10 Amazing Places to Hike before you Die

10 Amazing Places to Hike before you Die

Roys Peak Track

For all the hiking lovers out there, here's a list of some of the most amazing and beautiful places in the world to hike. If you are not a hiker, maybe now is a good time to get your butt off the couch and start exploring this amazing world ... pull on your hiking boots and start by putting one foot in front of the other ... you'll see it's not hard at all :-)

1. Nepal

Everest Base Camp Trek

Trekking in the majestic Himalayas is high on most hikers' bucket list. Just imagine walking a trail offering stunning views over the snow capped peaks of the world's highest mountains ... A trek in the Himalayas is without any doubt an epic experience.

Everest Base Camp Trek

There is a wide range of trek options available in the Himalayas, starting from 3-day treks to 26 days or even longer. The most popular treks are the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the Everest Base Camp Trek. We did the Everest Base Camp Trek last April and it was for sure an experience of a life time, I will never forget that feeling of achievement upon reaching Base Camp.

2. New Zealand

Mt. Tutoko Glacier, Fiordand NP

New Zealand's divers and astounding landscapes makes it the perfect destination for hikers. Do you want to hike on glaciers, cross some challenging mountain passes, hike through wilderness area, explore the beautiful golden beaches on the coastal tracks or maybe even hike through volcanoes? New Zealand has it all!

Routeburn Track

New Zealand has an extensive network of superb hiking trails going from day hikes to multi-day hikes to the 3,000km long Te Araroa Trail, one of the longest hiking trails in the world. New Zealand also has 9 "Great Walks" whereof the Milford Track, Routeburn Track, Tongariro Northern Circuit and the Abel Tasman Coastal Track are the most popular ones. Roys Peak Track (see first photo of this article) and Rob Roy Glacier Track are both highly recommended day hikes. We were in New Zealand last month and really enjoyed the endless hiking possibilities and the unique, divers and stunning landscapes.

3. Patagonia - Chile, Argentina

Patagonia's pristine beauty makes it a very popular hiking destination. This paradise shared by Chile and Argentina offers mountains, glaciers, deserts, steppes, lakes, waterfalls ... it is one of the most uncontaminated places in the world. The most popular trekking areas in Patagonia are the Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina and the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. There are different trek options in each of these National Parks and there are even treks available combining both of these scenic National Parks. I did not make it there yet but it is definitely high on my bucket list. 

4. Alps, Europe

Austria

This 1.200 km long magnificent mountain range crosses Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, France, Italy and Monaco. So plenty of trail options ... from day hikes to ... pretty much anything! One of my favorite hiking destinations is the Alps in Austria.

One of the most popular long distance hikes in Europe is the Tour du Mont Blanc. This alpine trek around the Mount Blanc crosses France, Switzerland and Italy. Another hike that is high on my bucket list. 

 Leigh - a passionate hiker - blogging at Hike Bike Travel has hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc and says: 

You may not conquer any peaks on the 9 to 11-day Tour du Mont Blanc trek but you will conquer three countries - France, Italy and Switzerland. This world-class hike offers a host of goodies for the well-conditioned hiker. Enjoy a dreamy Alpine landscape loaded with wildflower filled meadows, high mountain passes and traditional mountain villages. Stop at charming mountainside cafes where you can avail yourself - guilt free - of a fantastic selection of pastries and sandwiches. Stay at a mountain refuge or treat yourself to a hotel when you pass through towns like Courmoyeur and Argentiere. 

 The 168 km trek around the base of Mont Blanc can be started in any of the three countries and can be done in any direction. Most people start just outside Chamonix, France for a counter-clockwise loop or in Champex, Switzerland for a clockwise loop. Every day you can expect to be physically challenged by steep ascents and descents but the daily reward is superlative mountain scenery plus there's camaraderie on the trail that's hard to beat. 

5. Peru

Machu Picchu

The Andes Mountains in Peru is another bucket list item for many fervent hikers. The Lares, Salkantay and traditional Inca Trail to Machu Picchu are the most popular treks here although there are lots of other trek options as well.

Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu has been on my bucket list for ages ... I finally hiked this epic trail in May 2013. It was without any doubt the trip of a lifetime; arriving on the last day before sunrise at the Sun Gate and seeing the mysterious ruins of the lost city Machu Picchu appear beneath me ... WoW definitely a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life. 

6. Iceland

Iceland

The astonishing beautiful nature in Iceland makes it the ideal country for hikers. Iceland offers many hiking opportunities; all trails offer stunning unique scenery. We for sure enjoyed our stay in fairytale Iceland. One of the most popular trails in Iceland is the 55km long Laugavergurinn Trail. You can do an extension of about 22km via the Fimmvörðuháls pass. This trail guides you through a magical landscape of volcanoes, glaciers, lava fields, hot springs, waterfalls ...

Svartifoss Waterfall by Laura and Lance from Travel Addicts

There are also lots of day-hike opportunities in Iceland. Laura and Lance blogging at Travel Addicts say: Iceland is an outdoor paradise and hiking is a top activity in this small island nation. One of the most popular day-hikes is within the Vatnajökul National Park: the black waterfall of Svartifoss. The Svartifoss falls are not particularly impressive in terms of water volume or height. Instead, the falls are notable because the water drops off a sheer cliff of black, basalt columns. Iceland is a country of amazing geology but the geology of Svartifoss has inspired the architecture of one of Iceland's most important famous sites: the Hallgrimskirkja church in Reykjavik. Leaving from the Vatnajökul National Park Visitors Center, the hike is around 4 km round trip up to the falls (allow between 2 to 3 hours). The route follows the stream up to the falls, first in a very tight valley before climbing up and following the stream on a ridge above. En route to Svartifoss, hikers will pass three other smaller waterfalls but the black columns are the real goal. At the bottom of the Svartifoss falls large rocks dot the stream-bed ... the perfect chairs for a picnic. After the hike, we recommend you to visit the Vatnajökul National Park Visitors Center to learn more about the 1996 volcanic eruption that flooded the southern half of the country. The video of the bridge being swept away is very impressive.

7. United States

Arches

The United States has some serious long distance trails, the longest one being the American Discovery Trail - better known as the Coast-to-Coast trail. This 10,900km long trail passes through 14 National Parks. The most popular long distance trails in the US are the Pacific Crest Trail (4,271km), the Appalachian Trail (3,518km) and the John Muir Trail (340km). Also the National Parks in the US are the perfect place for anyone craving for a good hike through stunning scenery. We hiked through quite a few National Parks in the US and all were amazing. Also in Hawaii you'll find some spectacular trails, the most famous one probably being the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast in Kauai Hawaii.

8. Scotland

Scotland

Also Scotland has a system of Great Trails providing the opportunity to explore the best of Scotland's nature. Some people claim Scotland is the most beautiful country in the world. So hiking through the rugged and romantic Scottish Landscape containing Highlands, Lochs, old fortresses, forests, mountains ... doesn't sound bad at all.

 We will be hiking the West Highland Way in May 2015. This 155km long trail brings you from Milngavie Glasgow all the way to Fort William. I cannot wait to discover the highlands, taste a traditional Scottish haggis with a wee dram of whisky ... The only part I could do without is the rain, so I'll keep my fingers crossed it will not rain to much during our trek.

9. Greece

Santorini

Also Greece and the Greek islands are a hiker's paradise offering a well-organized system of mountain, ancient roads or cliff trails to choose from. The Meteora trail, Mt. Athos trail and Mt. Olympus trail are popular options in Greece. Recommended trails on the Greek islands are the White Mountains trail on Crete, the Corfu Trail on Corfu and the cliff hike from Imerovigli to Oia in Santorini.

 We went to romantic Santorini last October and we were pleasantly surprised that there were so many awesome things to do in Santorini including hiking. 

