The world’s best hikes

With so much challenging terrain, magnificent vistas, and unique cultural opportunities on the planet, shining a spotlight on the world’s best hikes is a difficult task. After all, there are various styles of hiking fitting different skill levels: some people enjoy long treks, while others like to get in and out in a single day. Some folks enjoy challenging, technical climbs, while others simply like to stroll through nature and appreciate her beauty. What follows is a list of ten of the top hikes in the world, offering a blend of styles that has something for everyone.

Mt Whitney, California

A fortress of peaks stands to the west of the small California town of Lone Pine. Driving north from Los Angeles, the Sierra Nevada range slowly begins to rise from the Mojave Desert and tops out at 14,505 feet on Mt. Whitney‘s summit. As the highest peak in the lower 48, Mt Whitney gets quite a bit of traffic.

This overnight — or very long day hike — requires a permit. Permits are obtained through the forest service and are dolled out by lottery. If you are one of the lucky few to be granted access, you’ll enjoy some of the best high desert views in the states… and perhaps the world.


Salkantay Trek, Peru
The ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu have been stirring spirituality and emotion in visitors since Hiram Bingham rediscovered them in 1911. Most hikers take the standard Inca Trail to reach this stone fortress in the clouds. However, alternate routes are also an option and the Salkantay Trek tops the list.This version of the Inca Trail takes hikers over a 15,000 foot pass and through rural valleys where farming practices are conducted much the same way they were during the time of the Inca empire. The hike ends in the hamlet oft Aguas Calientes known for it’s hot springs. The final day is spent touring Machu Picchu.

Bonus: Huayna Pichhu is the peak seen in the typical tourist photo of Machu Picchu. It can be climbed within a few hours from the main archaeological site.

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Timberline Trail, Oregon
When three old college buddies wanted to meet up in Portland and hike the 41 miles circumnavigating Mount Hood, I did not hesitate. Starting out at the Timberline Lodge (the exterior was used in the classic film The Shining), the hike meanders through cool dark forests, across rushing rivers fed by snow melt, and over frozen snow patches.

Several other trails connect to get hikers onto the Timberline Trail. This makes section-hiking from Portland a perfect option for those who don’t want to overnight on the mountains slopes.

Everest Base Camp, Nepal
The expense for the flight and a guided trek in the Everest region may send many hikers into cardiac arrest. But world-class views of massive glaciers, yaks carrying equipment to Everest Base Camp, and quaint villages perched in an ancient landscape quickly make the money factor fade.

The dynamite photo opportunities are enough to keep a trekker’s mind spinning, but many return raving even more about their cultural experiences in this fascinating corner of the world.


Appalachian Trail, North Carolina
The Appalachian Trail is well-worn and easy to follow no matter where you hop on. But on the North Carolina section, good trail conditions aren’t the only thing hikers are treated to.

Beautiful grassy balds and rocking exposed summits provide spectacular views of the Smokies. Easy access from the East coast makes this area a prime day hike or overnight opportunity for many weekend warriors.

Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
A few years back, I set out to tackle the Umbwe Route up the western slopes of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. With proper conditioning, this is one of the seven summits that can be notched into the belt of most hikers — if altitude doesn’t wreak havoc on you first.

Trekking through five distinct climate zones is something truly special, as hikers watch their surroundings change each day from lush jungle all the way to glaciated summit.

Zion Narrows, Utah
Slot canyons are narrow gorges carved into the earth by thousands of years of erosion. They are also an awe inspiring place to walk and connect with one’s inner self. Utah’s Zion Narrows has over 16 miles of these slot canyons. The narrows is a perfect place to escape from the bustle of daily life, take in the breathtaking power of nature, and melt into a world of smooth sandstone and intriguing shadow.

Pro tip: Going when dry weather is in the forecast is a must. Many areas are inescapable if a flash flood were to show up.

Haute Route, France/Switzerland
Spending two weeks backpacking Europe after college, the High Alps was by far my favorite stop. The Alps are known for their snow-covered peaks and bright green pastured valleys. This part of Europe evokes visions of fine cheese and expensive watches for the average visitor.

But to hikers, the Haute Route is a life goal. This alpine hike can be done with a light pack by utilizing the hut system dotting the trail. Fine food and fantastic views combine to easily put this trail near the top of any list.

John Muir Trail, California
The John Muir Trail comprises a 223 mile section of the much longer Pacific Crest Trail. Scrambling over Half Dome in Yosemite and ending on the Mt Whitney trail (see above), an ambitious trekker with several weeks off work can bag two of these top 10 hikes in one session.

Camping alongside crystal clear alpine lakes while staring up at the Milky Way makes for the quintessential night in the mountains.

Cinque Terre, Italy
Hiking through vineyards and along sheer granite cliffs the Cinque Terre or “Five Lands” is a foodie’s dream.

Connected by a trail system along the northwest coast of Italy, these five quaint fishing villages allow hikers to walk the trails during the day and indulge with exquisite seafood and fabulous wine after dark. A train from Milan passes each hamlet and can drop visitors off to allow for a one-way hike.

