Did you know that hiking is not only great for your body but also for your soul? A trekking trip is the perfect escape from the daily grind because the views are breathtaking, you’ll challenge your limits and the experience actually makes you happy (Stanford says so). With so many great trails to choose from, we’re sharing our roundup of the top eight hiking and trekking destinations from around the world. Happy hiking!
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
It’s known as one of the most gruelling, but also one of the most life-changing hikes in the world. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu takes four days and incorporates three trails: Mollepata, Classic and One Day. The trail will take you on a spiritual journey as you discover the Incan settlements, tunnels and ruins that line the path. Arriving at the ancient city of Machu Picchu will forever remain etched in your memory, for the once forgotten city is now one of the most breathtakingly spectacular places on our planet.
Go there with Trek Along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: 6 destinations in 7 days.
Everest Base Camp
One of the mightiest mountains on earth, Mount Everest has captivated travellers for decades. This trek is an adventure of a lifetime, and will see you immersed in the Sherpas’ Buddhist culture, visiting remote monasteries and walking the paths of this gentle Himalayan giant. Be sure to stop by a Nepalese teahouse for a rest on your journey, and take in your surrounds. Many travellers describe this trek as an unforgettable mixture of nature, culture and an extraordinary sense of personal achievement.
Go there with Everest Base Camp & Kala Pattar: 7 destinations in 18 days.
Glaciers & Northern Lights of Iceland
A magical, unspoilt island on the top of the globe, Iceland draws tourists, scientists and poets alike. They are searching for the Northern Lights, a colourful ballet of light dancing across the night’s sky for those who are lucky enough to catch a show. Iceland is famous for its dramatic landscape; its volcanos, glaciers, hot springs and mountains make Iceland unrivaled in natural beauty. Hiking and trekking trails are plentiful, with there being something for everyone, whether you would like an easy half day hike or a challenging hike to the top of a glacier.
Go there with Trekking in Iceland: 6 destinations in 8 days.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world, and at 19,340 feet is also the world’s tallest walkable mountain. Climb this spectacular beauty and you will journey through five different climatic zones to reach the summit. With over 35,000 climbers every year, Mount Kilimanjaro is popular for even inexperienced climbers as it requires no technical equipment or ropes. Don’t let that fool you though, as successfully climbing from Mount Kilimanjaro’s desert shadows to her snow crowned peak is a magnificent achievement.
Go there with Kilimanjaro-Lemosho/Shira via Barafu with Crater Camp: 2 destinations in 11 days.
Grand Canyon Hike
One of the world’s seven natural wonders, the Grand Canyon is a travel through time. At an extraordinary 2 billion years old, hiking through its endless multicoloured rock formations is an opportunity to experience the beauty of natural architecture. The three rims of the Grand Canyon (south, north and west) offer vastly different experiences, due to their geographic locations and the fact that they lie hundreds of miles apart. To get the most out of your hike, be sure to camp under the stars, keep an eye out for wildlife, learn all about the cultural history of the area and take in the dramatic scenery.
Go there with Grand Canyon Rim To Rim Hiking: 1 destination in 5 days.
Patagonia
Barren and wild, Patagonia is enormous, silent and beautiful. Occupying South America’s southern tip, Patagonia is host to a landscape of jagged peaks, sparkling waterfalls, and glacial lakes. Most hikers choose one of two tracks in the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine: the “W” or the “Circuit”. Apart from the extraordinary landscape that has been compared to only the deep Amazon and remote Alaska, hikers are welcomed by the thousands of penguins that line its windblown shore.
Go there with Great Patagonian Traverse: 9 destinations in 15 days.
El Camino de Compostela
Follow in the footsteps of thousands of medieval pilgrims with this hike of a different kind. The Camino de Santiago is the name given to any of the routes taken to the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great. His shrine is located in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain. The journey there, also known as “The Way of St. James”, follows a winding path that passes many churches, monasteries and different landscapes.
Go there with El Camino Stage 5 Sarria To Santiago: 6 destinations in 8 days.
Trolltunga
The famous Trolltunga is in the Hardanger region of breathtaking mountainous Norway. Considered to be one of the most spectacular walks in the entire country, Trolltunga stretches about 20 km and takes approximately 12 hours to complete. The walk starts in Skjeggedal, and there are plenty of great nature experiences along the way. Walking season runs approximately from mid-June to mid-September. You can also reach the summit on a Via Ferrata or on skis or snowshoes.
Go there with Norwegian Fjord Hiking Tour: 1 destination in 7 days.
