There are certainly some amazing places to hike in the world. Most hikers today take full advantage of this fact, traveling to some of the most far-flung locations to test their skills and push themselves to the limit of adventure. No matter what continent you’re on, whether you’re standing in the East or the West, whether you’re in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern, you’ll always have a wide array of epic adventures to choose from.
We had to ask, which is better, North or South? To answer the question, we took a look at some of the most epic hikes in both hemispheres, and we think the jury may still be out. What we did find was that each hemisphere has so many fantastic hikes and adventures, it’s difficult to narrow the list down to just 10 from each half of the globe.
You can be the judge of the contest between North and South by checking out these 20 epic hikes. From family-friendly day-walks in Italy and 1-day treks in New Zealand to epic, months-long journeys through the United States or across Europe, you’ll be sure to find at least 1 adventure worth having almost anywhere on Earth.
20 This New Zealand Trek Is Considered One Of The World’s Finest Walks (southern)
Take a trip to Fiordland National Park in New Zealand, and you’ll have a chance to experience what some call “the finest walk in the world.” You may find it’s a little more than a walk in the park, however, as you follow the world-renowned Milford Track and retrace the steps of some of New Zealand’s early explorers.
The trail is around 55 kilometers long, and will take you through glacier-carved valleys, past cascading waterfalls, and through ancient rainforests. You’ll visit Mackinnon Pass, which provides excellent opportunities for photographers. The majestic Sutherland Falls, with their stunning 580-meter drop, are just a short side trip from the trail itself.
19 Visit Tanzania To Climb One Of The 7 Summits (southern)
Mount Kilimanjaro is probably one of the most famed climbs in all of Africa. It makes sense, because this mountain is one of the 7 summits, the highest peaks on each continent. Kilimanjaro rises about 6,000 meters above the Serengeti.
There are several different ways to tackle this impressive peak. The Marangu, or “Coca-Cola” route is supposedly easier, while the Macahme or “Whiskey” route presents more of a challenge. No matter what route you take, however, you can expect to spend 6 to 8 days hiking. Be sure to take it slow and easy, because altitude sickness is a real danger here.
18 You Can Tackle This New Zealand Trek In A Single Day (southern)
Tongariro Crossing isn’t a multi-day trek. In fact, it will only take you about 7 to 9 hours to complete. The landscape it covers, however, is rich and varied.
You’ll see active volcanoes, cross thermal vents, pass by colorful lava flows, and stand on the edges of magnificent lakes.
For those who would prefer to challenge themselves with a multi-day adventure on the North Island, there’s the Tongariro Northern Circuit, which will take you about 3 to 4 days to complete.
If you’re a fan of Lord of the Rings, check out Ngauruhoe, which stood in for Mount Doom in the movies.
The weather can be unpredictable even in the summer, so be sure to come prepared.
17 South America Considers This The Jewel Of National Parks (southern)
South America is renowned for its ecological diversity and its stunning landscapes. The number of national parks in the countries of South American speak to a desire to preserve these natural wonders for generations to come.
The Torres del Paine, located in the heart of Chilean Patagonia, is perhaps the crown jewel of these parks. Trekking here is for experienced hikers and mountaineers, as the weather can turn on a dime. The classic “W” trek will take you to the steeple-like peaks of the Cordillera del Paine. Other highlights include the Grey glacier. Of course, the W trek isn’t your only option as you explore this park.
16 Go On A Sacred Journey On This Peruvian Trail (southern)
Machu Picchu is Peru’s top attraction, but getting there is no easy feat for travelers who want to take nature's route as opposed to the less rewarding bus. To brave the steep slopes of Huayna Picchu is another feat altogether (the famous peak behind every cliché Machu Picchu photo).
If you choose the Machu Picchu for your Southern Hemisphere hiking adventure, you’ll be glad to know you have several options. The most classic path is the 4 or 5-day trek across the Inca Trail from Cusco, which will take you through ruins, cloud forests, and mountains. The trail can be somewhat treacherous and altitude sickness is an ever-present risk as you climb to 4,200 meters above sea level. All that hard hiking will be worth it to enter the city through the Sun Gate as the sun rises.
15 Huayna Potosi Is Considered Easy To Climb (southern)
Located in Bolivia’s stunning Cordillera Real, Huayna Potosi is a towering giant at just over 6,000 meters high. Despite its height, Potosi is known as one of the world’s easiest mountain climbs.
