Putting together a list of the world’s most epic hikes isn’t easy. Having hiked in 65 countries and all 50 states, we think we’ve got enough reference to offer up the best hikes in the world. As Senior Hikers, we’ve done sections of the Turkish Lycian Way, the American Appalachian Trail, the English South Downs Way, the Portuguese Coastal Camino, the Spanish Traditional Camino, trails along the Irish Wild Atlantic Way, the Japanese Kumono Kodo and thousands of miles in between. But none of those famous hikes makes our list.
In this post, we pick our top seven favorite hikes in the world. We tell the truth about each hike, too. No glossy ads here.
Be sure to use the search bar to the right to find trails and hikes that are also fabulous but don’t make this list.
Favorite Global Hikes with Truth Notes
The list below consists of day hikes, sections of multi-day hikes, and complete multi-day hikes. In all cases, we carried day packs (slept in hotels if necessary), the trail or sections were moderate to difficult, and we had views that we’ll never forget. We summarize the truths about each trail, and you can read more in the links about each hike where we cover logistics, accommodations, and suggestions.
Hike 1: Tongorio Alpine Crossing, New Zealand
This might be my favorite full-day hike. It starts at the bottom of the mountain, you climb the mountain to cross a caldera, skip rocks in a turqouise lake, then you descend through volanic sand and gravel. It’s hard. Really hard. But it’s the most rewarding hike I’ve ever done for the amount of effort needed to complete it. Expect epic views across burgandy flats, aqua waters, and heather fields.
The truth: The downhill, which is about 6 miles, is harder than the uphill. It takes a logistical genius to do the hike by yourself. You’ll need to pay for transport from one side of the mountain back to where you started.
Read more about Tongorio Alpine Crossing here.
Hike 2: Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia (Chile) aka Laguna de los Tres
So many people love this hike. I mean who wouldn’t? Mount Fitz Roy is the peak on the Patagonia brand’s label. Like the Tongorio, it’s a long, strenuous day and difficult. Lovely boardwalks across marshes give way to steep forested climbs, bringing you to the last mile, which is the hardest mile I’ve ever climbed. You basically climb up a stream with footholds of scree while speedsters zip past, both up and down.
The truth: The last mile really is the hardest mile I’ve ever seen on a trail. The top of the trail ends at a few alpine lakes, which, of course, are gorgeous. Fortunately, unlike the Argentinian side of Patagonia, the trail is easily accessed from accommodations at its base. Just walk out of your hotel and onto the trail head.
Read more about Mount Fitz Roy here.
Hike 3: The Great Glen Way, Scotland
If you’re a fan of the Scottish Highlands and the Loch Ness Monster, there’s no better multi-day hike than the Great Glen Way. You’ll start along the lochs at the locks and then journey your way up and over the mountains on the way through the highlands. I swear I was going to find Jamie Fraser on my hike rescuing the latest time-travel damsel. You’ll see castles, sheep shearing, Nessie (ohh!), and drink a bit of Scottish whisky (no “e”.)
The truth: This hike should take about six days and can be as easy or as hard as you like. No matter what time of year you go, expect any type of weather and maybe a midge or two. We stayed on a canal boat each night where the chef fed us like lambs going to the slaughter. Before you start the hike, you can jump on the Harry Potter train and enjoy a high tea onboard.
Read more about The Great Glen Way here.
Hike 4: The Fisherman’s Way, Portgual
You’ll notice that none of the traditional Caminos de Santiago are on this list. Instead, I’ve added the wicked sister of the Portuguese Coastal. Camino. Whereas that trail heads north from Porto, the Fisherman’s Way heads south from Lisbon. It’s a completely different vibe, fewer pilgrims, more remote. The accommodations are comfortable and not worn down by centuries of pilgrims treading their way to the chapel. Plus the Portuguese food trumps awful Spanish paella and dry tortillas.
The truth: You’d think that because the trail hugs the coast, it’d be easy. Hell no. Throw in days of walking on sandy beaches and soft-sanded bluffs while also going straight down canyons and back up again because who needs switchbacks?, and you’ll find warm people, fishing villages breaming with fresh catch, and watery views topped with steaming sunsets.
Read more about The Fisherman’s Way here.
