25 best hiking places for backpackers all around the world

1. Everest Base Camp, Nepal

• Famous For: Iconic views of Mount Everest, Sherpa culture, and stunning landscapes.
• Activities: Trekking, photography, cultural tours.
• Must-See: Tengboche Monastery, Khumbu Glacier.
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.
• Famous Food: Dal Bhat (lentil soup with rice), momo (dumplings).

2. Inca Trail, Peru

• Famous For: Ancient Incan ruins, including Machu Picchu.
• Activities: Trekking, exploring archaeological sites.
• Must-See: Sun Gate, Intipunku, and the Inca ruins along the trail.
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Famous Food: Ceviche (marinated raw fish), lomo saltado (stir-fry beef).

3. Torres del Paine Circuit, Chile

• Famous For: Dramatic granite peaks, glaciers, and turquoise lakes.
• Activities: Trekking, wildlife spotting, camping.
• Must-See: Grey Glacier, French Valley, and the iconic towers.
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.
• Famous Food: Patagonian lamb, empanadas.

4. Milford Track, New Zealand

• Famous For: Rainforests, fjords, and waterfalls.
• Activities: Trekking, boating, bird watching.
• Must-See: Sutherland Falls, Mackinnon Pass.
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Famous Food: Kiwi lamb, green-lipped mussels.

5. Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

• Famous For: Diverse landscapes from subtropical forests to high-altitude deserts.
• Activities: Trekking, cultural tours, hot springs.
• Must-See: Thorong La Pass, Muktinath Temple.
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.
• Famous Food: Dal Bhat, yak cheese.

6. John Muir Trail, USA

• Famous For: Sierra Nevada mountain range, stunning vistas, and diverse ecosystems.
• Activities: Trekking, camping, fishing.
• Must-See: Yosemite Valley, Mount Whitney.
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.
• Famous Food: Trail mix, freeze-dried meals (bring your own food).

7. GR20, Corsica, France

• Famous For: Rugged mountains, granite peaks, and diverse flora.
• Activities: Trekking, rock climbing.
• Must-See: Bavella Needles, Asco Valley.
• Difficulty: Difficult.
• Famous Food: Corsican charcuterie, brocciu cheese.

8. Kungsleden (The King’s Trail), Sweden

• Famous For: Arctic landscapes, pristine wilderness, and the Northern Lights.
• Activities: Trekking, fishing, skiing (in winter).
• Must-See: Abisko National Park, Kebnekaise mountain.
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Famous Food: Swedish meatballs, reindeer stew.

9. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

• Famous For: Africa’s highest peak, diverse climatic zones.
• Activities: Trekking, wildlife safaris.
• Must-See: Summit at Uhuru Peak, Shira Plateau.
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.
• Famous Food: Ugali (cornmeal porridge), nyama choma (grilled meat).

10. Haute Route, France and Switzerland

• Famous For: Alpine scenery, connecting Chamonix and Zermatt.
• Activities: Trekking, mountaineering.
• Must-See: Matterhorn, Mont Blanc.
• Difficulty: Difficult.
• Famous Food: Swiss fondue, French baguettes.

11. Snowman Trek, Bhutan

• Famous For: Remote Himalayan landscapes, pristine wilderness, and cultural encounters.
• Activities: Trekking, exploring monasteries, wildlife spotting.
• Must-See: Laya Village, Gangkar Puensum (world’s highest unclimbed mountain).
• Difficulty: Extremely Difficult.
• Famous Food: Ema datshi (chili cheese stew), red rice.

12. Toubkal Circuit, Morocco

• Famous For: North Africa’s highest peak, traditional Berber villages.
• Activities: Trekking, exploring local markets, cultural tours.
• Must-See: Summit of Mount Toubkal, Imlil Valley.
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.
• Famous Food: Tagine (slow-cooked stew), couscous.

13. Laugavegur Trail, Iceland

• Famous For: Geothermal hot springs, volcanic landscapes, and colorful mountains.
• Activities: Trekking, hot spring bathing, photography.
• Must-See: Landmannalaugar, Thorsmork Valley.
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Famous Food: Skyr (Icelandic yogurt), lamb soup.

14. Overland Track, Australia

• Famous For: Tasmanian wilderness, unique wildlife, and ancient rainforests.
• Activities: Trekking, camping, wildlife watching.
• Must-See: Cradle Mountain, Lake St. Clair.
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.
• Famous Food: Tasmanian salmon, wallaby stew.

