Pt. 3 – The Ultimate Hiking Bucket List Continues!
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of exploring the world’s most breathtaking hiking trails. Whether you’re trekking across vast deserts, climbing rugged peaks, or winding through lush alpine meadows, hiking offers an unparalleled way to connect with nature. From bucket-list adventures to hidden gems, every step brings new challenges, stunning scenery, and a deeper appreciation for the great outdoors.
As part of our Top 100 Hikes in the World campaign—featured on Instagram (@TrailheadTraveler)—we’re counting down the most epic hiking destinations across the globe. These trails were selected for their breathtaking landscapes, unique terrain, rich history, and adventure factor. Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or planning your first major trek, this list highlights must-do hikes that belong on every outdoor enthusiast’s bucket list.
This is Part 3, featuring hikes #80 to #71—a collection of trails that showcase diverse terrain, from the rocky deserts of Tunisia to the snow-capped peaks of Bolivia. Each one offers a truly unforgettable hiking experience. How many have you hiked? Let us know in the comments! 🚀🥾
Part 1: Top 100 Hikes in the World: #100 – #91
Part 2: Top 100 Hikes in the World: #90 – #81
Part 4: Top 100 Hikes in the World: #70 – #61
What to Expect from This List
How We Chose the Best Hikes in the World
Each hike was carefully selected based on:
✅ Scenic Beauty – Jaw-dropping landscapes, iconic viewpoints, and breathtaking natural wonders.
✅ Adventure Factor – Trails that challenge hikers with steep ascents, technical sections, or multi-day expeditions.
✅ Cultural & Historical Significance – Paths tied to ancient civilizations, sacred sites, or legendary journeys.
✅ Accessibility & Popularity – While some hikes are remote and demanding, many are achievable bucket-list adventures for outdoor lovers.
A Global Hiking Journey
Expect a mix of:
🌄 Epic summit climbs (like Huayna Potosí Base Camp Trek)
🌊 Coastal gems (such as Portugal’s Rota Vicentina Fishermen’s Trail)
🌿 Lush jungle treks (like Colombia’s Trek to the Lost City)
🏜️ Desert and canyon adventures (The Great Dahar Crossing in Tunisia)
🧊 Alpine routes (Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit, Canada)
Who is This List For?
🥾 Casual hikers looking for their next adventure
⛰️ Experienced trekkers seeking an epic challenge
✈️ Travelers planning bucket-list hikes around the world
No matter your hiking style, there’s an unforgettable trail waiting for you!
Ready? Let’s dive into hikes #80 to #71! ⬇️
Top 100 Hikes in the World: #80–#71
🥾 #80. The Olive Trail (Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia)
📍 Trailhead Location: Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia
🥾 Distance: 6.2 miles (10 km) loop
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: Moderate
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate (rocky terrain, desert conditions)
🌟 Highlight: Unique rock formations and vast desert landscapes
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: April to September (cooler temperatures)
Why It Made the List
The Olive Trail takes hikers through the dramatic, otherworldly landscapes of Namib-Naukluft National Park, home to some of the oldest desert terrain on Earth. The loop winds through rugged canyons, towering rock walls, and dry riverbeds, offering a sense of true wilderness in one of Africa’s most stunning natural settings. A highlight of the hike is the chains-assisted rock descent, adding an element of adventure to this scenic trek.
Wildlife sightings are common, with hikers often spotting mountain zebras, oryx, and baboons along the way. The stark beauty of the Namib Desert, combined with the challenge of navigating its rocky terrain, makes this a must-hike trail for those looking to experience Namibia’s rugged landscapes up close.
🥾 #79. Trek to the Lost City (Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia)
📍 Trailhead Location: Machete Pelao, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia
🥾 Distance: 28.0 miles (45 km) round trip
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~5,000 ft (1,524 m)
🥵 Difficulty: Strenuous (hot, humid conditions, river crossings)
🌟 Highlight: Ancient ruins of Teyuna, “The Lost City”
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: December to March (dry season)
Why It Made the List
Deep in the Colombian jungle, the Trek to the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) is an extraordinary journey through lush rainforests, indigenous villages, and ancient archaeological ruins older than Machu Picchu. This four-day trek follows a challenging but rewarding route, with steep ascents, river crossings, and humid conditions that test endurance.
The climax of the hike is reaching Teyuna, a hidden pre-Columbian city built by the Tayrona civilization over 1,000 years ago. After climbing 1,200 stone steps, hikers are rewarded with sweeping views over the misty jungle and the terraced ruins of this lost civilization. The journey offers not just a physical challenge but also a deep cultural and historical experience, making it one of the most iconic treks in South America.
