For those who live to reach the highest peaks and to push themselves physically and mentally, there’s no doubt that hiking takes one of the top spots when it comes to how they like to spend their free time. It’s a sport that not only presents a great challenge but puts you directly in the midst of some of the most incredible landscapes in the world.
But where to even start? With different alpine pastures to explore the world over, it’s difficult to narrow it down to a definitive bucket list. If you’re having trouble picking one for your next vacation, perhaps the following suggestions will inspire you.
Grand Paradiso
Not far from the Italian French border is a world of unbelievable alpine beauty. Since 1922, the Gran Paradiso National Park has attracted visitors around the world who are hungry to tackle some of the highest peaks in Europe; the highest altitude in this park reaches an impressive 4,000 metres!
A walking holiday in Italy can be customised to suit your fitness level, with many opting to enjoy a series of day hikes and the more adventurous taking on multi-day adventures. Some of the more popular hikes include those from Giroparco, Alta Via Canavesana and Valle d’ Aosta.
Great Ocean Walk
Australia’s not exactly known for sky-high peaks, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking incredible hikes. The Great Ocean Walk, for example, offers a 68-mile stretch of pristine coastline that starts in Appollo Bay and ends at the Twelve Apostles.
As well as incredible vistas of the ocean, you’ll come across a whole load of exciting plants, and animal and bird species that call the coastline home. Don’t be surprised if you happen across a sleepy koala in the eucalyptus trees or the world’s tallest flowering plant tucked away in the rainforest gullies.
Pennine Way
Perhaps the most off-road you can get in the UK, the Pennine Way leads all the way from the Peak District in the north of England all the way to Scotland. Yes, it’s often a wet and windy hike but there’s nothing like winding your way through the soft green hills of the Peak District, hiking to the summit of Pen-y-Ghent in Yorkshire, exploring Swaledale and taking in the last relics of Hadrian’s Wall.
The whole hike typically takes about three weeks but it can be enjoyed in more manageable chunks. And if you need some home comforts along the way, leave it to the charming countryside villages of Hebden Bridge, Hawthorn and Middleton to pour you a piping hot cuppa and rustle up a plate of bangers and mash!
Machu Picchu
Famed as one of the seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu appears on many people’s bucket lists – and for good reason. At 3-5 days in length (if you do the whole thing), it’s a more manageable expedition than some of the world’s most impressive hikes and has been done countless times already. Learn more about the indigenous populations, gaze at thousand-year-old relics and get a snap with the Inca citadel in the background.
