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Do you like hiking? Me too, I love !

It is the best way to experience nature in its raw state.

But also to measure up against harsh climates and the highest peaks.

Adventure is what hikers live for, whether they are crossing a canyon, climbing a mountain or crisscrossing the moors.

You too want to tread these legendary trails that test the body?

You too want to live strong emotions on the most beautiful and exceptional trails?

Whether you are an experienced hiker or a beginner, discover the 30 most legendary hiking trails on the planet:

1. The narrows, United States

Carved out over the millennia by the Virgin River, The narrows is a gorge located in Zion National Park, Utah. It is certainly not the hardest, but this hike offers breathtaking scenery throughout its 26 km. More than half of the trail sinks into the river itself, including some spots where you will certainly be required to swim. But rest assured, this hike is a one-day hike, after which you can calmly dry off at one of the park's 12 campgrounds.

How to get there : This hike through the Virgin River begins at Chamberlain Ranch, located approximately 20 miles from the east entrance to Zion National Park. For detailed instructions and maps, visit the Zion Adventures website.

2. The Dogon Country, Mali

The Dogon Country is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque sites on the African continent. It is its grandiose landscapes that attract hikers to its trails. The route can last up to 10 days. This hike crosses a real country, that of the Dogon people, and includes visits to troglodyte dwellings and authentic Dogon villages.

How to get there : to get around the Dogon Country, it is essential to hire a car or hire a private driver. Then, you have to go to one of the starting point villages: Kani-Kombolé, Djiguibombo, Endé, Dourou or Sanga. To get a good idea of ​​the different hikes to do through the Dogon Country, consult this interactive map. Remember to check beforehand if the area is not dangerous on this site.

3. The Haute Route, France and Switzerland

To discover the most magnificent landscapes of the Alps, you have to take La Haute Route, a path that connects Chamonix, in France, to Zermatt, in Switzerland. The routes vary according to the seasons, but allow about 2 weeks to complete this circuit, reserved for experienced hikers.

How to get there : book accommodation in or around Chamonix. To organize your hike, call on a guide who will accompany you on the trails. Your guide and possibly your hotel will be able to provide you with all the necessary information.

4. The GR20, France

Still on French territory, the GR20 de Corse is a legendary trail for walking winding 168 km. Signposted in 1972, the GR20 starts from Calenzana, crosses Balagne and finally ends in Conca, north of Porto Vecchio. On this spectacular hike, you will encounter an astonishing diversity of rickety bridges, mountains, glacial lakes, rivers, forests and bogs. It is one of the most difficult hikes.

How to get there : the nearest large town to Calenzana is Calvi. You can get there by plane, from Sainte-Catherine Airport, or by local ferries. Then take a coach from Calvi to Calenzana to access the trail.

5. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru

At first glance, this "only" 33 km hike may seem easier than the ones previously mentioned. But this trail, built largely under the Inca Empire, meets all the expectations of a modern day hiker. Along this route, you will cross, among others, the Sacred Valley of Machu Picchu, one of the most remarkable sites in the world. It is one of the best treks in the world!

How to get there : access to the Inca Trail is strictly controlled. Therefore, it is essential to organize your visit a few months in advance, through a tour guide. When the time comes, you will have to take a flight to Cuzco. From there, take a train to Aguas Calientes, the starting point of the trail to Machu Picchu. You can spend the night in Aguas Calientes or choose to go directly to Ollantaytambo, in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Your tour guide will surely accompany you on all these trips, to help you find the trail.

6. Everest Base Camp, Nepal

Mount Everest is the first major ascent on this list of legendary hikes. Located at Kala Pattar, Everest Base Camp reaches a dizzying altitude of 5,545m. It takes 3 weeks to complete the circuit. To do this, you will be accompanied by sherpas. These famous guides of the people of the same name come from the district of Solukhumbu. With them, you will admire the unforgettable landscapes that follow one another throughout the valleys and mountains of Everest.

