16 Paradises for Hikers

Backpacking continues to be in the hearts and minds of nature-loving, young adventurers. Throughout the journey there are no distractions or noise, and the travel itself gives the body a tough workout. However the feeling of breathing fresh air on top of the mountain top or a cliff-top overlooking the sea is far worth the effort and is a feeling that those who stick to the road most taken will never get to experience. Though a lot of people may enjoy historical culture, bustling metropolises, or a relaxing afternoon by the sea, when you chose to backpack, you are actually choosing an activity that will free you from your own restraints, that allows you to surrender all the excess in your life, and allows you to thoroughly integrate yourself and really experience yourself in your most natural, challenged, and free state. Once you are in route, all the pressures and needs from daily life will be forgotten, and the peacefulness of the whole journey will give you more time to reflect and meditate. Who couldn't love a trip like this? 

Today we will introduce you to the top 16 paradises for backpackers world-wide. After taking these paths, you will surely purify your soul.  

1. Chamonix Mont-Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland)

Total Length: 170km, takes about 7-11 days

Difficulty: Above Average

Best Time to Travel: Jul-Sep

Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the European's most famous hiking trips, and is therefore one of the most popular routes to take. The route goes through the highest mountain range, the Alps, and travelers will encounter bare-faced mountains, fields covered with wild flowers, as well as astonishing glaciers along the way. The distance traveled every day will be relatively short, however, the high peaks and low valleys (approx. 10,000 meters) will exacerbate the difficulty of travel. While many people decide to camp on the mountainside, there are also many different lodging options along the way. According to experienced hiker's, exploring the villages along the way was one of the best parts of the journey. 

2. Torres Del Paine National Park (Chile) 

Total Length: 100km, takes about 8 days

Difficulty: Medium

Best Time to Travel: Nov-Apr

Torres Del Paine National Park (also known as the "Towers of Pain") is the highest plateau that separates southern Argentina from Chile. It extends from Magellan's Straight to the Chilean Antarctic, and spreads from the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean. This national park serves as the home of several hundreds of species of wild life, including the condor, llamas and even pumas! While there are cabins along the trail, they are in short supply (especially after 10pm in the summer) and camping is normally considered the better option. 

3. Laugavegurinn Trail (Iceland)

Total Length: 55km, takes about 4 days

Difficulty: Medium

Best Time for Travel: Jul-Sep

Because of the distinct lack of settlement, the Laugavegurinn Trail feels like you are travelling through pure wilderness with desolate valleys, glaciers, and volcanic formations, making it one of Iceland's most popular trails. While travelling you will almost feel like you are in a different world. After visiting here, J. R. R. Tolkien even said that it was like visiting "Middle-Earth."

4. Kalalau Trail (Hawaii, US)

Total Length: 36km, takes about 3 days

Difficulty: Hard

Best Time for Travel: Year-Round

This trail isn't long, but it is a challenging route along the coast of Kauai. The trail is the only means to enter the rugged terrain, and though it begins on a level surface, the farther you climb, the more dangerous it becomes as you first cross a river before wading though a dense ravine and finally following a narrow ledge. As you push yourself to reach the final destination, you can enjoying the beautiful landscape along the way, not to mention the spectacular sight of the Hanakoa waterfall located at Hanakoa Falls. 

5. Queen Charlotte Trail (New Zealand)

Total Length: 71km, takes about 4 days

Difficulty: Easy-Medium

Best Time To Travel: Year-Round

The trail between the Marlborough Sounds is considered to be one of New Zealand's most popular hiking paths. The path is quite level with only slight inclines, however, the greenery under and majestic blue skies are a wonderland for all those who are interested in New Zealand's vegetation. From here you can head through the forest to reach Nikko Palm Garden Beach, seeing other vegetation along the way.

6. Goddess Jomolhari Trek (Bhu Tan) 

Total Length: 108km, takes about 8 to 13 days

Difficulty: Hard

Best Time for Travel: Apr, May, Oct, Nov

Jomolhair, also known as Chlomohari or the Virgin Peak by locals, is one of peaks in the Tibetan Himalaya's seven fairies of folklore. Boarding both Tibet and Bhutan, travelers usually need to have a guide in order to traverse the Himalayas in order to find their way through the remote valleys between the mountains. Along the way there are buildings belonging to both traditional Buddhist and Himalayan culture, including Bhutanese forts, museums, herder tents and one of the landmark temples. Since this is a high-altitude hike (a maximum of 4,900 meters) hikers will need to adapt in order to avoid altitude sickness, however, the spectacular views make this difficult trek more than worthwhile. 

7. Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (Peru)

Total Distance: 48km, takes about 4 days

Difficulty: Medium-Hard

Best Time to Travel: May-Aug

The ancient Inca Stone Road covers the length of the Inca Trail. The length (13,800ft long routes) as well as changes in height are it's most difficult factors. It is located in the Andes and trails through misty forests and alpine tundra as you make your way through prehistoric carvings (where there are sometimes teams of camels). Eventually you will reach the famous ruins of Machu Picchu. However due to the extreme heat, the Peruvian government has strictly limited the number of travelers who are allowed to hike here and currently do not allow tourists. 

8. Gates of the Arctic National Park (Alaska, US)

Total Length: 34,287km

Difficulty: Hard

Best Time to Travel: Jun-Aug

The entire national park is located north of the Arctic circle and not only is it the northern most national park in the United States', it is also the second biggest park in the entire world! The park is 34,287 square km and hosts the Brooks Mountain Range, arctic foothill tundras, boreal forest, as well as six wild rivers. Only the most courageous and experienced hikers dare to brave this wild terrain and since there are no man-made paths, hikers must use maps, compasses, and GPS devices in order to find their way. That's not saying there aren't benefits, of course, because of the vast and wild terrain, visitors are unlikely to run across other travelers and opportunities to see grizzly bears, wolves, foxes, and reindeer are plentiful!

