Are you searching for hiking trails near me? Do you want to go on a trip to enjoy the beauty of nature, a leisurely hike trail to explore, or test yourself against the challenges of nature? Look no further; here is all you want to know.
From the best long hiking trails to the best short trails in the world and the best multi-day hiking trails in the world, you can find all types of trails in this list.
So head to the gym, prepare your body for the hiking trail you’re planning to visit and get ready to experience the adventure of a lifetime. Also, if you are a first-time traveler, these tips will be helpful for you in planning.
Best Hiking Trails In The World
1 – Margalla Hills
Why go someplace else when your own country is blessed with beautiful hiking trails in all sorts of locations?
Picture yourself making your way up the Margalla Hills in Islamabad, Pakistan. Watch out, hikers! This hike is no piece of the cake, but it is worth all the effort. The lush greenery, the ancient trees, flowing streams, and the scents of the flowers surround you as you make your way to the top.
The capital city stretches out before you, and the grand Faisal Mosque standing in the distance is one of the most peaceful and beautiful sights. The birdwatchers also flock to the place as it is a sanctuary for many rare species. Beware, as the naughty monkeys might try to steal your stuff.
2 – Fairy Meadows & Nanga Parbat Base Camp
Going further up North, Pakistan reflects the beauty of the fantastical lands. The hiking adventure of Nanga Parbat base camp is one of the most beautiful and epic ones, according to most. The greenery and the clear waters shadowed by the ice-capped Himalayan mountains are pictures of dreams.
3 – Appalachian National Scenic Trail, USA
Prepare for the Appalachian trail, the longest trail in the world, as it passes through fourteen states. The trail is challenging, strenuous, and very long. It is visited in the Autumn period in large numbers. With its bright orange, red, brown, and yellow colors reflected in the stream’s clear waters, the place has great rustic beauty.
Many historians, wildlife enthusiasts, and photographers flock to the place for its historic sites and the wildlife protected by this reserve, including black bears, wild boars, etc., although they are rarely seen.
4 – Tour du Mont Blanc
Passing through three of the most wondrous countries of Europe – France, Italy, and Switzerland, the tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most popular long hiking trails. This trail is at a high elevation and comprises three different cultures living in small towns and villages on the trail.
The hike can take up to thirteen days, and the place has varying weather patterns, so be prepared for anything. The best time to visit is during Summer. There is much to do here, many spectacular sights to see, and different accommodations to cater to your needs.
5 – Kungsleden Trail, Sweden
The Kungsleden Trail, or “The King’s Trail,” is a 440 km trail for beginners. With a never-ending stream following the hike and mountains far away, the place is filled with many beautiful sceneries. Plan a trip with your family to this family-friendly trail.
Bird watchers largely visit the place as it is also a national reserve and is visited by many rare bird species.
6 – Pennine Way, UK
One of the first hiking trails in the UK and one of the most popular, the 435 km trail is a challenging trail, even for experienced walkers. Its stunning wild beauty and interesting locations draw most hikers’ attention.
Its terrain is varied, with smooth and even ground in some areas and rocky, muddy, and uneven in others. So prepare accordingly for dealing with different kinds of terrain and uncomfortable weather.
7 – The Grand Canyon Trails
If you are a bit of a dare-devil, you may have always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon has multitudes of trails, each with its gorgeous scenes; forests, ravines, gorges, rivers, etc., as well as its dangers.
You need to be very careful when you are preparing for a hike in the Grand Canyon. Heat, injury, and dehydration are pretty common. Illness from drinking contaminated water is also possible. Also, opt for a small day hike to enjoy the beautiful sights of this wonder of the world.
8 – Banff Highline Traverse, Canada
One of the most beautiful sights to be seen, this place has several hiking trails, each with unique features. One of them being the plains of the six glaciers and one featuring tea houses. The place is home to many beautiful lakes on different routes as well.
The hike is mainly for experienced and healthy people, as the trail is strenuous and highly challenging in some areas. There is also an abundance of wildlife in the national park comprising grizzly bears, black bears, moose, elk, deer, etc.
9 – Kalalau Trail, Kauai, Hawaii
Wouldn’t you want to explore a place like this? The beautiful sea stretches on with its turquoise waves splashing the sandy beaches.