🥾 #78. Markha Valley Trek (Hemis National Park, India)
📍 Trailhead Location: Chilling, Ladakh, India
🥾 Distance: 40.4 miles (65 km)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~8,000 ft (2,438 m)
🥵 Difficulty: Strenuous (high altitude, remote terrain)
🌟 Highlight: Stunning Himalayan scenery and Tibetan culture
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: June to September
Why It Made the List
The Markha Valley Trek is one of India’s most famous high-altitude hikes, winding through the remote landscapes of Ladakh in the Indian Himalayas. The trail takes hikers across deep gorges, high-altitude passes (over 16,000 ft), and remote villages, where traditional Tibetan culture is still alive.
Trekkers experience breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, Buddhist monasteries perched on cliffs, and vast barren valleys, making this an incredibly diverse trek. The isolation and dramatic Himalayan backdrops make it a bucket-list adventure for those seeking an immersive trekking experience in the “Land of High Passes.”
🥾 #77. Navajo Loop, Queen’s Garden, Peekaboo (Bryce Canyon, USA)
📍 Trailhead Location: Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
🥾 Distance: 6.4 miles (10.3 km)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~1,550 ft (472 m)
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate (steep switchbacks)
🌟 Highlight: Hoodoo rock formations and vibrant canyon views
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: May to October
Why It Made the List
This spectacular loop in Bryce Canyon National Park is arguably the best way to experience the park’s famous hoodoos—towering, spire-like rock formations carved by erosion. The Navajo Loop, Queen’s Garden, and Peekaboo Trail combine to create an otherworldly trek through vivid orange, red, and pink rock formations.
Descending into the canyon, hikers wind through slot canyons and narrow corridors, passing famous formations like Thor’s Hammer, Wall Street, and the Queen’s Garden. The ever-changing light on the sandstone creates a surreal experience, making this one of the most photogenic hikes in the United States.
🥾 #76. Great Dahar Crossing (Tunisia)
📍 Trailhead Location: Dahar Plateau, Tunisia
🥾 Distance: 120.5 miles (194 km)
🥵 Difficulty: Strenuous (desert conditions, long distances)
🌟 Highlight: Remote desert landscapes and Berber culture
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: October to April
Why It Made the List
The Great Dahar Crossing is one of North Africa’s most unique long-distance treks, leading hikers across the stunning but harsh landscapes of the Tunisian desert. The trail traverses rolling sand dunes, ancient cave dwellings, and remote Berber villages, offering a journey into one of the oldest inhabited regions on Earth.
Due to the challenging conditions, including extreme heat, limited water sources, and rugged terrain, this trek is for experienced hikers seeking a true desert adventure. The combination of vast, open landscapes and rich cultural history makes this a hidden gem among the world’s great hiking experiences.
🥾 #75. Presidential Traverse (New Hampshire, USA)
📍 Trailhead Location: White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire, USA
🥾 Distance: 23.0 miles (37 km)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~9,000 ft (2,743 m)
🥵 Difficulty: Strenuous (steep ascents, unpredictable weather)
🌟 Highlight: Stunning summit views of the White Mountains
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: June to September
Why It Made the List
The Presidential Traverse is one of the toughest and most rewarding hikes in the eastern United States. This demanding route summits multiple peaks in the Presidential Range, including Mount Washington (6,288 ft), the highest peak in the Northeast. The terrain is rocky, steep, and highly exposed, making for a grueling but exhilarating challenge.
Hikers are treated to incredible panoramic views, alpine ridges, and the unpredictable weather extremes that Mount Washington is infamous for. Whether completed in a single day push or a two-day backpacking trip, this traverse is a must-do for experienced hikers seeking a challenge in the White Mountains.
🥾 #74. Cirque of the Towers Loop (Wyoming, USA)
📍 Trailhead Location: Big Sandy Trailhead, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming, USA
🥾 Distance: 26.6 miles (42.8 km)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~5,000 ft (1,524 m)
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous (remote, high-altitude passes)
🌟 Highlight: Jaw-dropping granite peaks and alpine lakes
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: July to September
Why It Made the List
For hikers and backpackers seeking alpine perfection, the Cirque of the Towers Loop in Wyoming’s Wind River Range is a dream come true. This stunning backcountry route winds through glacial valleys, pristine lakes, and dramatic granite spires, with some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Rocky Mountains.
