Hiking isn't everyone's cup of tea vacation-wise but some of the World's greatest trails take you to places you'd only ever see in photographs. Up hill and down dale, skirting lakes, glaciers and lava fields, being sprayed by mist from cascading waterfalls, seeing the world from a high mountain top, being your own boss and with maybe just Mother Nature for company, there really is nothing quite like hiking. Especially if you set out to conquer one of these great hiking trails:
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, USA
/filters:quality(70)/content/e2/lm/fq3ynbmz54cbb39d412bc915471075_600x897.jpg "Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, USA")
2. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales
/filters:quality(70)/content/ih/pz/esu7z6e354cbb66ad06dd815350497_375x500.jpg "Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales")
Source: The World’s Most Exotic And ...
3. South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States
/filters:quality(70)/content/ne/lg/q4jtkre354cbb5feb9d35466029705_600x900.jpg "South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States")
4. Island Walks, Fernando De Noronha, Brazil
/filters:quality(70)/content/ew/on/hpker9xc54cbb706a2a20278451841_390x585.jpg "Island Walks, Fernando De Noronha, Brazil")
Source: The World’s Most Exotic And ...
5. “Lover’s Lane” Trail and Wood Line, Presidio National Park, San Francisco, USA
/filters:quality(70)/content/a3/ud/r6mobrzt54cbb39d6b49b982140757_600x899.jpg "“Lover’s Lane” Trail and Wood Line, Presidio National Park, San Francisco, USA")
Source: Fun with the Dog | ...
6. Walter's Wiggles on Way to Angel's Landing in Zion N.P. Utah
/filters:quality(70)/content/tf/mg/sffpqn0b54cbb39c44df0592822744_389x600.jpg "Walter's Wiggles on Way to Angel's Landing in Zion N.P. Utah")
7. Hike to the Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye, Scotland
/filters:quality(70)/content/j7/fm/izupkact54cbb39d0ae5d848904517_600x895.jpg "Hike to the Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye, Scotland")
Source: Magnificent Fairy Pools in Scotland
8. Skyline Trail Mt Rainier, Seattle, USA
/filters:quality(70)/content/eb/g6/zq09aycx54cbb39c333fe936797091_399x599.jpg "Skyline Trail Mt Rainier, Seattle, USA")
Source: Skyline Trail Mt Rainier - ...
9. Hiking Trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, USA
/filters:quality(70)/content/jq/ld/kn4qkxsu54cbb39f01475229274040_600x901.jpg "Hiking Trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, USA")
Source: Top 60 Hikes Asheville | ...
10. Ha'iku Stairs, Oahu, Hawaii, USA
/filters:quality(70)/content/na/fq/j49d7oj854cbb39ec1012267334420_425x640.jpg "Ha'iku Stairs, Oahu, Hawaii, USA")
Source: Haiku Stairs
11. Snowman Trek, Bhutan
/filters:quality(70)/content/fb/r4/hdus16um54cbba79be305266605787_600x917.jpg "Snowman Trek, Bhutan")
Source: 12 Hiking Trails That Will ...
12. Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA
/filters:quality(70)/content/qd/ob/czhoqu6x54cbb39f7ae52471923707_600x945.jpg "Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA")
Source: Shenandoah National Park
13. Mount Huashan, China
/filters:quality(70)/content/xv/fw/xs6g27h054cbbb03d53ff031695833_600x873.jpg "Mount Huashan, China")
Source: Don't Look Down!
14. Coast Trail, Na Pali, Hawaii, USA
/filters:quality(70)/content/gm/de/w17v5k8254cbbb6ae0e02555850993_399x600.jpg "Coast Trail, Na Pali, Hawaii, USA")
Source: Most Extreme Hiking Trails from ...
15. The Milford Track, South Island, New Zealand
/filters:quality(70)/content/sz/n6/u5mv1pdi54cbb39ff2999724072021_428x640.jpg "The Milford Track, South Island, New Zealand")
Source: 5 Things You Need to ...
16. Up Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
/filters:quality(70)/content/nd/qb/eioyf7v454cbbc08f0741874495132_552x640.jpg "Up Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania")
Source: Take A Hike: 30 Most ...
17. Torres Del Paine Circuit Trek, Chile
/filters:quality(70)/content/z1/nb/qlvxxyw754cbbc7ebc046881045001_600x900.jpg "Torres Del Paine Circuit Trek, Chile")
Source: Walking Trails - Cape Cod ...
18. Mount Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal
/filters:quality(70)/content/rs/zv/n4ykv32r54cbbcf901457423971553_405x600.jpg "Mount Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal")
Source: 25 Gorgeous Hikes You Have ...
