In an increasingly interconnected world, steering clear of heavily trafficked tourist destinations like hiking is becoming more challenging. However, one of the best ways to truly experience a place is by doing what people have done for centuries — simply walking through it.
Trekking or hiking through a destination on foot, particularly with the guidance of an expert, offers a unique opportunity to connect with the local wildlife, environment, and culture. You’ll pass through areas and villages that lie far from typical tourist routes, allowing you to immerse yourself in the true essence of a place while covering significant ground in a relatively short time.
Preparation is key to making the most of your hiking trip. Travel writer and content creator Sherry Ott advises beginning around three months in advance. “Start by doing weekly hikes in the boots you plan to wear on your trip,” says Ott. “As your trek approaches, increase the frequency to a couple of hikes per week, depending on the trip’s length. Being physically ready will make the experience far more enjoyable!”
As specialists in adventure travel and walking tours, we at Explore believe that the best way to discover a destination is by hiking through it. That’s why we’ve curated a list of 35 of the world’s best hikes, suitable for nearly anyone. From quick one-hour walks to longer, multi-day journeys, we’ve highlighted the top 15 to inspire your next adventure.
Each of the 35 hikes on our list was rated based on five key factors:
- Distance
- Elevation
- Duration
- Weather
- Instagram appeal
We awarded points for each factor. In terms of distance, elevation, and duration, hikes that were accessible to a broader range of fitness levels scored higher. For weather, we compared the region’s average climate to the ideal walking temperature (50-60°F). And when it came to Instagrammability, hikes with the most hashtags earned the highest scores.
The Jordan Trail is a 420-mile (675km) hiking route that stretches from Umm Qais in the north to Aqaba in the south of Jordan, offering adventurers an incredible journey through the country’s rich landscapes and historic landmarks. This long-distance trail, often considered one of the most epic hikes in the Middle East, allows hikers to experience the diverse natural beauty and cultural heritage of Jordan in an immersive way.
The trail weaves its way through some of Jordan’s most famous sites, including the ancient city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its rock-cut architecture and history as the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom. Trekking through Petra’s labyrinth of rose-red sandstone cliffs offers a profound glimpse into Jordan’s archaeological and historical richness.
Further along, the Jordan Trail ventures into the otherworldly landscape of Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon. This iconic desert, with its towering sandstone mountains, sweeping dunes, and narrow canyons, has served as the backdrop for countless films and continues to capture the imagination of visitors with its raw, surreal beauty. Here, hikers can spend time with the local Bedouin tribes, learning about their culture, traditions, and intimate relationship with the desert.
Your adventure begins with a trek through the lush Langtang Valley, a region renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and traditional Tamang villages. As you traverse the valley, you’ll pass through forests of rhododendron, bamboo groves, and alpine meadows, with the majestic peaks of the Himalayas towering around you. The valley itself is home to an abundance of wildlife, including red pandas, Himalayan tahr, and a variety of bird species, making it a paradise for nature lovers and trekkers alike.
As you ascend higher, the scenery begins to change dramatically. Once you climb above the treeline, the landscape becomes more rugged and glaciated, signaling your approach to Yala Peak. At an elevation of 5,500 meters (18,044 feet), Yala Peak is considered one of the few non-technical climbs in the region, making it accessible to trekkers without advanced mountaineering experience. However, the trek should not be taken lightly. The ascent is physically demanding, and it takes over eight hours to reach the summit. Along the way, you’ll need to use crampons and ice axes to navigate the icy slopes, adding an element of adventure and challenge to the climb.
Japan’s Kumano Kodo is a network of five interconnected trails that span the Kii Peninsula, located south of Osaka. These ancient paths have been traversed for centuries by pilgrims journeying to the region’s sacred sites, most notably the Kumano Sanzan, a group of three highly revered Shinto shrines. The trails wind through dense forests, serene villages, and misty mountain passes, offering not only a spiritual experience but also a breathtaking immersion into Japan’s natural beauty.
One of the most popular routes, the Nakahechi Trail, begins in Takijiri Ōji and takes hikers across several mountain passes, leading them through majestic cedar and cypress forests. This scenic trail gradually descends towards the Kumano Sanzan, providing stunning views and glimpses of ancient temples and shrines along the way. Often referred to as the “imperial route,” the Nakahechi Trail was frequented by Japan’s Imperial family between the 10th and 13th centuries, further enhancing its cultural and historical significance.
The Matterhorn Circuit, also known as the Tour of the Matterhorn, is regarded as one of the finest hut-to-hut hikes globally. This 93-mile (150km) route takes you through stunning alpine scenery, crossing from Switzerland to Italy via the iconic Matterhorn Valley. Along the trek, you’ll traverse lush Alpine meadows, navigate challenging high mountain passes, and enjoy awe-inspiring views of the pyramid-shaped Matterhorn, one of the most famous peaks in the world, along with the surrounding mountains.
The circuit offers hikers the opportunity to stay in traditional alpine huts, making it a truly immersive mountain experience. For those with limited time, a shorter version of the trek can be completed in just four days. This includes an ascent of Mount Pfulwe (3,313m), offering a rewarding climb with equally stunning panoramic views.
Whether opting for the full route or a shorter version, the Matterhorn Circuit delivers a memorable alpine adventure, combining the rugged beauty of the mountains with a rich cultural and historical backdrop.
