Pt. 7 – From Glacial Giants to Sacred Paths: Iconic Routes Across Continents
As we enter the top 40, the stakes—and the scenery—get even higher. This segment of the Top 100 Hikes in the World brings together a spectacular lineup of treks that span continents, cultures, and climates. From the glaciated peaks of Mount Kenya to the legendary long-distance West Highland Way, these trails are as much about personal journey as they are about breathtaking views.
You’ll traverse rugged Andean passes between Chile and Argentina, circle the iconic Matterhorn along the Swiss–Italian border, and dive into the heart of the Pyrenees on one of Europe’s most demanding routes. These are not casual walks—they’re multi-day adventures that require grit, preparation, and a love of the wild unknown.
Some, like Bhutan’s Druk Path Trek, take you past ancient monasteries and prayer flags fluttering in the Himalayan wind. Others, like the O Circuit in Torres del Paine, challenge you with Patagonia’s unpredictable elements and rewards beyond imagination. And yet, every single one promises something unforgettable—whether it’s solitude, cultural immersion, or simply the thrill of standing on top of the world.
This is Part 7 of our countdown, featuring hikes #40 to #31—each trail ranked not just for scenery, but for the story it tells and the mark it leaves. As always, we’re pairing each destination with stunning visuals on Instagram (@TrailheadTraveler), so you can experience the journey even before lacing up your boots.
Ready to plan your next big adventure? Let’s dive into ten world-class treks that define what it means to hike at the edge of the map.
Part 1: Top 100 Hikes in the World: #100 – #91
Part 2: Top 100 Hikes in the World: #90 – #81
Part 3: Top 100 Hikes in the World: #80 – #71
Part 4: Top 100 Hikes in the World: #70 – #61
Part 5: Top 100 Hikes in the World: #60 – #51
Part 6: Top 100 Hikes in the World: #50 – #41
Part 8: Top 100 Hikes in the World: #30 – #21
Part 9: Top 100 Hikes in the World: #20 – #11
What Makes This List Different?
This isn’t your typical hiking compilation—it’s a carefully curated collection of the planet’s most unforgettable trekking experiences. The Top 100 Hikes in the World series highlights the very best the outdoors has to offer, combining stunning natural beauty, cultural richness, and immersive adventure.
Whether you’re planning your next bucket-list trip or simply dreaming of future trails, these hikes span high-altitude routes, coastal odysseys, ancient pathways, and off-the-grid expeditions—each chosen to spark wanderlust and challenge your limits.
How We Chose the World’s Greatest Hikes
These rankings are built on a mix of in-depth research, global trail insights, and real-world experience. Each hike featured had to stand out across four essential categories:
✅ Scenic Brilliance – Towering peaks, pristine lakes, roaring waterfalls, remote coastlines—these trails offer the kind of landscapes you’ll never forget.
✅ Adventure Rating – From tough elevation gains to remote wilderness crossings, many of these hikes push the limits in all the right ways.
✅ Cultural & Historical Weight – Some trails trace spiritual pilgrimages or ancient trade routes, while others bring you through regions steeped in folklore and living tradition.
✅ Accessibility – While challenging, these hikes remain achievable with the right planning, gear, and mindset. They’re epic—but within reach.
What You’ll Find in the #40–#31 Countdown
This segment of the countdown continues to raise the bar with some of the most celebrated treks across six continents. You’ll uncover a striking mix of physical difficulty, geographic diversity, and cultural depth—each route unique in both challenge and reward.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s ahead:
🌍 High-Altitude Adventures – Conquer glacier-strewn peaks in Peru’s Cordillera Huayhuash or climb toward the summit zone of Mount Kenya.
🧭 Transnational Epics – Trek between countries as you circle the Matterhorn or traverse the Piuquenes Pass across the Andes.
🌀 Remote and Rugged – Escape into the alpine heart of Patagonia on the O Circuit or take on Spain’s wild Anillo Vindio in the Picos de Europa.
🕊️ Sacred Routes – Follow the spiritual footpaths of Bhutan’s Druk Path or experience the raw simplicity of Nepal’s Langtang Valley.
⛰️ Classic Long Trails – Cap it off with Scotland’s West Highland Way—a journey of lochs, moors, and timeless highland spirit.
Who This List Is For
This guide is for hikers who want more than just mileage—it’s for those chasing awe, immersion, and meaning with every step.
🥾 Ambitious travelers ready to add iconic treks to their itinerary
⛺ Seasoned hikers looking for a deeper challenge or multi-day experience
🌄 Nature lovers and photographers craving cinematic views and diverse ecosystems
🌐 Culture-seekers who want to walk in the footsteps of history and heritage
Whether you’re aiming for a single trail or working your way through the entire top 100, this next group of hikes will remind you why we hit the trail in the first place: to explore the unknown, connect with nature, and discover something new in ourselves.
No matter your experience level, there’s a trail on this list that will leave a lasting impression—and push you to explore more of the world on foot.