19. Santa Cruz Trek, Peru
/filters:quality(70)/content/lw/zd/uag0ni2p54cbbe024d8cb328868144_600x829.jpg "Santa Cruz Trek, Peru")
Source: Chimney Rock Park
20. Hiking Trail, Lombardia, Italy
/filters:quality(70)/content/dc/yt/b4eixzy854cbb3a188ccc238748976_424x640.jpg "Hiking Trail, Lombardia, Italy")
21. West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada
/filters:quality(70)/content/j7/ob/n8ahho6f54cbbe9409cfc330952414_596x900.jpg "West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, Canada")
22. Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru
/filters:quality(70)/content/kt/oc/j4ym8d8h54cbb3a247733028589125_447x700.jpg "Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru")
Source: Top 10 Most Famous Abandoned ...
23. Tongariro Northern Circuit, New Zealand
/filters:quality(70)/content/kq/sm/yqw7xm5c54cbbf1fa0306988457447_600x900.jpg "Tongariro Northern Circuit, New Zealand")
Source: Take A Hike: 30 Most ...
24. Via Ferrata, Dolomiti Del Brenta, Italy
/filters:quality(70)/content/ff/qk/b2z87oxu54cbb3a277cb8995775261_387x580.jpg "Via Ferrata, Dolomiti Del Brenta, Italy")
Source: travel.nationalgeographic.com
25. Tour Du Mont Blanc, France, Italy and Switzerland
/filters:quality(70)/content/ma/d3/ktgghxjz54cbce039490b931765190_425x640.jpg "Tour Du Mont Blanc, France, Italy and Switzerland")
Source: Take A Hike: 30 Most ...
26. National Trail, Israel
/filters:quality(70)/content/im/bh/t7iy3gse54cbce8541a9d782388326_470x640.jpg "National Trail, Israel")
27. Pacific Crest Trail, National Forest, Washington, USA
/filters:quality(70)/content/av/kf/ihegvswf54cbb3a3c82f9532959228_457x720.jpg "Pacific Crest Trail, National Forest, Washington, USA")
28. Jungfrau in Interlaken, Switzerland
/filters:quality(70)/content/k4/t8/rxfloxd854cbcef22765d605481552_333x500.jpg "Jungfrau in Interlaken, Switzerland")
29. Tiger Leaping Gorge, China
/filters:quality(70)/content/x2/ys/flc0yu7u54cbcf3faeb86743090948_600x1066.jpg "Tiger Leaping Gorge, China")
30. Sentieno Azzurro, Cinque Terre, Italy
/filters:quality(70)/content/oh/wd/rug68dh854cbcf9b5ad42636798434_427x640.jpg "Sentieno Azzurro, Cinque Terre, Italy")
Source: The World’s Most Exotic And ...
31. El Camino Del Rey, Malaga, Spain
/filters:quality(70)/content/p4/ut/pht9vrh554cbb3a4816d9480894034_427x640.jpg "El Camino Del Rey, Malaga, Spain")
32. Zion Canyon, Utah, USA
/filters:quality(70)/content/rv/il/myq3tsig54cbd041e5a57769588832_600x972.jpg "Zion Canyon, Utah, USA")
Source: Zion Canyon Hiking Trails
33. Forest Walk, the Redwoods, California, USA
/filters:quality(70)/content/vd/vv/gel6qykj54cbb3a512c79034505187_500x750.jpg "Forest Walk, the Redwoods, California, USA")
Source: Forest Walk, The Redwoods, California.
34. Mountain Hiking Trail near Lijiang, China
/filters:quality(70)/content/h4/jr/kmv6mqrz54cbb3a587902415508374_600x906.jpg "Mountain Hiking Trail near Lijiang, China")
Source: Top Five Reasons to Visit ...
35. GR20, Corsica, France
/filters:quality(70)/content/l4/r2/dkmqov8f54cbd0ceb840a947683777_363x580.jpg "GR20, Corsica, France")
Source: Take A Hike: 30 Most ...
36. Bibbulmun Track, Australia
/filters:quality(70)/content/ka/jg/c1tyk77n54cbd1595c099813854778_350x525.jpg "Bibbulmun Track, Australia")
Source: Take A Hike: 30 Most ...
37. North Drakensberg Traverse, South Africa
/filters:quality(70)/content/t2/yk/uf3n0qhe54cbd1ec91292084650497_324x490.jpg "North Drakensberg Traverse, South Africa")
Source: Travel | Skinny Mom | ...
