10 Epic Trails That Every Hiker Should Try

When you’re covered in dirt and sweat, muscles aching and bugs biting, you may ask yourself if you truly enjoy hiking. Walking for hours on uneven terrain while carrying heavy backpacks doesn’t seem like it should be a popular voluntary activity, but millions of people around the world do it regularly. Here are 10 epic trails that every serious hiker should attempt at least once, whether it’s for a short segment or on the bucket-list thru-hike of your dreams (and nightmares).

Trans Canada Trail // Canada

The world’s longest multi-use recreational trail spans more than 17,000 miles from the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland to the Pacific shore of Vancouver Island to Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean. It’s really a vast network of smaller (yet still lengthy) trails in every province and territory combined in a transcontinental experience. It often follows existing trails in national parks or highways through Canada’s sparsely populated interior. While the TCT may seem at first to be too huge to tackle, its interactive map offers descriptions of the segments and other planning tips.

Tour du Mont Blanc // Switzerland, Italy, France

One of the most popular long-distance hikes in Europe, the 103-mile TMB passes through Switzerland, Italy, and France. Beginning and ending in Chamonix, France, the loop trail meanders over stunning Alpine scenery as it circles 15,777-foot Mont Blanc, Europe’s tallest mountain. Trekkers don’t have to carry a week’s worth of backpacking gear with them; instead, they stay nights in charming huts along the route, which offer beds and delicious meals. They can also have a service transport their gear on to the next hut or inn. But don’t think the TMB is easy: It takes about a week to finish and covers 32,000 feet in elevation gain and loss.

Appalachian Trail // Maine to Georgia

The beloved AT extends for more than 2190 miles from Mount Katahdin in central Maine to Springer Mountain in northern Georgia, crossing a total of 14 states. It follows the backbone of the Appalachian Mountains, an ancient expanse of rugged peaks, lush valleys, burbling streams, and trail towns where multi-day hikers can sleep in actual beds and even take a shower. While most hikers choose a day hike or one lasting a few days and nights, many hardy souls attempt thru-hikes—trekking the entire trail at once—which can take six months or more. Start planning yours with this interactive map of the whole route.

Kalalau Trail // Hawaii

Though serenely beautiful, Kalalau Trail on the island of Kaua’i is not for the faint of heart—or inexperienced hikers [PDF]. The 11-mile wilderness trail tracks through five large valleys edged by volcanic cliffs and ridges, so hikers must climb up and down several hundred feet multiple times before finally dropping to sea level at the Nāpali Coast. Trekkers have to carry everything they need for camping and eating with them and be prepared for stinging insects, heat, and emergencies. And yet, it’s a fantastic way to see the Garden Island’s wild side.

Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne // France, Spain, Andorra

Winding back and forth among the borders of Andorra, France, and Spain, this 497-mile footpath traverses the length of the Pyrénées and links the Mediterranean with the Atlantic Ocean. The moderate to strenuous route passes deep blue lakes, rocky slopes, and boulder fields, and like on the TMB, hikers can stay at huts on the trail or quaint inns in the nearby villages, which have shops for restocking food and fuel. You can also camp along the way.

Cotswold Way // England

The UK knows how to do long-distance trails right. A system of 17 national trails in England, Scotland, and Wales take trekkers through terrain filled with inspiring vistas, quaint villages, and historic sites like Hadrian’s Wall and the River Thames. The Cotswold Way wends through one of the most picturesque parts of southern England, traveling 102 miles from Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire along the Cotswold escarpment to the gorgeous city of Bath in Somerset. The National Trails website provides helpful planning tips and recommendations.

Mount Kilimanjaro Summit Trail // Tanzania

At 19,341 feet in elevation, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak, making it one of the fabled Seven Summits. But unlike Mount Everest, Mount Aconcagua, or Denali, you don’t need mountaineering skills and an ice axe to reach the summit—you can actually trek up to the top. Not that it’s a breeze, though: Hikers must be in good physical and mental shape, acclimate to the low oxygen levels as they get closer to the summit, and prepare for freezing cold and wind.

Laugavegur Trail // Iceland

A hugely popular trail in Iceland, the 50-mile Laugavegur connecting two nature reserves and crosses over mountains, glaciers, hot springs, lakes, and rivers. Twenty waterfalls can be seen in just the first seven miles. Hikers may crash at huts on trail, and the signposts and other hikers make it hard to get lost. However, adventure seekers need to be ready for thick fog, bad weather—like snowstorms even in July—and wading through a few ice-cold streams.

Copper Canyon Rim to Rim Trail // Mexico

Like the Grand Canyon, Mexico’s Copper Canyon in the state of Chihuahua is rugged, steep, and challenging to hike. The complex of six large canyons covers an area of at least 10,000 square miles with contrasting ecosystems: hardwood forests on the canyon rim and tropical foliage at the bottom. The Rim to Rim Trail travels a 38 mile-loop from Divisadero to Pamachi and back, covering a punishing 20,000 feet in elevation changes. And avoid going in summer: The canyons turn into virtual ovens. Experts say the best months for your trip are October and November.

Santa Cruz Trek // Peru

This 32-mile trek through Peru’s stunning Huascarán National Park is one of the most popular routes in the Cordillera Blanca range of the Andes Mountains, but that doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park. The trail from Vaqueria to Cashapampa reaches an elevation of 15,584 feet at Punta Union Pass and covers glacial terrain that requires gentle ascents and steep descents. But along the way, hikers can encounter turquoise lakes, snow-covered peaks, hummingbirds, and llamas.

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A version of this story was published in 2013; it has been updated for 2024.