Hike 5: The Dolomites, Italian Alps
It’s hard not to compare the peaks of the Italian Alps (the Dolomites) with the same in Patagonia. The mountains have the same jagged, young edges with stony summits. But that’s where the similarities end. Here in the Dolomites, you have the Cadillac of infrastructure, an entire sytem of funiculars and gondolas. You don’t have to kill yourself hiking 2000-3000 foot elevation gains. We put our sweet little behinds in seats and let the machinery do the work. Then, when we got to the saddles and ridges of the Italian Alps, we put our own bodily machines to work. Finally, we found a way to enjoy the best of the mountains without having to do all the work to get there.
The truth: This beauty and access comes at a price. The gondola tickets are pricy, and if you decide to forgo and drive, the parking meters will get you. But what is nice is that the hotels give you a free bus pass to get all through the Tyrol Valley, and this saves quite a lot of 5-6 euros at at time. Plus you’ve got a mix of Italian and German food fusing together for some of the best hiking food and beer we’ve ever had.
Read more about the Dolomites here.
Hike 6: Via Transylvanica, Romania
A newbie to the list of world hikes, this 1600 km multi-day hike in Romania has you weaving through the Carpathian mountains. We picked the best section of the trail and spent three days bobbing through Transylvania, enjoying each kilometer’s unique marker of engraved stone. While people are calling this “the next camino”, it’s the most authentic and culturally interesting of all the trails in the list. You’ll find locals in traditional dress working their farms, nomadic people hauling their goods in wagons, and Saxony history centuries old.
The truth: If you love heavy, cheesy, creamy food, this is the hike for you. Many of our accommodations were at home-stays and the enthusiasm of the locals for the trail to succeed was infestious. We saw few hikers, and watch out for bears after 5 pm.
Read more about the Via Transylvanica here.
Hike 7: Atacama Desert, Chile
While this isn’t a particular hike, it’s an area that will surprise every one of your senses. You’ll find flamingos swimming in tundra made of coral, red rock canyons filled with cacti, sparkling oases flooding high deserts, and snow-capped volcano peaks. There’s something for everyone. We spent the week in a car rental touring all the ecosystems of the world’s highest and driest desert via short day hikes. And at night, we pulled out the night eyes to watch the darkest skies and brightest planets you’ll ever see.
The truth: It’s damn dry, high, and very remote. You’ll have to make an effort to get here because it’s really in the middle of nowhere. The better news is that Bolivia has dropped its visa fees and you can scoot over to the Bolivian Salt Flats while you’re there. Bring water. Lots of water.
Read more about Atacama Desert here.
Hike 8: Wineglass Bay Track, Australia (Tasmania)
I threw in this bonus hike for good measure. You know when you’ve been hiking all day on a crowded trail and you wonder if you should have even bothered? Then you get to the view and you’re like, oh, yeah, this is why? Well Wineglass Bay is this hike. The good news is that the hike is fairly short and most folks don’t add on the 1000 steps down to the bay. It’s worth the suffering. This is the shortest hike on the list, but it packs a big punch.
The truth: It is crowded, but who doesn’t love a bunch of Aussies having a good time together? And what’s also great is that there’s plenty of other grand hikes nearby including the Three Capes and Bay of Fires walk.
Learn more about Tasmania here.
Ranking 8 Global Hikes
Now that I’ve described the hikes, it’s time to rank them compared to each other.
So I asked the question, if I could only go to one hike/region, where should I go?
>>The Dolomites
If I wanted something truly unique, where would I go?
>>Atacama Desert
How about braggable and epic, yet a bit predictable?
>>Patagonia
Be the first one there and influence others while also feeling like you’re discovering something?
>>Via Transylvanica
A getaway hike with your girlfriends?
>>The Great Glen Way
Hiking with people who aren’t keen on hiking?
>>Wineglass Bay and surrounds
Finally, epic views, great food, moderate hike, and memorable?
>>Fisherman’s Way
What global-quality hikes have I missed? Don’t forget to look at my Hikes and Destinations page for hundreds of other hikes we’ve completed, including at least one in each state in the USA.
Chris Englert, the Walking Traveler, believes walking is the platform for life. Wanderlusting since the age of 5, she’s since traveled all 50 US states and 62 countries. Chris shares her love of walking while traveling via blogs, books, and presentations. A natural storyteller, she invites you along as she explores the world, one walk at a time.
Currently, Chris and her husband, Steve, travel the world, full-time as nomads, with just their two carry-ons. They’ve been traveling since May, 2021.