Hikes can be exhausting and sometimes even daunting, but they can also show us the most beautiful and remote corners of our planet. From one-day loops to month-long adventures, publishers DK have rounded up incredible paths suitable for hikers of all levels in a new book, Hike – Adventures on Foot. Here are 30 of our favourites…
Situated on the Apple Isle, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is a hiker's paradise thanks to its diverse landscapes and wildlife. Combining a few of the many paths that run through the park makes for a fun and moderately challenging one-day loop that will showcase the area's highlights. The nine-mile (15km) circuit takes you through moorland, alpine landscapes and a rainforest. Take in the clear waters of Kathleens Pool and Crater Lake and marvel at the dramatic Cradle Mountain, which offers excellent photo opportunities.
Hidden in the verdant Philippine countryside, the Batad Rice Terraces were carved by the Ifugao peoples two thousand years ago. The Ifugao people still guard the terraces to this day, but the UNESCO World Heritage Site remains accessible to visitors by walking the Batad Rice Terrace Trail. The gentle two-day hike, which is around 13 miles (21.5km) long, also takes you to Tappiya Falls, where you can take a refreshing dip, and the village of Batad, the best place to immerse yourself in the local culture.
Explore Canada’s coastal wilderness by walking the Fundy Footpath, situated along the Big Salmon River. This 30-mile-long (48km) track is anything but flat, but the steep, rocky trail will definitely be worth it as you hike through river valleys, over the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and around the Bay of Fundy. Surrounded by the 10,000-year-old Acadian Forest, hikers can overnight in picturesque camping sites. Make it to the southwestern end of the path to discover its suspension footbridge – cameras at the ready.
Not only is Gola Rainforest National Park, on Sierra Leone's southeastern border, a great hiking spot, it's also home to almost one thousand plant species and countless endemic animals, all waiting to be discovered on this three-day trail. On your 22-mile (36km) trek northwards to Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, you can see Diana monkeys, the western pied colobus and many other primates as well as a great variety of birds. If you get lucky, you might even spot the endangered pygmy hippopotamus on the final stretch of this hike.
Although it doesn’t go near its namesake landmarks, the Congo-Nile Trail is an amazing way of discovering Rwanda's greener side. Wander through tea bushes, banana fronds and bamboo forests on this 110-mile-long (178km) hike, which was opened in 2011 to help boost tourism to the country. One of the most accessible long-distance treks on the continent, this path runs along the edge of Lake Kivu, one of the African Great Lakes. You'll also come across several villages where you can learn more about local culture. Rwanda is nicknamed ‘the land of a thousand hills’, and hikers should be ready for a real workout when taking on this 10-day trail.
When you think of Hong Kong you probably picture high-rises and busy streets, but many forget about the New Territories, a verdant paradise full of country parks located in the east. One of these parks is Sai Kung East, where you will find Hong Kong’s longest hiking route, MacLehose Trail. For a varied one-day trek that's around nine miles (15km), take on stages one and two of the trail and enjoy some of the most incredible vistas of the peninsula. The wildlife here is rich, and on your hike you might come across porcupines, pythons, pangolins, 230 types of butterfly and an abundance of bird species.
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Named after George III’s wife, the Queen Charlotte Track takes hikers around the Marlborough Sounds region and boasts no straight-line trails. You can discover the beautiful coastline along with all its inlets, bays and tiny coves on this three-to-four-day hike, which is 43 miles (69km) long. Don't worry, there are plenty of stop-offs along the way for refreshments. Although there isn't a specific A to B route to follow, you'll start with a boat drop-off at charming Meretoto, a small bay where English explorer Captain James Cook anchored during his initial visit to the South Island back in 1770.
This four-mile (7km) hike winds through Thailand’s Krabi region, displaying its beautiful untouched nature. Trek across rocks and tree roots as the trail shows off incredible sights such as idyllic waterfalls, impressive boulders and even the summit of Dragon Crest Mountain. The latter features a rock overhang that creates a natural seat from which you can take in the incredible panorama – if you're brave enough.
Immerse yourself in Italian alpine nature with the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike. Looping around the bases of the three distinctive peaks, the well-maintained path can be experienced by hikers of any level and takes only a day to complete (it's six miles/10km). Along the rugged rock faces you can discover lush meadows, turquoise lakes and the peaks of the neighbouring Cadini di Misurina and Paternkofel. Only expert climbers are able to reach Tre Cime di Lavaredo's summit, but this scenic hike provides just as beautiful views from below.
One of North America’s most difficult paths, the Canol Heritage Trail follows the remote subarctic route of an abandoned Second World War pipeline project, and takes about 18 days (234 miles/377km). Along the ruined pipeline you'll discover rusting army trucks and tractors as well as iconic Canadian wildlife like moose, bears and beavers. As you trek through the Mackenzie Mountains you can soak up a diverse range of landscapes, from the idyllic Godlin River to windy tundra and verdant forests. However, only experienced and well-equipped hikers should take on this route. Unpredictable weather and dangerous river crossings combine to make it extremely tough.
