Pt. 6 – From Alpine Icons to Ancient Wonders: Epic Trails from Around the Globe

The countdown hits its stride with some of the world’s most legendary hiking experiences. In this segment of our Top 100 Hikes in the World, we explore a thrilling mix of high-alpine circuits, rugged coastal treks, volcanic landscapes, and ancient paths steeped in history. From the jaw-dropping cliffs of Norway’s Trolltunga Trail to the windswept granite of Colorado’s Four Pass Loop, each route is a masterpiece of nature and endurance.

This collection features bucket-list adventures from Banff National Park, the Italian coast, the Andes of Ecuador, and even the Great Wall of China. You’ll find demanding multi-day epics like Tasmania’s Overland Track and the Teton Crest Trail, along with unforgettable day hikes like Larch Valley or the Plain of Six Glaciers—each offering world-class scenery and a unique sense of place.

As always, we’re showcasing each trail visually through our Instagram series (@TrailheadTraveler)—designed to inspire your next great journey. These aren’t just hikes; they’re experiences that leave a mark, blending natural wonder with human history and raw adventure.

We’re diving into hikes #50 to #41—how many have you tackled already? Drop a 🌍 or 🥾 in the comments and tag your hiking crew!

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 7: Top 100 Hikes in the World: #40 – #31

Part 8: Top 100 Hikes in the World: #30 – #21

Part 9: Top 100 Hikes in the World: #20 – #11

Part 10: Top 100 Hikes in the World: #10 – #1

---

---

What to Expect from This List

This isn’t just another hiking roundup—it’s your curated guide to the world’s most awe-inspiring trekking experiences. Each trail in our Top 100 Hikes in the World series is carefully selected to represent the best in outdoor adventure, combining breathtaking scenery, unforgettable storytelling, and soul-stirring challenges.

Whether you’re mapping out your next big expedition or daydreaming about future trails, this list brings together a world-class mix of high-alpine treks, coastal journeys, iconic circuits, and once-in-a-lifetime destinations.

---

How We Selected the World’s Best Hikes

Our rankings are based on a blend of detailed research, trail community insights, and firsthand experience. To make this list, a hike must excel in four key areas:

✅ Scenic Impact – From jagged peaks and glacial valleys to cliffside coastlines and lush forests, these trails showcase the planet’s most jaw-dropping landscapes.
✅ Adventure Factor – We’ve included demanding routes that reward determination, test your limits, and deliver a sense of wild remoteness.
✅ Cultural & Historic Significance – Many of these hikes are rooted in ancient stories—whether it’s walking along the Great Wall of China or crossing Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes.
✅ Feasibility – These trails are epic—but not impossible. With the right planning, motivated hikers can experience every route listed here.

---

The #50–#41 Edition: What You’ll Discover

This stretch of the countdown is packed with variety—some of the most iconic hikes on Earth appear here, along with rugged backcountry epics and lesser-known gems. You’ll find a dramatic mix of terrain, difficulty levels, and cultural depth that will challenge your legs and stir your soul.

Here’s a preview of what’s included:

🧱 World Heritage Treks – Walk along the Great Wall of China, where history and epic views collide on one of the planet’s most iconic paths.
🗻 Big-Mountain Classics – From the Teton Crest Trail in Wyoming to the wild granite terrain of Colorado’s Four Pass Loop, this group includes some of North America’s top backpacking routes.
🌲 Alpine Day Hikes – Take in turquoise lakes and sweeping peaks on the Plain of Six Glaciers, Lake Agnes Beehive Circuit, or Larch Valley, all nestled in the Canadian Rockies.
🧗 High-Stakes Views – Brave the ledge of Norway’s Trolltunga, one of Europe’s most photographed (and physically demanding) day hikes.
🌊 Coastal and Remote Treks – Push through rugged wilderness on Italy’s Selvaggio Blu, or trek deep into volcanic highlands on Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes route.

---

Who Is This List For?

This series is crafted for hikers of all experience levels who crave more than just a walk in the woods. It’s for those who seek the extraordinary.

