Hiking a long distance trail is a great way to get to know a country or region. These are the best treks in the world.
As a hiker, I love nothing more than discovering new trails. Sometimes a day is not enough to explore a region, then a hiking trip of several days, weeks, or perhaps months is much more fun to do. In this article, I share a list filled with amazing long distance hiking trails: these are the best treks in the world.
Discover the best treks in the world
This article is divided into 3 sections:
- Treks up to 200 kilometers (a few days to a week)
- Treks up to 1000 kilometers (a few weeks up to a month)
- Treks 1000+ kilometers (multiple months)
Are you ready? Let’s go!
Up to 200 kilometers
Want to go a hike for a few days or a week? These are some great treks to explore.
Inca Trail, Peru
The Inca Trail in Peru was my first long-distance hike and it was an amazing experience. It is only 42 kilometers long and takes four days to finish. You hike through the sacred valley to Machu Picchu. Along the way, you will see various Inca ruins and wander through the most beautiful landscapes with breathtaking views.
You have to be used to the altitude before you start the trail because, on the second day, you have to climb up to 4,200 meters. On the last day, you will arrive at Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate during sunrise, which is an improbably beautiful experience.
W trek, Chile
Chile is at the top of my bucket list, especially after visiting Peru. Besides the gorgeous Atacama Desert, I would also like to do the W trek in Torres Del Paine National Park (Patagonia). This hike is shaped like a W (hence the name) and is 80 kilometers long. In 4 to 5 days you will hike and camp in one of the most spectacular natural areas in the world.
Photo by Joanna Liu via Unsplash.
Overland Track, Tasmania
I grew up on Abel Tasmanweg in same the village where Abel Tasman was born, the Dutch explorer who discovered New Zealand and Tasmania. So I would love to visit these two countries someday and explore some beautiful hiking trails.
In Tasmania, there is a famous trail called “The Overland Track. This trail is 65 kilometers long and goes right through the wilderness of Tasmania from Cradle Mountain to Lake St. John. Clair. It seems like a wonderful introduction to this island.
Photo: Nico Smit via Unsplash.
West Highland Way, Scotland
Lately, I’ve been reading more and more about the West Highland Way in Scotland. At 154 kilometers long, it is perfect for a week-long hike (maybe a few days more). You’ll encounter some breathtaking views and it’s like hiking on the set of the famous TV show Outlander.
Up to 1000 kilometers
Do you have a few weeks to two months? Then it’s fun to consider one of these hiking trails.
Pieterpad, Netherlands
Of course, I have to mention the most famous long-distance hike in my country The Netherlands on this list. This is the Pieterpad trail. You’ll be hiking from Pieterburen in Groningen (the north of the country) to Sint-Pietersberg in Maastricht (the south of the country. The Pieterpad is 498 kilometers long and takes about three to four weeks to complete.
I hiked the Pieter Trail in the summer of 2020 with a large backpack full of camping gear. It was a wonderful adventure, it’s so great to see how even a small country like the Netherlands has different landscapes.
Read more: Hiking the Pieterpad trail in The Netherlands: the ultimate guide
Alpe Adria Trail, Austria, Italy, and Slovenia
I have been seeing the Alpe Adria Trail come up more and more on social media lately. The trail runs through three countries: Austria, Italy, and Slovenia, and is 750 kilometers long. There are 43 stages and therefore you can also very easily choose to do it in smaller sections. The views must be incredible and it’s a fun way to discover this part of Europe.
Jordan Trail, Jordan
The Jordan Trail runs from Umm Qais in the north to Aqaba in southern Jordan. It is an incredibly beautiful trail of about 650 kilometers through a varied landscape. Not only will you discover the exceptionally green north of the country, but also vast desert landscapes and cool rock formations. In between, you will be treated to the hospitality of the Jordanians and you can admire extraordinary ruins from ancient times, including Petra, one of the wonders of the world. I hiked the first 150 kilometers of the Jordan Trail in the spring of 2023 and I would love to finish it someday!
Read more: This is why you should hike the Jordan Trail: a comprehensive guide
The Lycian Way, Turkey
The Lycian Way in Turkey is a beautiful hiking trail of about 540 kilometers along the breathtaking coastline of Lycia, starting from Ölüdeniz and ending in Geyikbayırı. This hike embraces the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea and takes you through a mix of history, culture, and natural splendor.
As you walk past secluded coves, cliffs, and quiet villages, you will be immersed in the rich heritage of Lycian civilization with its ancient ruins and tombs. The trail offers both challenging mountain trails and relaxing coastal walks, with each turn revealing a new panorama of spectacular vistas and surprising discoveries.
Kungsleden, Sweden
I’ve been reading more and more about Kungsleden in Sweden lately, and this also seems like a great hike! Kungsleden is a 425-kilometer trail that runs through Swedish Lapland. This is an area I have never been to, but it’s so wide and open. It must be gorgeous!
In summer, you can enjoy the midnight sun, and starting in September, you also have a chance to see the northern lights. And again, let that be high on my bucket list.