The best part of this place is the dense forests, looming cliffs, jagged mountains, huge waterfalls, and swimming pools. The island echoes danger, peace, and tranquility. This trail is the perfect getaway from the busy mundane urban life.
The hiking trail is quite challenging and dangerous, with steep, slippery cliffs and ledges, but it’s an adventure nonetheless. They often say, “difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations,” and this place embodies this quote in its entirety.
10 – Everest Base Camp
It’s a dream of every hiker to get a chance to visit this place. The camp is at an elevation of 17,598 feet (5,364m), and twelve to fourteen days are required to make this journey. The hike requires several days of preparation beforehand, so get your training in.
The journey is all worth it when you get a glimpse of the monstrous size of the mountain, its majestic beauty, and the gorgeous views of the landscape below.
11 – Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The Inca trail is difficult to arrange as it is only accessible to a few people per day. This trail is one of the shorter trails that can be covered in 4-5 days. The trail is a beautiful walk down to the history of the Peruvian countryside and the Andean mountains, leading to the Incan ruins, cloud forests, and the majestic valley.
The vision of passing the Sun Gate and seeing the world’s wonder in the distance is an eye-watering view. Half of the year, the trail experiences wet and misty weather, while the other way is a dry season. The trail remains closed in February.
12 – Laugavegurinn Trail, Iceland
The Laugavegurinn trail looks like alien terrain with its different colors. Steam rising from volcanic rocks, hot springs, glaciers, black deserts, oases, rainbow hills, and neon-green valleys are merely some of the place’s attractions. The 55 km route is known for folklore and magic, and the beauty of the place just confirms the lore.
The trail is one of the safest on the list as Iceland is known to be the safest country; the place also has no wild animals, lasting for 4-6 days. It may still be taxing on your body and mind. It is a land of fire and ice, with glaciers and volcanoes. The hiking trail is uninhabited, so it is ideal for a solo journey. National Geographic also chose this trail as one of the best trails in the world.
13 – Angels Landing, Utah
One of the shortest and scarier hikes, not for the faint of heart, Angel’s landing is a very popular 9 km trail for adventurers and thrill seekers. The visuals of the red rock mountains are stunning. The chains assist in the climbing and scrambling as well as holding on when there is a thousand-foot drop on either side of an extremely narrow path.
The hike can be completed in 3-4 hours so prepare your most comfortable and most resilient shoes, hit the gym to get in shape, and pack up for a journey to one of the most highly recommended hiking trails.
14 – Chilkoot Trail, Alaska, USA & Canada.
The 33-mile hiking trail is a great addition to the list. The beauty of this place is also tinged with deep historical roots that you can see for yourself. The hiking route has several historic sites; a ghost town, the Chilkoot pass, golden stairs, etc., that allow you a glimpse into the past and is also a National Historic Site of Canada.
The place’s natural beauty is surreal, with glaciers leading to rivers featuring several waterfalls and scenic lakes. There are also high alpine forests, coastal rainforests, and boreal forests. Bears are also quite common in the area.
15 – The Narrows, Utah
Another hiking trail of Zion Park in Utah, the Narrows, is a little farther from the Angels Landing trail. The epic trail explores the narrowest canyon slot where a river passes through between the 1000 ft canyon walls. Caves, waterfalls, little beaches, and amazing rock formations add to the trail’s natural beauty.
Plan your next Summer trip to the Narrows and wade through cool, fast-flowing waters that are waist-high for the ultimate experience. Do prepare closed-off shoes and equipment to enjoy your experience to the fullest.
Bottom Line
Which of these hiking trails interested you? My favorite of these has to be the Nanga Parbat and the Laugavegurinn trail due to their scenic beauty that appears out of this world, and I plan to cut them off from my bucket list very soon.
The Chilkoot trail and Kungsleden trails are perfect if you’re a beginner. The Kalalau or the Grand Canyon trails may attract your interest if you’re a dare-devil. If you are an experienced walker, the tour du Mont Blanc or the Pennine way may suit your tastes. If you choose the scenic route, the Laugavegurinn or the Appalachian trail are the places for you.