🥾 Casual adventurers hoping to level up their next trip with a truly unforgettable hike
⛺ Experienced backpackers looking for bucket-list trails and challenging multi-day treks
🌍 Cultural explorers interested in walks that echo with historical and spiritual meaning
📸 Photographers and nature lovers eager to experience some of Earth’s most cinematic landscapes

No matter where you are in your hiking journey, there’s a trail in this segment that will inspire you to think bigger, hike further, and experience the world more deeply—one step at a time.

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 #50 to #41! ⬇️

Top 100 Hikes in the World: #50–#41

🥾 #50. The Great Wall of China Trek – Jiankou to Mutianyu (China)

📍 Trailhead Location: Xizhazi Village, Huairou District, Beijing
🥾 Distance: ~12 km (7.5 miles)
🧗‍♂️ Elevation Gain: ~1,100 m (3,600 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate (steep, uneven stone steps)
🌟 Highlight: Hiking atop one of the world’s most iconic man-made wonders
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: Spring (April–May) or fall (September–October) for clear skies and fewer crowds

Why It Made the List

Step back in time and walk along one of humanity’s greatest architectural feats. This unforgettable trek traces the dramatic ridgelines between Jiankou and Mutianyu—two of the most scenic and contrasting sections of the Great Wall. Starting in the wild, unrestored Jiankou section, the hike challenges you with steep ascents, crumbling towers, and heart-pounding views from razor-thin walls. As you transition toward Mutianyu, the path becomes more restored and accessible, offering sweeping vistas of rolling hills and ancient stonework stretching to the horizon. This roughly 10–12 km route is more than just a hike—it’s a journey through centuries of Chinese history, where every watchtower tells a story and every step offers a new perspective.

---

🥾 #49. Plain of Six Glaciers (Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada)

📍 Trailhead Location: Lake Louise Lakeshore Trailhead
🥾 Distance: ~13.8 km (8.6 miles) roundtrip
🧗‍♂️ Elevation Gain: ~365 m (1,200 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate
🌟 Highlight: Views of glaciers, hanging valleys, and surrounding peaks
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: July to September

Why It Made the List

The Plain of Six Glaciers trail is a must-do in the Canadian Rockies and one of Banff National Park’s most rewarding hikes. Starting from the picturesque shores of Lake Louise, the trail winds through glacial moraine, alpine meadows, and dramatic cliff faces. Hikers are rewarded with panoramic views of Victoria Glacier, Mount Lefroy, and other towering peaks that surround the plain. A historic teahouse near the top offers a unique and cozy rest stop with views that are simply world-class. With its blend of natural beauty, accessible challenge, and iconic scenery, this trail ranks among the best hikes in Canada and stands out as a top alpine experience globally.

---

🥾 #48. Trolltunga Trail (Norway)

📍 Trailhead Location: Skjeggedal near Odda, Vestland County
🥾 Distance: 28 km (17.4 miles) roundtrip
🧗‍♂️ Elevation Gain: ~800 m (2,625 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Strenuous
🌟 Highlight: Standing on the dramatic Trolltunga rock ledge
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: June to early September

Why It Made the List

The Trolltunga Trail is one of Europe’s most famous—and visually striking—day hikes. The route is long and challenging, but the reward is spectacular: a jaw-dropping rock ledge jutting out over a 700-meter drop, with sweeping views of fjords and glacial lakes. The dramatic photo-op at the end draws hikers from around the globe, but the journey there is equally stunning. The trail passes through alpine tundra, glacier-fed streams, and wide open plateaus with endless views. As one of Norway’s premier hikes, Trolltunga is an essential adventure for serious hikers and Instagrammers alike, offering one of the best high-impact scenic payoffs in the world.

