Having just returned from trekking in Argentina and Chile it occurred to us that it would be a good post to share some of our favorite hikes around the world. While we understand there are a lot more, most of these hikes are or will be featured in our itineraries and you really can’t go wrong with any of them. If you’re an avid hiker these are all day hikes with some incredible scenery.
Argentina
A couple of our favorite hikes are in Argentinian Patagonia. Both leave directly from the mountain town of El Chalten. El Chalten is about a 2 hour drive from the closest airport in El Calafate. Itinerary coming soon.
Laguna de los Tres
There are a couple ways to do this hike. The most common route leaves directly from El Chalten and heads up the mountain towards Fitz Roy. This is an out-and-back hike, approximately 14 miles with 3500 feet of elevation. It takes you to the base of Mount Fitz Roy at Laguna de Los Tres. You get spectacular views of the mountain and a lovely lake. Along the way you can make a slight detour to scenic Laguna Capri. The whole hike is really quite pretty, and it’s not particularly difficult until just before the climb to the lake—in the last kilometer you gain about 1,500 feet. It’s a bit of a scramble up a rocky pathway. If you’re in decent shape it’s not particularly challenging, but it’s certainly not easy.
The alternative route, which think is even better, starts with a cab ride to the Rio Electrico trailhead. This avoids the out-and-back: you hike in from Rio Electrico and then back to town. On a clear day you’ll have views of several glaciers and lakes. Mile for mile this is one of the most scenic hikes that we’ve found.
Laguna Torre
This is another hike leaving directly from El Chalten and is easier than the Fitzroy hike. You get fantastic views of the Cerro de Torre mountain. It’s highly recommended that you leave before dawn to arrive at the Mirador Cerro Torre as the sun lights up the mountain. Continue along to Laguna Torre. This hike is quite lovely and it’s relatively easy. It gains 1873 feet over 6 1/2 miles but the gain is fairly gradual. Round trip it’s an 11 mile hike. If you take our recommendations and arrive at the Mirador at dawn you will be back well before lunch.
Canada
There are a lot of amazing hikes in Canada but I think our favorite may be the one to the Six Glaciers Tea House. This trail is in the Banff region along the road north to Jasper from Banff. Start from Lake Louise. From here you have a gradual walk along the lake which is truly spectacular in its color with views back to the iconic Lake Louise lodge. The trail then gradually climbs into a basin with six glaciers (hence the name) and arrives at the Six Glaciers Tea House where you can get a snack and something to drink. Return the way you came. This trail is 6.9 miles and only 1496 foot elevation gain so it has maximal bang for the buck. On your return grab a drink on the balcony overlooking the lake and be sure and visit nearby Moraine Lake by car. See Canadian Rockies Itinerary
Chile
The W trek in Chile’s Torre de Paine National Park is one of the most famous hikes in the world. There are a couple ways to do this hike. We will soon list our recommendations for how to do the entire trek, but the best of the trek can be done as a day hike. The trail is to the Mirador Las Torres and gives views of Lago Torres and the three granite peaks surrounding it. It’s 12.5 miles out-and-back and 3,326 feet of elevation gain. The trail starts out climbing up fairly quickly to a pass and then drops down to a river valley. Part way along you will come to Refugio Chileno, where you can get a snack and take a break. This is one of the refugios on the W track that has camping sites and hostel rooms. Continue up the valley on a fairly moderate climb until leaving the valley and climbing steeply to the viewpoint. Return the way you came. The walk up the valley is delightful with water and trees and the views are spectacular.
Croatia
Plitvice Lakes upper and lower lakes loop takes you past some of most fantastic scenery you will find anywhere. Do the upper and lower lake loop: 9.1 miles and 1,457 feet elevation gain. This is one of the most spectacular areas we’ve ever seen. Waterfalls and bright blue pools spill into each other as you walk along boardwalks, hike, and cruise around the lake to take in all the sites. The valley has 16 lakes in total with waterfalls galore. To get the full Plitvice experience budget at least 4 hours. This a crowded place, so make sure you go early or start late (after 15:00). Make sure you make it to the upper lakes (many tour bus groups skip this). The waterfalls are unparalleled up here! Be prepared to take thousands of pictures. See our Croatian highlights itinerary for more tips.
