Journeys into the joy of hiking

For some, it's the challenge. The rush of standing tall at the summit of a mountain after a punishing ascent. That feeling of pride sprinkled with relief at the end of days on the trail, destination reached. The feeling of fresh mountain air filling your lungs and unclouding your thoughts. Others are seeking distance—between themselves and the noise of everyday life; between an overburdened mind and a moment of clarity. 

In a hyper-connected, increasingly complicated world, the simple act of walking, feeling your mind fall into sync with your feet, is less an activity, and more an act of self-care. Standing at a trail head at first light, surrounded by the smell of wet grass and birdsong, the only thing that matters is the adventure ahead. 

There's a beautiful unpredictability to hiking. No two are ever the same. Your first ever hike could change your life; so, could your one thousandth. It could be a journey years in the making, a challenge that will push you beyond what you thought yourself capable of, or a challenge still waiting to be conquered. 

Sometimes, a hike is nothing more than a good walk, taken solely for the pure joy of carrying yourself from A to B. A spontaneous idea sparked the night before over dinner—often, these end up being the most rewarding of all. 

Every hike has an end. But the journey is the real reason we set out in the first place. 

From Himalayan Mountain passes to spiritual Outback walkabouts, we've hand-picked some of our favorite trails from around the world. 

The big one: Kilimanjaro's Machame 8-day circuit 

Earn the right to stand atop Africa's highest mountain with a rewarding multi-day hike through dense rainforest and across high-altitude plateaus. It's a tough one, but well worth the effort. 

The day hike: Ngorongoro Crater towards Serengeti 

An unforgettable journey from the rim of the mighty Ngorongoro Crater towards the vast plains of the Serengeti led by Maasai guides. Expect epic views and close encounters of the wild kind. 

The big one: Overnight hikes from the Happy House, Nepal 

From this extremely remote guest house high in the Eastern Himalayas of Nepal, venture out onto the same untouched trails that former Happy House owner Sir Edmund Hillary (the first known person, alongside sherpa Tenzing Norgay, to scale Everest) once enjoyed exploring. A multi-day hike with luxe camping offers the chance to go deep into Himalayan culture, explore Tibetan monasteries, and traverse centuries-old yak trade routes. 

The day hike: Ladakh, India 

Sky-scraping mountains, high-altitude lakes shimmering in a thousand shades of blue, welcoming rural villages—the pristine countryside surrounding Ladakh is perfect if you want a taste of the Himalayas' beauty and culture, without spending days on the trail. 

The big one: The Ausangate Circuit 

For those seeking solitude, this five-day hike takes intrepid trekkers into one of the most remote corners of the Peruvian Andes. Expect snow-capped peaks, glacier-fed lagoons, and a handful of scattered mountain communities. 

The day hike: Partial Inca Trail 

Short on time but still want to feel the buzz of that final ascent into Machu Picchu? Take the train to the trailhead and walk the final nine miles to the ancient citadel. As you enter through the Sun Gate, one of humanity's greatest mysteries unfolds beneath you. 

The big one: The Trans Bhutan Trail, Bhutan 

Weaving together deep cultural roots with its almost-mythical beauty, this 250-mile trek is Bhutan at its most epic. The whole thing takes over a month, but it can easily be portioned up into shorter multi-day adventures. 

The day hike: Khao Sok National Park, Thailand 

Connect with nature as you head deep into the lush jungle of Thailand's Khao Sok National Park. Guide-led treks are punctuated with cooling swimming holes, towering limestone rock formations, and ancient caves. 

The big one: The Uluru Kata Tjuta, Australia 

Much more than a hike, this 34-mile, five-day journey is a meaningful exercise in understanding. The walk celebrates the connection between landscape and Aboriginal culture and passes by the sacred sites of Kata Tjuṯa and the mesmerizing Uluṟu. 

The day hike: The Hooker Valley Track, New Zealand 

This six-mile trek offers a taste of New Zealand at its breathtaking best. Soaring, snowcapped mountains, gleaming glaciers and surging rivers. If you only have time for one walk, this is the path you should take in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.