There are many amazing places to go hiking, so there isn’t really one best place. But there are some locations that spectacularly lend themselves to exploration on foot versus others that are more easily or enjoyably explored by boat, bicycle, or car. A great trekking destination has specific characteristics that make it so good for hiking.
1. THE ALPS
The Alps are hard to beat in terms of scenery, space, and walkability. It feels like they were created specifically for trekking. One of the most amazing ways to enjoy the Alps is to link up mountain villages or huts on multi-day trips. You will experience not only breathtaking scenery, wildlife, and amazing hill walking but you’ll also get to enjoy delicious European cuisine, charming lodging, and different cultures. The ecological integrity and ability to find solitude in the Alps are not as high as in some our other top picks. If those characteristics are very important to you, then you may want to keep looking. If you want to soak up stunning views, tackle some world class hikes, have a cultural experience, and eat like a queen or king, then the Alps are a phenomenal place to hike.
2. COLORADO ROCKIES
The state of Colorado offers world class hiking and backpacking, and an almost endless supply of it. With one major national park – Rocky Mountain National Park – and 44 wilderness areas that cover more than 3.5 million acres (approximately the size of Connecticut), Colorado is a true hiking gem. You can camp, stay in any number of iconic mountain towns (Crested Butte, Winterpark, Telluride, Aspen, Steamboat…etc.), or go on a multi-day backpacking trip. The scenery is out of this world. There is immense space to lose yourself in. Colorado has plenty of hiking trails including major ones like the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. The ability to find solitude is good, especially if you are willing to hike off trail. And the ecological integrity is strong, but not untarnished in that wolves and grizzlies were eradicated by humans and are still extinct in Colorado.
3. PERU
Peru is a big country with tremendous hiking for the eager adventurer. It really offers almost anything you could ask for. From the famous Inca Trail and Machu Picchu to the second highest mountain range in the world (Cordillera Huayhuash), to coastal deserts, cloud forests, the Amazon Rainforest and more. The scenery is without question world class, particularly in the high Andes. The mountains are vast and expansive with plenty of trails and alpine treks to choose from. Solitude is available if you seek it out, and many ecosystems of the Andes are still quite wild with native wildlife and pristine wilderness. One of the most compelling aspects of Peru is its fascinating cultural history. Remnants of the Inca civilization are visible across the Andes and are a part of nearly every trekking route. The Inca Trail is very worth doing if the cultural history is your primary interest, and solitude is less important to you. Otherwise, we recommend looking at more off-the-beaten-path hikes like Salkantay, Cordillera Huayhuash and Rainbow Mountain.
4. WASHINGTON STATE
Washington State has 3 major national parks – Mount Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades – all of which offer tremendous hiking opportunities. Beyond the national parks, Washington has 31 wilderness areas with varying landscapes of lush rain forests, iconic peaks, wild rivers, plunging waterfalls, pristine meadows and more. Washington has it all – dramatic scenery, vast expanses of wilderness, an abundance of hiking trails, access to solitude and intact ecosystems. The must-see highlights of Washington are the three national parks listed above: Mount Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades. All three offer amazing day hikes as well as great camping and/or lodging and extended backpacking trips. If stunning mountain landscapes, rich forests, waterfalls, wildlife, volcanoes, glaciers, seashores, and wildflowers sound like a great combination then plan your next hiking vacation in Washington!
