Category: lists

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TOP 10 hikes ➙ John Muir Trail, California

John Muir Trail is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

Click PLAY or watch a 1-minute preview on YouTube.

John Muir Trail

If there’s a hiker’s paradise on earth, it’s the JMT in the Sierra Nevadas.

213 miles without a road. Fantastic weather. 11 high passes. Unbelievable nonstop vistas. And Mt Whitney.

AT A GLANCE

Yosemite map
  • Yosemite, Ansel Adams and John Muir wilderness, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks
  • start in stunning Yosemite, Muir’s “Range of Light”
  • 223mi (360km) to Whitney Portal adding sidetrips to Half Dome, Vermillion Resort and Mt. Whitney 14,505ft (4,421m)
  • 15-21 days recommended
  • carry your own food and tent
  • JMT about 10% the length of the Pacific Crest Trail

Read more on our John Muir Trail information page.

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TOP 10 Hiking Towns ➙ El Chaltén & El Calafate, Argentina

All hikers plan, one day, to travel to southern Patagonia.

Towers of Paine photos entice.

And anyone who hikes Paine, should also hike Fitz Roy, Argentina.

Hikers have a choice to base themselves out of Puerto Natales, Chile or El Calafate, Argentina. Though you may find yourself stopping in both, El Calafate is the better choice.

El Calafate is a small town in Patagonia, Argentina. …

… an important tourist destination as the hub to visit different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park, including the Perito Moreno Glacier (one of the most visited in the world) and the Cerro Chaltén and Cerro Torre.

… In the last census 6,143 permanent residents were counted

You could argue that El Chaltén, Argentina’s “national trekking capital“, about 220km from El Calafate, is an even better base town.

On the other hand, there are large grocery stores like Diarco in El Calafate. The shops in Chaltén in 2019 were still very limited. We couldn’t get instant mashed potatoes in Chaltén, for example. Pick up your provisions in Calafate.

And Calafate is about half way between Paine and Fitz Roy.

More interesting photos tagged El Calafate, Argentina.

More information on Wikitravel – El Calafate.

Our favourite hike hikes out of El Calafate:

• Paine Circuit (Torres del Paine), Chile

• Huemul Route, Fitz Roy, Argentina

• Around Monte Fitz Roy (Los Glaciares), Argentina

These are the most famous, but there are many more “best hikes” in the Patagonian Andes. Ground transportation is the biggest challenge in this part of the world.

Best months are December to March.

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TOP 10 day hikes ➙ Besseggen Ridge, Norway

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

Why?

A stunning and unique walk in Norway’s most popular National Park – Jotunheimen.

  • Jotunheimen National Park has most of the highest mountains in Norway
  • Besseggen … or Besseggi … in Jotunheimen, is a thrilling ridge walk with alpine lakes on either side:  Gjende and Bessvatnet.
  • recommended from the end of June to mid-September
  • 13.3km (8.25mi) plus one-way ferry
  • 6-9 hours
  • 950m elevation gain
  • highest point, Veslfjellet (1743m)
  • dogs on leash allowed
  • trail runners enjoy it

World → Europe →  Norway → Besseggen Ridge

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

For details click over to our Besseggen Ridge information page.

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TOP 10 hikes ➙ Tongariro Circuit, New Zealand

Tongariro Northern Circuit is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

Click PLAY or watch a 1 minute introduction on YouTube.

Tongariro Circuit

Our favourite multi-day tramp in our favourite hiking region of the world — glorious New Zealand.

AND our top volcano hike worldwide.

by Jeff Pang

AT A GLANCE

  • one of our top 10 hikes in the world
  • non-stop superb hiking
  • mostly volcanic & desert environs
  • 34+km (19+mi) depending on route
  • 3-days, 2-nights minimum
  • option to climb a volcano, or two
  • medium difficulty hiking, with challenging sections
  • wonderful variety of scenery
  • Dec – Mar best months
  • maximum elevation Red Crater 1886m (6188ft)
  • very crowded on the Tongariro Crossing section

Read more on our Tongariro Northern Circuit information page.

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Great Hikes in Switzerland

– Hörnli Hut: A challenging ascent to the base of the iconic Matterhorn, where I soaked in the majestic views.

– Limmernsee: A hidden gem with stunning turquoise waters surrounded by towering cliffs.

– Lauterbrunnen Valley: A picturesque valley with cascading waterfalls and charming alpine villages.

– Oeschinensee: A serene mountain lake with crystal-clear waters, perfect for a peaceful hike.

– Schynige Platte: A classic Swiss trail offering sweeping views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau and a botanical alpine garden featuring the edelweiss flower. (It’s close to the fantastic Harder Ridge / Hardergrat)

– Schäfler Hut: Perched high above the clouds, offering panoramic views of the Swiss Alps.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Here are 5 more.

  1. Hardergrat
  2. Via Alpina
  3. Tour du Mont Blanc
  4. Santis Peak / Schafler Ridge
  5. Glecksteinhutte

    Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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    TOP 10 Hiking Towns ➙ Grindelwald, Switzerland

    I stayed in Grindelwald again in 2023. What a terrific hiking town.

    Most hikers arrive by train from Interlaken. They share that journey with hundreds of thousands of camera clutching tourists all en route to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe.

    Grindelwald is a municipality in the district of Interlaken in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. The village is located at 1,034 metres (3,390 ft) above sea level in the Bernese Alps. …

    Long famed as a winter tourist destination with slopes for beginners, intermediates and the challenges of the Eiger glacier for the experienced, there are activities for the non-skiers, from tobogganing to groomed winter hiking tracks. It is the usual starting point for ascents of the Eiger and the Wetterhorn. Nowadays Grindelwald is also a popular summer activity resort with many miles of hiking trails across the Alps. …

    Grindelwald has a population (as of 2007) of 3,809 …

    Many experienced hikers would pooh pooh Grindelwald as too touristy, basing themselves instead out of Lauterbrunnen, Mürren or even (our pick) tiny Gimmelwald, accessible only on foot or by aerial tramway.