Monastery in Meteora Greece by Alex from Finding the Freedom 

Alex blogging at Finding the Freedom, hiked in Meteora Greece and says:

 I have been on a lot of hikes, however these ancient Monasteries - perched hundreds of feet high on top of the rocks - were like nothing I have ever seen before. 

 The trek itself was at an easy level and roughly about 10km. We walked mostly on flat land but at some points there were some steep sections through impressive lush vegetation. The rock formations we passed through were nothing short of spectacular. To top it all off, there are Monasteries that took hundreds of years to construct, built right onto the top of the steep rocks! 

These Monasteries were constructed by multiple generations of monks as a refuge. Once they were built and the scaffolding taken down, there was no way to enter or exit. This is where they would live for the rest of their life. It is quite remarkable and really has to be seen in person, all it takes is a few hours train ride from Athens and you'll find yourself in Meteora where these impressive Monasteries are waiting.

10. Morocco

Valley Hike Morocco

When people think about Morocco, many will think about a nice beach vacation, shopping in the souks, visiting a fairytale city like Marrakech ... hiking would not be the first thing on most people's mind. Nevertheless Morocco offers some great hiking treks.

 There are desert treks, valley treks, treks through Berber villages and even climbing - the highest mountain of North Africa - Mt. Jbel Toubkal. We went to Morocco in March 2013 and were really surprised with the many amazing hiking opportunities there.

Bonus 1: Poland

Tatra Mountains, Poland

There's a network of about 24,000km of marked trails for hikers in Poland. Popular trails in Poland are the trails in the Slowinski National Park (a beautiful place rich of lakes, forests and dunes), the majestic Tatra Mountains (the natural border between Poland and Slovakia), the Sudety Mountains (a region filled with castles and caves), ... and lots of other options.


Ania blogging at Hitch-Hikers Handbook says:

The Polish Tatra Mountains are often overlooked by all the rankings of the best hiking trails in the world, but in my opinion this spectacular mountain range is highly under appreciated and definitely deserves more attention.

One of my favorite routes in the Polish Tatras, is hiking up Mount Kościelec (2,155m) where you can marvel at numerous charming alpine lakes glittering in the sun. This hike will take you through a thick evergreen pine forest and up a challenging rocky crest from where you will be able to see sky-piercing bone-white peaks of neighboring mountains. It is a relatively difficult route if you decide to go all the way up to Mt. Kościelec but if you don't feel you have enough energy or motivation, you can descend earlier without missing out on the jaw-dropping alpine lakes.

This 15km long picturesque route starts in the village of Kuźnice where you can get to by bus from Zakopane. In Kuźnice follow either the blue or the yellow trail for about 1,30 hour until you reach the Przelęcz Miedzy Kopami (1,492m) mountain pass. Following the path for another half an hour you will reach a vast meadow called Hala Gąsienicowa with a popular mountain shelter "Murowaniec", which is the crossroad of all the trails in the vicinity.

Keeping to the blue trail for about 35 minutes of strenuous hiking, you will reach the most scenic part of the entire route - Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy (1,624m) - the first and largest alpine lake on the way. After having some well-deserved rest by this mountain beauty, find the black path that zigzags up the cliff to your right. Upon reaching the Karb bifurcation you can decide if you want to continue up Mt. Kościelec (it's tricky and should be done only in good weather) or take the blue path to your right and start descending. On your way down you will see another smaller spectacular alpine lake (Czerwone Stawiki), follow the black path to your right and after 20 minutes of pleasant strolling you will reach a chairlift. Going downhill you will see the familiar roof of Murowaniec and you will soon get to Przelęcz Miedzy Kopami. Take the blue or yellow trail, which will take you back to Kuźnice.

Bonus 2: Spain

Charles

Spain is without any doubt a hiker's paradise ... the imposing mountains and deep ravines of the Picos, the endless hiking opportunities in the Sierra Nevada mountains or the Pyrenees, the famous path to Santiago the Compostela and of course El Caminito del Rey - a trail pinned along the steep walls of a gorge - also known as one of the most dangerous hiking trails in the world.

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