From trails through the mountains of Malaysia to volcanoes in Iceland, these locations might be off the beaten path, but they’re worth the visit
By Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest
Sometimes the best way to see the world isn’t by plane or train but by strapping on some hiking boots and hitting the trail to experience the landscape up close. For those who like to explore on foot, Lonely Planet has assembled Epic Hikes of the World ($35), a guide to 200 can’t-miss treks on six continents. The book includes a variety of distances and difficulty levels, from day hikes in South Africa to a five-month-long journey across the Pacific Coast. Each section is anchored by firsthand accounts and includes alternatives for each type of hike, with options for history buffs, animal lovers, and urban explorers. While there are plenty of easy hikes, the book also offers trips for thrill seekers, including rope-and-cable trails, high-altitude treks, and heli-hiking. Ready to hit the trail? Then pack up your gorp and discover 10 of the most beautiful hikes around the world that will leave you challenged and inspired.
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New Zealand
The Routeburn Track in New Zealand is a 20-mile trek that goes through the Southern Alps and showcases some of the country’s most beautiful scenery. Hikers who take on the three-day journey will follow ancient Maori paths and encounter lush green landscapes, peaceful lakes, and grand waterfalls.
Wales
There are 14 peaks to traverse in Snowdonia, and while you could do all 33 miles in a (long) day, the area is best enjoyed over an extended weekend in the summer. Snowdon is Wales’s tallest mountain and was the training ground for Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay before they scaled Mt. Everest in 1953. The scenery includes striking rock formations, dwarf willows, and wild ponies.
Spain
[post_ads]Located near Malaga, Spain, the Caminito del Rey, or King’s Path, is for the adventurous hiker—it’s nicknamed the Walkway of Death for a reason. But rest assured that it is safe. The trail reopened in 2015 after a new bridge, walkway, and cables were installed. The 4.8-mile hike takes travelers through two gorges, canyons, and a valley.
Malaysia
Hiking Borneo’s highest and holiest mountain, Mount Kinabalu, is not for the faint of heart. The ten-mile round-trip journey ascends 7,874 feet, and some sections require hikers to pull themselves up on ropes bolted in place. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-visit for nature lovers and is home to 325 bird species, 800 types of orchid, and 600 varieties of fern.
China
Mt. Huángshān is located in the Chinese province of Ānhuī and has been a frequent subject of poetry and landscape painting. Those thinking of attempting the climb should spend some time on the Stairmaster: There are 60,000 steps carved into the granite along the 14-mile path.
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South Africa
While Cape Town is a major city, the South African port offers plenty of hiking opportunities. The city’s three peaks—Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak, and Lion’s Head—offer stunning views of the coast and skyline, and each ranges from three to just over five miles, making them perfect day hikes. Keep an eye out for adorable dassies, a fluffy mammal also known as a rock hyrax.
Chile
The W-shaped trail through Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most famous hiking routes in Patagonia. The 44-mile trek takes hikers through a variety of landscapes, including pampas, glaciers, lakes, and rocky peaks. The area’s unpredictable weather is known for keeping hikers on their toes.
California
[post_ads]The Pacific Crest Trail stretches from Mexico to Canada, taking hikers through California, Oregon, and Washington. The 2,650-mile-long journey has experienced a resurgence since its appearance in Cheryl Strayed’s Wild. The route passes through 25 national forests and seven national parks, including Lassen Volcanic National Park, seen here.
Iceland
Laugavegurinn is a 48-mile hike through the back country of Iceland. Along the route, hikers will encounter dramatic views, hot springs, the blue-and-red terrain of Emstur, and peaks created by the 2010 volcanic eruption. Twenty-two waterfalls mark the path back to the Ring Road, creating an epic finale to the journey.
Canada
The 27-mile-long Skyline Trail goes from Maligne Lake to Maligne Canyon in Alberta’s Jasper National Park. More than half of the trek is above the tree line, offering spectacular views of the Canadian Rockies. The trail’s highest point is known as the Notch, and is considered the most dangerous section of the hike.