Ready? Let’s dive into hikes #40 to #31! ⬇️
Top 100 Hikes in the World: #40–#31
🥾 #40. Mount Kenya Summit Route (Kenya)
📍 Trailhead Location: Naro Moru, Sirimon, or Chogoria Gates, Mount Kenya National Park
🥾 Distance: ~40–50 km (25–31 miles)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~3,300 m (10,800 ft) to Point Lenana (4,985 m / 16,355 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Challenging (high altitude, technical sections on some routes)
🌟 Highlight: Summit attempt of Africa’s second-highest peak
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: January–March or July–October for drier conditions
Why It Made the List
Mount Kenya offers a summit experience unlike any other in Africa—less crowded, more technical, and incredibly diverse. The ascent to Point Lenana winds through bamboo forests, alpine meadows, and dramatic rock spires dusted in snow. With multiple approach routes (Chogoria, Naro Moru, Sirimon), trekkers can customize their adventure across varied terrain and ecosystems. Wildlife sightings, glacier-fed tarns, and sunrise summit views make this one of the most rewarding alpine treks on the continent.
🥾 #39. O Circuit – Torres del Paine (Chile)
📍 Trailhead Location: Laguna Amarga, Torres del Paine National Park
🥾 Distance: ~130 km (81 miles)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~5,500 m (18,000 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Strenuous (long distances, high winds, remote terrain)
🌟 Highlight: Backside views of the Paine Massif and John Gardner Pass
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: December–March (Patagonia summer)
Why It Made the List
The O Circuit is the definitive Torres del Paine experience, circling the full breadth of this Patagonian paradise. Unlike the more popular W Trek, the O dives into the park’s remote northern reaches, where silence, solitude, and surreal scenery await. Crossing the John Gardner Pass reveals a jaw-dropping view of the Grey Glacier spilling into an endless ice field. With towering granite spires, glacial lakes, and wildlife like guanacos and condors, this is one of South America’s most awe-inspiring multi-day treks.
🥾 #38. Matterhorn Circuit (Switzerland & Italy)
📍 Trailhead Location: Zermatt (Switzerland) or Cervinia (Italy)
🥾 Distance: ~150 km (93 miles)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~10,000 m (32,800 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Strenuous (extended climbs, alpine exposure)
🌟 Highlight: Encircling one of the world’s most iconic peaks
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: July–September
Why It Made the List
Circling the Matterhorn is a once-in-a-lifetime alpine journey that combines raw beauty with rich European culture. The trail weaves through flower-filled meadows, remote cols, and historic mountain villages across both Switzerland and Italy. Along the way, hikers are treated to up-close views of glaciers, towering 4,000-meter peaks, and the unmistakable pyramid of the Matterhorn from all angles. This circuit is not just about the mountain—it’s about the journey through the heart of the Alps.
🥾 #37. Vindio Ring ‘Anillo Vindio’ (Spain)
📍 Trailhead Location: Poncebos, Caín, or Espinama, Picos de Europa
🥾 Distance: ~63 km (39 miles)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~4,500 m (14,760 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Challenging (rocky terrain, navigation required)
🌟 Highlight: Wild limestone landscapes of the Picos de Europa
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: June–September
Why It Made the List
The Anillo Vindio is a lesser-known loop in Spain’s Picos de Europa, but it punches well above its weight. This high-mountain route links remote refugios, offering jaw-dropping views of karst formations, deep gorges, and soaring cliffs. It’s a physically demanding trek with technical trails, but the rawness and solitude are what make it unforgettable. If you’re looking for Alpine drama with a fraction of the crowds, this rugged Spanish gem is a must.
🥾 #36. Piuquenes Pass (Chile/Argentina)
📍 Trailhead Location: San Gabriel Valley, Chile to Tunuyán, Argentina
🥾 Distance: ~63 km (39 miles)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~2,800 m (9,200 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous (altitude, exposure, river crossings)
🌟 Highlight: Crossing the Andes on foot
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: January–March
Why It Made the List
The Piuquenes Pass route offers one of the most memorable ways to cross the mighty Andes on foot. Starting near Santiago, Chile, this trail leads through volcanic valleys, high passes, and stark alpine plateaus before descending into Argentina’s Mendoza region. It’s a route steeped in history, once used by indigenous peoples and later made famous by the Army of the Andes. Today, it remains wild and under-traveled—a high-altitude adventure through two countries and two worlds.
🥾 #35. Druk Path Trek (Bhutan)
📍 Trailhead Location: Paro to Thimphu
🥾 Distance: ~56 km (35 miles)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~2,000 m (6,600 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate (altitude, rugged paths)
🌟 Highlight: Ancient monasteries and Himalayan lakes
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: March–May or September–November
Why It Made the List
Winding through misty ridgelines, forested hills, and quiet alpine lakes, the Druk Path is a spiritual and scenic window into Bhutan. This moderate trek links the cultural hubs of Paro and Thimphu, offering stunning views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks on clear days. Along the route, trekkers encounter remote monasteries, colorful prayer flags, and yak herder camps. It’s a peaceful journey where nature and Buddhist tradition harmonize at every turn.