How to get there : If you've chosen to start your ascent from the Nepalese side, book a flight from Kathmandu to the small airport in Lukla, a village near Sagarmatha National Park. If you have chosen to hire a sherpa, they will most likely be at the airport to meet you.

7. The Himalayas, North India

Much less traveled than the Alps or Everest, this path located in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh is a strenuous hike for adventurers. On this path isolated from everything, which connects Spiti to Ladakh in 24 days, you will be led to border precipices and reach dizzying altitudes.

How to get there : Himachal Pradesh state is divided into 12 districts. The area that interests you is the district of Lahaul and Spiti, more precisely in the valley of Spiti. Most hikers choose the city of Manali as their starting point. To get there, you can get there by train or plane from Delhi. Then, take the west-east circuits to Rohtang Pass which ends in the town of Kaza. There are also coaches that connect Delhi to Manali. If you are driving yourself, allow about 8-10 hours.

8. The Overland Track, Australia

Located in Tasmania, the trail Overland Track Stretches for 80 km and takes about 6 days of walking. This hike connects Mount Cradle to Lake Saint Clair, Australia’s deepest lake. You can contemplate mountains, lakes, moors, forests, waterfalls and also the famous Mount Ossa, the highest point of Tasmania.

How to get there : of all the hikes on this list, the trail Overland Track is by far the easiest to access. Just walk to the Cradle Mountain Visitor Center and a shuttle will drop you directly to the trailhead. From the major towns of Davenport, Burnie or Launceston, you can easily access Mount Cradle and Lake Saint Clair in under 4 hours.

9. The Routeburn Track, New Zealand

Located on the South Island of New Zealand, the Routeburn Track is not a particularly difficult trail. Three days of hiking are enough to complete its 32 km, starting at the foot of the Southern Alps massif. In reality, the only difficulty with this hike is to get a visitation right! Indeed, the number of hikers who can access it is strictly limited by the government.

How to get there : hikers prefer Routeburn Hut as a starting point, easily accessible from Queenstown. To get to Queenstown, you can take a plane, a coach or rent a car.

10. The Baltoro Glacier and K2, Pakistan

Surely you've heard of K2, the second highest peak in the world, after Everest. But did you know you can climb its icy slopes to the top? This legendary 15-day hike will take you through Paiju (6,610 m), Uli Biaho (6,417 m), the Great Tower of Trango (6,286 m) and, finally, the famous K2 with its 8,611 m.

How to get there : like most trips to Pakistan, you must go through Islamabad. Recommended hotels for hikers are the Envoy, the Shalimar or the Royal Inn. But, of course, you choose your accommodation. From Islamabad, take a flight or drive to Skardu. Finally, 4x4 guides will accompany you to the village of Askolie, the starting point of this unforgettable hike.

11. Tongariro Nordic Circuit, New Zealand

This tour is also known as the Great New Zealand Hike. Located on the North Island, it stretches for 49 km and requires 4 days of walking to bypass Mount Ngauruhoe. You will surely recognize his landscapes, since they were used in the filming of the trilogy of Lord of the Rings.

How to get there : most of the hikers reach the village of Whakapapa. The New Zealand Department of Conservation has banned private vehicles beyond this village and offers shuttles to the trailhead for $ 15. From Auckland, you can take a flight to Whakapapa Airfield.

12. Mount Fitz Roy, Argentina

Many trails exist to reach the top of Mount Fitz Roy. On average, the hikes extend for about 64 km. But each of these scenic trails gives you the most unforgettable views of Patagonia.

How to get there : again there is a great choice of routes to get to the top. Therefore, take care to choose your itinerary well before your departure. The village of El Chalten is the gateway to Mount Fitz Roy. It is accessible by coach from El Calafate or San Carlos de Bariloche. Both towns are served by internal flights, but El Calafate is by far the easiest to get to.

13. The Cinque Terre, Italy

With only 12 km, we could qualify this hike as a great walk. It runs along the majestic Mediterranean coast, in the west of Italy. Not only are its landscapes sublime, but you will also cross the Cinque Terre, five villages listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. Therefore, this is THE ideal hike for culture enthusiasts.