The cirque itself is a jaw-dropping amphitheater of jagged peaks, including Warrior, Wolf’s Head, and Pingora—a favorite among climbers. The trail’s remoteness and technical mountain passes, like Texas Pass, make this a true wilderness adventure, ideal for experienced backpackers looking to escape the crowds of nearby national parks.
🥾 #73. Guatemala Five Volcano (‘Ring of Fire’) Challenge (Guatemala)
📍 Trailhead Location: Various volcanoes across Guatemala
🥾 Distance: 52.0 miles (83.7 km)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: 20,000+ ft (6,096 m)
🥵 Difficulty: Strenuous (high-altitude climbs, extreme elevation gain)
🌟 Highlight: Climbing five iconic volcanoes, including Acatenango and Tajumulco
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: November to April
Why It Made the List
The Guatemala Five Volcano Challenge is one of the most demanding multi-day treks in Central America, taking hikers up five of the country’s most iconic volcanoes, including Acatenango, Fuego, and Tajumulco (the highest point in Central America). Each summit offers unparalleled views of Guatemala’s volcanic landscape, with erupting peaks, lava flows, and endless horizons.
This high-altitude challenge pushes hikers with intense ascents, extreme altitude, and rugged terrain, making it an epic adventure for those willing to tackle Guatemala’s Ring of Fire. The reward? Unforgettable sunrise views, volcanic craters, and a true sense of accomplishment.
🥾 #72. Huayna Potosí Base Camp Trek (Bolivia)
📍 Trailhead Location: Cordillera Real, Bolivia
🥾 Distance: 14.7 miles (23.7 km)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: High-altitude trek (Base Camp ~16,732 ft / 5,100 m)
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous (altitude challenges)
🌟 Highlight: Stunning Andean landscapes and the option to summit Huayna Potosí (19,974 ft)
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: May to September
Why It Made the List
Set in Bolivia’s Cordillera Real, the Huayna Potosí Base Camp Trek is a stunning introduction to high-altitude trekking in the Andes Mountains. While the full summit climb of Huayna Potosí (19,974 ft) is a technical ascent, the base camp trek provides a challenging but accessible way to experience this majestic peak.
With towering glaciers, alpine valleys, and breathtaking views over La Paz, this trek is perfect for those looking to acclimate to high-altitude hiking while soaking in the untamed beauty of Bolivia’s mountains. The option to continue to the summit makes it an ideal trek for those seeking a taste of mountaineering adventure.
🥾 #71. Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit (British Columbia, Canada)
📍 Trailhead Location: Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada
🥾 Distance: 6.8 miles (11 km)
🧗♂️ Elevation Gain: ~2,300 ft (700 m)
🥵 Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous (narrow ledges, exposed sections)
🌟 Highlight: Unparalleled alpine scenery and turquoise glacial lakes
🕰️ Best Time to Hike: July to September
Why It Made the List
Considered one of the most breathtaking hikes in the Canadian Rockies, the Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit is a masterpiece of alpine scenery. This high-elevation route weaves through rugged ridgelines, hanging valleys, and shimmering turquoise lakes, offering some of the most spectacular panoramic views in North America.
What makes this hike so special is its remoteness and limited access, preserving the pristine beauty of Yoho National Park. The dramatic views over Lake O’Hara, Opabin Plateau, and the Wiwaxy Peaks make every step worth it. For those lucky enough to snag a permit, this trail is one of Canada’s finest alpine experiences.
What’s Coming Up Next?
That wraps up hikes #80 to #71 in our Top 100 Hikes in the World countdown! From the stunning alpine trails of Canada to the volcanic landscapes of Guatemala and the remote deserts of Tunisia, this section of the list has showcased some of the most breathtaking and challenging hikes on the planet—and we’re just getting warmed up.
In the next installment, we’ll unveil even more legendary trails, featuring iconic peaks, rugged backcountry adventures, and awe-inspiring scenery from every corner of the world. Whether you’re an experienced trekker or planning your first big hiking trip, there’s a must-do adventure ahead that deserves a spot on your bucket list.
Want to stay updated? Follow @TrailheadTraveler on Instagram for daily hiking inspiration, expert tips, and exclusive previews of what’s coming next! Have you conquered any of these incredible trails? Drop a comment and share your experience!
Stay tuned for #70 to #61—coming soon! 🚀🥾
Featured Image: Lake O’Hara Yoho National Park, Photo by Zeljko Kozomara
Don’t forget to stock up on the essentials before you plan your next hiking or camping trip! We have recommendations on:
TENTS
HIKING BOOTS
AND MORE!