---

🥾 #47. Selvaggio Blu Trail (Sardinia, Italy)

📍 Trailhead Location: Santa Maria Navarrese, Sardinia
🥾 Distance: ~40–50 km (variable by route)
🧗‍♂️ Elevation Gain: Significant; rugged coastal terrain
🥵 Difficulty: Very difficult (requires scrambling, navigation, rope use)
🌟 Highlight: Wild Mediterranean coastline, cliffs, and solitude
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: April to June, September to October

Why It Made the List

Often dubbed the “hardest trek in Italy,” the Selvaggio Blu is a raw, off-the-grid adventure along Sardinia’s stunning Orosei coastline. This trail isn’t for the faint of heart—it demands route-finding skills, technical scrambles, and even rope descents. But for those up to the challenge, the rewards are immense: unspoiled Mediterranean cliffs, hidden beaches, ancient shepherd paths, and complete solitude. You’ll rarely see other hikers, giving this route a sense of true wilderness. Selvaggio Blu is a one-of-a-kind experience that combines coastal grandeur with alpine toughness. It’s a top-tier adventure for experienced trekkers seeking one of the most rugged and remote hikes in Europe.

---

🥾 #46. Avenue of Volcanoes Trek (Ecuador)

📍 Trailhead Location: Varies—often starts near Cotopaxi or Quito
🥾 Distance: ~60–100 km depending on route
🧗‍♂️ Elevation Gain: High-altitude; varies greatly
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous (due to elevation)
🌟 Highlight: Trekking amid a corridor of active and dormant volcanoes
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: June to September

Why It Made the List

Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes Trek is one of the most scenic and geologically rich routes in South America. The trek follows a valley flanked by over a dozen towering volcanoes, including Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, and Cayambe. What makes this hike extraordinary is the combination of high-altitude adventure, dramatic Andean landscapes, and vibrant local culture. Trekkers traverse páramo grasslands, volcanic ridges, and colorful highland villages—often with condors soaring overhead. It’s a hike that blends natural grandeur with cultural immersion and offers one of the most dramatic alpine corridors in the world. For hikers craving big-mountain energy without the crowds, this trek is a must.

---

🥾 #45. Lake Agnes + Beehive Circuit (Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada)

📍 Trailhead Location: Lake Louise Lakeshore Trailhead
🥾 Distance: ~12.1 km (7.5 miles) loop
🧗‍♂️ Elevation Gain: ~585 m (1,920 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate
🌟 Highlight: Multiple turquoise lakes, historic teahouses, and epic views
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: July to September

Why It Made the List

This classic Canadian Rockies circuit showcases the best of Banff National Park in a single, manageable day hike. Starting from Lake Louise, the trail climbs past Mirror Lake and the historic Lake Agnes Teahouse before reaching two incredible Beehive viewpoints. These panoramic vantages overlook turquoise lakes, surrounding glaciers, and alpine valleys that feel lifted from a dream. The trail offers a perfect mix of effort and reward, with diverse terrain, forested switchbacks, and sweeping views that exemplify the magic of the Rockies. It’s an ideal hike for anyone seeking iconic scenery without venturing too far into the backcountry—perfectly balanced between accessibility and awe.

---

🥾 #44. Teton Crest Trail (Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA)

📍 Trailhead Location: Phillips Pass Trailhead to Jenny Lake
🥾 Distance: ~63.5 km (39.5 miles) one-way
🧗‍♂️ Elevation Gain: ~2,000 m (6,500 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Strenuous, multi-day backpacking
🌟 Highlight: Traversing the dramatic spine of the Tetons
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: Mid-July to early September

Why It Made the List

The Teton Crest Trail is often hailed as one of the finest backpacking routes in the United States—and for good reason. This high-alpine traverse offers nonstop views of the craggy Teton Range, glacial cirques, alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers, and sweeping valley panoramas. Wildlife sightings are common, from moose and marmots to soaring eagles. With multiple access points and potential side trips, this trail offers flexibility for experienced backpackers looking for solitude and rugged beauty. It’s a true mountain epic that encapsulates the wild heart of the American West, making it one of the best multi-day hikes in North America.

