Top 10 Hiking Destinations ➙ Dolomites, Italy

High altitude adventure and colourful sunsets.

Wow!

At BestHike we rank all mountain vistas in the world against Paine in Chile, and Fitz Roy in Argentina.

The scenery in the Dolomites may be just as good. And there are far, far more stunning jagged peaks in Italy than in all of South America.

Many, many Europeans get out hiking during the Summer. Trails are crowded everywhere throughout the Dolomites and the Alps. There’s a great shared sense of community here.

Instant gratification. You can ride chair lifts up to the very tops of some of these peaks. How convenient is that? Almost anyone can find a best hike for themselves in this range.

WW I history in the Dolomites is sobering. German, Austrian and Italian soldiers were stuck digging tunnels through these mountains through several winters. This was the “Front”. Needless to say, far more young men died from the elements and falls than by fire fights. There are reminders of the Great War everywhere.

Here is the home of via ferrata (Italian for “iron road”). (In fact, our next trip to the Dolomites will be dedicated to doing some of the best of those assisted climbing routes.)

Not everything is perfect in the Dolomites. We prefer the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, overall.

In the Sierras I can put up a tent anywhere I want. Fantastic.

Unfortunately, in the Dolomites you are required to sleep in alpine buildings called Refuges. (Refugios – Italian). Their locations are stunning. Many people love them. But – personally – I prefer my tent over sleeping on the floor. Or in bunk beds.

Happily you can reach almost any place in the Dolomites by day hike. Public transportation in the valleys below is good!

The two regions – the Sierras and the Dolomites – are similar in that everywhere is a best hike.

I do like the food and drink at Refugios. Prices are regulated.

The main reason I had not hiked in Europe in 30yrs is cost. Italy can be expensive.

It’s possible to hike on the cheap. Putting up my tent in a campground in Cortina only cost ~~9€ (US$12.80) / night in 2009~~. Ryan tells us it’s up to 44€ / night summer 2023!

Bread, chocolate, soft cheese and wine are inexpensive. What more do you need?

Dan & Janine Patitucci relocated from California to the Dolomites. A good site in English for inspiration. A partner offers Dolomite hiking and biking tours.

For specific information on how to hike these limestone mountains, check our Dolomites Information page.

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

September 5, 2025August 24, 2025

15 Great Hikes in Europe

As chosen by Alice Ford:

Alta Via 1, Dolomites
West Highland Way, Scotland
Mare a Mare Nord, Corsica
Kungsleden, Sweden
Laugavegur Trail, Iceland
Triglav Traverse, Slovenia
Ridge Path (Creasta Principală), Romania
Eagle Walk, Austria
Ruta Del Cares, Spain
Soomaa National Park, Estonia
Via Dinarica, Bosnia
Trolltunga, Norway
Rota Vincentina, Portugal
Samaria Gorge and White Mountains, Crete
Haute Route, Alps

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

September 3, 2025June 8, 2025

BestHike – 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, 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.

September 1, 2025August 20, 2025

Fastpacking Ireland’s Wicklow Way

Jeff Pelletier:

The Wicklow Way is the oldest and most long-distance trail in Ireland.

Stretching 130 km through the Wicklow Mountains, it winds through forests, open moorland, glacial valleys, and through its largest national park.

Our journey would take us through some of the most remote and scenic parts of the trail over 3 days, passing old villages, farms, and ancient ruins—offering a unique glimpse into Ireland’s rural past.

related – WicklowWay.com

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

August 31, 2025

Campuhan Ridge Trail, Ubud, Bali

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

The Bukit Campuhan Ridge Trail is super popular with Ubud tourists as you can walk there from almost any accommodation in the city.

I went early and saw very few, other than morning trail runners.

You can continue to the end — but I turned back after about 2km when the paved-block track ended — at buildings and roadway.

The trail starts at the evocative Gunung Lebah Temple as you’ll see in the video.

The word “Campuhan” itself means “where two rivers meet”. You’ll be on a ridge between those rivers. Vistas are mostly overgrown so you don’t actually get to see much water. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

August 29, 2025August 20, 2025

Lofoten Long Crossing, Norway

Inspired by Cam Honan, I started and soon quit the Long Crossing of the beautiful Lofoten Islands.

For me, the route finding through marshy terrain was slow and difficult. Worst was a risky descent clutching a water pipe and safety ropes.

BUT — Floor Denil survived hiking solo. And she had terrible (typical) wind and rain.

She didn’t much complain about the dangerous descent on the water pipe.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – The Hiking Life – The Long Crossing of Norway’s Lofoten Islands

August 27, 2025August 20, 2025

South America’s BEST Trek?

We’d argue for the Ausangate Circuit in Peru — BUT it has gotten a lot more popular in recent years.

Many would name the Paine treks in Chile.

The newest of the best hikes in South America is the Huemul Route out of ut of El Chaltén, Argentina.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Especially if you want something even more adventurous.