Iceland
Iceland is famous for waterfalls, and the hike above Skogafoss, one of Iceland’s most famous and beautiful waterfalls, may be the ultimate waterfall hike. Stop by the side of the highway on your way in or out, where you can get great views and photos of the waterfall with fields of purple lupine in the foreground. Walk up the stairs to the top of the waterfall. Catch your breath and take a few photos; then continue hiking along the trail above the falls. You’ll follow the river that feeds Skogafoss and pass numerous waterfalls that tumble through the gorge beneath the mountains. The entire trail goes past 26 waterfalls, about 15.5 miles and would probably take you 12-14 hours. Go as far you like, then return to your car. See Iceland in two weeks itinerary for more details.
Italy
The Italian Alps and coastline have many spectacular hikes. But this one might be the best of all. Head to the Furnes lift at the top of the village of Ortisei in Val Gardena in the Dolomite region of northern Italy (there is parking there), and take the cable car to the Furnes station, then the next cable car to the Seceda station (you buy tickets for both at the station in Ortisei). From the Seceda station it is a fairly short but spectacular walk to amazing views over the gorgeous Seceda Ridgeline / mountain. We HIGHLY recommend continuing to the Regensberger Hutte (well-marked , trail 2b). You can stop for refreshments at the hut (naturally) then make it a loop by returning on Trail 1 to Almhotel Col Raiser, head down from there to the lift that takes you back up to the Seceda station. The whole route takes a couple of hours and the scenery is spectacular. See Italy – Northern Italy to Tuscany for more information.
New Zealand
New Zealand is full of amazing hikes, but one of our favorites is the Hooker Valley Hike. You leave from the trailhead and walk 10 km round trip (about 3 hours) mostly flat through amazing alpine scenery, across three large suspension bridges above glacial rivers to the a lake with icebergs at the base of Mount Cook with spectacular views of the mountain. One of the best day hikes in the world. See our New Zealand itinerary for more.
Portugal
Madeira is famous for hiking and one of the absolute best is the Vereda do Areeiro, a breathtakingly beautiful and moderately difficult (and the most popular) hike in Madeira that takes you along a trail that connects two of Madeira’s tallest peaks (Pico Ruvio and Pico do Areeiro). This hike is not short, at 7 km one way. Pico do Arieiro is the third highest peak on Madeira island and an incredibly popular sunrise spot (from the parking lot it’s just a 5 minute walk to the main sunrise point Miradouro Juncal or opt to go a little further to Miradouro do Ninho da Manta). Along the way you’ll go through tunnels, climb steep slopes, and enjoy breathtaking scenery. The route starts at Pico do Areeiro Viewpoint where you can see the valley of Nogueira da Faja. The hike is above 1,500 meters, so it can be cool (bring layers). There are 2 paths: east and west. The east is longer and easier, the west is shorter and harder (more climbing of steep stairs). If you drive yourself, you’ll have to plan to hike back the 7 km once you reach the end. Alternatively, you can ask your hotel to book you a taxi back from end (Achado do Teixeira) or you can book a transfer with Pico Transfers so you only have to walk one way. Plan to bring lunch with you. Check out the Madeira itinerary for more.
United States
California
Lands End Hike, San Francisco
Lands End, as the name implies, is at the westernmost end of San Francisco and there is a great trail that leaves from here along the cliffs above the entry to San Francisco Bay (the Golden Gate) and arrives at beautiful Baker Beach before looping back: Lands End trail. This is best when the weather is clear and offers some great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The walk begins at the historic Sutro Baths, a swimming place for San Franciscans at the turn of the century. Halfway along you come to one of the main art museums of San Francisco, the Palace of the Legion of Honor, which is worth a visit. After completing your museum visit (if so inclined), finish your loop back to the start. See our Northern California Highlights Itinerary for more information.
Steep Ravine Hike
This is one of the best hikes in California. Start at Pan Toll Station on the shoulder of mount Tamalpais and walk down along a stream through the redwoods (there is even a section with a ladder). Reach the famous Dipsea trail, turn right and come to a fantastic view over the north coast and Stinson Beach. Continue down and pass an ice cream stand then onto Stinson Beach. This trail is about 3 miles. To get back to the start, take an Uber (sometimes tough to find in Stinson Beach), the bus (only 4 per day https://marintransit.org/routes/61), or walk back up (back up is the one disadvantage of the trail). Redwoods and coastal scenery make this one fantastic walk. Itinerary
Twenty Lakes Basin
From near Tioga pass at the east side of Yosemite National Park takes the road to nearby Saddlebag Lake. Start with a boat taxi across Saddlebag Lake then spend the day wandering among many alpine lakes under towering Mt Conness and its glacier. The loop is mostly flat and offer an incredible amount of alpine scenery with minimal effort. This one is also in the Highlights of Northern California itinerary.
