23 of the world’s best hiking trails

On Jul 25, 2022

Editor’s Note — Monthly Ticket is a CNN Travel series that spotlights some of the most fascinating topics in the travel world. In July, we’re hitting the trails to explore the world’s greatest hikes.

(CNN) — From a multi-day trek tracing the routes of a Japanese poet, to a classic clamber in the Argentinian Lake District, there are thousands of incredible trails that allow us to get up close to nature.

Walking boots and waterproof coats at the ready — here are 23 of the best hiking trails in the world.

1. Pennine Way, United Kingdom

Stretching 268 miles from the Derbyshire Peak District to the Scottish Borders, the Pennine Way is the United Kingdom’s most famous long distance path.

The entire walk takes around three weeks, passing over wild moorland east of Manchester and through the picture postcard Yorkshire Dales, before crossing the ancient border of Hadrian’s Wall and on toward Scotland.

One for outdoor fanatics, camping enthusiasts and anyone who can handle the vagaries of great British weather.

2. Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

The Camino de Santiago route was highly traveled during the Middle Ages.

Inn Travel

Rather than following a single path, the Camino, also known as the Way of St. James, is actually a series of different pilgrimage routes, all ending at the shrine of the apostle St. James in the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela.

The most popular modern route follows a line across northern Spain from the French Pyrenees.

While some choose to stay at monasteries along the way, plenty of operators offer hotel stays and luggage transfers.

Pura Aventura has a 12-day trip that passes through Galicia, staying in boutique inns, with bags sent ahead each day.

3. Appalachian Trail, United States

The Appalachian Trail stretches from Georgia to Maine.

Patrick Gorski/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Extending for 2,200 miles, the Appalachian Trail is billed as the longest hiking-only footpath in the world.

It runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, passing through some of the most remote country in the United States.

That means it’s an undertaking, either for those with endless vacation allowance, or walkers looking to do a small chunk of a classic route.

Well-marked paths and campsites mean it can be tackled alone. But those keen on comfort can use companies like Go Shenandoah, which offers pre-booked lodge accommodation and packed lunches in the spectacular Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, home to some of the best scenery on the trail.

4. The Basho Wayfarer, Japan

This trail follows the route taken by haiku poet Matsuo Basho 1689.

Shutterstock

Japan boasts numerous ancient trails, connecting temples and cities. This self-guided trip follows a route taken by the poet Matsuo Basho over 300 years ago.

The six-day trek starts in Sendai and works its way through the northern Tohoku region, passing through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hiraizumi and along the ancient Dewa Kaido path, with its beech and cherry forests, before heading into the mountains of Natagiri-toge and finishing at the temple of Yamadera.

Tour operator Walk Japan offers accommodation in traditional ryokan, with access to onsen baths to soothe aching bones after a long day’s hiking.

5. Refugio Frey and Cerro Catedral, Argentina

The one-day Refugio Frey hike is one of the most scenic in Bariloche.

Joe Minihane

The area around Bariloche in Argentina’s Lake District is home to several stunning walks.

But for those with limited time, it’s hard to beat the one-day trek to Refugio Frey and Cerro Catedral.

A bus to Villa Catedral drops at the start of a wide, well-marked path, which winds its way into the Andes, passing through woods before emerging above the tree line into a world of spectacular, soaring peaks. Intrepid visitors can stay at Refugio Frey, either in the hut or camping in its grounds.

6. Mount Toubkal, Morocco

best hiking trails - Jebel Toubkal range

A hike to North Africa’s highest peak is a challenging, but rewarding task.

Geography Photos/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

North Africa’s highest peak at 4,167 meters (13,671 feet), a hike to the top of Mount Toubkal isn’t for the faint-hearted.

The path upwards rises from the village of Imlil, passing over a dry river bed before rising sharply through the shrine at Sidi Chamharouch and on towards a large mountain hut.

After overnighting here, hikers strap on crampons and set off up the snowfield to the summit, where the Atlas Mountains open out and the views are relentless.

A local guide and muleteers for carrying luggage are a must, with tour operator Much Better Adventures able to arrange both, along with transfers to and from Marrakech.

7. Great Wall of China, Jinshanling section

Walking the Great Wall at the tourist hotspot of Badaling can be a stressful experience, with crowds and hawkers making it almost unbearable.

Jinshanling, situated 87 miles northeast of Beijing, offers the perfect chance to explore a steep, winding and relatively unscathed section of this true Chinese icon….