" For some nature lovers, the simplicity of lacing up a pair of hiking boots and heading off into remote country holds a strong appeal. The crisp fresh air, the solitude, and the stillness of the landscape are some of the things that motivate hikers to tackle treks and hiking trails around the globe."

          Some of the most beautiful scenery in the world can only be reached by foot. And while many of the best treks in the world are multi-day journeys, some are day hikes that can be tackled by anyone in decent physical condition.

         Popular hiking trails are found around the world, in various types of terrain, and some provide access to historical treasures. In the Himalayas, ancient walking trails connect villages and lead past the highest mountains in the world. In other parts of the world, treks will take you to ancient ruins, into deep canyons, along windswept coasts, or to dizzying heights.




01 

Everest Base camp, Nepal 

image by thrilliphilia.com
  
        Up and down are probably the two best words to describe the Everest Base Camp hike (EBC). This 65-kilometer, one-way trail literally climbs a mountain ridge then drops down to a river, then climbs another mountain ridge as it makes its way to base camp.

          The hike takes 12 to 14 days on average and is high – you will max out at 5,500 meters (18,044 feet). That said, most of the walking is done in the 3,500- to 4,500-meter (11,482 to 14,763 feet) range. The air up here is thin, and any exertion seems twice as hard.

          Be aware that you do not see the peak of Mount Everest from Base Camp. You will, however, see it from various points on the trail when other massive mountains are not in the way. The hike is best done from March to May and September to December, when temperatures are moderate, and the skies are clear.



02

Samaria Gorge, Greece 

image by holidify.com

          The Samaria Gorge hike is the best hike on the island of Crete and one of Crete's top attractions. Starting in pine forests, this one-way hike descends through a narrow valley, eventually ending at the Libyan Sea. The hike is just over 16 kilometers in length, and you'll drop over 1,500 meters.

          The first part of the hike is the steepest, where you'll descend a long series of switchbacks for about an hour before reaching the stream responsible for this incredible gorge. At this point, the trail levels out, and the remaining 13 or so kilometers are a relatively easy stroll. Around halfway through the hike, you'll come to the most famous place on the trail: a narrow gap where the sheer walls of the gorge are only a few meters apart and 300 meters high.

          Eventually, you'll emerge at the small town of Agia Roumeli. The black-sand beach here is perfect for a refreshing swim. After cooling off, grab a snack or a cold drink from one of the many shops nearby while you wait for your boat ride back to civilization.



03

Cinque Terre Hike, Italy 

image by viator.com

          Long regarded as one of the most beautiful hikes in Italy, the Cinque Terre hike is an easy day hike between villages perched on the rugged seashore mountains. Strolling along this ancient route with the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea below will make you forget about the effort expended.

          The best way to walk the Cinque Terre hike is to start at Monterosso and end at Riomaggiore. Take your time and stop for a mid-morning cappuccino and biscotti, follow it up with a bit more walking before you stop for a delightful lunch. Tear yourself away from the view at your lunch spot and walk for a while longer until you feel the need for an afternoon espresso.

          If you base yourself in La Spezia, you can walk the trail and then take the train back to your hotel. A daily pass is required to walk the trail, and you can buy it at the ticket booths along the trail. The best deal is to buy a combined train and trail day pass.




04

Bright Angle Trail, USA

image by tripadvisor.ca

          As you peer over the Grand Canyon rim, you'll see a hiking trail snaking its way down the cliffside across a wide plain and then dropping off again towards the Colorado River. What you are viewing is the world-famous Bright Angel Trail.

          This trail is 25 kilometers (15.6 miles) long and drops 1,340 meters (4,380 feet) from the south canyon rim to the water's edge at the Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground. The views along the trail across and down the canyon are spectacular, and many people do portions of the trail as a day hike. The park service recommends going no farther than Indian Springs if this is your plan.

          Bright Angel Trail is extremely well maintained and easy to follow, just watch out for the frequent mule trains sharing the route with you. Reservations for the campground and the Phantom Ranch lodge must be made well in advance and need to be confirmed two days prior to your arrival date.



