How to choose a hiking destination
The best place to hike depends less on fame than on fit. Before comparing destinations, it helps to settle four things.
- Fitness and experience. Day walks on well-marked paths suit most people. Multi-day treks involve carrying gear or relying on huts, and some reach high altitude.
- Time of year. Many mountain trails are only practical for part of the year, so your travel dates often decide the destination.
- Logistics. Some famous routes need permits or hut reservations booked months ahead. Others can be walked on short notice.
- Comfort level. Hut-to-hut and guesthouse-based routes (common in the Alps and Nepal) need far less equipment than wild camping.
The destinations below are grouped by how demanding they typically are. Conditions, rules and prices change, so check official park or trail sources before booking.
Best destinations for easy trails and day walks
These places offer scenic walking without the need for specialist gear or a multi-day commitment.
- New Zealand’s South Island. Short walks such as the Hooker Valley Track near Aoraki / Mount Cook are popular with first-time visitors. See our New Zealand South Island travel guide for routes and highlights.
- The Alps (Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy). Lifts, marked paths and village-to-village options make it easy to build gentle days with big views.
- Iceland. Short walks to waterfalls, geothermal areas and craters are found near the main roads, though weather can change quickly. See our Iceland travel essentials for planning.
- US national parks. Zion, Yosemite, Grand Teton and many others have short, well-signed trails alongside harder routes. Some popular trails require permits or timed entry, so check the park’s website. Our Havasupai Falls trip planning guide shows how permit-based hiking works.
- Coastal paths in Europe. Routes in Portugal, Ireland, Cornwall and the Cinque Terre area suit walkers who prefer sea views to summits.
Best destinations for multi-day treks
Europe
- Tour du Mont Blanc. A loop of roughly 170 km around the Mont Blanc massif through France, Italy and Switzerland, usually walked over around 10 days with mountain huts and village stays.
- Dolomites (Italy). The Alta Via routes link mountain huts through dramatic limestone scenery. Many sections can be walked in a few days.
- West Highland Way (Scotland). Around 96 miles (154 km) from near Glasgow to Fort William, with plenty of accommodation along the way.
- Laugavegur Trail (Iceland). A well-known hut-based route of about 55 km, commonly walked over three to four days. Huts are limited and need booking.
- Kungsleden (Sweden). A long trail through Arctic Sweden with a hut system, best for walkers happy with remote terrain. A section of it can fit into a five-day backpacking trip.
Asia
- Nepal. The Annapurna region and the Everest region are the best-known trekking areas, with tea houses along the routes so you do not need to carry a tent. Altitude is the main risk, and a gradual itinerary matters.
- Japan. The Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes and the Japan Alps offer a mix of cultural and mountain walking.
The Americas
- Torres del Paine (Chile). The W Trek is a popular route in Patagonia, typically completed in four to five days. Accommodation and campsites need to be reserved in advance. See our Patagonia travel tips for routes and bookings.
- Inca Trail and other Peru routes. The classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu operates under a permit system and is typically booked well ahead through licensed operators. Alternatives such as the Salkantay and Lares routes exist. Our guide to the top cities to visit in Peru covers Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
- Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada (USA). Backpacking routes here usually require permits, and bear safety rules apply.
Africa
- Kilimanjaro (Tanzania). Climbing Africa’s highest mountain requires a registered guide. Longer itineraries generally give the body more time to adjust to altitude. See planning a trip to Africa for regions and seasons.
- Atlas Mountains (Morocco). Guided treks around Toubkal are a popular, shorter alternative. See our guide to travelling in Northern Africa for the wider trip.
Oceania
- New Zealand Great Walks. Routes such as the Milford Track, Routeburn Track and Kepler Track use huts and campsites that must be booked in advance during the main season.
- Overland Track (Tasmania). A roughly 65 km alpine route typically walked over about six days, with a booking system during peak season.
The “big 3” hikes and long-distance trails
When people talk about the “big 3” hikes, they usually mean the three long US trails that make up the Triple Crown: the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. Each takes months to finish end to end, so most travelers walk sections instead.
For long walks in other parts of the world, the Camino de Santiago in Spain and the Te Araroa in New Zealand are often mentioned. The Camino is far more accessible to first-timers because of its frequent villages and lodging.
Trekking in Nepal
Nepal is frequently named as a top place for trekking, especially for those who want high mountain scenery with village lodging. Popular options include the Annapurna Circuit area, the Annapurna Base Camp route, the Everest Base Camp route, Langtang and the Manaslu region. Rules about permits and guides have changed over time, so confirm current requirements with a licensed operator or the official tourism authorities. Spring and autumn are generally considered the most reliable seasons.
When to go
- Northern Hemisphere mountains (Alps, Rockies, Scandinavia, Iceland): typically summer into early autumn, when snow has melted from higher paths.
- Himalaya: usually spring and autumn, avoiding the summer monsoon and winter cold.
- Patagonia and New Zealand: the southern summer, roughly December to February, with shoulder months often being quieter.
- Desert regions (Utah, Arizona, Jordan): cooler months, since summer heat can be dangerous.
Permits and booking
Many of the world’s best-known hikes now limit numbers. Typical examples include the Inca Trail, New Zealand Great Walks, Torres del Paine campsites, some US national park trails and Iceland’s hut routes. Booking windows can open many months ahead, so build the permit step into your planning before you buy flights.
Related guides
- Looking for something shorter? Our list of 5 day backpacking trips shows what is realistic in a working week.
- Want a road-trip-and-hike combination? Read the New Zealand South Island travel guide.
- If you prefer the water to the mountains, see the best surf vacation for beginners.
FAQ
Which place is best for trekking? There is no single answer. Nepal is often chosen for high-mountain trekking, Patagonia for dramatic scenery, and the Alps for comfortable hut-to-hut routes.
What are good hikes for beginners abroad? Shorter marked trails, coastal paths and hut-based routes with lodging make a gentler start than remote camping treks.
Do I need a guide? Some places require one (for example Kilimanjaro), while many popular trails do not. Always check current local rules.