38. Laugavegurinn/Fimmvörðuháls Pass, Iceland
/filters:quality(70)/content/ae/q1/irpu6jkb54cbd455526f0264991720_350x525.jpg "Laugavegurinn/Fimmvörðuháls Pass, Iceland")
Source: adventure.nationalgeographic.com
39. The Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker Historical Trail, South Sudan to Uganda
/filters:quality(70)/content/dv/jq/qru396ar54cbd499b01eb470790721_435x580.jpg "The Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker Historical Trail, South Sudan to Uganda")
Source: adventure.nationalgeographic.com
40. Urique-Batopilas Trail, Copper Canyon, Mexico
/filters:quality(70)/content/h3/hv/z3rj2ey154cbd5311a8d2204746249_442x660.jpg "Urique-Batopilas Trail, Copper Canyon, Mexico")
Source: adventure.nationalgeographic.com
41. Overland Track, Tasmania, Australia
/filters:quality(70)/content/uq/b7/x0k8sz1854cbd5aec9169847872144_427x640.jpg "Overland Track, Tasmania, Australia")
Source: Tasmania, my HOME
42. MacLehose Trail, New Territories, Hong Kong
/filters:quality(70)/content/s7/bn/lp6vnkmf54cbd62e2e380485405313_600x901.jpg "MacLehose Trail, New Territories, Hong Kong")
Source: adventure.nationalgeographic.com
43. Mount Kailash Pilgrimage, Tibet
/filters:quality(70)/content/xb/v1/pqgowm8r54cbd6d238c77673892920_480x720.jpg "Mount Kailash Pilgrimage, Tibet")
44. Yoshida Trail, Mount Fuji, Japan
/filters:quality(70)/content/ou/yn/y2okv4zh54cbd7864eb9b158595481_352x520.jpg "Yoshida Trail, Mount Fuji, Japan")
Source: adventure.nationalgeographic.com
45. E7 Path, Slovenia
/filters:quality(70)/content/tx/je/d9944tc454cbd870b61a3854575981_600x800.jpg "E7 Path, Slovenia")
Source: berries and fruit
46. El Camino De Santiago De Compostela, Spain
/filters:quality(70)/content/z1/zt/vxc9a7fb54cbd90196751551662970_598x900.jpg "El Camino De Santiago De Compostela, Spain")
Source: adventure.nationalgeographic.com
47. West Highland Way, Scotland
/filters:quality(70)/content/d3/rn/qsre0vlb54cbd97d8ee14439149669_534x800.jpg "West Highland Way, Scotland")
Source: adventure.nationalgeographic.com
48. Shackleton's Route, South Georgia Island, South Atlantic/Antarctica
/filters:quality(70)/content/r8/wx/qwm5h4rd54cbda433ac6c681561738_324x450.jpg "Shackleton's Route, South Georgia Island, South Atlantic/Antarctica")
Source: adventure.nationalgeographic.com
Ready to lace up your hiking boots?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are some of the best hiking trails for women beginners?
- Trails like the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and the Camino de Santiago are great for beginners due to their well-marked paths and support facilities.
- How can I prepare physically for long hiking trails?
- Start with regular cardio and strength training exercises, focusing on endurance and leg strength, and gradually increase your hiking distance with a loaded backpack.
- What essential gear should I pack for a multi-day hiking trip?
- Bring comfortable hiking boots, layered clothing, a quality backpack, navigation tools, first-aid kit, hydration system, and nutritious snacks.
- Are there any safety tips specific to solo female hikers?
- Always share your itinerary with someone, stay on marked trails, carry a whistle or personal alarm, and trust your instincts in unfamiliar situations.
- Which trails offer the most scenic views for photography lovers?
- The Inca Trail in Peru, the Cinque Terre in Italy, and Torres del Paine in Chile are renowned for stunning landscapes perfect for photography.
- How do I manage periods while hiking on remote trails?
- Carry necessary sanitary products in compact, discreet packaging, and maintain hygiene with wet wipes or portable wash solutions.
- What time of year is best for hiking these famous trails?
- The best season varies by region; for example, spring and fall are ideal for many North American trails to avoid extreme weather and crowds.
- Can hiking improve mental health and well-being?
- Absolutely! Hiking reduces stress, boosts mood, and enhances mental clarity by connecting you with nature and encouraging physical activity.
- Are guided hiking tours a good option for women travelers?
- Guided tours offer extra safety, local knowledge, and social opportunities, making them a great choice for those new to hiking or unfamiliar with an area.
- How do I respect nature and local cultures while hiking global trails?
- Stick to marked paths, pack out all trash, avoid disturbing wildlife, and learn about local customs to show respect and minimize your impact.