Spectacular Hiking Routes: Ten World-Class Walking Trails to Experience

Tread carefully and embrace the adventure!

Every hiking enthusiast has that one special trail that captures their heart—perhaps a route showcasing cascading waterfalls, revealing exotic flora, or offering spectacular panoramic views of rolling hills and coastal waters. Adventure seekers worldwide are blessed with an abundance of trail options, from rugged wilderness backpacking expeditions in South America’s remote regions to comfortable mountain lodge experiences in European ranges, or guided coastal walks in Asia. Here are ten remarkable trails worth considering for your next outdoor expedition.

Michinoku Coastal Trail

LOCATION: Japan

While Honshu Island is renowned for the historic Nakasendo Trail following ancient samurai routes and the sacred Kumano Kodo UNESCO site, the Michinoku Coastal Trail represents the newest addition to the island’s hiking network. Situated in the rarely visited Tohoku region, this aptly named trail—Michinoku meaning “end of the road”—follows the North Pacific coastline for more than 600 miles. Multiple access points allow hikers to customize their distance and duration. The trail guides adventurers through dense woodlands, sandy shorelines, natural cave formations, and mountainous terrain—all areas that experienced devastation during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami but have since recovered.

West Highland Way

LOCATION: Scotland

Scotland’s 96-mile West Highland Way stands as a must-do trek for any visitor to the country. This spectacular route demands only moderate physical conditioning, though the terrain becomes more challenging north of Loch Lomond. Typical itineraries range from five to seven days, with daily walking distances varying from 19 to 21 miles depending on the chosen schedule. Much of the path remains easily accessible via trailheads or waterbus services that traverse the magnificent loch from various ports. Public transportation runs parallel to significant portions of the route, providing convenient return trips to Glasgow.

East Coast Trail

LOCATION: Canada

While the 47-mile West Coast Trail along Vancouver Island’s Pacific shoreline ranks among the world’s most demanding multi-day hikes—featuring ladders, tidal zones, river crossings, and dense bush navigation—its eastern counterpart offers a different but equally impressive challenge. The 209-mile East Coast Trail links 25 separate paths through Newfoundland’s wilderness alongside the Atlantic Ocean. This trail presents its own difficulties, including technical scrambles combined with peaceful days traversing clifftops, beaches, and countless breathtaking viewpoints.

Bay of Fires Walk

LOCATION: Tasmania

Picture sharing stories about completing Tasmania’s Bay of Fires Walk—quite an impressive accomplishment! More leisurely than demanding, this trail combines pristine white sand beaches, isolated rocky outcrops covered in vibrant red lichen, and ancient heathland. Mount William National Park serves as home to echidnas, wallabies, wombats, and other native species. Coastal and ridge-top vantage points frequently offer marine wildlife viewing opportunities.

Mont Blanc Walk

LOCATION: Europe

Circling this massive peak represents an Alpine tradition, whether skiing around the summit in winter or hiking hut-to-hut during summer months. Travelers can experience as much of Mont Blanc as desired, thanks to numerous trail access points along the epic mountain’s 105-mile perimeter—a route crossing through France, Italy, and Switzerland, offering diverse culinary experiences. The sound of cowbells serves as a reminder that hikers follow paths originally created by shepherds guiding their livestock through valleys, ascending and descending approximately 3,000 feet on each segment.

Alta Via, Dolomite Mountains

LOCATION: Italy

Choosing the evening’s highlight during a ski adventure in Italy’s Dolomites proves challenging, as nights spent in mountainside refugios feel like claiming a piece of heaven. Summer visitors experience similar magic when concluding Alta Via segments at these historic mountain lodges, enjoying sunset views from terraces, savoring exceptional regional cuisine, and resting in comfortable private accommodations. Known as the High Routes, hikers select from eight different Alta Via options based on desired length and difficulty, with routes revealing approximately eighty percent of these magnificent peaks.

The Dingle Way

LOCATION: Ireland

Walking forms an integral part of Irish culture, with footpaths extending throughout the Wild Atlantic Way, winding through meadows and sheep pastures. This 100-mile circular route crosses County Kerry, offering abundant opportunities to stay in local accommodations, enjoy coastal dining, and experience village pub sessions featuring live traditional music. The complete loop to and from Tralee requires up to nine days, though casual walkers can access shorter, less strenuous sections across the Dingle Peninsula.

The Cross-Bwindi Trek

LOCATION: Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains remarkable biodiversity with hundreds of plant species and numerous animal species, most notably the mountain gorilla. While gorilla encounters remain uncommon on the lesser-known Ivy River Trail, this moderate 5-hour cross-Bwindi hike offers opportunities to observe various monkey species and dozens of bird and butterfly species moving through the fern-covered jungle environment.

Lodge to Lodge Trek, Mt. Cotopaxi

LOCATION: Ecuador

Ecuador’s landscape ranks among Earth’s most diverse, spanning from volcanic archipelagos to Amazon rainforest to the “Avenue of the Volcanoes”—a collection of active peaks including 19,347-foot Mount Cotopaxi, one of the planet’s highest active volcanoes. Terra del Volcan guides outdoor enthusiasts on a four-day lodge-to-hacienda journey through ecological zones, historic Andean villages, and culminating in Cotopaxi National Park exploration.

Blue Ridge Mountains

LOCATION: United States

America offers incredible hiking opportunities across all fifty states. The Pacific Crest Trail and Adirondack Trail alone draw international hikers, whether attempting multi-day Grand Canyon crossings or day hikes through Washington’s Olympic Peninsula Hoh Rainforest. Don’t overlook Appalachia’s Blue Ridge Mountains for memorable trekking experiences. Multi-day or shorter excursions may lead to Shining Rock Wilderness or Cold Mountain ascents. Be sure to explore the 6,500-acre Pisgah Forest, home to the Cradle of Forestry and America’s first national forest.