There is no shortage of hiking trails on this planet; you can hike anywhere as long as there’s land underneath your feet.

If you’re seeking some of the best views and scenic landscapes to take your breath away, we have several locations that veer from your typical trail. From the famous Camino de Santiago in Spain to the remote Dientes Circuit Trek in Chile, we’ve got something for everyone.

1. Kungsleden, Sweden

Also known as the King’s Trail, Kungsleden is the perfect hiking spot that will take around a month to complete. Don’t worry, though. You can choose your length and duration based on preference.

On average, hikers spend 10 to 12 days taking in the Arctic landscape, mountain passes, and lush terrain. In August or September, you can also catch the Aurora Borealis.

2. Waitukubuli National Trail, Dominica

For those who prefer a more rigorous tropical climb, the Waitukubuli National Trail in Dominica awaits.

You can anticipate a two-week hike exploring the countless waterfalls, tropical birds, orchids, ocean vistas, windswept cliffs, and lush rainforests. Intermingled are traditional Kalinago villages and the ruins of an 18th-century French settlement. There’s much to learn and explore on this intriguing hike.

3. Bibbulmun Track, Australia

In southwest Australia, the 600-mile Bibbulmun Track is divided into 58 sections. Hikers can take a break at one of its 49 shelters for sustenance and stay overnight to rest up for the next day.

The area is filled with all sorts of Australian animals, including the numbat and western quoll, along with various snakes and fauna. Leave the snakes strictly alone — most of them are deadly venomous. 

4. Dientes Circuit Trek, Chile

One of the world’s most remote treks and the southernmost trail in the world, the Dientes Circuit Trek offers all that Patagonian splendor with less than a thousand trekkers a year.

Also known as the Teeth of Navarino, the Dientes Circuit is the sibling of the ever-popular Torres del Paine trail, which we will discuss later. The staging point of this trek is Puerto Williams, home to only 2,000 residents with six flights in and out a week. 

5. GR 20, Corsica, France

The hardest Grand Randonnees (GR) trail in Europe, GR 20 offers steep mountains, breathtaking beaches, and great local wine in refuge shelters.

Certain parts of the hike are so steep that hikers would have to hang onto chains secured in rocks to move on. Hikers have even speculated that this trail might surpass the difficulty of the challenging Tour du Mont Blanc. 

6. Kalalau Trail, USA

If you’re looking for photogenic views of cliffs and narrow valleys that spill into the ocean, the Kalalau Trail is your best bet. This 11-mile trail showcases thundering waterfalls, tremendous sea cliffs, and lush tropical valleys filled with exotic birds.

Note that if you were to proceed hiking beyond 2 miles, you would need an overnight camping permit. The best part is that you can hike this trail all year round.

7. Camino de Santiago, Spain

Camino de Santiago is famous as a pilgrimage hike dedicated to the burial place of St James the martyr. There are many routes to Camino, but this one is a 4,600-foot hike up the Pyrenees Mountains, starting at St Jean Pied-du-Port, France.

Hikers venture through old towns, villages, farms, waterways, and three cities: Pamplona, Burgos, and Leon. As such, hiking requires around 30 to 35 days. 

8. Wales Coast Path, UK

The Wales Coast Path is a walking path that spans 870 miles and follows the country’s entire coastline. It is perfect for experiencing Wales.

Hikers will see hundreds of castles in varying conditions, pastureland with wild Welsh ponies, Neolithic burial sites, and all sorts of marine life by the sea. It is best to visit the area from May to September, and if you get tired, you can always get on a public bus to the nearest village.

9. Via Dinarica, Albania

The Via Dinarica offers three different hiking trails through the Dinaric Alps. This trail connects seven countries: Albania, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Serbia, and Kosovo.

This is more of a wild trail that is undeveloped for tourists, but that makes it exciting. Remote shepherds’ huts, mountain ridges, and rural greenery are all found along this trail.

 

10. Torres del Paine, Chile

We’ve reached the previously mentioned Torres del Paine. With an environment that looks like it came straight out of a postcard, it is no wonder that this hiking trail is a popular attraction.

The area offers enchanting forests, misty mountains, cold lakes, and miles of grassland. Hiking this trail takes around four days, which isn’t too bad.

11. Whale Trail, South Africa

Whale Trail got its name from a phenomenon that occurs every year between June and September when southern right whales beach, breed, and calf close to the shore. It is a spectacular experience as you witness a real-life whale nursery along the coast.

The trail goes on for 33 miles, and the area is a known protected biodiversity hotspot.

12. Copper Canyon, Mexico

If you’d like to escape the crowds of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Copper Canyon offers a great alternative hiking spot. The Copper Canyon in Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert consists of multiple canyons, a railway line, native villages, thermal springs, and six rivers.

Since you’re hiking through the canyons at varying altitudes, expect temperature fluctuations, so bring a jacket.

13. Mount Meru, Tanzania

Mount Kilimanjaro’s little sibling offers an experience more intoned with African wildlife. It is also less challenging and strenuous, at 14,980 feet.

The view at the summit overlooks several African national parks, so you’ll surely spot some wildlife and untouched nature. You can easily spot Kilimanjaro, too. Due to the area’s rampant wildlife, hikers must have an armed guard to get to their first campsite.

14. The Snowman Trek, Bhutan

Even though it only spans 200 miles, the Snowman Trek is one of the most challenging treks in the world. This is because it passes through eleven mountain passes over 16,000 feet.

Altitude sickness is a concern as the fluctuations in altitude are not for the weak, making most hikers unable to complete the trek. Also, Bhutan has strict tourist regulations, making it hard to join the hike in the first place.