If you’ve ever wanted to scale a mountain but didn’t think it was possible, Huayna Potosi might be the hike for you.
That said, the trek does involve some technical sections, including ice climbing. It’s a wise idea to practice before attempting it on the side of the mountain. As the weather plays a key role in getting to the top, think about booking your trip between May and October.
14 Table Mountain Is A South African Icon (southern)
Travel to Cape Town, South Africa, to meet with your next Southern Hemisphere challenge. The city is backed by Table Mountain. Trek to the top and take in the “City Bowl,” and the breaking waves of the ocean far below. There’s an observation deck, and even an outdoor gym for locals. When you’re finished, take the cable car back down.
Table Mountain can serve as the starting point of a 9-day trek through South Africa, which will take you to Cape Point Nature Reserve. If you prefer an even longer adventure, you can hike point-to-point on the Trails of the Garden Route. This hike will take you through sand dunes, woodlands, and scrubland over the course of 2 weeks.
13 Check Out This Patagonian Glacier (southern)
The Torres del Paine is one of Patagonia’s most impressive sights, but it’s certainly not the only attraction in the region. From the windy, 770-mile Carretera Austral, you’ll cross a fjord by motorboat to reach Puyuhuapi Lodge. Using the lodge as home base, you can choose from several nearby hiking options.
Brave the remote wilderness by hiking into Queulat National Park. One of the most popular trails here will take you by Hanging Glacier and over a hanging bridge across the river. The trail totals just 5 kilometers (or 3.1 miles), but it will still take most hikers around 3 to 4 hours to complete. The reason? The trail gains over 1,000 feet in elevation in that short span.
12 Go On An Epic Hike Around Indonesia (southern)
There are plenty of great trails through the tropical landscapes of the Indonesian archipelago. If you’re feeling truly adventurous though, you can book a 15-day adventure around the islands of Java and Lombok.
About half of the trip is comprised of hiking days, and you’ll travel anywhere from 5 to 15 kilometers per day. One your rest days, you’ll have opportunities to explore ancient temples and villages, soak away sore muscles in hot springs, or take in the panoramic views of some of Earth’s most active volcanoes. Book June to September to avoid the rainy season, although you should still come prepared for the occasional downpour.
11 Rio Is More Than A Beach Town (southern)
When you think of Rio de Janeiro, you probably think of its world-famous beaches. The most recent host of the Summer Olympics, however, has more to offer than Copacabana and Ipanema. Rugged mountains form the backdrop for the city, and yes, you can climb them!
The Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers) is a half-day excursion, but it’s no walk in the park. Although the trail is just under 2.5 miles, it heads almost straight up. The weather is usually hot, so this 2-hour hike can be quite challenge. The views, which feature panoramas of Ipanema, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Christ the Redeemer monument, are more than worth it.
10 This Northern Hemisphere Trek Takes You To Lost Ruins (northern)
This South America trek is very much within the Northern Hemisphere. Colombia’s Sierra Nevada Mountains are a fair piece from the equator. They’re still a study in South America jungles and topography, however, and your efforts after 5 days of hiking will be rewarded with a glimpse of the famous Ciudad Perdida, or Lost City.
You’ll ford chest-deep rivers, hike through deep jungle, pass under cascading waterfalls, and scale 1,267 steps to these ancient ruins. Visit in the dry season, from December to May, to avoid some of the river crossings made more dangerous by high water during the rainy season.
9 This Trek Showcases The Best Of Nepal (northern)
Hills and steps are de rigueur for a trek to Annapurna Base Camp, high in the Himalayas. It takes 5 to 8 days to reach the lofty heights of the base camp in the Nepalese Himalayas, but you’ll feel richly rewarded by the stunning views. If 8 days of arduous trekking through the mountains doesn’t sound like enough for you, you can extend the trip by doing the 10-to-15 day Annapurna Sanctuary Trek.
The best windows of opportunity for this adventure is between September and November or March to May. The classic Everest Base Camp treks will also be accessible during these seasons, if you really want to up the ante.
8 Take In The Sunrise On One Of China’s Four Sacred Mountains (northern)
You might never find anything as peaceful as a trek to the top of Emei Shan, one of 4 sacred Buddhist mountains. Monasteries and temples dot the way to the top of this Sichuan peak. At the summit, more than 3,000 meters above sea level, you’ll be able to take in picture-perfect sunrises and sunsets, as well as the Buddhist monument of Samantabhadra that crowns the mountain.
