Category: lists

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#3 best hiking region in the world is the …

Rockies

Spectacular vistas, frequent wildlife encounters, the best wild flowers we’ve ever seen. Hot springs, quaint mountain towns, perhaps the best long distance hikes on the planet.

There are options to scramble ridges and peaks virtually everywhere.

“You can’t lose in the Rockies.”

… so says frequent contributor Rob Glaser who hiked here all his life.

Trails are safe and well managed. The infrastructure excellent. (In fact, it’s hard to imagine there are two regions in the world we rate better.)

The weather and conditions are variable to say the least, but in many parts of the Rockies Aug-Sept are the best months. A very short window! On the other hand, if you ski or board, you’ll never lack for adventure in the Rocky Mountains.

More information on our Rockies information page.

Our favourite trip in the Canadian Rockies is Sunshine to Assiniboine, our #5 hike in the world.

Anemones and Assiniboine, Alberta, Canada

Our Assiniboine Information page.

Just a short drive away is our favourite trail in the USA Rockies, Glacier North Circle, our #6 hike in the world. One of the best places in the world to see wildlife.

Our North Circle Information page.

Leave a comment if you have your own favourite hike in the Rockies.

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6 Best Hikes out of Ushuaia, Patagonia

Anyone who’s visited Ushuaia has vivid memories.

Ushuaia is the capital of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the closest large city (80,000) to the South Pole.

There is much to do and see — including great hiking.

  • Tierra del Fuego National Park
  • Martial glacier
  • Esmeralda and Turquesa lakes
  • Vinciguerra Glacier
  • Sierra Valdivieso Trail
  • Dientes de Navarino (across the Beagle Channel in Chile)

Click through for details – Discovering Ushuaia without Breaking the Bank: A Budget Traveler’s Guide (2023)

If you travel that far, we’d recommend spending time in both Ushuaia as well as doing the famed Dientes trek.

Beagle Channel from Chile

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#9 day hike – Puez-Odle Altopiano, Dolomites, Italy

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

Why?

  • fantastic vistas of jagged Dolomite peaks
  • family friendly as you can get to elevation with a cablecar
  • 9 miles / 14.5 km with 500 m ascent / 1100 m descent
  • Rifugio Puez is a good destination for lunch or hot drinks
  • extend the walk if you have good weather, time and energy
  • there are many more great hikes nearby

World → Europe → Dolomites → Italy → Puez-Odle Altopiano

photo by Away On The Road

For details click over to our Puez-Odle Altopiano information page.

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Alice Ford’s top Hikes in the World

The Alice Ford Adventures Channel on YouTube is terrific for hikers.

Subscribe.

Recently Alice posted a video of her top 20 hikes on planet Earth.

Tour du Mont Blanc, Alps
West Coast Trail, Canada
Skyline Trail, USA
Wonderland Trial, USA
GR 20, Corsica
Lost City, Columbia
Trans Bhutan Trail
Kalalau Trail, Hawaii
Paine Treks, Patagonia
Salcantay Trail, Peru
Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
Alta Via, Italy
Banff Highland Traverse, Canada
Laugavegur and FimmvörðuhálsTrek, Iceland
Arctic Circle Trail, Greenland
Sentinal Trail Tugela Falls, South Africa
Buckskin Gulch, USA
Great Ocean Walk, Australia
Three Capes Track, Australia
Milford Track, New Zealand
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim, USA

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – BestHike TOP 10 Lists

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#10 day hike – Göreme, Cappadocia, Turkey

 Hiking out of the small town of Göreme is one of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

Why?

Every traveller dreams of getting to  the the “fairy chimney” rock formations of Cappadocia. Göreme makes an ideal base. 

  • weird and wonderful geology
  • walk out of your Göreme accommodation directly to a trail … or take a taxi to the Rose Valley Panoramic viewpoint (15 minute drive uphill from town). There is a small entry fee.
  • most of these trails will be crowded with walkers
  • see all of the main attractions in one day: Rose Valley Panoramic viewpoint > Rose Valley > Çavuşin > Love Valley > Uchisar Castle > Pigeon Valley > Göreme

World → Asia → Turkey → Göreme

For details click over to our Göreme, Cappadocia information page.

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#1 best hiking region in the world is …

New Zealand

There’s no debate.

The Land of the Long White Cloud Aotearoa is by far the single best hiking destination on Earth.

North Island? South Island? Both are great. And both much different.

The most compelling evidence that New Zealand has EVERYTHING a hiker could want is with photos:

Taraurua Ranges

Ohau River

Bealey Spur, Arthurs' Pass

New Zealand is insanely great for hikers. It’s safe. It’s clean. Trails are not crowded. It’s terrific for kids.

There’s no risk of altitude sickness as the glaciated peaks are at low elevation.

Best months are mid-November through mid-April for most treks.

More information on our New Zealand information page.

Our favourite tramp in New Zealand is the volcanic Tongariro Circuit. You’ll feel like you’ve entered Mordor in Lord of the Rings.

See our Tongariro Circuit Information page.

Start planning your New Zealand hiking vacation right now.

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BestHike #10 – Overland Track, Australia

The Overland Track in Tasmania is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

Click PLAY or watch a 1 minute introduction on YouTube.

Overland Track

The best & most famous walk in Australia.

Overland

AT A GLANCE

  • surreal, unique Tasmanian vistas
  • pretty lakes, tarns and waterfalls
  • exiting by ferry it’s minimum 62km (38.5mi) carrying a pack plus many possible sidetrips without a pack.
    • Elevation Gain: +4,793 ft / 1,461 m
      Elevation Loss: -5,160 ft / 1,573 m
  • 8000-9000 walkers / year in the past
    • 60 walkers start / day 2018 in high season
    • Oct 1 – May 31 Overland Track Pass reservations online
  • access by public transportation
  • easy-moderate hiking IF the weather cooperates
  • add challenging sidetrip peak scrambles if the weather is good
  • Nov – early May best months
  • possible to hike year round (snow travel during the winter)
  • 7-nights recommended. Start Ronny Creek. Finish Cynthia Bay.

Read more on our Overland Information page.

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Best Hikes on O’ahu, Hawaii

I’ve never been to O’ahu (Oahu). Sadly.

But it’s high on my list.

The hike that jumps to mind first is the Haʻikū Stairs, also known as the Stairway to Heaven or Haʻikū Ladder.

Sadly, those 3000 stairs are closed. Plans are to have them removed as a safety precaution.

Backpacker magazine posted their list of BEST HIKES on the island.

  • Our Top Hike on O’ahu: Diamond Head
  • Best Rainforest Hike on O’ahu: Manoa Falls Trail
  • Best Hike on O’ahu for Views: Kuliouou Ridge Trail
  • Best Scramble on O’ahu: Olomana Trail
  • Best Adventure Hike on O’ahu: Moanalua/Kamananui Valley Trail
  • Best Climb on O’ahu: Kokohead Lookout
  • Best Hike on O’ahu for Hot Weather: Aiea Loop Trail
Diamond Head

AllTrails users rank Koko Crater Tramway to Kokohead Lookout as even better than Diamond Head.

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Best Hikes out of Pucón, Chile

It’s January in Canada. And I wish I was in Patagonia. 😀

One adventure town there is Pucón, 780 km to the south of Santiago. On the shore of Lake Villarrica. The Villarrica volcano located roughly 17 km to the south.

I’ve spent a fair bit of time there myself. And was pleased when our Villarrica Traverse page was linked from an excellent list:

Pucón, Chile: The Ultimate Hiking and Trekking Guide

Very comprehensive. Very well researched.