This five-mile (8km) hike on O’ahu is an ideal walk for beginners and showcases the beauty of Hawaii’s coastline. Ka’ena Point Trail sits on one of the state’s last intact sand dune complexes, which has deep connections to Hawaiian culture. Watch the waves crash onto the white-sand beaches and rough black rocks as you make your way up to Ka’ena Point, which early Hawaiians believed was the place where souls departed for the afterlife. While trekking along the volcanic rocks you might spot birds, dolphins, turtles, seals and humpback whales in the distance.
Nestled on the island of Yakushima, Mount Miyanoura, like many other mountains, is considered sacred in Japan’s Shinto religion. As the island’s tallest summit, Miyanoura represents the king of gods and can be reached with a two-day hike (13 miles/21km). On your way up (and down) from the impressive peak, you'll wander through dense forests that house grazing deer, macaques and cedar trees. Another highlight of the trail is the former logging village of Kosugidani, which is slowly being overgrown.
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Set aside a single day to complete this incredible hike in Panama’s Talamanca Mountains. Surrounded by the dense forest of Volcán Barú National Park, the Quetzal Trail is named after the famous local bird, which delights birdwatchers with its iridescent green feathers and long tail plumes. Hikers can discover more than 250 bird species along the six-mile (10km) path, as well as the occasional monkey and many beautiful butterflies. Enjoy the lush landscapes of the Chiriqui Province as you cross several streams and rivers, some with the help of exhilarating suspension bridges, others by getting your legs wet.
Hikers must put aside 26 days for this history-packed trail winding through the whole of the Netherlands, from the country’s northernmost (mainland) point to its border with Belgium in the south. The 310-mile (495km) Pieterpad will lead you through often overlooked parts of the country such as the Wadden Sea coast and the medieval cities of Nijmegen, Groningen and Maastricht. Pieterpad has a unique backstory: it was mapped out by two friends between 1978 and 1983 who lived at opposite ends of the Netherlands, and wanted to create an easier way of seeing each other.
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Set on the Andean ridge of Ecuador, the Quilotoa Loop is actually a one-way hike (rather than a loop) and will take you on an incredible journey through the region’s breathtaking scenery. You'll need to be properly acclimatised to deal with the altitude, as heights range from 9,186 to 12,795 feet (2,800 to 3,900m). Begin your 22-mile hike (36km) at Sigchos, a charming village from where you'll spend the next three days trekking fields, cliffs and canyons. Some of the frozen-in-time towns along the way are packed with local arts and crafts. The Quilotoa Loop finishes at Laguna Quilotoa, where you can enjoy the panorama of the turquoise-green crater lake.
This four-day trail showcases both the fiery and icy sides of Iceland, passing through lava fields and geothermal springs, and along the country’s most famous glaciers. Along the trek, marvel at the rugged mountains of Landmannalaugar and discover the many bubbling pools. Among the highlights of this 32-mile (52km) hike is Mælifellssandur, a lush green volcano which is contrasted by encircling black sand. Open from June to September, the path isn’t suitable for total beginners, but if you're reasonably fit and prepared for the journey you don’t have to be an advanced hiker. As you descend through the glacier-surrounded Thórsmörk (Valley of Thor), you get one last spectacular view before completing the hike.
Experience pure wilderness during this four-to-seven-days-long trail situated on the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. Sometimes referred to as ‘the end of the world’, the islands are very sparsely populated and lie only 620 miles (1,000km) north of Antarctica. On the shores of the Beagle Channel, hikers can find the beginning of the 23-mile (37km) Dientes de Navarino Circuit, which weaves through the Dientes range. Trek up the woodland trail to the summit of Cerro Bandera and enjoy incredible views of the path to come. It should be noted that the trek is not well marked and has no facilities along the way. Due to the region’s temperamental weather, only well-prepared hikers should take on this trail.
Hidden in a stunning corner of Kakadu National Park, Barrk Sandstone Walk stretches over six miles (10km) and loops around Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), a large sandstone formation rising from the bushland. Sometimes challenging, the trail boasts fascinating Aboriginal rock art dating back at least 12,000 years. While making your way through the wilderness, you will encounter two rock art galleries, Anbangbang and Nanguluwur, where you can discover painted sandstone with images of spirits, wildlife and even a European ship.
This long-distance trail will take hikers on a five-to-six-month-long adventure through deserts, tunnels and snowy mountains. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the states of Washington, Oregon and California and covers 2,555 miles (4,122km), within which you'll see beautiful panoramas of lakes, forests, volcanoes and waterfalls. Start in April/May so you can complete it by September/October, with an average daily walk of 16 to 18 miles (26-29km). Most hikers start the trail in Mexico and finish in Canada as this allows for the best weather conditions. This extreme hike requires logistical skills plus physical and mental strength, but rewards you with the trip of a lifetime.
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Running through a small part of the Lake District, this short but attractive trail will take you up Cat Bells, one of the region’s smallest mountains (known as a fell). But don’t be fooled by the size of the summit or the trek, Cat Bells offers its hikers majestic views. The four-mile-long (6km) climb will take you past idyllic Derwentwater and the verdant hills and valley of Borrowdale, as well as Keswick, a picturesque market town.
