If you love the call of the wild, the sound of boots against rugged, muddy terrain, challenging your limits, and exploring emotional hikes, you are in the right place. Trekking is one of the most rewarding ways to connect with nature, culture, and your limits. But not all treks are of equal intensity. From gentle alpine meadows to lung-busting high-altitude expeditions, here’s a ranking of some of the world’s most iconic trekking trails.
Top trekking trails
1. Cinque Terre Coastal Trekking Trails – Italy
Located on the Ligurian coast, northern Italy, this is a beginner-friendly trekking route with picturesque views. On the way, you can spot five centuries-old villages such as Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore with terraced vineyards and the mesmerizing Ligurian Sea.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is steeped in Italian maritime tradition. Locals still fish and make wine, following the path of their ancestors. You can spot lizards, butterflies, and Mediterranean birdlife on the way.
Best Time to Go: April–June and September–October
QUICK TIP: Use the Cinque Terre Card to access trails and local trains. Avoid peak summer when it’s overcrowded and hot.
2. Overland Track – Australia
Located in Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. On the way, you can spot cradle mountains, waterfalls, alpine lakes, and ancient myrtle forests. The trails also offer a pass through Aboriginal heritage lands and untouched wilderness protected by UNESCO. On the way, you can spot exotic wildlife that includes Wombats, wallabies, echidnas, Tasmanian devils, etc.
Best Time to Go: Late October to May
QUICK TIP: Book early for a summer permit. The winter trekking route requires snow gear and mountaineering experience.
3. Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Peru
This trekking route is located in the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, the Andes. It is surrounded by Andean peaks, lush cloud forests and ancient Incan settlements. To add a cultural touch, the trek follows the same path that Incan pilgrims walked to reach the sacred city. The Sun Gate view at dawn is unforgettable. One can spot Spectacled bears (rare), hummingbirds, orchids, and butterflies.
Best Time to Go: May–September (dry season)
QUICK TIP: Permits sell out months in advance. Choose a licensed operator.
4. Tour du Mont Blanc – France, Italy & Switzerland
Located in the circuit around the Mont Blanc massif. On the way, you can spot Mont Blanc (4,807 m), alpine meadows, glaciers, and wooden chalets. To connect with the local culture, taste local wines, cheeses (like Beaufort), and learn about alpine life in three countries. You can spot exotic wildlife such as Ibex, marmots, golden eagles, etc.
Best Time to Go: June–September
QUICK TIP: Book refuges in advance. You can do luggage transfers for a lighter pack.
5. Laugavegur Trail – Iceland
This trekking trail starts from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk. This intermediate trek offers a picturesque view of Lava fields, rhyolite mountains, steaming vents, and glacial rivers. The place offers cultural insight by featuring Icelandic sagas, Viking roots, and folklore that still influence the area. The place is famous for spotting Arctic foxes, ptarmigans, geese, and midges.
Best Time to Go: Late June to early September
QUICK TIP: Be prepared for rapid weather shifts. Bring waterproof gear.
6. Annapurna Circuit – Nepal
This trekking trail is located circling the Annapurna Massif in Central Nepal. This trek is surrounded by nature featuring Rice paddies, Tibetan villages, Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), and Annapurna I (8,091 m). On the way, you can spot the fusion of Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism with flags and temples dotting the trail. On the way, you can spot Blue sheep, langurs, Himalayan monals, and possibly snow leopards.
Best Time to Go: March–May or September–November
QUICK TIP: Acclimatize properly to avoid altitude sickness. Teahouses offer lodging and meals.
7. Cordillera Huayhuash Trek – Peru
This trekking route is located in the Central Peruvian Andes, south of Huaraz. It features Snow-capped giants like Siula Grande (made famous in Touching the Void), turquoise lakes, and remote high passes. You can spot Quechua-speaking communities living here in isolation, relying on herding and farming. Exotic wildlife such as Andean condors, vicuñas, foxes, etc., can be spotted.
Best Time to Go: May–September
QUICK TIP: Carry all food and camping gear, or hire mules and guides from local villages.
8. Snowman Trek – Bhutan
This trekking trail runs from Paro to Lunana and out through Bumthang. On the way, you can see Remote dzongs (fortresses), high-altitude lakes, and glacial passes over 5,000 m. The trail passes sacred Buddhist sites and isolated yak-herding communities untouched by tourism. On the way, you can spot Takin (Bhutan’s national animal), blue sheep, and Himalayan black bears.
Best Time to Go: Late September to early November
QUICK TIP: Guided treks are mandatory. Prepare for snow, landslides, and altitude-related issues.
9. Drakensberg Grand Traverse – South Africa & Lesotho
This trekking trail traverses the Drakensberg escarpment, starting at Sentinel Peak. The key attractions of this trek are Basalt cliffs, rock art sites, waterfalls, and the Lesotho highlands. To get cultural insights, you can spot Ancient San (Bushmen) rock paintings adorn cave walls; the trek crosses Lesotho, one of the world’s highest countries. It is perfect to spot Eland, baboons, raptors, and jackals.
Best Time to Go: April–September (dry season)
QUICK TIP: No marked trekking trails—map reading and GPS skills are essential. No resupply points.
10. Great Himalaya Trail – Nepal
It is one of the most difficult trekking routes spreading from East to west Nepal, from Kanchenjunga to Humla. It is featured with Remote valleys, 8,000m peaks (Everest, Dhaulagiri, Makalu), sacred lakes, and hidden gompas (monasteries). It traverses dozens of ethnic regions, including Sherpa, Rai, Tamang, and Thakuri communities. Snow leopards, red pandas, musk deer, and Himalayan griffons can easily be spotted across the track.
Best Time to Go: March–June or September–November
QUICK TIP: Not a single trekking trail, but a network of routes. Requires months of planning, local support, and resupply coordination.
Comparison chart of trekking places
| Trail | Length | Max Altitude | Days | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinque Terre | 12 km | 300 m | 1–2 | Easy |
| Overland Track | 65 km | 1,200 m | 5–6 | Easy–Moderate |
| Inca Trail | 43 km | 4,215 m | 4 | Moderate |
| TMB | 170 km | 2,600 m | 10–12 | Moderate–Hard |
| Laugavegur | 55 km | 1,100 m | 4–5 | Moderate |
| Annapurna | 230 km | 5,416 m | 12–21 | Hard |
| Huayhuash | 130 km | 5,000+ m | 10–12 | Hard |
| Snowman | 347 km | 5,320 m | 25–30 | Extreme |
| Drakensberg | 220 km | 3,400 m | 10–15 | Extreme |
| GHT (Nepal) | 1,700+ km | 6,000 m+ | 100+ | Extreme |
Quick tips for global trekking routes
- Train Before You Go.
- Invest in a proper backpack, boots, and layers are essential.
- Ensure your travel insurance covers trekking and helicopter evacuation if needed.
- Respect Local Culture.
- Leave No Trace or carbon footprint.
Whether you’re dreaming of a quick alpine getaway or gearing up for the adventure of a lifetime, there’s a trekking route waiting for you that matches your spirit and skill. Keep this in mind: while the trekking trail may challenge your physical limits, it also offers incredible rewards for your soul. Embrace the journey!
Also, check out the blog on travel apps, to digitalize your travelling experience.
