West Coast Trail is our top hike in the world.

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West Coast Trail

Challenging in many ways.

So much VARIETY in pristine Canadian coastal wilderness.

Mystic dawns and mind-blowing sunsets. Hidden pocket coves and weird coastal geology.

You’ll never forget the West Coast Trail.

AT A GLANCE

• 75 km (47 mi), 5-7 days Pachena Bay <> Gordon River
• 3-5 day routes possible via Nitinaht Village trailhead
• southwestern edge of Vancouver Island
• Pacific Rim National Park
• Permits required 
• May 1 – September 30
• extremely rugged, requires a high level of fitness
• 6,000 backpackers / year

Read more on our WCT information page.

John Muir Trail is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

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John Muir Trail

If there’s a hiker’s paradise on earth, it’s the JMT in the Sierra Nevadas.

213 miles without a road. Fantastic weather. 11 high passes. Unbelievable nonstop vistas. And Mt Whitney.

AT A GLANCE

• Yosemite, Ansel Adams and John Muir wilderness, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks
• start in stunning Yosemite, Muir’s “Range of Light”
• 223mi (360km) to Whitney Portal adding sidetrips to Half Dome, Vermillion Resort and Mt. Whitney 14,505ft (4,421m)
• 15-21 days recommended
• carry your own food and tent
• JMT about 10% the length of the Pacific Crest Trail

Read more on our John Muir Trail information page.

Tongariro Northern Circuit is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

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Tongariro Circuit

Our favourite multi-day tramp in our favourite hiking region of the world — glorious New Zealand.

AND our top volcano hike worldwide.

by Jeff Pang

AT A GLANCE

• one of our top 10 hikes in the world
• non-stop superb hiking
• mostly volcanic & desert environs
• 34 km (19 mi) depending on route
• 3-days, 2-nights minimum
• option to climb a volcano, or two
• medium difficulty hiking, with challenging sections
• wonderful variety of scenery
• Dec – Mar best months
• maximum elevation Red Crater 1886m (6188ft)
• very crowded on the Tongariro Crossing section

Read more on our Tongariro Northern Circuit information page.

Ausangate Circuit is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

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Ausangate Circuit

Our favourite hike in the high Andes. Doing it independently only recommended for confident, self-sufficient hikers experienced at high altitude. It’s remote.

AT A GLANCE

• circle sacred Ausangate massif (6372m, 20,905ft), the highest peak in southern Peru
• 4 high passes between 4757m – 5165m
• 70km (43.5mi) plus sidetrips
• almost everyone does Ausangate with a guide, but it’s quite doable independently if you are acclimated 
• many options to extend this trek
• best months are the May-September dry season
• Tinqui is 5-8 hours now only about 3.5hrs by bus on a new road, about 100km S.E. of Cusco
• sidetrip to the “rainbow mountains” of Vinicunca

Read more on our Ausangate Circuit information page.

Sunshine Meadows to Mt Assiniboine is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

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Sunshine to Assiniboine

Our favourite hike in the Canadian Rockies. 

Banff to Sunshine Meadows Ski Resort by bus or tram. Then head for the Matterhorn of the Rockies.

AT A GLANCE

• recommended route 6 days, 5 nights. Shorter options are possible and popular.
• 56km (34.8mi) plus side trip day hikes
• July to mid-September
• moderate difficulty
• accessed only on foot or by helicopter
• heavenly alpine meadows
• It can snow any day of the year. Or it can be 30°C (86°F).

Read more on our Sunshine to Assiniboine information page.

Glacier North Circle in Montana is one of our top 10 hikes in the world. Even better if you add a side trip to Waterton National Park in Canada.

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Glacier North Circle

Of the many great American Rocky Mountain hikes, this is our favourite.

AT A GLANCE

• 7 days, 6 nights recommended
• 65miles (104km) plus side trips
• best months July-Sept
• well-signed
• medium difficulty hiking
• recommended for experienced multi-day hikers

Read more on our Glacier North Circle information page.

The Otter Trail on the Garden Route out of Capetown is arguably the most famous in Southern Africa.

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Otter Trail

Lush forests, rugged shorelines, mountain streams and waterfalls and fragrant fynbos make this a unique coast adventure.

Book 12 months in advance to get one of the exclusive permits. .

AT A GLANCE

• one of our top 10 coastal hikes in the world
• Storms River Mouth to Nature’s Valley
• 42km
• 5 days, 4 nights
• clean huts, no tenting
• gorgeous cliff tops, returning to sea level to cross rivers

Read more on our Otter Trail information page.

The Haute Route, from France to Switzerland, is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

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Haute Route

Chamonix to Zermatt, Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn – in two weeks of mountain travel you will see the greatest collection of 4000 metre peaks in the Alps!

AT A GLANCE

• also known as the Walker’s High Route
• Alpine charm: valleys, lakes, glaciers
• great food, history, culture
• from Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe (4810m, 15,781ft)
• to the Matterhorn, the most beautiful peak in the alps
• 9-15 days
• 180 kms (112mi)
• best months June-Sept
• crosses 11 passes, gains more than 12,000m elevation
• difficult hiking

Read more on our Haute Route information page.

The Overland Track in Tasmania is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

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Overland Track

The best & most famous walk in Australia.

AT A GLANCE

• surreal, unique Tasmanian vistas
• pretty lakes, tarns and waterfalls
• exiting by ferry it’s minimum 62km (38.5mi) carrying a pack plus many possible sidetrips without a pack.
  • Elevation Gain: 4,793 ft / 1,461 m
    Elevation Loss: -5,160 ft / 1,573 m
• 8000-9000 walkers / year in the past
  • 60 walkers start / day 2018 in high season
  • Oct 1 – May 31 Overland Track Pass reservations online
• access by public transportation
• easy-moderate hiking IF the weather cooperates
• add challenging sidetrip peak scrambles if the weather is good
• Nov – early May best months
• possible to hike year round (snow travel during the winter)
• 7-nights recommended. Start Ronny Creek. Finish Cynthia Bay.

Read more on our Overland Information page.

Inexperienced hikers Ryan Clayton and his wife decided to make a BIG trip.

Coming from Indiana, they chose the John Muir Wilderness in California.

Here’s what happened. It’s inspiring. Ryan is a filmmaker.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (2017)