The 12 Best Treks in the World (and When to Do Them)

A great trek is the right match of scenery, fitness and season — not just the most famous name. These twelve are the world’s best, with how long each takes, how hard it really is, and the season that makes or breaks it.

1. Everest Base Camp — Nepal

The Himalayan classic: Namche Bazaar, Sherpa villages and the amphitheatre of peaks at base camp (5,364m). Teahouse-supported, no technical climbing, but altitude is the challenge. ~12 days. Best March–May and September–November.

2. Torres del Paine (W/O) — Chile

Patagonia at its most dramatic: granite towers, glaciers and turquoise lakes, in famous wind. The W is 4–5 days, the full O circuit 7–9. Best November–March.

3. Inca Trail / Salkantay — Peru

The pilgrimage to Machu Picchu — the Inca Trail is permit-limited (book months ahead), while Salkantay is a wilder, ticket-free alternative. 4–5 days. Best May–September (dry season).

4. Tour du Mont Blanc — France/Italy/Switzerland

A ~170km loop around the Mont Blanc massif, sleeping in mountain refuges across three countries. No technical sections, just long days. 7–11 days. Best July–September.

5. Kilimanjaro — Tanzania

Africa’s highest point (5,895m) on a non-technical but serious walk-up; success is all about acclimatisation, so choose a longer 7–8 day route. Best January–March and June–October.

6. Annapurna Circuit — Nepal

Hugely varied — subtropical valleys to the 5,416m Thorong La pass — with great teahouses. ~12–16 days. Best October–November and March–April.

7. Laugavegur — Iceland

Rhyolite mountains, steaming vents, black sand and river crossings, hut-to-hut. Short and otherworldly. ~4 days. Best July to early September only.

8. GR20 — Corsica

Often called Europe’s toughest waymarked trek: rugged, rocky and relentless across the island’s spine. ~15 days. Best June–September. For fit, experienced hikers.

9. Overland Track — Tasmania

Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair through Australian alpine wilderness, hut- or tent-supported with a booking system. ~6 days. Best October–May.

10. Routeburn — New Zealand

A compact NZ Great Walk over an alpine pass between Fiordland and Mt Aspiring, with huge valley views. 2–4 days; huts book out fast. Best November–April.

11. Mount Toubkal — Morocco

North Africa’s highest peak (4,167m), reachable in a 2–3 day push from a valley near Marrakech — the most accessible big-mountain trek on this list. Best April–October.

12. Haute Route — Chamonix to Zermatt

The high traveller’s route between two icons, Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn, on a demanding multi-day alpine traverse. ~7–10 days. Best summer; fitness and some scrambling required.

How to choose

Filter by three things: altitude (Everest, Annapurna and Kilimanjaro demand real acclimatisation — build in slow days), difficulty (GR20 and the Haute Route are for fit, experienced hikers; the Tour du Mont Blanc and Laugavegur are gentler), and permits/season (the Inca Trail and NZ Great Walks sell out months ahead; most have a short weather window). First big trek? The Tour du Mont Blanc, Laugavegur or Tasmania’s Overland are the friendliest starts. For planning, see the best time to visit Nepal, our quieter-alternatives guide, and slow travel.

FAQ

Which is the best trek for a first-timer?

The Tour du Mont Blanc (gentle, hut-supported), Iceland’s Laugavegur (short, stunning) or Tasmania’s Overland Track — no altitude and clear infrastructure.

Which treks need permits booked far ahead?

Peru’s Inca Trail, New Zealand’s Great Walks (Routeburn) and Tasmania’s Overland all have quotas that sell out months in advance.

How do I handle altitude on Everest or Kilimanjaro?

Choose the longest route you can, build in acclimatisation days, ascend slowly, and hydrate — summit success tracks days on the mountain more than fitness.

Written by

John Morrison

John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.