Inca Trail: Peru
Okay, so this hike does not require much introduction, if you are an ardent hiker or an aspiring one, you must have read about this heavenly place in great detail. Comprising of three trails: ‘Mollepata’, ‘Classic’ and ‘One Day’, Inca trail takes you through demanding inclines and declines but let me assure you the vistas are equally rewarding. Treat your eyes with stunning visuals of intriguing tunnels, magnificent Incan ruins and settlements of one of the most popular hikes in the world.
Best time to hike: May-September
Distance: 26 miles
Time Required: 4 days
Appalachian Trail: United States Of America
Not for the faint hearted or the ones who are looking for instant gratification, Appalachian Trail is a marked trail that passes through states like Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine! Phew! Quite mouthful, Right? The trail is very popular amongst the “thru-hikers”, who try to hike the entire trail in one single season.
Best time to hike: All year around.
Distance: 2200 miles
Time Required: 5-6 months
Mount Kilimanjaro: Africa
If the thought of scaling the highest mountain in Africa intimidates you, think about camping under the extremely peaceful star-studded sky away from the daily grind. Out of the seven official trek routes mapped for this climb, the Machame route is said to be extremely panoramic and takes about a week to finish.
Best time to hike: Jan/Feb or Sept.
Distance: 35 miles
Time Required: 7 days
The King’s Trail or Kungsleden: Sweden
A hiking trail that doubles up as a skiing trail in winters, how cool is that? And, how about resting in quaint cottage strategically placed at a distance, a hiker is expected to cover in a day!! If that motivates you enough, get your gear up and take up this hike to see the mighty glaciers, arctic landscapes against the highest peak of Sweden, Kungsleden.
Best time to hike: August- Early September.
Distance: 270 miles
Time Required: 3-5 days
Everest Base Camp Trek: Nepal
Taming Mount Everest is a childhood dream of every hiker but only few are able to manage the feat. For the rest of us, there is a consolation prize; if you are novice and of a reasonably good health, you could take this challenging trek up to the Everest Base Camp. Spectacular mountain peaks, friendly Sherpas, and that surreal ‘feeling of achievement’ are few of the many perks of this trek.
Best time to hike: September- November.
Distance: 70 miles
Time Required: 17 days
Pacific Crest Trail: United States OF America
Imagine crossing 25 national forests and 7 national parks as you cover the exhaustive distance of approx. 2650 miles as you hike this unbelievably attractive landscape of PCT : Amazing, ain’t it? PCT passes through the Laguna, Santa Rosa, San Jacinto, San Bernardino, San Gabriel, Liebre, Tehachapi, Sierra Nevada, and Klamath ranges in California, and the Cascade Range in California, Oregon, and Washington. Embark on this excursion which is devoid of any civilization, and covers scenic and untouched mountainous terrain with few roads.
Best time to hike: April – October.
Distance: 2650 miles
Time Required: 6- 7 months
The Torres del Paine: Chile
‘W’ or ‘O’? Yeah, this lingo works perfectly fine if you are at Torres del Paine and wondering which circuit you should take up to check out this enchanting place, full of volcanic peaks, glaciers and quaint lakes.
Best time to hike: October-April.
Distance: 37 miles
Time Required: 4-6 days
Yosemite Grand Traverse: United States OF America
“World’s Top 15 Trails’: National Geographic, “25 classic Hikes in North America”: Peter Potterfield… Do I need to say anything more about this iconic trail? Designed in 2009 and comprising of cascading waterfalls, seemingly endless meadows, and robust granite basins: this route is nothing short of heaven for a hiker.
Best time to hike: July-September.
Distance: 60 miles
Time Required: 7 days
Tonquin Valley: Canada
Hiking this postcard perfect valley is a real challenge for the hikers. No, it is not the trail but the distractingly beautiful landscapes that they are subjected to! Portal Creek access, and the Astoria River access trails are the two most popular routes, and then there is a little lesser known route called the Meadow Creek trail, which is considered impassable and has not been maintained for decades.
Best time to hike: July to September.
Distance: 27 miles
Time Required: 5 days
Bay of Fires: Australia
Forget snow-clad mountains, lush green valleys and forests and say hello to sprawling white sands, virginal blue water and awe-inspiring flora and fauna as you take this guided tour to explore the Bay of Fires. If nothing else, this four-day hike would ensure that you return inspired by Mother Nature.
Best time to hike: October-May.
Distance: 16 miles
Time Required: 4 days
