Hiking is the ideal way to see best of the country. Whether you are a professional climber or a passionate hiker, here are twenty spots to consider. This year National Geographic asked 20 outdoor luminaries—from trail runners to CEOs to beloved authors—about the trails they dream about.
Here are their picks for the world’s best hikes. Some of them are not as challenging as others, but all of them share the breathtaking view.
Tour du Mont Blanc, France, Italy, and Switzerland
PHOTOGRAPH BY DAN PATITUCCI Sierra High Route, California
PHOTOGRAPH BY COREY RICH, AURORA PHOTOS/ALAMYLaugavegurinn/Fimmvörðuháls Pass, Iceland
PHOTOGRAPH BY JENNIFER PHARR DAVISTe Araroa Trail, New Zealand
PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDY BELCHERThe Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker Historical Trail, South Sudan to Uganda
PHOTOGRAPH BY OCEAN, CORBISFranconia Ridge Loop/Traverse, New Hampshire
PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL LANZAPacific Crest Trail, California, Oregon, and Washington
PHOTOGRAPH BY LARS SCHNEIDER, AURORA PHOTOSCaribou Tracks, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
PHOTOGRAPH BY PRISMA BILDAGENTUR, AG/ALAMYDosewallips to Lake Quinault, Olympic National Park, Washington
PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERTO GEROMETTA, GETTY IMAGESEverest Base Camp Trek, Nepal
PHOTOGRAPH BY R. TYLER GROSSWinter Tour, Bozeman, Montana, to Jackson, Wyoming
PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID SCHIPPERUrique-Batopilas Trail, Copper Canyon, Mexico
PHOTOGRAPH BY WHIT RICHARDSON, ALAMYSnowman Trek, Bhutan
PHOTOGRAPH BY PETE MCBRIDEKings Peak, Utah
PHOTOGRAPH BY LEE COHEN, CORBISSolomon Gulch Trail, Valdez, Alaska
PHOTOGRAPH BY SHEN HONG, XINHUA PRESS/CORBISOverland Track in Tasmania, Australia
PHOTOGRAPH BY MATTHIEU PALEY, CORBISOregon Desert Trail
PHOTOGRAPH BY JEREMY FOX, ONDAMacLehose Trail, New Territories, Hong Kong
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY HONG KONG TOURISM BOARDThe Long Range Traverse, Newfoundland, Canada
PHOTOGRAPH BY KEITH PAYNEThe Ancascocha Trail, Peru
PHOTOGRAPH BY DIDRIK JOHNCKsource:nationalgeographic