05

The Appalachian Trail 

image by 57hours.com

          Some say the Appalachian Trail is the hike that never ends. Considering that it's 2,200 miles in distance, the statement is fairly accurate. However, don't despair, you don't need to do the hike in one fell swoop (although some people, called "thru hikers," do try and complete the entire distance in one season).

          The Appalachian trail is easily accessible along its entire distance and, as with any hiking trail, some sections are better than others.

          Most people find the sections in Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains National Park areas to be some of the best, with scenic views and manageable ascents and descents. In these areas, the campsites are also very good, as are off-trail lodgings should you crave a bit of comfort at the end of your day. Time it right, and you'll be walking through seemingly endless meadows of blooming rhododendrons.





06

The Dragon's Back 

image by timeout.com

          Hong Kong might not jump to mind as a place where you'd find one of the world's best hikes. Perhaps a concrete jungle and neon lights come to mind instead. Well, travel always expands the mind, and this hike goes a long way towards that goal.

          This easily accessible hike via public transit is perfect for anyone looking for amazing views followed by a swim in the sea. Throw in a post-hike lunch at a seaside restaurant, and what more could you ask for?

          This hike, one of the best hikes in Hong Kong, is easy, because you actually start near the top of the mountain ridge you'll be walking along, so the amount of effort required is relatively low. Views along the 8.5-kilometer hike extend out over Shek-O beach and Big Wave Bay where, at the end of the hike, you'll be cooling off with a well-deserved swim.




07

Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh 

image by tusktravel.com

          Nestled between Manali and Ladakh, the Spiti Valley is similar to Ladakh in landscape and culture but is even more remote and sees fewer travelers because it's such a challenge to reach. Several high-altitude treks can be enjoyed here, hiking between whitewashed clifftop monasteries and patchworks of irrigated fields around villages. 

          Most of the treks here are considered challenging because of their altitudes and the number of high passes along the way, including the Kunzum Pass (15,000 feet), the Hamta Pass (14,000 feet), and the Pin Bhaba Pass (16,000 feet).




08

Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir 

image by peakvisor.com

          Within the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, the Kashmir Valley is a beautiful area for hiking. In fact, some of the most beautiful parts of Kashmir can only be visited on foot. The Great Lakes Trek is sometimes called one of the best treks in India: it takes seven days and is only moderately challenging. It passes turquoise alpine lakes, meadows filled with wildflowers, and snow-capped mountains. The trek starts at Sonamarg and ends in Naranag, and is best done between July and September.

          Although travelers are rarely the target, political unrest in Kashmir has been ongoing for many years and often erupts in the summer months. Before heading to Kashmir, particularly Srinagar, be sure to check for any travel advisories.




09

Gangotri, Uttarakhand 

image by dreamstime.com

          Treks in the Gangotri area of the Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand bring hikers to the Gangotri Glacier, the source of the sacred River Ganga. The glacier is huge, at 17 miles long and 2.5 miles wide, and treks in its vicinity range from two to five days. All of the trails are at high altitudes of between 13,000 and 21,000 feet, so care should be taken to acclimatize properly and not rush the trek.

          If a challenging high-altitude hike isn't what you're looking for, there are other Hindu pilgrimage routes in the area and temples to visit.




10

Sikkim 

image by tourmyindia.com

          Sikkim is a small state in northeastern India, bordering eastern Nepal, that was an independent Himalayan kingdom (like Bhutan) until 1975 when it became a state of India. Because of that history, Sikkim is culturally closer to Tibet, Bhutan, and eastern Nepal than some other parts of India. It's a small state but very mountainous, so it can take a long time to cover what looks like a short distance on the map, making for ideal hiking territory!

          Mount Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world, lies on the border of Nepal and Sikkim, and hikes that offer views of the 28,169-foot-high peak are popular. Yuksom is the gateway to treks around Kanchenjunga National Park and the area is best visited from March to May.