Whether you’re an experienced hiker, a casual hiker, or just love amazing places, these 19 spots are a must-see! These photos were taken from some of the most famous hiking trails, showing you exactly how they gained their fame. 1. Fitz Roy Trek, Patagonia, Argentina This spectacular view was taken at Fitz Roy, located near El Chaltén village, in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in Patagonia, on the border between Argentina and Chile. Discovered in 1877 and named after Robert Fitzroy, a ship captain that sailed up the Santa Cruz River and charted much of the area in Patagonia. |
2. Bay of Fires, Tasmania, Australia Part of Mount William National Park, the Bay of Fires got its name when captain Tobias Furneaux sailed by the shores and saw many fires, lit by the aboriginal people. |
3. Kalalau Trail, Kauai, Hawaii, United States This trail is known as one of the most dangerous trails in the world, as well as one of the most beautiful. It snakes through the Nā Pali Coast of the island of Kauai. While expert hikers can trek this trail in a day, the average hiker will need 2-3 days to complete it. |
4. Rim-to-Rim Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA One of the most famous locations in the United States, the Grand Canyon was carved out by the Colorado River for countless millennia to produce the amazing result that is the Grand Canyon. Be warned though, the trail can be quite perilous, and claims the lives of dozens every year due to overheating and overexertion, so take it slow and keep hydrated. |
5. West Coast Trail, British Columbia, Canada Originally built in 1907 as a rescue route for survivors of shipwrecks from the treacherous “Graveyard of the Pacific”, it is now one of Canada’s most amazing hiking trails, studded with waterfalls, greenery and climbing ladders, making it a most exciting and rewarding hike. |
6. Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia One of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, Simien Mountains National Park is the home of several unique & endangered animals. It resides in the northern region of Ethiopia, and home of Ethiopia’s highest point. |
7. Annapurna Circuit, Nepal Considered to be one of the best trails in the world, the Annapurna Circuit takes between 17 to 21 days to complete, with endless breathtaking views of the mountains of Nepal, as well as passing through local villages, allowing you to experience the local culture. |
8. Polar Route, Greenland Considered a relatively easy route, the Polar Route (also known as the Arctic Trail) is one of Greenland’s most famous hiking trails. Greenland is the size of Western Europe, yet, its population is so small and located in few cities, it leaves the majority of the country pristine and untouched, with raw beauty at every corner. |
greenlandtoursfrance.files.wordpress.com 9. Tonquin Valley, Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada Located in the Jasper National Park, Canada, Tonquin Valley is located on the continental divide. While the valley has 2 routes through hit, only one is used as the other has been rendered unusable due to years of neglect. The valley offers spectacular views of the Amethyst and Moat lakes, as well as the spectacular Canadian Rockies. |
10. Sarek National Park, Sweden Not one for beginners, the Sarek National Park is still a spectacular hiking spot, none the less! It is located in the Lapland region of Northern Sweden, one of the rainiest regions in the country. But if weather conditions are good, you’ll get to see spectacular views of ancient glaciers, untouched mountains, streams and grasslands. |
11. Yoshida Trail, Mount Fuji, Japan Japan’s most famous mountain offers incredible routes, some very easy while others can challenge even the most experienced hikers. With the Fuji 5 Lakes a short distance away, you’re bound to find beauty all along the trail. (I recommend visiting during the blossoming of the cherry trees) |
12. Yosemite Grand Traverse, California, United States A spectacular 8-day hike in the Yosemite National Park, the Grand Traverse enjoys granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams and Giant Sequoia groves, as well as a plethora of wildlife – making each hike an amazing and almost unique experience. |
13. Torres del Paine Circuit, Chile You’ll find this trail at the south of Chile, in the Torres del Paine national park. Arguably the most amazing views can be seen while hiking the circuit. With blue glaciers, wonderfully tall granite walls, glacial lakes and occasional groups of llamas, the trek has left many-a-hiker begging for more time. |
14. Israel National Trail, Israel A 600 mile hike from the northern-most part of Israel, to the Red sea at the south, the trail goes through various environments, from Mediterranean hills, through the Sea of Galilee, the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea, streams, and the Judean Desert. You’ll find ancient ruins from biblical times alongside modern facilities. |
15. Queen Charlotte Track, New Zealand Well established and maintained, the track takes 3-5 days by foot, or 13 hours by bicycle. With many campsites, as well as private accommodations, you’ll never find yourself with no place to stay in the night. You’ll find this dazzling track on the northern part of New-Zealand’s southern Island. |
16. Haute Route, France-Switzerland Charted in the 19th century by British mountaineers, it takes 12 days to track (or 7 days to ski), with many small inns and hotels in villages along it route, as well as mountain huts for travelers, this European trail might not be the easiest, but it’s worth the effort. |
17. Cordillera Apolobamba, Bolivia Considered to be the best trail in Bolivia, the track travels through the southern Cordillera Apolobamba, passing through local traditional villages where travelers can stop and experience the local lifestyle (don’t take photos without asking for permission from the locals), and can be completed in about 5 days. |
aac-publications.s3.amazonaws.com 18. Gunung Rinjani, Indonesia Ever wanted to track through an active volcano? Gunung Rinjani is where you need to go! The top of the volcano is partially filled by a lake, with a few hot-springs as well. The locals consider the mountaintop to be sacred and religious activities are not uncommon along the caldera. |
hms27010yulis.files.wordpress.com 19. Zion Narrows, Utah, United States Ranked as #5 in National Geographic’s top 100 places to see in America, the Narrows are probably the premier location on the Colorado plateau. The Virgin River runs along the Narrows, in most places spanning from wall to wall. Hiking gets wet, with some sections having waist-high water and few sections might even require you to swim, so bring your bathing suits! |