Hiking is about so much more than exercise, pleasant scenery or getting from A to B. Putting one foot in front of the other for hours, days or even weeks on end creates a special sense of connection to a place and its landscapes. iBestTravel is here to inspire your next adventure with a selection of breathtaking hikes across the globe.
Hornstrandir, Iceland
Iceland at its best
Start/end at Bolungarvík or Ísafjörður; variable distance
If it weren’t so hard to get to, the protected reserve of Hornstrandir would be Iceland’s most popular hiking expanse. Like little lobster claws nipping at the Arctic Circle, the northernmost peninsulas of Iceland’s Westfjords are brutally lonely – save for colonies of cawing guillemots and the occasional Arctic fox. In summer (early July to mid-August), the preserve is blanketed in a glittering green carpet as travelers walk from cairn to cairn.
For the full experience, take the ferry from the townships of Bolungarvík or Ísafjörður up to the glacially carved fjord Veiðileysufjörður, and spend four or five days hiking up to Hornvík and the bird cliffs at Hornbjarg before venturing down the mountain pass to Hloduvík and on to the cluster of abandoned cottages at Hesteyri to wait for the return ferry.
Cyprus, from coast to coast
A coastal journey
Start at Cape Greco, finish at Akamas Peninsula; 250km (155 miles)
Forming part of the much longer (think 10,000km) European Long Distance Route E4, the Cyprus Coast-to-Coast offers a more digestible slice of adventure – and is the perfect way to take in the best of the country. You can walk in either direction, but going east to west means you start with a sunrise gazing over the Mediterranean Sea at Cape Greco, and end with a blistering sunset on the Akamas Peninsula.
The walking takes in yawning bays, harbor towns – replete with freshly caught seafood to snack on along the way – as well as traditional villages. Birdlife along the way is a real highlight, as is reaching the lighthouse at the end of this unforgettable hike.
Fisherman’s Trail, Portugal
See the “End of the World”
Start at São Torpes, finish at Lagos; 226km (140 miles)
The Atlantic is your constant companion on the Rota Vicentina, a 13-stage trail that teeters along the cliff tops of Portugal’s wild southwest coast. The trail dives straight into the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, a nature park protecting secluded dune-backed beaches, cork-oak forests, and jagged cliffs.
Sleepy fishing villages and surf resorts dish up a mix of respite, culture, and action en route. The highlight? Watching the sunset from the vertiginous cliffs of Cabo de São Vicente, Portugal’s southwesternmost point, nicknamed the “End of the World” by explorers that once set sail from its shores.
Laguna de los Tres, Los Glaciares, Argentina
A Patagonian epic
Start/end at El Chaltén; 14 miles (22km)
Hikers visiting Patagonia’s Torres del Paine often add on an expedition to Los Glaciares National Park, which offers equally stunning scenery, not to mention a wealth of day hikes and multi-day treks. This 14-mile hike is one of the classics, carrying you deep into the mountains of the Fitz Roy range.
Adam’s Peak, Sri Lanka
Stairs leading to sunrise magic
Start/end at Dalhousie; 9 miles (14km) round trip
This conical Sri Lankan mountain isn’t all that high at only 7360ft (2243m) – but don’t let its size fool you. It’s a punishing climb, favored by pilgrims who come to see the Sri Pada, or sacred footprint. There are six possible routes to the top, with the Hatton Trail being the most often used by trekkers.
Tateyama-Kamikōchi hike, Japan
A Japanese classic
Start at Murodo, end at Kamikōchi; 40 miles (65km)
The classic hike covering the length of Japan’s North Alps takes around seven days in the most spectacular alpine scenery the country has to offer. Climb the sacred peak of Tateyama and then head south to climb spear-like Yarigatake and Oku-Hotaka-dake.
Mt Toubkal, Morocco
Explore North Africa’s highest peak
Start/end at Imlil; 45 miles (72km)
Standing at 13,671ft (4167m), Mt Toubkal is the highest peak in all of North Africa. From the Imlil valley, you’ll make a clockwise loop through walnut groves, boulder fields, and traditional Berber villages, culminating in breathtaking views across a starkly spectacular landscape.
Gorilla tracking in Bwindi, Uganda
A hike in search of incredible creatures
Start/end depends on the gorilla family being tracked; various distances
With fewer than 900 mountain gorillas believed to survive in the Virunga Mountains, tracking these incredible creatures is an adventure like no other. Steep and muddy trails challenge hikers as they search through lush vegetation to locate the habituated family groups.
Rakiura Track, Stewart Island, New Zealand
A Great Walk to see birdlife
Start at Lee Bay, end at Fern Gully (or reverse); 20 miles (32 km)
Stewart Island’s kiwis may be extra large, but that doesn’t mean that they’re any easier to spot. Yet the Rakiura Great Walk on Stewart Island offers almost-certain sightings of lots of New Zealand birdlife, including kaka parrots and little blue penguins.
Arctic Circle Trail, Greenland
An Arctic journey
Start at Kangerlussuaq, finish at Sisimiut; 100 miles (160km); seven to 10 days
Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail reaches across a landscape devoid of towns. Hikers will find free-to-use huts along the way, and in summer, they can enjoy the midnight sun, while a winter excursion offers views of the ethereal Northern Lights.
El Mirador, Guatemala
Find ancient history in the jungle
Start/finish at Carmelita; 25 miles (40km); five to six days; guided tours only
The dense jungles in Guatemala are filled with overgrown Mayan ruins. During a five- or six-day guided trek, hikers will tackle the rainforest terrain and camp beneath the canopy, exploring sites like El Mirador while learning more about the Maya civilization.
Florida National Scenic Trail, Florida, USA
See Florida’s wild side
Start/end at either Big Cypress National Preserve or Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore; 1300 miles (2090km)
The Florida National Scenic Trail explores the state’s wild side, far from tourist traps. This trail begins in the Panhandle and weaves through salt marshes, crystal-clear springs, and historic urban areas, offering encounters with diverse wildlife.
This article aims to inspire your next hiking adventure with iBestTravel. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking views, unique wildlife, or ancient history, these trails will certainly reward the intrepid hiker.
