.
The duration of the hike depends on the starting point and your pace. Typically, the hike to the viewpoint for sunrise takes around 1 to 2 hours, making it an easy short hike to do, with stunning surroundings.
This is one of the best hikes in Southeast Asia.
Mount Rinjani, Indonesia
Mount Rinjani is a majestic volcano located on the Indonesian island of Lombok. It’s the second-highest volcano in Indonesia and offers a challenging and rewarding hiking experience for those looking to explore its stunning landscapes and summit views.
The duration of the hike varies but a typical Mount Rinjani hike takes around 2 to 4 days to complete, including the ascent, descent, and time at the summit.
One of the main attractions of the hike is the Segara Anak Lake, a beautiful crater lake located near the summit. The lake is known for its vibrant blue-green colour and is a popular resting spot for trekkers.
Wulingyuan Scenic Area, China
The Wulingyuan Scenic Area, located in Zhangjiajie City in the Hunan Province of China, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning sandstone pillars, deep ravines, and lush forests.
It’s famous for inspiring the landscape in the movie “Avatar.” Hiking through the Wulingyuan Scenic Area allows you to immerse yourself in a surreal natural environment.
The most iconic feature of the area is its thousands of towering sandstone pillars that rise dramatically from the ground. These unique formations create a surreal and magical landscape.
Mount Tai, China
A sacred mountain in Chinese culture, offering a challenging hike with ancient temples and stunning vistas. Mount Tai, also known as Taishan, is one of China’s Five Great Mountains and is located in Shandong Province.
Hiking up Mount Tai provides a blend of natural wonders and cultural experiences. The duration of the hike varies but the hike to the summit can typically take around 4 to 6 hours, making for one of the best hikes in Asia for a shorter trip.
Langtang Valley Trek, Nepal
The Langtang Valley Trek takes you through the Langtang National Park, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and Tibetan-influenced culture.
The duration of the Langtang Valley Trek varies depending on the chosen route and itinerary. A typical trek can last around 7 to 10 days.
The trek offers diverse landscapes, including dense forests, terraced fields, glacial rivers, and picturesque valleys surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
Mount Hallasan, South Korea
Hike up the dormant volcano on Jeju Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for scenic views of the island.
The summit of Mount Hallasan, known as Baekrokdam, reaches an elevation of approximately 1,950 meters (6,398 feet) above sea level. The duration of the hike varies depending on the chosen trail and pace but a typical hike to the summit and back can take around 6 to 8 hours.
Mount Batur, Indonesia
An early morning hike to witness the sunrise from the summit of this active volcano in Bali. Hiking to the summit of Mount Batur offers breathtaking sunrise views, unique landscapes, and a chance to experience the natural beauty of the region.
The duration of the hike varies but typically the hike to the summit and back takes around 2 to 3 hours. This is one of the best hikes in Asia for its simplicity and location on a less-touristed island.
Langtang Gosainkunda Trek, Nepal
Combining the beauty of Langtang Valley with the sacred glacial lakes of Gosainkunda. The Langtang Gosainkunda Trek takes place in the Langtang region of Nepal, to the north of Kathmandu.
The trek initially takes you through the Langtang Valley, known for its lush forests, terraced fields, and traditional Tamang villages and then comes to a sacred alpine lake, Gosainkunda, which is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. It’s known for its clear blue waters and its significance during the Janai Purnima festival.
The duration of the trek typically takes around 10 to 14 days.
Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia
The highest peak in Borneo offers a rewarding climb through diverse ecosystems and stunning sunrise views. Hiking Mount Kinabalu is one of the best hikes in Asia, especially as it’s the highest peak in Southeast Asia.
From the summit, you are treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, including the Crocker Range and the South China Sea.
The duration of the hike varies depending on the chosen route, but typically, the trek to the summit and back takes around 2 to 3 days.
Mount Aragats, Armenia
Mount Aragats is the highest peak in Armenia and a prominent mountain in the Armenian Highland. The highest peak of Mount Aragats, known as the Northern Summit, reaches an elevation of approximately 4,090 meters (13,419 feet) above sea level.
Hiking to the summit of Mount Aragats offers breathtaking views, unique geological features, and a chance to explore Armenia’s natural beauty.
Mount Aso, Japan
Hike around the enormous caldera of Mount Aso, one of the world’s largest volcanic craters. Mount Aso is one of Japan’s most famous and active volcanoes, located on the island of Kyushu.
Hiking Mount Aso offers a chance to explore its unique volcanic landscapes, enjoy scenic views, and witness the power of nature. This is one of the best hikes in Asia for getting near an active volcano.
Chadar Trek, India
The Chadar Trek, also known as the Frozen River Trek, is a unique and challenging winter trekking expedition in the Zanskar region of Ladakh, India. It’s renowned for the opportunity to trek on the frozen Zanskar River, which turns into a solid sheet of ice during the cold winter months.
The duration of the Chadar Trek varies depending on the chosen itinerary and pace. Typically, the trek takes around 8 to 10 days to complete.
The main attraction of the Chadar Trek is the frozen Zanskar River, which creates a unique and surreal trekking path during the winter months.
Go Hiking in Asia
Asia really is one of the best places in the world for hiking and these best hikes in Asia will give you a good idea of different environments to go hiking in.
For more hiking advice take a look at my hiking guides which cover many different places, along with gear advice.
Share the best hikes in Asia:
Perhaps you have not heard but there is quite a lot of hiking in Kyrgyzstan! https://www.asia-hikes.com/category/central-asia/kyrgyzstan/
Oh yes! Lot’s of great hiking there to 🙂 I’ll expand this post in the future to include some 😉 So many hikes in Asia to recommend. A little bit at a time 🙂