This steep trek will take you about 2 or 3 days to complete. You’ll find shelter with the monks as you make your ascent. You might also find enlightenment during this amazing trip.
7 Nicaragua’s Isla de Ometepe Is Home To Climbable Volcanoes (northern)
Isla de Ometepe is known as the home of the largest active volcano in Nicaragua. The island rises out of the Lago de Nicaragua, joining 2 ancient volcanoes with lava flows. You can climb the smaller of the volcanoes, Maderas, although the path is both steep and slippery.
Concepción is the larger of the 2 cones, but it is still very active. It’s erupted at least 25 times since 1883, with its last eruption occurring on March 9, 2010. There are active fumaroles on the north side of the summit crater. You can climb Concepción, but you’ll want to be careful as active volcanoes are unpredictable.
6 Visit Cinque Terre For Family-Friendly Hiking (northern)
Many of the hikes on this list will appeal to adrenaline junkies, challenge seekers, and experienced hikers and climbers. For those who want something more manageable, but just as magical, consider a trip to Italy’s Cinque Terre.
The popular Sentiero Azzuro, or Blue Trail, will take you between 5 postcard-perfect towns on the Mediterranean coast. You’ll visit Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The trail is only about 7 miles (or 11.5 kilometers) long, which makes it particularly friendly for those traveling with small children or elderly relatives.
With its fairytale qualities, this is truly a magical hike for the whole family!
5 Watch The Jinsha River Cut Through This Gorge (northern)
Another great Asian trek is in Lijiang, in the southern provinces of China. Here, in Tiger Leaping Gorge, the powerful Jinsha River cuts through a dramatic, narrow chasm on its way to join the Yangtze. You’ll have a great view of the river down below, as the narrow path winds its way through the gorge.
At one point, you’ll pass the source of the gorge’s name. According to legend, a tiger leapt across the gorge to escape human captors.
The gorge is nearly 4,000 meters deep, making it one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyons in the world.
4 This Trek In Iceland May Soon Disappear (northern)
Iceland is an incredibly popular Northern Hemisphere hiking destination, and it’s easy to see why. Volcanoes, glaciers, and more mix together to create some of the wildest landscapes on the planet.
One of the most popular routes is around the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which includes the Fimmvör∂uháls Pass. The route had to be changed after the May 2010 eruptions. The final section of trail runs from the pass down to Skógar, past the epic, 200-foot high cascade of the Skógafoss waterfall. This part of the trail is threatened by another volcano, Katla.
The entire route is about 48 miles total, or you can hike the pass to Skógafoss in about 12 to 14 miles.
3 The Yoshida Trail In Japan Offers Up A True Cultural Experience (northern)
Mount Fuji is known as Japan’s largest volcano, but the iconic peak is dormant. Nonetheless, Fuji is a mythical and sacred place in Japanese folklore, which is why summiting it is something of a cultural tradition.
There are a few different trails to take you to the top, but the Yoshida Trail is the most popular. It’s about 8 miles in length, so this isn’t necessarily a multi-day trek like some of the other trails on this list. Keep in mind Fuji’s slopes welcome around 300,000 people each year, so the trail can be crowded.
If you’re hoping for a quieter trek, try venturing up in June or September. You can also choose one of the other, less popular trails.
2 Take A Pilgrimage Along The Way Of St. James (northern)
This is an epic adventure through Europe which will take you from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to the magnificent cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. This route was laid down in ancient Roman times, and it became a pilgrimage route for devout Christians during the Middle Ages.
The path is well-maintained, since it sees so much foot traffic. The entire thing runs nearly 500 miles, through the Pyrenees into the Galician countryside. Along the way, you can visit Léon and Pamplona, along with other towns. If you want a shorter walk, try the English Way, which is just 45 miles from the seaport of A Coruña.
1 This USA Trail Offers Up 800 Miles Of Desert Trekking (northern)
If you’re hoping for solitude, you might want to head for the desert via the Hayduke Trail. This is a hike of epic proportions, as the trail covers some 800 miles through Utah and northern Arizona. It links together Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and the Grand Canyon National Park, before finally ending in Zion National Park.
The Hayduke Trail takes you past some of the most stunning spectacles the United States has to offer. Perhaps the best part is you can make it as long or as short a trip as you like. Use the trail to explore smaller sections of parks, or gear up for a months-long expedition.
Sources: Travelnation.co.uk, Frommers, Mapmyrun.com, National Geographic.com