There’s something about a trail that sticks with you. Maybe it’s the view at the top, or maybe it’s the quiet stretch where you could hear your own footsteps. Over time, hikes turn into memories. This list of 100 hiking trails is simply a starting point for your next story outside.
100 Hiking Trails That Will Surprise You
Not every great hiking trail is famous. Some of the most surprising hiking trails are those ones you didn’t expect much from at first. This list of 100 hiking trails might just show you paths that feel different, exciting, and completely unforgettable, just like the way they are.
- Continental Divide Colorado: High country section
- Appalachian Trail: Classic forest journey
- Continental Divide Trail: Remote mountain route
- John Muir Trail: Yosemite high country
- Half Dome Trail: Iconic granite climb
- Angels Landing: Narrow ridge thrill
- Zion Narrows: River canyon walk
- Bright Angel Trail: Grand Canyon views
- Glacier Highline Trail: Clifftop glacier views
- Kalalau Trail: Hawaiian coastal drama
- Inca Trail: Ancient stone pathway
- Annapurna Circuit: Himalayan village trek
- Everest Base Camp: High altitude adventure
- tMarkha Valley Trek: Ladakh desert mountains
- Kumano Kodo: Sacred forest route
- Mount Fuji Trail: Volcanic summit climb
- Laugavegur Trail: Iceland colorful landscapes
- Trolltunga Hike: Norway cliff view
- Tour du Mont Blanc: Alpine country loop
- Alta Via 1: Dolomite ridge walk
- West Highland Way: Scottish loch journey
- Snowdonia Llanberis Path: Wales summit hike
- Camino de Santiago: Spiritual walking route
- Lycian Way: Turkish coastal cliffs
- Cinque Terre Trail: Italian seaside walk
- GR20 Corsica: Tough mountain traverse
- Plitvice Lakes Trail: Waterfall forest paths
- Rila Seven Lakes: Bulgaria alpine lakes
- Tatras Ridge Trail: Poland rocky peaks
- Madeira Levada Walks: Irrigation channel paths
- Torres del Paine W: Patagonian glacier circuit
- Fitz Roy Trail: Argentina sharp peaks
- Huayna Picchu: Machu Picchu overlook
- Lost City Trek: Jungle ruins hike
- Angel Falls Trek: Venezuelan waterfall trail
- Quilotoa Loop: Ecuador crater lake
- Chapada Diamantina: Brazil canyon paths
- Table Mountain Trail: Cape Town views
- Drakensberg Amphitheatre: South Africa cliffs
- Mount Kenya Trek: African alpine summit
- Kilimanjaro Machame Route: Roof of Africa
- Atlas Mountains Trek: Morocco village trail
- Wadi Rum Hike: Jordan desert walk
- Petra Backdoor Trail: Hidden canyon path
- Mount Sinai Trail: Sunrise desert climb
- Zion Canyon Overlook: Short scenic hike
- Olympic Hoh Trail: Mossy rainforest walk
- Redwood Creek Trail: Giant trees route
- Yosemite Mist Trail: Waterfall climb
- Grand Teton Cascade Canyon: Alpine valley hike
- Bryce Canyon Navajo Loop: Hoodoo landscape walk
- Arches Devil’s Garden: Sandstone arch route
- Death Valley Mosaic Canyon: Marble slot trail
- Denali Savage River: Alaska tundra walk
- Harding Icefield Trail: Glacier panorama climb
- Banff Lake Agnes: Canadian alpine lake
- Jasper Skyline Trail: Rocky mountain views
- Big Pine Lakes: Turquoise alpine pools
- Mount Rainier Skyline: Wildflower mountain loop
- Zion Observation Point: Canyon wide view
- Milford Track: New Zealand rainforest path
- Routeburn Track: South Island alpine route
- Tongariro Crossing: Volcanic emerald lakes
- Waipoua Forest Walk: Ancient kauri trees
- Blue Mountains Grand Canyon: Australia cliff walk
- Overland Track: Tasmania wilderness trek
- Mount Cook Hooker Valley: Glacier lake walk
- Abel Tasman Coast Track: Golden beach trail
- Blyde River Canyon: South Africa gorge hike
- Simien Mountains: Ethiopia high plateau
- Great Wall Jiankou: China rugged section
- Mount Bromo Sunrise: Indonesian volcanic trail
- Saklikent Gorge Walk: Turkish river canyon
- Pena de Bernal: Mexican monolith climb
- Yosemite Upper Falls: Tall waterfall route
- Mount Hood Timberline: Oregon summit loop
- Beehive Trail: Acadia cliff ladder
- Smoky Mountains Alum Cave: Forest bluff hike
- Hanging Rock Trail: Carolina summit view
- Glenariff Forest: Northern Ireland waterfalls
- Black Forest Trail: Germany woodland loop
- Monteverde Cloud Forest: Costa Rica must walk
- El Yunque Trail: Puerto Rico rainforest hike
- Taiga Forest Path: Sweden northern woods
- Amazon Jungle Trek: South America rainforest
- Ghorepani Poon Hill: Nepal sunrise ridge
- Lake Braies Loop: Italian lake stroll99
- Oolah Valley Route: Arctic backcountry path
- Bristlecone Pine Trail: Ancient tree loop
- Fairy Pools Walk: Isle of Skye waterfalls
- Campuhan Ridge Walk: Bali rolling hills
- Colorado Trail: Rocky mountain stretch
- Double O Arch: Utah sandstone path
- Pico Mountain Trail: Portugal island summit
- Baird Glacier Trek: Alaska ice route
- Grand Wash Trail: Capitol Reef canyon
- Grinnell Glacier Trail: Montana alpine glacier
- Garnet Canyon: Teton rugged valley
- Hall of Mosses: Olympic rainforest loop
- Continental Divide Colorado: High country section
What’s the Best Time to Visit Hiking Trails?
There’s no fixed answer to this, since it really depends on where you’re heading. Nevertheless, we feel spring and fall are usually the nicest because the weather is cooler and more comfortable. Summer is great too, especially for high mountain trails, but you’ll want to start early, so the heat doesn’t slow you down. Finally, check the local forecast, because weather can change quickly and surprise you.
Conclusion
When you look back, it won’t be the miles you remember most. It’ll be the small laughs, the tired legs, and the views that made you stop. These 100 hiking trails aren’t just places to visit. They’re moments waiting to happen.