9. John Muir Trail (California, US)

Total Length: 339km, takes about 21 to 24 days

Difficulty: Medium

Best Time to Travel: Jul-Oct

Through the winding Sierra Nevada Mountains, this sun-filled route in the famous Pacific Crest trail is considered to be one of the best! From Yosemite National Park to Whitney Mountain, this trail takes you through a journey that has some of the most spectacular national parks in the US: Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park. Adam Ansel Wilderness, and ends at Mount Whitney. Travelling from North to South (which is most popular due to the relative remoteness of the second half of the trail) you will climb to a height of 14km.

10. Nightingale Road (Ireland)

Total Length: 179km, takes about 9 days

Difficulty: Medium

Best Time to Travel: Year-Round, however from Nov-Feb 

there is a possibility of heavy rains and hail

Ireland has more than 30 scenic routes, but the diversity of Dingle Peninsula distinguishes it from all the rest. Beginning in a busting village, the trail will take you from golden, sandy beaches to rugged cliffs, dusty plains, evergreen forests and even to stone ruins. The expression, "the grasses always greener on the other side," was meant to infer the green fields along the route where visitors can get peace of mind while viewing the field's inhabitants which include wild horses, goats, and sheep. Brandon Mountain (952m) is also located on the trail and gives travelers the opportunity to experience real mountaineering. 

11. Long Trail (Vermont, US)

Total Length: 438km, takes about 26-30 days

Difficulty: Medium-Hard

Best Time to Travel: May-Nov

Built in 1912, Long Trail is the United States' oldest long-distance trail. The trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains along the Massachusetts-Vermont border and even includes some of the Appalachian Trail as you pass into Canada. It is a remote and rugged trail, passing through streams, mountains, swamps, hardwood forests, crystal-clear ponds and beautiful green vegetation with nearly 70 shelters along the way.

12. Lukla to Everest Base Camp (Nepal)

Total Length: 113km, takes about 16 days

Difficulty: Medium

Best Time to Travel:Mar-May, Sep-Nov

Did you know that you don't have to risk your life scaling Mt. Everest in order to appreciate it's beauty? You can also accomplish this feat by starting from Lukla located in the Kunlun Mountains, Nepal and head towards Mt. Everest base camp. The ring-shaped mountain road gives travelers the opportunity to appreciate some of the biggest peaks in the world (Mt. Everest, Lhoste, Makalu, and Cho Oyu) all the while offering a blend of natural and cultural attractions such as glaciers, rivers, swing bridges, prayer wheels, not to mention the Buddhist temples and the opportunity to stay in friendly Sherpa villages along the way. Keep in mind that even though you may not be climbing to the apex of Mt. Everest, you will climb about 2,682 meters above sea level.

13. The Overland Track (Australia)

Total Length: 82,000m, takes about 5 to 6 days

Difficulty: Easy-Med

Best Time to Travel: Oct-May

The Overland Track is one of Australia's most famous jungle treks, and a convenient way to explore the Tasmanian wilderness. The Overland Track begins at Cradle Mountain and travels past Lake St. Clair (Australia's deepest fresh water lake) before crossing wild plains, rivers, mountains, glassy, mirror-like lake temperate forests and rugged mountains. The trail is clearly marked and has a well-preserved wooden plank road as well as huts scattered along the way. For those who want a more challenging route, you can travel along many of the other different routes, one of which takes you to the top of Ossa--the highest peak in Tasmania.

14. Cinque Terre (Italy)

Total Length: 12km, takes about 1 to 2 days

Difficulty: Easy

Best time to Travel: Apr, May, Sep, Oct

Cinque Terre, or "The Five Lands", is located on the rugged portion of the Italian Riviera. Cinque Terre is composed of five villages named Monterosso, al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, respectively. The walking trail, named Sentiero Azzurro (Light Blue Trail) connects the fishing villages built along the coast to the terraced hills, vineyards, and olive groves. This trip can be completed in an afternoon, but the rare quiet of the path will instill a peace within travelers that make you want to sit and truly embrace the feeling of beauty these small villages impart, each of which is unique in it's own right. For those who seek to challenge themselves, visitors can walk a few unfrequented paths of the climbing trail. 

15. Mount Rinjani (India)

Total Length: 22km, takes about 3 to 4 days

Difficulty: Hard

Best Time to Travel: May-Oct

As the second highest peak in Indonesia at 3,726 meters tall, not to mention an active volcano, Mt. Rinjani is a difficult climb for only the bravest of warriors. To reach the summit you will need a guide (and even then, the safety of the venture is still questionable). There are some paths that aren't too strenuous and lead to the volcanic crater. Upon descent. hikers will have a fantastic view of the crater which looks like a miniature volcano surrounded by lakes. No matter which route you take, all of them will take you past hot springs, caves, involve steep climbing, as well as encounters with monkeys. One of the best things about this hike is the beautiful, almost surreal view of the stars at night.

16. Drakensburg Mountain Trail (South Africa)

Total Lenght: 65km, takes about 5 to 6 days

Difficulty: Hard

Best Time to Travel: Mar-May

Mt. Drakensburg is South Africa's highest mountain range (peak reaches 3,000 meters)/ Though there is no established path through the range, it begins with a climb up a crumbling chain ladder to the Amphitheater (4,800 meters long with a 1,000 meters ascent up rock walls) and ends at the Cathedral Peak. The trail takes you though barren highlands, red basalt cliffs, rivers, waterfalls, has two large and deep caves which are decorated with prehistoric drawings, as well as plays host to Somalian herder cabins.