🥾 #34. Langtang Valley Trek (Nepal)
📍 Trailhead Location: Syabrubesi, Rasuwa District
🥾 Distance: ~60–70 km (37–43 miles)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~2,000 m (6,600 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate (altitude, steady ascent)
🌟 Highlight: Glacial views from Kyanjin Gompa
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: October–November or March–April
Why It Made the List
Often overshadowed by the Annapurna and Everest regions, the Langtang Valley offers Himalayan splendor with far fewer crowds. The trail follows the Langtang Khola River through rhododendron forests, Tibetan-style villages, and yak pastures, culminating in panoramic views from Kyanjin Ri. After a devastating earthquake in 2015, the region has rebuilt and remains one of Nepal’s most accessible and rewarding treks. It’s a perfect option for those seeking cultural immersion, high-mountain beauty, and community resilience.
🥾 #33. Pyrenean Haute Route (HRP) – France & Spain
📍 Trailhead Location: Hendaye (Atlantic) to Banyuls-sur-Mer (Mediterranean)
🥾 Distance: ~800 km (497 miles)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~40,000 m (131,000 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Very Strenuous (technical, remote, long duration)
🌟 Highlight: Traversing the entire Pyrenees spine
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: July–September
Why It Made the List
The HRP is a legendary traverse across the rugged spine of the Pyrenees, tracing a high and wild route between the Atlantic and Mediterranean. It’s a challenging undertaking that demands stamina, route-finding, and self-sufficiency—but the payoff is unmatched. Trekkers pass alpine lakes, remote refuges, medieval villages, and diverse cultural landscapes. For hardcore hikers looking for a true trans-European adventure, the HRP is the ultimate test of endurance and exploration.
🥾 #32. Cordillera Huayhuash Trek (Peru)
📍 Trailhead Location: Llamac, Ancash Region
🥾 Distance: ~130 km (81 miles)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~6,000 m (19,700 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Very Strenuous (altitude, remote terrain, passes over 5,000 m)
🌟 Highlight: Jagged Andean peaks and turquoise glacial lakes
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: May–September
Why It Made the List
Regarded as one of the most scenic treks on the planet, the Huayhuash Circuit is pure Andean drama. The route encircles ice-covered giants like Yerupajá and Siula Grande, crossing multiple high passes with panoramic views of valleys, lakes, and vertical walls. Campsites are remote, serene, and framed by breathtaking backdrops each night. It’s not just the scenery that makes this trek exceptional—it’s the sense of scale, solitude, and awe you carry with every step.
🥾 #31. West Highland Way (Scotland)
📍 Trailhead Location: Milngavie to Fort William
🥾 Distance: ~154 km (96 miles)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~3,200 m (10,500 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate (length, variable weather)
🌟 Highlight: Lochs, moors, and rugged Highland history
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: May–September
Why It Made the List
Scotland’s most famous long-distance trail captures the untamed essence of the Highlands. From gentle pastoral hills near Glasgow to the misty slopes of Ben Nevis, the West Highland Way offers constant variety and rich local flavor. Walkers pass lochs, glens, castle ruins, and cozy pubs along the route, with options to wild camp or stay in village inns. The combination of history, scenery, and accessibility make it one of Europe’s most beloved trekking routes.
What’s Coming Up Next?
That wraps up hikes #40 to #31 in our countdown of the Top 100 Hikes in the World! From the glacier-ringed peaks of the Cordillera Huayhuash to the windswept moors of Scotland’s West Highland Way, this section delivered high-altitude drama, transnational treks, and cultural depth from every corner of the globe.
But we’re only gaining momentum.
Next up: hikes #30 to #21—a powerhouse lineup featuring some of the most famous, beloved, and bucket-list-worthy trails on Earth. You’ll hike to the summit of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, test your limits on Half Dome’s cables, traverse the mystical beauty of The Enchantments, and explore the soul of Spain along the Camino de Santiago.
From Morocco’s rugged Three Peaks Challenge to the sacred cliffs of Bhutan’s Tiger’s Nest Monastery, this upcoming segment blends spirituality, alpine challenge, and cinematic beauty. You’ll also get a taste of legendary national park favorites like Angels Landing and New Zealand’s Routeburn Track, plus long-distance solitude along Sweden’s Kungsleden Trail and the emerging epic that is the Transcaucasian Trail.
📍 Follow @TrailheadTraveler on Instagram for reels, tips, and trail inspiration to help you plan your own adventure.
Have you hiked any of these trails already—or dreaming about one in particular? Drop a 🥾 or 📸 in the comments and tag your trail crew—we might just feature your story!
Stay tuned—#30 to #21 is coming soon, and it’s full of legendary landscapes and life-changing miles. 🌍⛰️⛰️
Featured Image Photo by Rajeshtg
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