If you ask five seasoned hikers to name the best treks in the world, you’ll get five different suggestions. The scenery on certain excursions makes them spectacular. Some are considered epic because they demand almost superhuman levels of endurance and effort to complete. While for some hikers the route and the trailside fellowship are what matter most, for others the destination is everything.
But the best treks in the world all share a common trait: a sense of purpose that elevates the basic act of walking to a mission that celebrates life. In light of this, I’ve put together my own list of the best treks in the world, from rainforest trails to breath-taking routes across Nepal’s Mountains. All demand strong legs and lungs, but the experience of trekking is enough of a reward in and of itself—I can guarantee you’ll still be talking about these treks decades from now!
Everest Base Camp, Nepal
The two-week trip to Everest Base Camp is the most popular trek in Nepal; 8849m Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) rises ahead like a behemoth that has been frozen in place, reaching to a height of 18,193 feet (5,545m) at its highest point. This mighty mission follows winding river valleys and the creaking mass of the Khumbu glacier. It also stops at mountain monasteries, soaring lookouts, and precariously balanced Sherpa villages. The arduous days of altitude gain on this journey will push your body’s limits in terms of strength and endurance.
But it’s not all difficult job. Throughout the entire trek, cosy teahouses offer warm beds and filling plates of dal bhat (lentils and rice), and side trails open up a mountain playground of summit ascents and high pass crossings for a taste of true mountaineering. The infrastructure for trekking is unmatched. Porters and guides are waiting for travellers at Lukla’s small mountain airstrip. Although the trails are crowded during certain times of the year, the sense of community among hikers is unmatched.
The golden guideline is to respect the altitude, though. Rushing increases your chance of developing acute mountain sickness, so go slowly and steadily and take the advised rest days to allow your body to adjust to the altitude.
GR20, Corsica, France
This humbling journey through Corsica is renowned for the range of scenery it passes through and the level of fortitude it demands of hikers who dare to take on its difficult terrain. Forests, granite moonscapes, windswept craters, glacial lakes, torrents, peat bogs, maquis, snow-capped peaks, plains, and névés (stretches of ice formed from snow) are among the challenging terrain features that must be overcome. All but the most ardent hikers are weeded out by the difficult terrain.
The 1972-built GR20 connects Conca, north of Porto Vecchio, with the Balagne hamlet of Calenzana, but the pleasures aren’t cheap. The route is rugged, uneven, and frequently steep, with exposed scrambles up slick rock faces and over loose, swaying scree; all of this adds to the thrill! Two weeks from now, you’ll be able to brag to the world that you overcame Europe’s toughest trail while fetching water from springs and staying in spartan mountain refuges.
Inca Trail, Peru
Before being ‘discovered’ by explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911, the 20-mile (33-km) trail leading to the 15th-century Inca citadel of Machu Picchu had been travelled for generations. The road to Peru’s most renowned ruin, Machu Picchu, is crowded with trekkers today, but we don’t think you’ll mind because of the exhilarating vistas of the high cloud forests and Machu Picchu waiting ahead like a beacon.
From the Sacred Valley, the trail ascends to 7,972 feet (2,430 metres), going up, down, and around mountains while over three significant passes. Due of its popularity, the number of hikers allowed each day is capped at 200 in order to preserve Peru’s fictitious “lost city.” For those who are fortunate enough to obtain permits, the outcome is a more calm experience; yet, hikers should still exercise additional caution when visiting in order to make sustainable decisions.
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Even though it’s a popular fundraising journey worldwide and nearly a requirement for tourists visiting East Africa, the week-long ascent of Africa’s tallest peak is nevertheless an incredible feat. You’ll know Kilimanjaro must be climbed the moment you first notice its hazy grandeur rising above the dry lowlands. At its foot, lions and elephants may frolic, but the peak is snow-capped and barren, rising to a height of 19,340 feet, which poses a risk of altitude sickness (5,895m).
There are seven established routes to the summit, and hikers can reach the peak in 5 to 9 days, while lengthier excursions are advised to lower the risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS). The last stage typically begins before dawn and reaches its peak as the first rays of light break through a broad expanse of African savanna. In reality, about two thirds of hikers choose the south side of the mountain’s Marangu (6-day) or Machame (7-day) paths.
Kalalau Trail, Hawaii
Most people choose hikes around the Grand Canyon’s rim or the crowded paths that up to El Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite National Park when asked to name the best treks in the US. However, we favour making a slightly off-the-beaten-path selection. The stunning Kalalau route, which connects Kee Beach and the Kalalau Valley on the north side of Kauai, follows a towering cliff wall covered in lush tropical vegetation to get to an overnight stop at a magnificently secluded Hawaiian beach.
The N Pali Coast route is initially easy but becomes increasingly difficult due to steep dirt pathways; nonetheless, the payoff is breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, thundering waterfalls, quiet beaches, and primitive valleys. Given that many have lost their lives after falling from the railroad or being carried away by unexpected flash floods, there is definitely a Lost World vibe to the area.
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