Magazine
An Experience of a Lifetime: Top 10 Most Beautiful Treks in the World
A few days away from the daily grind, unspoiled nature, a rucksack on your back and breathtaking views all around you. If you long for an offline holiday where all you need is a good pair of boots, a smile on your face and the courage to prevail, read on. Because a holiday does not necessarily mean lounging about on a beach in an upmarket resort, drinking margaritas. The following 10 places will give you a welcome break to your routine, an opportunity to clear your head, throw away your troubles and experience something out of this world!
Table of Contents
1. Inca Trail
Where: Peru,
South America
Distance: 41
km
Time required: 4
days
Best time to
go: from May to September
One of the most popular treks in the world, the Inca Trail will take you on a 41 km long journey through the stunning scenery of Peru. You will explore the ruins of ancient civilizations, scramble through jungle-like vegetation, admire lush green hills and finish off at the unforgettable Machu Picchu!
2. Everest Base Camp Trek
Where: Nepal
Distance: 112
km
Time required: 16
days
Best time to go: from March to May, September to November
There used to be a time when Everest welcomed only the fittest. Today, there are queues to get to the peak. Luckily, our trek is about something else. You can opt to hike to the base camp at 5 380 metres. This is an absolutely fantastic trek that will stay with you for years to come, after all, it is not every day one comes face to face with the tallest mountain in the world. Although you will need over two weeks to achieve this, you won’t regret the time spent in the magnificent Himalayas.
3. Kilimanjaro
Where: Tanzania,
Africa
Distance: 56
km
Time required: 7+
days
Best time to go: January,
February, September
A very popular trek open for guided tours only. It is an excellent choice if you would like to combine an exotic holiday with a high peak climb. You will need quite a few days but the hike will be extremely rewarding. There are many ways to conquer Kilimanjaro, but the best thing is that it is the highest mountain you can climb without the need for special equipment!
4. Yosemite Grand Traverse
Where: California,
USA
Distance: 96
km
Time required: 6–7
days
Best time to go: mid-July to mid-September
This trek will give you the best Yosemite National Park can offer. You will walk past magnificent waterfalls, hike on granite rocks, trek through vast meadows and much more. Your camera will be bursting with amazing pictures of unspoiled nature and unforgettable experiences.
5. Tour du Mont Blanc
Where: France,
Italy, Switzerland
Distance: 170
km
Time required: 8–11
days
Best time to go: from
June to September
Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most impressive, and for Slovaks also most conveniently situated, long distance trails. The 170 km and almost 10 000 m of ascent and descent will certainly be no easy feat. But the views of the massive glaciers, sweeping valleys and Mont Blanc itself will force you to get up and carry on every morning.
6. Torres del Paine – W Trek
Where: Torres del Paine National
Park, Patagonia, Chile
Distance: 60–80 km
Time required: 4–6 days
Best time to go: busiest time
from October to April, we prefer July (their winter!)
This very popular trail resembling the letter W will take you through the striking scenery of the Torres del Paine National Park with its volcanic mountains, dazzling glaciers and crystal blue lakes. After all, Patagonia is considered one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places on the planet.
7. Snowman Trek
Where: Bhutan
Distance: 328
km
Time required: 25+
days
Best time to go: from
April to October
Many will tell you that this is the most challenging trail in the world and that a vast majority of hikers do not complete it. This is mainly due to the unpredictably fickle Himalayan weather, which is also one of the reasons this trek is intended for more experienced hikers. The trail lies at a very high altitude, leading you through an area between Tibet and Bhutan. Along the way, you will be able to visit magical Buddhist monasteries and see the windswept smiles of the locals in remote villages. If you don’t have a problem with hiking along steep hills six to eight hours a day and adjusting to changes in altitude, you will certainly love the Snowman Trek!
8. Annapurna Trek
Where: Nepal
Distance: 160–230
km
Time required: 15–25
days
Best time to go: from
October to November, mid-March to mid-April
Considered one of the best treks in the world, the Annapurna Circuit copies an ancient trade route across the Nepalese Himalayas. Hike over the 5 416 m Thorung La Pass, watch the sun come out above the Poon Hill peaks and contemplate life by the sparkling waters of Tilicho lake. The time needed to complete the trek depends on your abilities, 15 days minimum is recommended.
9. Laugavegurinn/Fimmvörðuháls Pass
Where: Iceland
Distance: 56
km
Time required: 5
days
Best time to go: from
June to September
Iceland – one of the most magnificent islands in the world, a place where globetrotters flock to see the most incredible natural spectacles the world can offer. Despite the weather being fairly bleak for most of the year, Iceland will always attract visitors eager to drink in its beauty. Geysers, volcanoes, glaciers, fire, lagoons – you will be able to see all this while walking through the volcanic landscape, roaming among lichen covered rocks and admiring the wonderful scenery all around you. The Rainbow Mountains are one of the most impressive places on the entire island.
10. Routeburn Track
Where: New
Zealand
Distance: 32
km
Time required: 1–5
days
Best time to go: from
June to September
This is a fantastic way to explore the nature of New Zealand, deep inside the country. There are massive mountains, pristine lakes and cascading waterfalls, simply the finest you can find. And as a bonus – a sky full of bright stars every single night.
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