15. West Coast Trail, Canada

• Famous For: Rugged coastal scenery, diverse marine life, and ancient rainforests.
• Activities: Trekking, beach camping, tidepooling.
• Must-See: Tsusiat Falls, Pachena Bay.
• Difficulty: Difficult.
• Famous Food: Pacific salmon, bannock (fried bread).

16. Cinque Terre, Italy

• Famous For: Colorful seaside villages, vineyards, and Mediterranean views.
• Activities: Trekking, wine tasting, swimming.
• Must-See: Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare.
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Famous Food: Pesto pasta, focaccia bread.

17. Drakensberg Traverse, South Africa

• Famous For: Dramatic escarpments, remote landscapes, and rock art.
• Activities: Trekking, rock climbing, bird watching.
• Must-See: Amphitheatre, Tugela Falls.
• Difficulty: Difficult.
• Famous Food: Biltong (dried cured meat), bobotie (spiced minced meat dish).

18. Salkantay Trek, Peru

• Famous For: Alternative route to Machu Picchu, diverse ecosystems, and stunning mountain views.
• Activities: Trekking, exploring Inca ruins.
• Must-See: Humantay Lake, Salkantay Pass.
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.
• Famous Food: Pachamanca (earth-cooked meat and potatoes), quinoa soup.

19. Jungle Trek to the Lost City, Colombia

• Famous For: Ancient ruins of Ciudad Perdida, dense jungle, and indigenous cultures.
• Activities: Trekking, river crossings, cultural tours.
• Must-See: Lost City ruins, Buritaca River.
• Difficulty: Difficult.
• Famous Food: Arepas (corn cakes), bandeja paisa (platter of meats and beans).

20. Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, USA

• Famous For: Breathtaking coastal views, waterfalls, and secluded beaches.
• Activities: Trekking, swimming, snorkeling.
• Must-See: Kalalau Beach, Hanakapiai Falls.
• Difficulty: Difficult.
• Famous Food: Poke (marinated raw fish), Hawaiian plate lunch.

21. Fish River Canyon, Namibia

• Famous For: Africa’s largest canyon, desert landscapes, and night sky views.
• Activities: Trekking, stargazing, wildlife spotting.
• Must-See: Fish River Canyon viewpoints, Ai-Ais hot springs.
• Difficulty: Difficult.
• Famous Food: Biltong (dried meat), kapana (grilled meat).

22. The Haute Route, Switzerland to France

• Famous For: High mountain passes, views of the Matterhorn, and Alpine scenery.
• Activities: Trekking, glacier walking, mountaineering.
• Must-See: Zermatt, Chamonix.
• Difficulty: Difficult.
• Famous Food: Fondue, raclette.

23. Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit, Peru

• Famous For: Spectacular Andean mountain range, remote trekking, and high-altitude passes.
• Activities: Trekking, high-altitude camping, photography.
• Must-See: Siula Grande, Lake Carhuacocha.
• Difficulty: Extremely Difficult.
• Famous Food: Ceviche, alpaca meat.

24. Tour du Mont Blanc, France/Italy/Switzerland

• Famous For: Circuits around Mont Blanc, diverse cultures, and Alpine beauty.
• Activities: Trekking, cultural tours, wildlife spotting.
• Must-See: Chamonix, Courmayeur.
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.
• Famous Food: Tartiflette (potato, cheese, and bacon dish), polenta.

25. Zanskar Gorge (Chadar Trek), India

• Famous For: Walking on a frozen river in winter, stunning gorge views.
• Activities: Trekking, ice walking, cultural experiences.
• Must-See: Nerak waterfall, Zanskar River.
• Difficulty: Difficult.
• Famous Food: Thukpa (noodle soup), momos (dumplings).

Additional Activities

While trekking, consider engaging in these activities to enhance your experience:

• Photography: Capture stunning landscapes and wildlife.
• Bird Watching: Observe unique bird species native to the region.
• Camping: Experience the outdoors by camping along the trails.
• Cultural Tours: Learn about the local culture and traditions.
• Difficulty Meter: Assess each trek’s difficulty based on your fitness level and experience. Some treks are extremely challenging and require prior trekking experience.
• Safety: Always trek with a guide if the trail is difficult or unfamiliar. Carry essential gear like a map, compass, first aid kit, and sufficient water and food.
• Games: During breaks, you can play lightweight and portable games such as cards, travel-sized board games, or simple outdoor games like frisbee or hacky sack.

Travel opens the mind to new horizons, enriching the soul with stories of places yet to be discovered!!

K

“Traveling is not just about seeing new places; it’s about discovering new perspectives and embracing the diversity of our world!!” – K

Life is an adventure best lived boldly, with an open heart and a curious mind!!

K