Hiking is one of the greatest things you can do for your body. Whether it's taking a leisurely stroll through the park on your day off or stepping foot into a different world entirely, hiking allows you to test yourself in a way that few people ever will, but will also reward you with some of the best sceneries in the world.
In case you don't know where to begin, here are a few hikes that are sure to whet your appetite for adventure and leave you wanting more.
1. Kalalau
Most people head to Hawaii to sit on the beach and soak up a tan, but Hawaii is one of the best places in the entire world to seek adventure as well. It's sprawling wildlife and beautiful foliage make it one of the most ecologically diverse places as well, and that's especially true for the island of Kauai. 22 miles of lush, tropical trail await the traveler who is willing to spend a few days hiking its course, taking you through jungles, waterfalls, and right alongside Kalalau Beach. This is one hike you won't forget.
2. Tour du Mont Blac
Switzerland is known for having some of the most beautiful mountains in the entire world, and the Tour du Mont Blac hike takes you not just through its mountains, but through two other countries as well: France and Italy. You'll want to go sometime between July and September, however, as the winter months tend to close these mountains off to most adventurists. If you want to experience some of the best that Western Europe has to offer, you can't do any better than this 105-mile trip through meadows, alpine passes, and glacial valleys. Well-marked with many accommodations along the way, this hike sees nearly 20,000 visitors every year, making it one of the best hikes for first-timers.
3. Laugavegurinn/Fimmvörðuháls Pass
It may be hard to pronounce, but this hike takes you 50 miles through some of the most amazing places in Iceland, including volcanic landscapes, rhyolite mountains, and rocks covered with lichen. Though not as long as some of the other hikes that make it onto this list Laugavegurinn/Fimmvörðuháls Pass packs in more diversity than most, and gives you the option to add on an extra 15-mile hike at the Skogafoss waterfall. Strenuous but beautiful, this is one hike you'll definitely want to bring your Crossfit supplements for.
4. Scottish National Trail
Though Scotland is a fairly old country, the Scottish National Trail is relatively new, only opening to the public in 2012 as Scotland's first tip-to-tip walking trail. Explore the highlands as you trek across 470 miles of some of the most picturesque scenery in the United Kingdom, but make sure you allow yourself enough time: most people spend between 5-6 weeks on this trail by itself. If you would like, there's always the option to break this hike up into four different sections. Also, the potential hiker should be aware of the fact that this hike gets more difficult the farther you go north, crossing rivers and hiking near mountains in what many describe as one of the most challenging hikes in the U.K.
5. Everest Base Camp
The world has always had a unique fascination with the highest mountain in the world, and climbers from all over the world gather every Spring to try their hand at ascending the monster. But you don't have to be an expert mountain climber to experience some of what Everest has to offer. Recent national developments have now opened the door for travelers to make the hike to Everest base camp, a 70-mile, 16-day trek that takes you right up to the doorstep of Everest itself. You'll leave Nepal and stay in sherpa villages along the way, experiencing not just the scenery, but the culture of the Himalayas as well. Even if you don't end up climbing Everest, you may end up needing oxygen anyway, as this trip is truly breathtaking.
About The Author
stash member Vincent Stokes
Vincent Stokes is an outdoor enthusiast and an experienced world traveler. He also writes writes for the National Parks and works to promote pride in homegrown travel destinations. (@TravelingGlobal)