Walking and hiking is, for me, the way to truly get to know a destination. You don’t just see the highlights, but the route to get there already feels like a huge win – especially when you finally spot that one view you’ve seen in a photo on this website or on social media. Along the way you might run into wildlife, chat with locals or fellow travelers, and of course you get that amazing post-hike feeling in your legs afterwards. Over the past few years I’ve done a number of hikes that will always stay with me. Are these the most beautiful hikes in the world? Probably not. I’ve simply seen far too little of the world for that. But these are the 13 most beautiful hikes I’ve done so far.
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1. Tongariro Alpine Crossing (New Zealand)
Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing was the highlight of our road trip through New Zealand. And for good reason: the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the most popular hikes in New Zealand. This 19.4-kilometer route takes you through a breathtaking landscape of volcanoes, craters, lakes and glacial valleys—and even a small stretch of rainforest at the very end. The photos pretty much prove how insanely beautiful it is.
You can do the hike in around 5.5 hours, but in reality you’ll be out there for about 7 to 8 hours because of all the photo stops. After all, you’re also there to enjoy the scenery!
Don’t underestimate your Tongariro hike beforehand. Yes, you can do it without training, but you do have to tackle a solid climb up to the top. You’ll reach it within 2 to 3 hours (depending on your pace), and after that it’s mostly downhill. Along the way you’ll experience big temperature differences. On the summit I was wearing a beanie, while near the end I was walking in shorts.
Practical:
- Distance: 19.4 km (one way, shuttle required)
- Duration: 6–8 hours
- Difficulty: hard, lots of climbing
- Best tip: start as early as possible to avoid the crowds
2. Hooker Valley Track (New Zealand)
After Tongariro I thought: it can’t get any better. Until I found myself in Mount Cook National Park. The Hooker Valley Track isn’t a tough hike, but the views are ridiculously beautiful. Suspension bridges wobble above the river, mountains reflect in the glacier lakes, and Mount Cook towers over everything at the end. This hike is hugely popular in New Zealand—and not for nothing. Definitely one for your bucket list!
Practical:
- Distance: 10 km return
- Duration: 3 hours
- Difficulty: easy
- Best tip: go at sunrise or sunset—then the light is pure magic
- Check whether the trail is open. In 2025/2026, for example, there were construction works.
3. Preikestolen (Norway)
In Norway, hiking almost feels like a national sport. The climb to Preikestolen—604 meters above the Lysefjord—is popular, but also one you’ll want to tick off. The view from the cliffs is absolutely breathtaking (as long as you get decent weather, okay)! But I’ll warn you right away: you won’t be the first tourist to hike to Preikestolen. On average, over 350,000 visitors a year walk to the iconic Pulpit Rock. The flat top of Preikestolen is what really grabs attention. It “sticks out” a bit—and you can photograph it from above.
Practical:
- Distance: 8 km return
- Duration: 4 hours
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best tip: pack rain gear—the weather changes constantly here
4. Cradle Mountain (Tasmania)
Tasmania felt like Australia in miniature to me: rugged, green and untouched. In Cradle Mountain National Park we did multiple hikes—or really a combination of them (because of the not-so-great weather). It almost feels like New Zealand, but with fewer tourists. Even though we didn’t have perfect conditions, the mix of wild landscapes, challenging walks and unique wildlife makes this the most popular hike in Tasmania (and honestly: not exactly a place you just “pop by”). And that Mountain Cabin within walking distance like the one above? You don’t have to work hard for it. We went (or rather: climbed) straight past the mountain!
Practical:
- Distance: varies (2 to 8 hours)
- Duration: depends on the route
- Difficulty: moderate
- You’ll need to take a shuttle bus to get in
5. Svartifoss (Iceland)
In Iceland you practically trip over waterfalls, but Svartifoss is truly unique. The black basalt columns behind it make it look like a stone organ. The hike to get there isn’t long, but it’s varied: you walk through hills, past little streams, and in between you’ll already spot smaller waterfalls. Bonus: Iceland isn’t a long flight and it’s perfect for a (short) road trip.
Practical:
- Distance: 3 km return
- Duration: about 1 hour
- Difficulty: easy
6. Swartberg Pass & surroundings (South Africa)
In South Africa we combined scenic drives with short hikes. Driving the Swartberg Pass itself was already an adventure, but the stops along the way made it complete. At viewpoints we’d hop out, walk a little, and suddenly find ourselves above a valley that looked endless. So you don’t have to hike everything… or drive everything. Here, you can do both! That’s what made this one extra unique for me. And in the evening? Stargazing—so bright you could see the Milky Way.
Practical:
- Distance: varies, short hikes are possible
- Duration: depends on how much you walk
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
- Best tip: combine driving and hiking—you’ll see the most that way
7. Padar Island (Flores, Indonesia)
Sometimes a hike is short but unforgettable. On Padar Island you climb up in about half an hour, after being dropped off from your boat while the sun still hasn’t risen. Yes—read that sentence again, because that’s what makes this hike unique. The view is world-class: four bays with four different-colored beaches. Padar Island has become hugely popular with tourists, as you can probably tell from the photos. You can take on this adventure from Bali (fly to Flores) and then join a boat trip that also takes you past the world-famous Komodo dragon. I say: do it!