---

🥾 #43. Overland Track (Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania, Australia)

📍 Trailhead Location: Ronny Creek to Lake St Clair
🥾 Distance: ~65 km (40.4 miles) one-way
🧗‍♂️ Elevation Gain: ~1,200 m (3,900 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
🌟 Highlight: Diverse ecosystems and remote Tasmanian wilderness
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: November to April (permit required in peak season)

Why It Made the List

The Overland Track is Australia’s premier long-distance hike, winding through the UNESCO-listed Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park. The trail showcases Tasmania’s wildly varied terrain—from button grass plains and alpine moors to rainforest and jagged peaks. Highlights include side trips to Cradle Mountain, Barn Bluff, and Mount Ossa (Tasmania’s highest point). With well-maintained huts, a permit system to limit crowds, and a true sense of remoteness, the Overland Track offers one of the best wilderness trekking experiences in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s ideal for those seeking solitude, raw nature, and a hike that feels like stepping back in time.

---

🥾 #42. Larch Valley / Sentinel Pass (Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada)

📍 Trailhead Location: Moraine Lake Trailhead
🥾 Distance: ~11.6 km (7.2 miles) round trip to Sentinel Pass
🧗‍♂️ Elevation Gain: ~792 m (2,600 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
🌟 Highlight: Larch trees in golden fall foliage and Ten Peaks views
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: Mid-September for larch season

Why It Made the List

Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass form one of the most iconic day hikes in the Canadian Rockies. Starting at the famed Moraine Lake, the trail climbs steadily through a larch-filled valley that turns brilliant gold in late September, drawing photographers and hikers from around the world. The views from Sentinel Pass are equally staggering, offering a sweeping panorama of Paradise Valley and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. This short but rewarding hike blends accessibility with alpine grandeur, making it one of the best fall foliage hikes on Earth—and a must-do during larch season in Canada.

---

🥾 #41. Four Pass Loop (Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness, Colorado, USA)

📍 Trailhead Location: West Maroon Trailhead near Aspen
🥾 Distance: ~43.4 km (27 miles) loop
🧗‍♂️ Elevation Gain: ~2,400 m (8,000 ft)
🥵 Difficulty: Strenuous, 3–4 day backpacking loop
🌟 Highlight: Crossing four alpine passes above 12,000 ft with nonstop mountain views
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: July to September

Why It Made the List

The Four Pass Loop is widely regarded as one of the best backpacking routes in the United States. Set in Colorado’s Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness, this trail lives up to the hype with towering peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and wildflower-filled meadows. As the name implies, the route crosses four major passes—Buckskin, Trail Rider, Frigid Air, and West Maroon—each offering dramatic 360° views. The high elevation and rugged terrain demand physical preparation, but the payoff is immense. For those seeking the ultimate Rocky Mountain experience, the Four Pass Loop is a rite of passage and a true alpine masterpiece.

---

What’s Coming Up Next?

That wraps up hikes #50 to #41 in our countdown of the Top 100 Hikes in the World! From the rugged cliffs of Trolltunga to the alpine lakes of Banff and the wild ridgelines of the Teton Crest Trail, this section has featured some of the most iconic—and photogenic—trails on Earth.

But the real elevation gain is still ahead.

Next up: hikes #40 to #31—a legendary lineup that includes high-altitude summits, transnational circuits, and culturally rich treks through some of the planet’s most dramatic mountain ranges. Whether it’s conquering the O Circuit in Patagonia, trekking beneath the shadow of the Matterhorn, or navigating the sacred highlands of Bhutan’s Druk Path, these trails deliver on both adventure and awe.

Expect remote alpine valleys, glacier-crossings, and soul-stirring scenery from Scotland’s West Highland Way to the jagged peaks of the Cordillera Huayhuash.

📍 Follow @TrailheadTraveler on Instagram for exclusive reels, behind-the-scenes trail content, and planning tips to help turn these dream hikes into reality.

Have you taken on any of the hikes in this list—or are you planning one soon? Drop your thoughts or tag your hiking crew in the comments. We’d love to hear your story and maybe even feature it!

Stay tuned—#40 to #31 is on the way, and it’s one of the most thrilling chapters yet. 🌄🥾⛰️

Featured Image: Photo by Stefan Serena