There are also the kind of travelers who seek something much more active. For these people, there could be nothing better than undertaking an adventurous trek, reaching high altitudes with magnificent scenery all around.
If this sounds like you, check out this list of the best hiking trails from across the globe.
The Inca Trail, Peru
If you are going to visit the legendary Incan ruins at Machu Picchu, you should also consider taking the Inca Trail, a track that is almost as famous, to get there. This is a 20 mile (33 km) ancient trail that leads to the old citadel, buried deep in the mountains.
Today, it is an extremely popular four day trek, through stunning mountain scenery at high altitudes, and ending with stunning views of the Incan city.
The Peruvian government strictly limits the amount of hikers per day who can take this trail, making it a more tranquil experience, though you will still see lots of other people. This also means permits sell out months in advance, so book early!
The 4 day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu, Peru
Appalachian Trail, USA
At 2192 mile across 14 states, the Appalachian Trail is the United States’ biggest and best hiking adventure, attracting three million visitors every year.
Most of those visitors do not hike the entire trail, doing sections of it only, which is a great alternative for those with limited time, while “thru-hikers” do the entire trail. Thru-hikers can head in either direction, though most start at the South in Springer Mountain, Georgia, and ending in Mt. Katahdin in Maine.
No matter how far you go, and in which direction you hike, the trail offers stunning landscapes and untouched wilderness.
Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand
New Zealand is almost a mythical country with mountains, lakes, and geysers across two islands, the North and the South Island. You can take in all of it in this epic hiking trial that runs from Cape Reinga in the North Island to Bluff in the South Island.
At over 1800 miles, this trail takes around 5 months and gives hikers a truly in-depth understanding of this beautiful country, not just nature, but also culture and history. You can also do sections of the trail, which make fantastic day and overnight hikes.
Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Climbing Mount Everest is a legendary feat, and you can come close without the danger of scaling the mountain, by doing the Everest Base Camp trek.
The track follows in the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzig Norgay, through the Himalayas to a height of 18,000 feet. Taking two to three weeks, the trail winds through dramatic mountains, small villages and ends at the base camp from where hikers make their final ascent up the world’s highest mountain.
Torres del Paine, Chile
Torres del Paine National Park is located in Chilean Patagonia, at the Southern tip of South America. It offers incredible hiking, with the jewel in the crown being the Torres del Paine W trek, a “W” shaped hiking trail of around 50 miles.
Generally taking four or five days, the trail passes through amazing mountains with their renowned spire-like towers, valleys, lakes, and glaciers.
Alta Via Uno, Italy
The Eastern Dolomites of Italy are another of the world’s great mountain ranges. The Alta Via Uno is a 75 mile trail that takes around 10 days, winding past famous peaks, stunning scenery.
Reaching heights of 9000 feet, the trek starts in Dobbiaco in the North, and goes South to Belluno, both in Italy. The trail also takes in famous battle sites from the First World War.