Practical:
- Distance: 30–45 minutes uphill
- Duration: 1.5 hours total, mostly waiting for sunrise
- Difficulty: easy (short steep section)
- You can only get here by boat trip
8. Mount Batur (Bali, Indonesia)
Going to Bali? You can hike there too! The hike to the top of Mount Batur is one you do before sunrise. At three in the morning I stumbled uphill in the dark, together with dozens of others. But once you’re up there and you see that sunrise: worth every bit of effort! Breakfast on the volcano, views over the crater, and a Bali that slowly wakes up. Fun—and nicely active!
Practical:
- Distance: approx. 11 km return
- Duration: 4 hours total
- Difficulty: moderate
- Tip: You must go with a guide. It doesn’t cost much.
9. Vernal Fall (Yosemite, USA)
There are so many awesome hikes in Yosemite, but I’m picking the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall here. “Mist” is an understatement: you’ll get wet from the spray when the waterfall is powerful (in spring). This hike combines everything that makes Yosemite so special: the stunning surroundings, the mountains, the waterfalls.
Practical:
- Distance: 5 km return
- Duration: 2–3 hours
- Difficulty: moderate
- You can take an alternative route back
10. The Narrows (Zion NP, USA)
A hike through a river. Sounds bizarre—and it is. In Zion National Park you literally walk in the water, hemmed in by towering canyon walls. Sometimes up to your knees, sometimes up to your waist. You’ll often find yourself watching what the person in front is doing to follow their line. And honestly, that water feels pretty great, because Zion can get seriously hot in summer.
Practical:
- Distance: up to 15 km (you decide how far you go)
- Duration: 3–8 hours
- Difficulty: moderate to hard
- Best tip: rent special shoes and a walking stick in Springdale
11. Grand Canyon Walking Track (Blue Mountains, Australia)
The Blue Mountains are close to Sydney and they’re genuinely stunning to hike through. The Grand Canyon Walking Track is one of those walks (there are loads to choose from) that stayed with me the most. It’s just a bit outside the most popular area, but it’s still fairly busy. Ferns taller than your head, rock walls that almost hang over you, little streams you have to cross, and small waterfalls hidden away in the gorge. The path winds through a rainforest-like valley with slippery stones, and at times you literally have to duck as you walk under parts of the canyon.
The descent into the gorge is gorgeous, but also tough on your legs. And whatever you go down, you have to climb back up. Especially the steps at the end made me feel like I’d accidentally signed up for a surprise fitness class. Luckily there’s a reward: up at Evans Lookout you get a panoramic view that makes the effort more than worth it.
Practical:
- Distance: ± 6 km (circuit)
- Duration: 2.5–3.5 hours
- Difficulty: Hard – descent and a steep climb back up, lots of stairs and sometimes wet/slippery
- Best tip: finish at Evans Lookout (officially, that means walking the route in reverse)
12. The Pinnacles via the Grand Canyon (Grampians, Australia)
The Grampians is one of the most beloved national parks in South Australia. This is where you’ll find The Pinnacles via the Grand Canyon route. The hike itself was anything but boring. Narrow gorges, clambering over boulders, and even metal ladders made it a real adventure. At times it felt like we were walking through a miniature version of the real Grand Canyon. After about an hour of climbing, we arrived at the viewpoint, out of breath: The Pinnacle. From here you look out over Halls Gap and the valleys around it.
You can also start this hike from Halls Gap. You’ll be out for more than three hours then, but the advantage is that you can start straight from your campsite. When we were there in early 2025, there was a lot of work being done to make this longer option even more appealing.
Practical:
- Distance: 2.1 km one way from Wonderland Car Park (approx. 4.2 km return)
- Duration: 2 hours return (longer from Halls Gap: approx. 3+ hours)
- Difficulty: moderate – climbing over rocks, narrow gorges, ladders
- Best tip: book a campsite nearby and hike there straight from your campsite!
13. Peaks of the Balkan Trail (Albania, Montenegro & Kosovo)
Sometimes, while hiking, you end up in places that make you think: everyone should see this at least once. The Balkan Trail—officially Peaks of the Balkans—is one of those. You hike through three countries at once: Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. Not your standard Alps experience, but a rugged corner of Europe where you still hardly run into other tourists.
What made it so special to me? The combination. You walk through the impressive peaks of the Dinaric Alps, pass small mountain villages, and stay overnight in welcoming guesthouses where the stew is already waiting for you. After a day of pushing through the mountains, there’s nothing better than sitting down at a wooden table and eating along with the local family. It felt like we were part of their life for a moment.
The best part: you really don’t need to book an expensive guide, like some tour companies claim. With good preparation, GPX files, and a dose of adventurous spirit, you can hike the Balkan Trail on your own just fine. You decide how far you go—just a few stages or the full 192 kilometers. We hiked a section and I’ve mapped it all out for you here.
Practical:
- Distance: 192 km in total, usually done in sections
- Duration: approx. 10 days for the full trail, shorter stages possible
- Difficulty: moderate to hard – serious elevation gain, mountain passes and varied terrain
- Best tip: the season runs from June to September; in early spring there may still be snow and not all guesthouses are open
Are these the most beautiful hikes in the world? There’s so much more!
Are these the most beautiful hikes in the world? Maybe not. The world is simply too big, and I’ve climbed far too few mountains and walked far too few trails. But these are the hikes that were unforgettable for me. From volcanoes to fjords, and from waterfalls to deserts: every hike brought a new adventure. And honestly? My list is nowhere near finished. Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail, Torres del Paine—or what about the Alps just around the corner? There’s still so much to discover.
