• The W Circuit, which runs through the Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile, takes between five and six days to complete. Photo: Olga Stalska / Unsplash
    The W Circuit, which runs through the Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile, takes between five and six days to complete. Photo: Olga Stalska / Unsplash
  • The Jordan Trail is 650 kilometres long and was established in 2015. It incorporates world-famous tourism sites such as Petra and Wadi Rum (pictured). Photo: Daniele Colucci / Unsplash
    The Jordan Trail is 650 kilometres long and was established in 2015. It incorporates world-famous tourism sites such as Petra and Wadi Rum (pictured). Photo: Daniele Colucci / Unsplash
  • First established in the tenth century, Camino de Santiago, or 'The Way of St James', is a network of several pilgrimages encompassing Spain, Portugal and France, leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in north-western Spain. Photo: Unsplash
    First established in the tenth century, Camino de Santiago, or 'The Way of St James', is a network of several pilgrimages encompassing Spain, Portugal and France, leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in north-western Spain. Photo: Unsplash
  • The Tongariro Northern Circuit in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand. The hike is a 50km loop around Mount Ngauruhoe and includes views of the Emerald Lakes. Photo: Sebastien Goldberg / Unsplash
    The Tongariro Northern Circuit in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand. The hike is a 50km loop around Mount Ngauruhoe and includes views of the Emerald Lakes. Photo: Sebastien Goldberg / Unsplash
  • A view from Lion Rock, Section 5 of the MacLehose Trail in Hong Kong. It is 100km long, and was named after Murray MacLehose, the longest-serving governor of Hong Kong, who established the Country Parks. Photo: Rebecca Cairns / Unsplash
    A view from Lion Rock, Section 5 of the MacLehose Trail in Hong Kong. It is 100km long, and was named after Murray MacLehose, the longest-serving governor of Hong Kong, who established the Country Parks. Photo: Rebecca Cairns / Unsplash
  • Peru's Inca Trail consists of three trails, Mollepata, Classic, and One Day, which terminate at Machu Piccu (pictured). Photo: Xiyuan Du / Unsplash
    Peru's Inca Trail consists of three trails, Mollepata, Classic, and One Day, which terminate at Machu Piccu (pictured). Photo: Xiyuan Du / Unsplash
  • The Kungsleden trail, in Sweden, is approximately 440km long and stretches between Hemavan, in the south, and Abisko in the north. Photo: Anna Kubiak / Unsplash
    The Kungsleden trail, in Sweden, is approximately 440km long and stretches between Hemavan, in the south, and Abisko in the north. Photo: Anna Kubiak / Unsplash
  • Visitors to Japan can trek the Yoshida Trail, a popular and scenic way to approach the summit of Mount Fuji. Photo: Tommy Silver / Unsplash
    Visitors to Japan can trek the Yoshida Trail, a popular and scenic way to approach the summit of Mount Fuji. Photo: Tommy Silver / Unsplash
  • The Kalalau Trail is 18km along the northern coastline of Kauai island in the US state of Hawaii. Photo: Roberto Reposo / Unsplash
    The Kalalau Trail is 18km along the northern coastline of Kauai island in the US state of Hawaii. Photo: Roberto Reposo / Unsplash
  • Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE's highest peak, has been named the best destination for hikers in the country. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE's highest peak, has been named the best destination for hikers in the country. Chris Whiteoak / The National

World

Ten of the best hiking trails around the world - in pictures

From Patagonia to Machu Picchu, we pick out the most stunning global routes to test your endurance

The National

October 23, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Human beings are natural long-distance walkers - since prehistory we have traversed long and difficult routes to survive.

While most humans are no longer nomadic and now spend their days rooted in place, hiking remains a popular recreational activity and form of exercise.

From the challenging adventure of scaling Lion Rock in Hong Kong, to the religious pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain, here are ten of the best hiking trails around the world.

More from The National:

Beginner’s guide to hiking in the UAE: seven things to consider before hitting the trails

Heart of Arabia: 1,300-km expedition across Saudi Arabia to retrace Philby’s 1917 trek

Jebel Jais named best hiking destination in the UAE in new global list

Hidden gems of the UAE: nine secluded hiking trails loved by trekkers

Female 'Rambo' leads hiking group on mountain in Iraq's Sulaimaniyah

Ras Al Khaimah launches first multi-day long-distance hiking experience in the GCC with Highlander

Updated: March 04, 2024, 6:31 AM
PhotographyHiking