How to get there : you can join the Cinque Terre by plane, train or car. The hike begins in the village of Corniglia, accessible by train or on foot.

14. The Santa-Cruz trek, Peru

The Santa-Cruz trek is one of the most popular treks in Peru, surpassed only by the Inca Trail, mentioned previously. In 4 days of hiking, you will discover some of the most isolated rivers, lakes and mountains in the world.

How to get there : better to hire a guide for this hike to get the most out of your experience. The trek begins in Huaraz, a town located in the Huascarán National Park, in the heart of the Cordillera Blanca. To get there, take a bus from Lima. The main operators are Movil Tours, Ormeño, Cruz del Sur and CIAL.

15. The Torres del Paine circuit, Chile

10 days of walking, 83 km of trails and landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see: this is what you can expect from the Queen of Chilean treks. Crossing the Torres del Paine massif, you will discover real wonders of the South American continent.

How to get there : after a flight to El Calafate, you will take a 6 hour coach trip to Puerto Natales. From there you will take another bus for 2 hours to Torres Del Paine National Park. Many guides are available on site to accompany you on your hike in the national park. You also have the choice to book your guide in advance.

16. The city of Petra, Jordan

Petra, a dream destination for hikers from all over the world. Only one problem: how to visit it? The easy option is to take an air-conditioned coach. But the adventurer in you will surely prefer this superb 80 km hike in the middle of the desert, practicable in 7 days. The choice is obvious.

How to get there : First you have to book a flight to Amman, the capital of Jordan. From there, take a coach to Madaba, where you will meet your guide. He will then accompany you to Dana, the starting point of the hike.

17. The Kungsleden, Sweden

The Kungsleden, or Royal Way in Swedish, crosses the uninhabited landscapes of this northern European country and covers an impressive length of 434 km. In winter, the Kungsleden turns into a ski slope.

How to get there : the starting point of the hike is in the municipality of Abisko, located in the far north of the country, about 25 hours from Malmö and 13 hours from Stockholm. To get there, there are also daily trains from Lulea and Gallivare, or you can also reach by plane.

18. The West Coast Trail, Canada

This 75 km trail runs along the southwest coast of Vancouver Island. Originally, it was marked in 1907 so that the natives could come to the aid of the shipwrecked. Today, it mainly allows hikers to discover the grandiose and wild expanses of the coast of British Columbia.

How to get there : there are several entry points to take the West Coast Trail. The easiest is the one in Pacheena Bay, accessible by plane or ferry.

19. Sarek National Park, Sweden

Renowned for its 1220 km2 of untouched landscapes for centuries, Sarek National Park is the ideal destination for those who wish to progress at their own pace and define their own itinerary.

How to get there : located in the far north of Sweden, Sarek National Park adjoins the Kungsleden. Therefore, use the same means of transport as those of the Kungsleden to get there.

20. The way to Muliwai, Hawaii

With only 28 km, the Muliwai Trail is nonetheless considered to be the most difficult hike in the Hawaiian Islands. Its trails will take you through the valleys of Waipi’o, Waimanu and also a magnificent black sand beach.

How to get there : the trail departs from the community of Honoka'a, located not far from the Hilo international airport on the Big Island. From the airport, you can take a coach or rent a car to get to Honoka’a in less than an hour.

21. The Croagh Patrick, Ireland

At its humble 2.5 miles, the Croagh Patrick climb is an easy hike for beginners who want to admire the beauty of Mother Nature, but without suffering too much in the process. It takes about 4.5 hours to reach the summit, which offers an incomparable view of this magnificent country, and then descend.

How to get there : Croagh Patrick is located near Westport, County Mayo, easily accessible by train from Dublin.

22. Grindelwald, Switzerland

Mainly known as a ski resort, Grindelwald also offers exceptional hikes for beginners! You are spoiled for choice in determining your route, as the town has 290 km of trails. Hikes vary from 1 day to 1 week, making Grindelwald THE perfect destination for an adventure.