    There are no bad hikes out of Grindelwald. It is fantastic in every direction.

    vista from the Grindewald hostel

    But the Tour of the Jungfrau Region, a 2wk ultimate adventure, is our best recommendation.

    See more “best hikes” in the Alps.

    The best day hike is the Eiger Trail.

    Click PLAY or get a glimpse of my June hike on YouTube.

    Most hike June to mid-October but, surprisingly, there are trails open year round close to Grindelwald.

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    TOP 10 day hikes ➙  Zion Narrows, Utah USA

    One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

    Why?

    Best slot canyon hike in the world.

    • in Utah’s Zion National Park
    • 16 miles (25 km) from Chamberlain’s Ranch to Temple of Sinawava in the Park
    • June through October best months
    • usually closed from mid-March to mid-May due to spring snowmelt and runoff
    • in places chasm up to 1,968 ft deep and 20 ft wide
    • about a 1500 ft descent
    • walk in water up to half the time
    • 9 – 13 hours. Confirm the time of the last shuttle out of the park!
    • a long, tiring day or you can camp overnight. Be aware that there are only 12 campsites available and they book quickly. Start as early as possible if you are doing it in a day.
    • Permit is required

    World → North America → S.W. USA  → Utah → Zion Narrows

    Water walking shoes recommended.

    For details click over to our Zion Narrows information page.

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    TOP 10 hikes ➙ Ausangate Circuit, Peru

    Ausangate Circuit is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

    Click PLAY or watch a 1 minute introduction on YouTube.

    Ausangate Circuit

    Our favourite hike in the high Andes. Doing it independently only recommended for confident, self-sufficient hikers experienced at high altitude. It’s remote.

    alpacas

    AT A GLANCE

    Peru
    Peru
    • circle sacred Ausangate massif (6372m, 20,905ft), the highest peak in southern Peru
    • 4 high passes between 4757m – 5165m
    • 70km (43.5mi) plus sidetrips
    • almost everyone does Ausangate with a guide, but it’s quite doable independently if you are acclimated 
    • many options to extend this trek
    • best months are the May-September dry season
    • Tinqui is 5-8 hours now only about 3.5hrs by bus on a new road, about 100km S.E. of Cusco
    • sidetrip to the “rainbow mountains” of Vinicunca

    Read more on our Ausangate Circuit information page.

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    TOP 10 Hiking Towns ➙ Banff, Canada

    A UNESCO World Heritage site, one of the great tourist destinations of the world, most everyone likes the quaint mountain town, Banff, in the Canadian Rockies. Growth is strictly limited by National Park regulations.

    Banff … in Alberta’s Rockies, Canada.

    … at 1,463 m (4,800 ft), it is the town with the second highest elevation in Canada, the highest being Lake Louise.

    It is surrounded by mountains, notably Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain, Mount Norquay, and Cascade Mountain; and situated above Bow Falls near the junction of the Bow and Spray Rivers. Banff is located 126 km (78 mi) west of Calgary and 58 km (36 mi) east of Lake Louise …

    …. It is a major destination for outdoor sports and features extensive hiking, biking, scrambling and skiing areas within the region. …

    More interesting photos tagged Banff.

    Canmore is a smaller town (pop. 12,000) just outside the park, a great alternative to touristy Banff. Alpine Club of Canada headquarters are located in Canmore. Many experienced hikers prefer it as a home base.

    Two of our top 10 hikes in the world can be reached from here:

    #5) Sunshine to Assiniboine, Alberta, Canada
    #6) Glacier North Circle, Montana, USA

    Mt. Assiniboine

    More interesting photos tagged Assiniboine.

    Many Glacier Hotel

    More interesting photos tagged Glacier National Park.

    Of course there are dozens of “best hikes” in the Rockies.

    Lake O’Hara, for example, is the prettiest mountain hiking in the Rockies.

    Plan for July to mid-September in the northern Rockies. Banff is a great town, but the hiking season is short. Blizzards are not uncommon in September. We often suggest Aug. 1st as a good start date for a walking holiday here.

    Disclosure: besthike is based out of Calgary. Banff is our backyard playground. You could certainly accuse us of bias.

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    Our #1 Day Hike ➙ Harder Ridge, Switzerland

    One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

    photo – AlpsInsight

    Why?

    24km total … about 18km on a sharp ridge! Wow!

    • Yes, this is our pick for the very best day hike on Earth
    • Brienz to Interlaken Brienz Rothorn Railway up to the start
    • take the funicular from Harderkulm (Harder Kulm)  down to Harderkulm Station in Interlaken
    • logistics are much more difficult in the opposite direction. We highly recommend hikers start in Brienz
    • 10+ hours. Physically and psychologically challenging.
    • no water available. Carry all you need.
    • not an official trail, but it’s easy to follow in good visibility
    • about 1500m above the lake
    • permits not required
    • it’s popular with trail runners who do about 35km entirely on foot. They start at either end.
    • also known as Hardergrat (… grat is ridge in German)

    World → Europe → Alps → Switzerland → Harder Ridge

    Click PLAY or watch Jackson Groves on YouTube.

    For details click over to our Harder Ridge information page.

    related – The GoPro: ’22 Creator Summit was held in Interlaken. Some of this footage is shot on the ridge.

    Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.