Check out Huemul information page.

August 25, 2025

Indonesia – Bromo Volcano at Dawn

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

I’ve long wanted to get to this famous vista. It didn’t disappoint.

Mount Bromo 2,329 meters (7,641 ft) is an active somma volcano and Hindu pilgrimage site in East Java, Indonesia.

The name Bromo comes from the Javanese pronunciation of Brahma, the Hindu god of creation.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Getting there is a wild ride. Almost everyone signs up for a jeep tour. Only these small Toyota Landcruiser Jeeps are allowed up the mountain.

I departed my hostel in Malang City at 12:45am. It was a scary Mad Max ride over dirt tracks before reaching the viewpoint at 3:15am.

They get you there so early in case of road problems. And jeep breakdowns. It happens.

They also hope you’ll rent warm jackets and blankets. Or buy some souvenirs.

It’s well worth being there at very first light through dawn, in any case. The volcano vista keeps changing. Every photo a possible postcard.

Here are just a few of the dozens I shot.

It’s crowded! Everyone scrambling for the best position.

The adventurous bushwhack down the hillside looking for more unique framing.

I’ll never forget Bromo.

From here the jeep takes you down to the smouldering caldera for a crowded, dusty climb up stairs. I was disappointed with this and the sea of sand beneath. There are many better volcanoes to climb in Indonesia.

DETAILS

Of a number of 1, 2, or 3 day options, I ended up doing the most popular ➙ Bromo Sunrise Tour. Very inexpensive at CAD $50 which includes entry fees.

Itinerary:

00:30: Prepare for pick-up from Malang hostel by 4×4 Jeep
01:00: Journey to Penanjakan (sunrise viewpoint by jeep).
03:30: Arrive at the viewpoint and wait for sunrise
05:00: Witness the magical sunrise from Penanjakan.
06:30: Drive down to the Bromo crater area.
07:00: Free time exploring the Bromo Crater.
08:30: Visit the Sand Sea area and the Savanna.
09:00: Begin the journey back to Malang.
11:30: Approximate arrival back at the hostel.

August 25, 2025August 20, 2025

TOP 10 Hiking Towns ➙ Namche Bazaar, Nepal

BAD NEWS. As of April 1, 2023 the Nepal government required that major treks can no longer be done independently. Hiring a guide is mandatory. The obvious alternative for independent hikers is the Indian Himalaya.

UPDATE April 2024. The Everest region refused to enforce mandatory guides. Hikers are doing Base Camp independently.

Every hiker dreams of trekking in the footsteps of Hillary and Norgay. Climbing to Mt. Everest Base Camp Qomolangma (Tibetan), Sagarmāthā (Nepali) should be on your bucket list.

Here is the finest alpine scenery in the world, we reckon.

Namche Bazaar … at 3,440 metres (11,286 ft) … is the main trading center for the Khumbu region with many Nepalese officials, a police check post and a bank. …

Namche has a permanent population of around 800.

Almost everyone trekking in the Khumbu region will visit Namche Bazaar, as it is the gateway to the high Himalaya.

More interesting photos tagged Namche Bazaar.

Want more information? Check WikiTravel – Namche.

Our favourite hike hikes out of Namche are:

• Everest Base Camp / 3 Passes
• Everest Base Camp / Kala Pattar
• Everest Gokyo

Many consider the mountain people and Tibetan culture an even bigger highlight than the peaks.

Best months are from October to early-December, cold but normally with clear views of the world’s highest mountains.

Spring is also a good time to visit the Everest region, though the skies may be hazy. Some argue that pastures are greener in the Spring.

Check the trip report posted by besthike editor Rick McCharles, Nov. 2009 – Everest Base Camp / 2 Passes

Or start on our Nepal information page.

August 20, 2025

Northover Ridge Loop Trail, Canadian Rockies

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

This is the cool Canadian Rockies hike these days. BUT it’s more of a route than a trail.

As evidence, I bumped into two of the top hiking YouTubers below the ridge — Eric Hanson and Justin Outdoors. We were heading opposite directions. Surprised and excited, I got a bit tongue twisted while chatting with them.

Slightly dangerous, Northover is not promoted by the Parks people.

I followed the route on AllTrails offline. No navigation problems.

My first tip is to WAIT for good weather. You don’t want to be on this narrow ridge in high wind and poor visibility.

Northover Ridge Loop Trail is 34km, 2290m in elevation gain. Most people do it in 2 or 3 days.

Foolishly, I did it in a day and a half. 😀

On the drive up to the trailhead in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, I had a good look at momma bear and 2 young ones. I saw another juvenile bear on the drive out. None on the trail.

I booked at Aster Lake Campground before driving up. By doing this I’d decided to hike it clockwise looking down at the map. But you can do the loop in either direction.

Peter Lougheed Provincial Park NOW requires a Conservation Pass if you have a vehicle. In 2025: