5 Best Hiking Trips in the World

From snow-capped peaks to ancient ruins, the world is full of trails that captivate the soul and challenge the body. This list highlights the 5 best hiking trips in the world—each one a bucket-list experience offering something extraordinary. These aren’t just trails; they are stories written across mountains, forests, and deserts—proof that the earth is truly a hiker’s paradise.

1. Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

145 miles, total elevation climb 5500m (18,000ft)

Get ready for some photo spam! The Annapurna Circuit is honestly one of the most special things I’ve ever done. It’s one of the best world hikes for a reason—every day feels like walking through a different country. You go from humid jungle to wide open valleys to snowy peaks, and then suddenly you’re in a Tibetan-style village with prayer flags and smiling locals handing you tea.

The tea houses are simple and warm. Some nights I paid just £1 for a nights stay in a tea house. Sat around a stove with people I’d only just met but already felt close to. I made friends for life on this trail—laughing over cards games, helping each other up steep climbs, and watching the stars in silence.

Crossing Thorong La Pass at 5,416m was hard, but standing at the top felt like everything stopped for a minute. It’s one of the highest treks in the world, and you feel every bit of that height—in your legs, your lungs, and your heart.

If you want raw beauty, real connection, and a trail that stays with you long after you’ve left, the Annapurna Circuit is one of the best treks in the world. No doubt about it.

2. Inca Trail, Peru

26 miles, total elevation climb 2600m (8,330ft)

The Inca Trail is one of the best hikes trips in the world—a 4-day trek through the Peruvian Andes that ends at the legendary Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city hidden in the mountains. This iconic trail offers not just incredible scenery, but also a deep connection to history and culture.

What Is the Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail follows a network of stone paths built over 500 years ago by the Inca Empire. The 26 km (45km) route winds through cloud forests, alpine valleys, and centuries-old ruins, climbing to high mountain passes with spectacular views. It culminates at Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, where hikers get their first glimpse of Machu Picchu at sunrise.

It’s no surprise that this route is often called the best trail in the world.

What Is Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is a breathtaking 15th-century Incan citadel built on a mountain ridge at 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level. Rediscovered by Western explorers in 1911, it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Its perfectly carved stone temples and terraces reveal the advanced engineering and spiritual life of the Inca.

The Inca Trail isn’t just a hike—it’s a passage through time. For many, it stands as the best trail in the world, and without a doubt, one of the best world hikes any adventurer can experience.

3. Tour du Mont Blanc, Europe

103 miles, total elevation climb 10,000m (32,800ft)

Traversing France, Italy, and Switzerland, the Tour du Mont Blanc is a 103 miles (170km) loop around the Mont Blanc massif, Western Europe’s highest peak. This world-renowned trek is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world, with a changing backdrop of soaring alpine peaks, lush valleys, glacial rivers, and flower-filled meadows.

Over 7 to 11 days, hikers experience the charm of traditional mountain villages, the drama of high passes like Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, and the rich blend of three distinct cultures—all in a single adventure. It’s a sensory feast: French pastries in Chamonix, Italian espresso in Courmayeur, and Swiss chocolate in Trient.

Accommodation on the Tour du Mont Blanc

What makes this one of the best hiking trips in the world—besides the scenery—is the comfort and community along the way. The route is lined with well-maintained mountain huts (refuges) and alpine lodges, many of which serve homemade regional meals, offer hot showers, and even cozy dormitories or private rooms with spectacular views.

Unlike remote wilderness treks, the Tour du Mont Blanc allows you to hike light, eat well, and rest in comfort—making it accessible for a wide range of hikers without sacrificing the wild mountain atmosphere.

Its perfect balance of beauty, cultural variety, and trail infrastructure easily makes it one of the best hiking trails worldwide.

4. West Highland Way, Scotland

96 miles, total elevation climb 3,000m (10,300ft)

The West Highland Way is one of the best hiking trails in the world, taking you 96 miles (154km) from the gentle lowlands outside Glasgow into the wild, rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands. You’ll walk the shores of Loch Lomond, cross hauntingly beautiful Rannoch Moor, and finish beneath Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak.

This trail is full of Scottish soul — misty mountains, ancient glens, and warm, character-filled villages. You can stay in cozy B&Bs or, for the full experience, spend a night in an authentic Scottish bothy — a simple, unlocked mountain shelter shared with fellow walkers, where stories and tea are freely passed around.

The West Highland Way attracts people from all over the globe, and it shows. Every day you’ll meet hikers from different countries, swapping tales and trail snacks under changing skies. It’s one of the best trekking experiences in the world, not just for the scenery, but for the community and deep sense of connection it offers.

If you’d love to walk this iconic trail with support and community, my company, Women Outdoors, offers fully guided and organised trips along the West Highland Way. You can find out more and join us here.

5. John Muir Trail, USA

211 miles, total elevation climb 14,000m (46,000ft)

The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a love letter to the American wilderness. Stretching 211 miles (340km) through California’s Sierra Nevada, this trail is named after the great naturalist John Muir, who believed nature was not just scenery, but soul medicine — and honestly, you feel that truth every step of the way.

The JMT takes you deep into the heart of Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks — home to some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes in the U.S. Picture towering granite peaks, glassy alpine lakes, quiet meadows filled with wildflowers, and ancient giant sequoias that feel like wise old guardians of the forest.

It’s a true backcountry experience. You carry everything on your back, cross rivers, sleep under stars so bright they almost hum, and wake to the stillness of high mountain air. It’s remote, raw, and grounding — which is why so many call it one of the greatest hiking trails in the world.

What I loved most was the sense of solitude and peace. There are no tea houses or lodges — just nature in its purest form. Some days you see no one, just deer, birdsong, and the endless rhythm of your own footsteps. Other times, you meet hikers who feel like old friends by sunset, sharing stories beside the campfire or swapping trail snacks under the stars.

If you love the idea of disappearing into nature for a while — no distractions, no noise, just vast wilderness and time to think — this is one of the best hikes on earth you could ever do.

Final Thoughts

Exploring the best world hikes isn’t just about visiting incredible places—it’s about embracing the spirit of adventure and discovering some of the best hiking spots in the world that leave a lasting impact. Whether you’re drawn to the rugged wilderness of the John Muir Trail, the ancient paths of the Inka Trail, the towering peaks of the Annapurna Circuit, the wild beauty of Scotland’s West Highland Way, or the breathtaking panoramas along the Tour du Mont Blanc, these trails rank among the coolest hikes in the world.

Each offers a unique experience filled with stunning landscapes, rich history, and personal challenge. If you want to make the most of your journey, you can join one of my guided hikes—whether it’s the iconic West Highland Way or other incredible routes across the UK and abroad. On these trips, you’ll enjoy expert support, local insight, and the chance to connect with like-minded people who share your passion for exploration and nature. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or just starting out, these hikes offer unforgettable moments that reconnect you with nature, yourself, and a community of fellow adventurers.

So, lace up your boots, choose your path, and step into some of the world’s most inspiring trails. Your next adventure—and new friendships—are just a hike away. Ready to join us? Let’s hit the trail together.

Emma & The Team xx