There’s nothing like a long hike in a beautiful place to make you feel alive, legs burning, lungs full of fresh air, and views that stop you in your tracks. From moderate routes to challenging multi-day treks, these 14 hikes from around the world are bound to deliver the kind of jaw-dropping payoff that will leave you breathless in more ways than one.
1. Trolltunga, Norway
Carved by ancient glaciers, Trolltunga is a dramatic granite rock that juts out more than 1,000 meters above Norway’s stunning Ringedalsvatnet lake. It’s the kind of panoramic view that might make your knees weak, partially from the height, and partially from the 25-kilometer out-and-back trail required to reach it. The trailhead is in Skjeggedal, which is a scenic three-hour drive from Bergen. It’ll be a full weekend adventure, but the kind of hike that easily makes a case for being one of the most iconic treks in Scandinavia.
2. Milford Track, New Zealand
Tucked deep in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park, the Milford Track is a four-day hike through rainforests, alpine valleys, and landscapes that barely feel real. The route follows historic Māori trails past waterfalls and suspension bridges before ending at cliffs that seem to drop straight into the waters of Milford Sound. You’ll sleep in remote huts and probably get soaked, that is, if you can get a permit. Access is limited and highly competitive, so you’ll need to book passes months in advance. But if you manage to snag a slot, you’ll understand why people plan entire trips to New Zealand around this hike.
3. Banff National Park, Canada
It’s almost unfair how good the Banff region is there are hundreds of hiking routes, ranging from easy lakeside strolls to full-day scrambles, and nearly all of them come with views that are impossible to describe. Sure, spots like Lake Louise or Moraine Lake get all of the social media attention, but they’re just the starting point. From Icefields Parkway to Johnston Canyon, the entire area is absurdly beautiful in every direction. You don’t have to go far to feel completely immersed. And if you do go far? The views just keep getting better.
4. Mount Toubkal, Morocco
At 4,167 meters, Mount Toubkal is the tallest peak in North Africa. It’s a demanding yet accessible route in Morocco’s High Atlas range, one that deserves a spot on every avid hiker’s bucket list. The trail starts in the village of Imlil and climbs through dry riverbeds, gravel paths, and uneven terrain. Most hikers spread the climb over two days, spending the night in a mountain refuge before pushing to the summit at sunrise. From the top, the view stretches across jagged peaks before fading into the haze of the Sahara.
5. Manaslu Circuit, Nepal
Everest and Annapurna usually steal the spotlight, but the Manaslu Circuit deserves a shout for being one of Nepal’s most rewarding treks. Looping around the eighth-highest mountain in the world, the trail winds through remote villages, narrow cliffside paths, and valleys that shift from lush farmland to rugged alpine terrain as you climb higher. It’s a tougher, less trafficked route that requires a guide and a bit more planning ahead, but that’s part of the appeal. You’ll get the kind of breathtaking Himalayan views people expect from the big-name trails, without having to share it with hundreds of other trekkers.
6. Torres del Paine, Chile
Whether you’re hiking on the Argentinian or Chilean side, you can’t really go wrong in Patagonia. But if you’re forced to choose, Torres del Paine is tough to beat. The famed W and O circuits loop through a surreal mix of granite towers, neon-blue glaciers, and lakes that look like they’ve come straight out of a movie. Most treks start near Puerto Natales, a remote town that takes some effort to reach, but once you’re there, the park is fairly accessible. Expect long days not just because of the terrain, but because you’ll stop constantly just to snap a few photos and take it all in. Torres del Paine National Park and its incredible landscape have easily earned its reputation as one of the most iconic trekking regions on the planet.
7. Mount Fuji, Japan
It’s not the hardest climb, or the most scenic along the way, but watching the sun rise from the summit of Mount Fuji feels like being let in on a national secret. Most start the 6 to 10 hour trek at midnight with headlamps, with the intention of reaching the top in time for sunrise, when the sky lights up and the winds are calmest. Expect it to be crowded, and you’ll have to bundle up even in summer. But standing above the clouds as the morning light finally appears is something you won’t soon forget, it is the Land of the Rising Sun, after all.
8. Haleakala National Park, Hawaii
In the United States, there’s no shortage of national parks that offer unforgettable, awe-inducing views. But how could a national park on a volcanic island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean not make the list? Haleakala rises above the clouds at 10,000 feet and drops into a vast volcanic crater, offering wide-open panoramas, surreal sunrise views, and terrain that seems to change every half mile. It’s not the postcard version of Hawaii most tend to think of, and that’s exactly what makes it so memorable.
9 .Ala-Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan
The hike to Ala-Kul Lake promises a raw kind of beauty long before you even reach the payoff. Most hikers take it on as a 3-day trek, with overnight stops in cozy yurts, but nothing about the trail itself is particularly relaxing. It’s steep, rugged, and often exposed to the elements, but the reward? A high-altitude glacial lake with an electric shade of turquoise that’s hard to believe. It’s the kind of view reserved for those willing to go well off the beaten path, and it almost feels like something you weren’t supposed to find at all.
10. Tayrona National Park, Colombia
The humid coastal trails of Tayrona cut through dense jungle terrain where the air is heavy and everything is slightly overgrown. You’ll hike through tangled roots, quick flickers of wildlife in the canopy, and stretches of forest that seem deliberately untouched. There aren’t many well-trodden paths or shortcuts, just you, your backpack, and whatever inspired you to head out there in the first place. But what waits on the other side are remote Caribbean beaches, giant boulders, and tropical water that can make a whole day of hiking feel like the setup for a perfect swim.
11. Tatra Mountains, Poland/Slovakia
Straddling the border of Poland and Slovakia, the Tatra Mountains pack a lot into a small range: glacial lakes, steep ascents, and wildflower-filled trails that make you think you’re much further from civilization than you actually are. The terrain is dramatic, and some hikes such as the famed Orla Perć require you to navigate chains bolted into rock, but the reward is sweeping alpine views that feel straight out of the Alps, without the crowds.
12. Volcán Acatenango, Guatemala
This overnight trek departing from Antigua is not for the faint of heart, steep trails, high altitude, loose terrain and a cold night in a sleeping bag. But the reward? Front-row seats to Acatenango’s consistently erupting neighbor, Volcán de Fuego, plus a sunrise summit you’ll never forget. It’s known as one of the most scenic hikes in Central America, which is tough to argue once you’ve seen it with your own eyes.
13. Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa
Stretching along the eastern edge of South Africa, the Drakensberg range seems to rise out of nowhere. With its towering basalt cliffs, ancient rock art, and trails that wind through high-altitude grasslands, it offers some of the most dramatic scenery on the continent. The Amphitheatre hike is a crowd favorite that leads to the top of Tugela Falls, the second tallest waterfall in the world. Another popular route, leading to Cathedral Peak, is steeper, quieter, and feels more like a pilgrimage than a hike. Whichever trek you choose, expect moody weather, wild terrain, and views that don’t look quite like anywhere else on Earth.
14. Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
No list of beautiful hikes would be complete without a mention of the Swiss Alps with its snowcapped peaks, glacier-fed streams, and 70+ towering waterfalls, the Jungfrau region is a strong contender for Switzerland’s most stunning. A seamless network of well-marked trails, trains, and cable cars connect the alpine villages of Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, and Mürren, making it not only breathtaking but also one of the most accessible trekking destinations in the world. Here, even the easy trails come with once-in-a-lifetime views.
Emily is a freelance writer who has been traveling full-time for over five years She has visited dozens of countries but can often be found in Spain and Mexico. In her Substack, Extracurricular Pursuits, she shares personal essays and travel stories that document the quirks, chaos and realities of living abroad.