10 of the World’s Best Hiking Destinations

Anyone who knows Nepal will tell you there’s much more to do there than hiking, but most people do come to trek, as it’s one of the best hiking destinations in the world. Thousands of miles of trails through the enormous Himalayan mountains and their foothills follow ancient routes that have been used for centuries by Nepali villagers and traders from Tibet.

While the Everest and Annapurna regions are most famous, you don’t have to look very far to get away from the crowds: Manaslu, Mustang, Langtang, and eastern Nepal are some great alternatives.

Insider tip: As of 2023, all foreign trekkers in Nepal are required to hire a local guide for safety reasons.

Winter ski resorts in the Swiss Alps transform into hiking destinations come summer. Thousands of miles of trails cover Switzerland, leading hikers through flower-filled meadows, beside rivers, and to stunning lookouts over some of Europe’s tallest mountains. In true efficient Swiss style, the trails are very well marked and tell you whether a route is easy, strenuous, or somewhere in between. Switzerland isn’t a budget hiking destination by any means, but if you want a high-quality trekking experience and love route planning, it's home to some of the world’s best hikes.

Cairngorms National Park, in the rugged Scottish Highlands, is the largest national park in the United Kingdom, and a good place to lose yourself in nature (hopefully not literally). Mountain and forest trails, rare plants and wildlife, chilly lochs and heather-filled meadows attract hikers, whether families seeking a gentle lowland amble, mountain climbers, or those on guided hiking tours. And to top off an invigorating hike, you can end your days at Scottish castles and whiskey distilleries—motivation to keep powering along that trail.

There are so many bucket list hiking trips throughout the US that you could spend your whole life exploring the country and never get bored. But the Pacific Northwest should be at the top of that list. Encompassing parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia, Canada, this is a vast, wild area of mountains and forests. You can embark on the 1,200-mile (1,900-kilometer) Pacific Northwest Trail—one of the top long-distance hiking trails worldwide—if you're an experienced hiker looking for a challenge. If you’re not, try shorter sections instead, such as guided hikes from Seattle or excursions from Portland.

Located at the southern tip of South America, spanning parts of both Chile and Argentina, Patagonia is a dramatic region of glaciers and fjords, temperate rainforests, grasslands and deserts, and mountains so sheer and jagged they look like a child’s drawing. Some people visit Patagonia to embark on a sea voyage down to Antarctica, but you don’t need to go to such extremes. Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park and other national parks offer a multitude of hiking options.

Costa Rica may be small, but it packs a lot in. Sandwiched between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts are volcanoes and forest-covered highlands, making it a great destination for day or half-day hikes. The Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the country’s most popular destinations. Amid the Jurassic Park–like landscapes are some great hiking trails, which are suitable for most levels of fitness and time constraints. Guided hikes that lead you through rainforests to hidden waterfalls—such as La Fortuna Waterfall—are especially fun, as you get to cool off with a swim.

New Zealand is made up of three main islands—the North Island, the South Island, and Stewart Island/Rakiura—and while you can hike your feet off on all islands, the South Island is particularly special. It’s home to less than a quarter of New Zealand’s population, but it contains 10 of the country’s 13 national parks. The Department of Conservation–administered Great Walks provide a great introduction to multi-day trekking (aka tramping in New Zealand), making it one of the best places to hike globally.

Insider tip: If you’re visiting New Zealand in the Northern Hemisphere summer/New Zealand winter, the safest place to hike is the sea-level Abel Tasman National Park near Nelson.

Morocco’s Atlas Mountains are home to North Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Toubkal, which many people come to climb. But some of the region’s best hiking trails lie beyond this 13,571-foot (4,191-meter) peak, connecting ancient mountain villages and farmland, and giving you access to more of the Atlas Mountains’ unique geological features, such as sandy pinnacles and cliffs and rugged, desert-like landscapes. Many day- and multi-day tours depart from Marrakech, making it an ideal home base for a hiking adventure through Morocco.

Insider tip: You’ll need to arrange a local guide or porter to hike on Mt. Toubkal.

The Hoang Lien Son Mountains of Northern Vietnam—near the border with Southwest China—entice hikers with their patchwork of rice fields, friendly homestay accommodation, and misty peaks. Many travelers visit on quick tours from Hanoi to Sapa, the main tourism hub here. But if you have more time to spare, hike to quieter villages that are home to Vietnamese ethnic minority tribes, hidden valleys, and lookouts where you can catch a glimpse of Vietnam’s tallest mountain, Mt. Fansipan. These might not be the most famous hiking trails around the world, but they’re worth the effort to get to.

The smallest of Japan’s four main islands, Shikoku is often overlooked by travelers, although it’s long been on keen hikers' radar. The Shikoku Pilgrimage trail has been hiked for over 1,200 years, and links 88 Buddhist temples around the island. It takes around 45 days to complete and is still an active pilgrimage route, but you don’t need to be a Buddhist to appreciate the natural and cultural beauty of the island—or to take on a smaller section of the route. Dip in at any of several points along the way; Shikoku’s main cities are Matsuyama, Takamatsu, Kochi, and Tokushima.