If you’ve ever been hiking you know that the scenery makes for 90% of the experience and these 11 choices offer some of the best hikes in the world.
Obviously there are so many beautiful hikes in the world and this is just a suggestion for 11 to add to your hiking bucket list.
11 Of The Best Hikes In The World
1. Kalalau Trail
Hawaii’s Kalalau Trail is located on the Na Pali Coast where there are lots of “pali”, or cliffs, that make the valleys very narrow, where they stop at the Kalalau Beach.
You will experience many waterfalls, streams, and cliffs as you hike through the terraces made of stone along the valley.
This hike is 11 miles of tropical plants, as well as some rare plants that are native to the area along the cliffs. Keep an eye out for the goats that live along the route!
2. Mount Kilimanjaro
There is plenty to see when you hike Mount Kilimanjaro, which ranges from 6,000 feet of elevation to nearly 20,000. You will discover rainforests where you will see monkeys and other animals.
If you take the Maragu Route, you will see Zebra Rock, which is lava rock colored like a zebra in stripes due to the rainwater containing lots of minerals.
You will see the native Dendrosenecio Kilimanjari, which is a tree that appears similar to a cactus but is considered a flora species. From plane crash sites to actual glaciers that are over 10,000 years old, there is too much to list as you go from peaks to craters to plateaus!
3. Franconia Ridge Loop
Located in New Hampshire, the Franconia Ridge Loop is a 9-mile hike that goes through many mountains such as Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Lincoln, and see views of the White Mountains.
You can choose to take the Old Bridle Path or the Falling Waters Trail, the first of which is less crowded than the latter.
Once you get through Mt. Lafayette and Mt. Lincoln, you will get to Little Haystack, which is a ridge that will take you to the Falling Waters Trail, if you opted for the Old Bridle Path at first.
There are several waterfalls that will take your breath away.
4. Everest Base Camp
Hiking Mount Everest is no joke, and you will want to be prepared with more than the basics.
You will need things like cookware so you can prepare meals yourself and safety items. You can read more here about cookware you should take with you and you should never neglect your gear!
Once you are on the trail of Everest Base Camp, in Nepal, you will see the beautiful views of Khumbu Glacier and the Kumbu Icefall, which are large in size.
You will hike through the valleys that lead to the Dudh Kosi River after you have hiked through Namche Bazaar, which is over 11,000 feet high.
Many people take a rest here and then hike up another 14,000 feet to Dingboche.
On your hike, you can explore the city of Kathmandu, take in the sights of the Himalaya Mountains, and see animals and plant life like lichens and moss. Keep your eyes open for snow leopards, yak, red pandas, black bears, and Himalayan Thars!
5. Long Range Traverse
Located in Newfoundland, the Long Range Traverse offers a lot of cliffs, but it’s totally worth it to see the caribou, moose and other native animals that live in this area.
The landscapes are incredible, with views of the Gros Morne National Park.
You first start at Western Brook Pond and go past the Pissing Mare Falls to a ravine where you climb up into the alpine environment. Keep an eye out for the various bird species here like the Rock Ptarmigan.
See the Rocky Harbour where the mantle rock in the earth can come to the surface, giving you orange colors on the ground.
6. West Coast Trail
The West Coast Trail is in the Pacific Rim National Park in British Columbia, where you will hike along the coast where you will start at Barkley Sound and see lighthouses along the way! You will hike through forests and beaches, as well as Highlands.
From waterfalls to mud, you will experience it all! Some areas may be unpassable because of the tide.
You will see wildlife like black bears, wolves, eagles and more in the forest, but along the coast, you will see orcas, seals, sea lions, and more!
7. Te Araroa Trail
New Zealand’s Te Araroa Trail offers you everything from forests and beaches to volcanoes and lighthouses! On the trail, you can hike through Tihaka Beach and Oreti Beach, which offer stunning views of Colac Bay.
If you want more of a forest hike, you can trek through Russell Forest and Whangarei Heads which will take you to McLeod Bay.
Hike over the volcanic ash of Mt. Tongariro, an active volcano with many craters, which takes you to Mt. Ngauruhoe. There is a lot to see here, so don’t forget your camera.
Read my hiking reports on New Zealand:
8. Overland Track
Australia’s St. Clair National Park is home to Overland Track, one of the most famous hiking places.
You will take a track that runs from Cradle Mountain to Lake. St. Clair. From the mountains to the rainforest, you will see an alpine environment as well as rivers that run wild.
Plus, you will be dead center of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, which covers several national parks in Australia.
Climb Mount Ossa, the tallest in Tasmania, and see The Labyrinth, a lake that is the deepest in Australia.
You will see glaciers from the ice age, mountains, and many types of flowers like Tasmanian Pademelons. Animals you will find include Tasmanian Devils and wombats.
9. Tour Du Mont Blanc
Tour Du Mont Blanc covers over the lands of Italy, France and Switzerland and covers over 100 miles of ups and downs through each country.
This alpine area is the tallest mountain in Europe and you will be hiking in the clouds, at over 15,000 feet!
You will start in the Chamonix Valley, where you will see mountains and wildflowers as you go through Montjoie Valley.
You will go through the Haute-Savoie area before you enter Italy, where you will be on the Val Ferret to Switzerland and then on to France. Along the way you will see animals like the chamois, eagles, and deer.
10. Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail runs from Canada, through the United States and into Mexico.
You go through forests, deserts, volcanic areas and mountains all along the way.
You will go through the Sierra Nevada which is in California, the Cascade Range which stretches from British Columbia down through California.
Reach the highest point of the Cascade Range at Mount Rainier. Look out for animals like bears and mountain lions in Yosemite National Park, or horses in Oregon.
Beware of the bats in Washington, too. The beauty of the mountains and foliage is stunning too, as you run into Cottonwoods, Bush Mallows, and Volcanic Gilia!
11. The Laugavegur Trail
Yes that’s me in the photo above in hiking heaven along the Laugavegur Trail hike in Iceland.
Regarded by National Geographic as one of the best hikes in the world I can easily confirm that it is!
The landscape constantly changes from geothermal activity, to green pastures with lakes, following flowing rivers, along desolate volcanic rock, a high hike up to a volcano top, and then following several waterfalls down.
Take a full look at the hike in my Laugavegur Trail hiking report.
Enjoy Some Of The Best Hikes In The World!
So that’s just a quick run down on the hikes recommended covering many parts of the world.
I hope you find one you would like to try.
Another shorter hike if you are ever in Japan to try is on Yakushima Island where you can see ancient cedar trees some dating to 7000 years ago!
You can read more hiking ideas over at Hiking Mastery
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The West coast Trail would be an awesome adventure for sure. Thanks for the photos.
For sure!
Awesome places you suggested to visit here and amazing photos you shared. Thanks for sharing it.
Great hikes! It is near the top of my list of places I want to visit soon. Lovely list and pictures. Thank you so much.
Let’s image the crumble sound under your feet and the feeling of light air blow on your face when hiking. Pacific trail here i come
Thank you so much for the great list and post! As someone who lives close to the Kalalau Trail and has experienced its beauty I was glad to see it. Lovely pics.
Great, These destination are best for hiking in the world. These are full with beautiful things and west cost trail is best to get fun.
Tour Du Mont Blanc most beautiful yet most lethal at the same time, if proper precautions and guidance is not taken.
Great hikes. I would definitely love to try a section of the PCT, maybe go the whole hog one time. Nice pictures you have there too.
Unfortunately I haven’t done any of these yet, but there are some which look too incredible to miss
Enjoy doing them!
Great post and listed tips are wonderfully described.