Humans eagerly go to great lengths for an adventure. While you travel vast distances across the world on a private jet, there’s no better way to see it than up close. When you hike, you wander with a purpose. While it isn’t possible to squeeze all the world’s beautiful treks into a single post, here are some ideas to explore for your bucket list.
Tour du Mont Blanc | France, Italy and Switzerland
Circling Europe’s rooftop of on the Tour du Mont Blanc trail is a special hiking experience as it takes you to three different countries and descends into seven valleys, including the Fenêtre d’Arpette in Switzerland and the Col des Fours in France. As you make your way across the 100 miles of Mont Blanc and Alps massifs, you’ll see a dramatic display of glaciers and peaks. The trail constantly changes. One moment, you’ll find yourself in a flower-filled meadow. The next, you’ll traverse exposed rock. The tour takes seven to ten days to complete. The best time to go is during the summer months so you don’t have to worry about snow blocking the way.
Overland Track | Tasmania, Australia
Explore some of the wildest, most beautiful terrain on the planet at the popular yet challenging Overland Track in Tasmania. The 40-mile trail is part of the protected Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, which covers about 20 percent of the island state. During your trek, you’ll encounter untouched terrain and diverse landscapes, including eucalyptus groves, highland mountains, alpine lakes, and rainforests. You’ll also have numerous opportunities to spot native wildlife, such as platypus, wombats and Tasmanian devils.
The Overland Track takes about six days to complete. Some hikers take longer as there is an abundant number of side trips you can take, like scaling Mount Ossa or venturing around Lake St. Clair on foot instead of riding a ferry. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife recommends booking your hike from October 1 to May 31, the area’s spring and summer seasons.
Long Range Traverse | Newfoundland, Canada
The Long Range Traverse in Newfoundland’s Long Range Mountains is a rugged backcountry trail that starts at Western Brook Pond. The 25-mile hike takes you along the Great Northern Peninsula and over cliffs that tower above the water. For an unforgettable trip, follow the crest from the fjord of Western Brook Pond to Gros Morne Mountain. When preparing for this hike, don’t forget a map and compass—there are no trails to guide you. Instead, you’ll encounter raw, rugged wilderness. Every bend you come across reveals a breathtaking site, from towering granite cliffs and coastal fjords to paths carved by animals to hidden lakes. The best time of the year to hike the Long Range Traverse is when the days are long: mid-June through September.
Torres del Paine | Ultima Esperanza, Magallanes, Chile
Soaring 2,000 meters above the Patagonian plains, Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine) dominate the landscape of one of the continent’s finest national parks. Located in the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic region, the circuit’s 52 miles impress with gorgeous valleys, snow-capped mountains, and icy glaciers—some of the best views you’ll ever see. Here, exotic animals dot hillsides, ice-blue glaciers saw into the land, and mountains flaunt seemingly impossible shapes. The loop takes about 10 days to complete. The best time of year to hike Torres del Paine is between December and March when the summer sun sets as late as 10:00 p.m.