How to get there : most hikers choose to come by train or car from Interlaken, which is accessible from Zurich, Geneva and other major cities in Switzerland.In summer, you can even get there by taking the many hiking trails in Switzerland.

23. The Appalachian Trail, United States

It's simple. With 3,540 km crossing 14 states, there is no better trail in the United States than the Appalachian Mountains to put your backpacking skills to the test. If you want to take it to the next level, look no further, this is the hike for you. The big advantage is that you can take on this trail along its entire length or, alternatively, on the stretches of your choice.

How to get there : most visitors arrive by car, as there are several car parks along the trail. If you want to hike from north to south, start at Baxter State Park, Maine.

24. The Zillertal Alps, Austria

As you can imagine, the Austrian Alps abound with hiking trails for all skill levels, from beginners to the more experienced. Perhaps one of Austria’s most popular alpine hikes is the Berliner Höhenweg, a circuit of around 7 days of walking.

How to get there : to discover the exceptional Berliner Höhenweg, you have to go to Innsbruck. This city is easily accessible by train, plane or car.

25. The Drakensberg massif trail, South Africa

The Drakensberg Massif Trail is considered one of the best in the world by hikers, adventurers and survivalists. Stretching for 64 km, it sits between the Kingdom of Lesotho and South Africa and offers unrivaled views of the African continent.

How to get there : the easiest area of ​​the Drakensberg massif is a peak known as The Sentinel. That’s why most choose this location as their starting point and follow the trail south. From Durban Airport you can access the Sentinel by car via the N3 motorway, or take one of the Baz Bus company coaches.

26. The Cape Wrath Way, Scotland

One of the toughest hikes in the UK! This path winds for 321 km through the legendary Cape Wrath. For an experienced hiker, it takes 20 days of walking to complete it.

How to get there : its starting point is the town of Fort William, which you can easily reach by coach or train from Glasgow, Edinburgh and other major Scottish cities.

27. Simien National Park, Ethiopia

Simien National Park stands out for its wide array of hiking trails, from the easiest for beginners to the harshest for experienced hikers.

How to get there : the Simien Mountains are located in Ethiopia's Amhara region. Gondar, the region’s main city, is served by air and several bus lines from Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar and all major cities in Ethiopia.

28. The polar route, Greenland

Also known as the Arctic Circle Trail, this 160 km hike connects Kangerslussuaq with Sisimiut, one of the most remote places on the planet. Quite simply, you will cross the second largest glacier in the world.

How to get there : as you can imagine, the polar route is not really easy to access. However, there are Air Greenland flights that serve Kangerlussuaq from Paris.

29. The Kalalau Trail, Hawaii

The Kalalau Trail runs along the paradisiacal coast of Na Pali on the island of Kauai. Despite its relatively short length of 35 km, this trail is known to be as dangerous as it is spectacular. Therefore, take special care if you venture there.

How to get there : Kaua'i Island is easily accessible by air. The starting point of the trail is a beach, Ke'e Beach. You can get there on foot, by public transport or by taxi.

30. The Apolobamba Cordillera, Bolivia

Few of the brave have succeeded in climbing the Apolobamba Cordillera, located northeast of Lake Titicaca. Stretching over a length of 104 km, this extreme hike takes about 5 days. Not far from the Peruvian border, this splendid mountain range offers spectacular panoramas and a unique experience in the world.

How to get there : La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, has the distinction of having the highest international airport in the world. From La Paz, you can organize transport to the town of Pelechuco, located in the heart of the mountain range of the Apolobamba Cordillera.

Precautions to take

As you may have seen, some of these amazing hikes are in countries that may have safety concerns.

Therefore, it is essential to inquire about the state of security before leaving.

To do this, go to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here and do a research on the country in question.

Your turn...

And you, do you know other legendary hikes? Talk to us in the comments to share them with our community. We can't wait to hear from you!

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