Everest Base Camp trek, Nepal
The Everest Base Camp trek is perhaps one of the most intense long-distance hikes on this list. Not so much because of the route (130 kilometers long) but the altitude. Everest Base Camp is located at an altitude of 5364 meters, so the chances are very high that you will suffer from altitude sickness. It does seem like a once-in-a-lifetime experience to hike this trail and come face to face with the highest mountains in the world.
Photo: Yuriy Rzhemovskiy via Unsplash
El Camino Francés, Spain
One of the most famous treks in the world is the Camino de Santiago in Spain, a pilgrimage route ending in the city of Santiago de Compostela. There are several routes, including the Camino del Norte and the Camino Portugués.
El Camino Francés, however, is the most famous of all the Caminos. This route is a total of 775 kilometers long and you walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago de Compostela. There is no need to bring a tent with you on the Camino, as there are plenty of accommodations along the trail. Hiking in Spain is always wonderful, with beautiful scenery, gorgeous historic villages, and good food.
Fun read: 16 Best Books on Camino de Santiago
GR20 (Corsica), France
The GR20 in Corsica is known as one of the most challenging hiking trails in Europe, with a length of about 180 kilometers. This adventure trail traverses the rugged and breathtaking terrain of the Corsican mountains, from south in Conca to north in Calenzana. It offers a succession of spectacular mountain landscapes, steep rock formations, narrow mountain trails, and mountain lakes.
The route is a test of skills, as there are several technical climbing passages and challenging descents. But your reward for this effort is breathtaking vistas, remote mountain peaks, and a deep connection with Corsica’s wild nature. Wow!
More than 1,000 kilometers
Would you like to go on a thru-hike for multiple months to a year? You’ll love these amazing treks!
Arizona Trail, USA
Arizona is one of my favorite states in the US, I love that desert landscape! The Arizona Trail runs from the Mexican border to the Utah border and you will pass through two impressive national parks: Saguaro National Park and Grand Canyon National Park. The trail has a length of 1,300 kilometers and can be done in 6 to 8 weeks.
I hiked this trail in the spring of 2022 and it is one of the most beautiful treks I have ever done.
Read more: Hiking the Arizona Trail: The Ultimate Guide
Te Araroa, New Zealand
3000 kilometers of hiking through the wilderness of New Zealand. That seems like an epic experience! Te Araroa is one of the most famous long-distance hikes in the world and cuts across the North Island and the South Island. As far as I am concerned, this is the perfect trail to discover New Zealand.
South West Coast Path, United Kingdom
The South West Coast Path in England is a majestic route along the coastline of southwest England, encompassing some 1,014 kilometers from the Exmoor National Park in Somerset to the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. This hike offers an enchanting mix of cliffs, coves, picturesque villages, and historical sites.
The trails are varied, sometimes challenging due to steep inclines and occasionally leisurely along flat shorelines. As you travel along this trail, you’ll be treated to breathtaking ocean views and discover the vibrant history and diverse flora and fauna this region has to offer.
Reading Tip! In The Salt Path, Raynor Winn takes you on a hike with her husband on the South West Coast Path. An emotional and inspiring story.
Photo: Crispin Jones via Unsplash.
Pacific Crest Trail, USA
In the spring of 2019, I got a little taste of the Pacific Crest Trail (I’ve got 715 kilometers in the pocket!) and it was a life changing experience. The trail runs from the Mexican border in California to Canada and is 4265 kilometers long. It’s quite a hike, and it will take you about five to six months to complete. I’d love to hike the remaining 3500 kilometers someday. There’s still so much to explore!
Read more: Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: from Mexico to Canada
Appalachian Trail, USA
The trails in the United States are quite popular because, in addition to the Pacific Crest Trail, there is also the Appalachian Trail and this one might even be more famous. The Appalachian Trail runs across the eastern United States and is a whopping 3,500 kilometers long. It begins at Springer Mountain in Georgia and ends at Mount Katahdin in Maine.
This iconic trail takes you through an amazing variety of landscapes, from lush forests and vast valleys to rugged mountain peaks. Along the way, you will pass historical sites, and magnificent vistas and meet fellow hikers, each with their own story.
Continental Divide Trail, USA
The third major trail in America is the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). This is an epic adventure of some 4,800 kilometers, stretching from the border between Mexico and the United States to the US border with Canada. This trail follows the Continental Divide past the peaks of the Rocky Mountains and crosses five states: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.
The trail takes you through breathtakingly diverse scenery, from deserts to alpine peaks. It is a challenging trail, with rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, and wildlife, especially as you get closer to the Canadian border. But it’s absolutely worth it because you’ll be walking through some of the most beautiful natural areas in the world, including Yellowstone National Park.
Fun fuct: if you have hiked the AT, the PCT, and the CDT you are a “triple crowner.”
As far as I am concerned, these are the most beautiful and the best treks in the world. Do you have any additions? What long-distance hikes are at the top of your bucket list?
Want to read more about scenic hiking trails?
Get one of these books for inspiration:
Wanderlust: the most legendary hiking trails in the world
As a hiking enthusiast, I regularly share hiking tips and beautiful trails on this website. You may also like these articles about hiking:
- 25 Fun things to do while hiking
- The 15 best multi-day hikes in Europe
- 24 fun & interesting facts about hiking
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