Whether staying state-side or venturing out into the international hiking world, these destinations are a sure-fire way to rejuvenate any work-worn desk jockey, or get them pondering how to make hiking a career path.

Need more inspiration to get outside? Keep reading!

Peru’s Inca Trail closed thru March

A few days back we posted the news that the train to Machu Picchu would be resuming operations sooner than expected after recently being shutdown due to heavy rains and flooding in the area. In that story, we mentioned that the Inca Trail, a popular alternative method for visiting the ancient Inca city, was also closed for February so that it could under go its annual maintenance and repairs. Now comes word that the trail will not re-open in March as expected, but will remain closed for that month as well.

According to Detour Destinations, the Instituto Nacional de Cultura, the governing body that oversees the Inca Trail, has announced that no treks will be allowed on the trail through the end of March. Furthermore, the INC is already issuing refunds to those that had purchased permits to hike the trail, and is encouraging visitors to seek alternative options for their Peruvian adventures.

With Machu Picchu remaining largely inaccessible at the moment, and the trail closed off as well, the Peruvian economy, which relies on tourism as a major source of income, has taken a bit of a hit. But, an alternate route to the mountaintop fortress is expected to open next week, with regular train service resuming in early March. By April, everything should be back to normal, although travelers expecting to get the full Peru experience will be out of luck for the next few weeks.

If you were planning on hiking the Inca Trail in March and now suddenly find yourself looking for alternative options, you may want to check out this story that we posted last year. It offers three other great options for trekking in Peru, each with their own unique options.

Train to Machu Picchu set to reopen ahead of schedule

According to Peru’s transportation minister, the famous train to Machu Picchu will go back into service ahead of schedule, although it will still be three weeks before service is restored to the popular tourist attraction. Early estimates had the railway out of commission for as much as eight weeks after heavy rainstorms caused massive flooding and treacherous mudslides at the end of January. Those same heavy rains caused more than 1300 travelers to be stranded in the ancient Inca fortress for several days as well.

Machu Picchu is Peru’s top tourist attraction, and as such, it is vitally important that they restore access to it, and soon. There are reports that an alternate access route will be established by the middle of the month, but it will involve a five hour drive by car just to reach a different train that can deliver the travelers to Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to the fortress. There are also a few companies using helicopters to deliver visitors to the site, but that is an expensive option that has limited availability at the moment.

Fortunately, the Inca ruins were not damaged by the storms, and the monument remains open to those that can make it to the site. Likewise, the Inca Trail, a popular trekking route to Machu Picchu, suffered little damage as well, but it closes annually in February for crews to clean and repair the route. That work is going on as scheduled and the trail should reopen as planned at the beginning of March.

If you’re planning a trip to Peru in the near future and had hoped to visit the ancient city, be sure to check with your tour operator or guide service as to the current conditions and options. It seems that things are very much in flux at the moment, but access is available for those who really want to go.

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Hundreds of tourists stranded at Machu Picchu after flooding

Severe flooding in Peru has caused several landslides that have left hundreds (reports range from 1500 to 2500) of people stranded at Machu Picchu. Many of the landslides happened on Saturday, killing one tourist and his guide, and leaving others stuck in spots along the Inca Trail that leads to the site. The 40-mile railway that connects the ancient site to Cuzco was also blocked by the landslides, leaving tourists stranded and the city’s only hotel overwhelmed as it tries to care for everyone.

According to the UK’s Guardian, helicopters are the only option for getting supplies in and getting people out right now. Unfortunately, the going is slow and supplies at Machu Picchu are dwindling. And, says the AFP, some of those stranded are concerned that others are bribing officials in order to be rescued first. In the meantime, those who can’t find accommodation are camping out by the train station or in the city square.

Over 1300 homes have been destroyed because of the flooding and landslides, which have been called the worst in 15 years. A 60-day state of emergency has been declared.

Win 10 days in Peru from ekoVenture!

We’ve saved the best for last in grand giveaway week. Starting this Monday we’ve had the pleasure of hosting contests for Matador U tuition, Able Planet Noise Canceling Headphones, Wearable Helmet Cams, 2 LG Vu phones with Mobile TV, and a Super Swag Bag, but the grand finale will blow you away.

After chatting with our friends at ekoVenture, we decided to help them give away 10 days in Peru courtesy of Andean Lodgesnearly three thousand dollars’ worth of South American adventure. You’ll visit the Sacred Valley, wander the streets of Cusco, hike parts of the Inca trail, stay in multiple, exotic Andean Lodges, absorb the Peruvian culture and have the time of your life. All for free, and as our thanks for reading Gadling and ekoVenture.

All that you need to do is get yourself down to Peru to start your journey (sorry, airfare is not included in this deal). And with fierce competition to Lima and Central America from the US, that cost should be minimal.

Think you can swing it? All that you have to do to enter is stop by the ekoVenture entry page to sign up, then wait for the drawing next week to learn if you’re the winner.

Enter the contest here. Good luck!