Winnemucca Loop
This great loop hike starts about 40 minutes south of Lake Tahoe (near Kirkwood). It starts at around 8,100 feet and climbs to about 9,500 (1272 foot elevation gain, about 5 miles). Bring $5 cash for parking. Trailhead parking is in on the way into Woods Lake (nice place for a picnic / swim). The hike heads up to Winnemuca and continues about 2 miles (right under Round Top Peak), then heads right and climbs up to Little Round Top Lake. Generally it offers gorgeous wildflowers and great views. Descend past old mine activity and lovely streams to get back to the car. Itinerary
Colorado
In a spectacularly beautiful mountain range, Maroon Bells is the most photographed area in Colorado. That should tell you something about this hike. Interestingly however it is really not all that difficult. There are many variations you can do to make the walk longer or shorter. Due to popularity in summer you will need to take a shuttle bus to the trailhead from 8am to 5pm from Aspen Highlands. Itinerary
Hawaii
In the state of Hawaii the best hiking is on the island of Kaui and the best hike on the island is along the Kalalau trail on the Na Pali coast on the north of the island. The hike starts at Ke’e beach. This is one of the best beaches in Hawaii – there is protected swimming but also good snorkeling near the reef when seas cooperate. You will need to make a reservation to access Haena State Park where the trailhead is located
It’s an hour or so walk to the first beach. The route may be steep at times with tree roots but it is quite a spectacular walk through the jungle along the cliffs. Arrive at Hanakapi’ai beach. You can swim here only with great caution when the seas are low. But the setting is spectacular and you will pretty much have this whole wilderness tropical valley mostly to your self. If so inclined head up the “trail” (can be over grown) almost two miles (allow an hour to the waterfall at the head of the canyon. You can swim in the pool at the bottom. If day tripping, head back. if backpacking (and you have the required permit) your adventure has just begun…
Head back to trail head and down to Ke’e beach. This is one of the best beaches in Hawaii – there is protected swimming but also good snorkeling near the reef when seas cooperate. See the Kauai Highlights Itinerary for more.
Oregon
The trail to Green Lakes is our favorite in Oregon. Drive up the Century Highway past Mt Bachelor ski area about 30 minutes out of delightful Bend. You arrive at large meadowy Sparks Lake and the Green Lake / Falls Creek trailhead is on your right. You climb gradually along lovely Falls Creek and eventually make your way up to beautiful Green Lake at the base on the South Sister mountain. Return the way you came. 9.1 miles, 1,174-foot elevation gain.
Utah
The Zion Narrows hike is one of the most unique in the world and is a must-do. Grab a bus to the end of the road, head up the canyon, starting on a trail. Before very long the “trail” becomes the river. Check with the ranger station to make sure it is safe to do when you are going since flash floods can occur, take hiking poles and wear water shoes. Sheer sandstone cliffs tower hundreds of feet above you. Keep going – the canyon gets narrower and deeper the further you go. You can turn around anywhere you like – or if you have arranged a shuttle you can make a very long trip quite a few miles upriver (and camp if you’d like). Don’t turn around until you’ve at least reached the first tributary on the right – a narrow slot canyon where you can almost touch both walls at once. When it’s time to turn back you might consider floating part of the way. If you took our advice and left early as you head out you will likely pass wall-to-wall tourists coming up. See the American Southwest Itinerary for more information.
Washington
Skyline Trail
Skyline Trail is one of the most quintessential hiking trails in the whole of Washington State. It circumnavigates the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park and offers amazing scenery of waist deep wildflowers, lakes, and the Nisqually Glacier. On a clear day at Panorama Point (about 1/2 way around) you can see Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood.
Mount Storm King
The mount Storm King hike in Olympic National Park is one of our favorites in the state of Washington. It’s a tough slog, but much of the uphill is shaded, and you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of Crescent Lake,the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Canada in the distance. There’s a boulder at the summit that’s highly Instagrammable and frequently used for photos.
Sources seem to agree that the elevation gain is about 2,000 feet, but they differ on the distance. The National Park Service says it’s 1.7 miles to the summit; the Washington Trails Association says 2 miles; and Alltrails says 2.65. These are one-way distances (so double them to get the total mileage), and our best guess is that it’s about 2.25 miles each way, though it’s a steep and strenuous hike.