Only the most experienced hikers venture out on this two-month-long journey through Australia’s wilderness. From skirting beaches and vineyards to wandering through bushland and hiking up mountains, the views you will discover on the iconic Heysen Trail are unmatched. Only open between April and November, the 693-mile (1,116km) trail will transition from green hillsides to golden sands as you make your way through the outback. One of the highlights is the walk through the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, home to Wilpena Pound, a natural amphitheatre of mountains. The adventure ends at Parachilna, which gives you some final spectacular views to capture on camera.
Take on this 10-day hike through Transylvania and get transported into a rural fairy-tale land. Crossing dense forests and verdant fields, the Via Transilvanica is a continuously growing trail network with distinctive sections, the most scenic of which is the Highland Route. Between all the untouched nature on this 136-mile (219km) trek, you’ll find quaint farming villages offering cosy stays to recuperate at. Along the way you might stumble upon vendors selling local produce such as caș (crumbly cow’s milk cheese) and urdă (soft whey cheese), which make for a great snack during your hike.
An old donkey track, Route W6, better known as the Balcony Walk, is a four-mile (7km) hike that weaves along the edge of Wadi An Nakhur, Oman’s ‘Grand Canyon’. Not one for those afraid of heights, this trek will take you along narrow and bluff drop-offs, but rest assured the path is safe for hikers of all abilities. On your way to the abandoned village of As Sab, which used to be home to around a dozen families of farmers, you can marvel at incredible views of the rugged surroundings.
Nestled in Bryce Canyon National Park, the Fairyland Loop Trail is eight miles (13km) long and suitable for all kinds of hikers. Usually uncrowded, this path passes jagged cliffs, deserts and sandstone formations, showcasing the very best of Utah’s nature. Along the way, you'll spot sights with recognisable names such as Tower Bridge, which supposedly looks like the famous London structure, or Chinese Wall, named after the Great Wall of China. Each view on this route will seem better than the last, with rose-tinted rock arches and sublime structures all vying for your attention.
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The best hiking trails in every state
Located on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca, Isla del Sol used to be an important pilgrimage destination for the Incas, as they believed it to be the birthplace of their sun god Inti. Nowadays, boats sail daily to the rugged island from lakeside town Copacabana to drop visitors at the historic location. The nine-mile-long (14km) trail, called the Sacred Route of the Eternal Sun, stretches around the whole coastline and showcases several Inca and pre-Inca ruins such as temples, shrines, homes and waystations. Along the terraced fields, you can also discover a ‘magic’ spring, said to give drinkers the ability to speak Aymara, Quechua and Spanish.
The Tok Tokkie Trails, situated in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, form a three-day loop for visitors to discover this area of the Namib Desert, the oldest living desert on our planet. On this 15-mile (24km) hike you won’t only see sand dunes but also lush plains, unusual trees and rocky mountains. Because of the scorching heat in this region, hikers should only take on these trails during early morning and late afternoon. The final campsite, should you reach it, is surrounded by fairy circles formed by plants, which create a unique atmosphere.
Home to one of the world’s richest ecosystems, the Ilha Grande Circuit is a five-day trail-loop that treks through the most stunning unspoiled nature that Brazil has to offer. Explore an abundance of untouched beaches and rainforest at your own pace during the 41-mile (66km) trail and discover an aqueduct, waterfall and lagoon hidden along the way. You’ll have to hike through vine canopies, tall bamboo and mangrove forests to reach quaint fishing villages and incredible viewpoints. It's worth it though. Cool down by taking a dip into the Atlantic Ocean, which is never too far away thanks to the island’s 102 beaches.
The Malagasy word ‘Tsingy’ translates to ‘walking on tiptoe’, which is very fitting once you see the unique landscape you must navigate between the sharp stone structures that make up the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. Three paths that weave through the best bits create a day's worth of hiking, stretching for a comfortable three miles (4.5km). While you climb steep ladders and bridges fixed onto the rocks, keep your eyes peeled for lemurs jumping around.
Take on the second highest mountain in the world on this two-week-hike through Pakistan’s Karakoram ridge. The K2 Base Camp Trek is very remote and traverses pure wilderness: trekkers even pitch their tents on a glacier for a few nights on their way up to the impressive summit. While it's less popular than Mount Everest, there is a lot of preparation that goes into this hike. Visitors must hire a guide as well as porters and cooks from government-approved tour operators. Beginning at Askole, the 111-mile (178km) trek’s terrain can be difficult to navigate due to weather conditions and you will probably get your feet wet when crossing some of the rivers, but it will all be worth it once you reach the base camp of the 28,251-foot-tall (8,611m) mountain.
This four-day, 35-mile (57km) hike will include everything you expect on a coastal walk: a chance to spot dolphins, seabirds and whales as you wander along the New South Wales coastline. Located on the lands of the Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal people, the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk will not only show you breathtaking beaches and lush rainforests, but also the rich culture of the locals. Make sure to read the information panels along the way to find out all about the area’s fascinating history.
Loved these hikes and want to find out more or discover other great walking trails around the world? All the routes can be found in Hike – Adventures on Foot, published by DK Eyewitness Travel, priced at £20 ($23).