Here Are Nine Hiking Destinations For Us And Canadian Tourists, What You Need To Know

Saturday, July 19, 2025

For U.S. and Canadian travelers craving relationship pinch nature, hiking offers much than conscionable a scenic escape—it’s a way to discovery, challenge, and individual renewal. As liking successful slow, mindful recreation grows, truthful does nan entreaty of nan world’s astir iconic trails. From nan misty cliffs of Kauai to nan glacial peaks of Patagonia, these hiking destinations committedness unforgettable experiences that blend earthy beauty pinch taste depth.

Whether you’re a play warrior aliases an knowledgeable trekker, these 9 world trails person thing for each accomplishment level and recreation dream. They’re not conscionable routes done stunning landscapes—they’re journeys into history, heritage, and self. With due readying and an adventurous spirit, these hikes are much than bucket-list ideas—they’re real, reachable, and waiting to beryllium explored. Here’s everything U.S. and Canadian visitors request to cognize earlier lacing up their boots and heading into immoderate of nan world’s astir bonzer hiking destinations.

Hiking Boom Among North Americans: A Post-Pandemic Travel Trend

North American visitors are reshaping world recreation request pinch a newfound passion for outdoor pursuits. Since nan pandemic, liking successful nature-based recreation has exploded. According to nan Adventure Travel Trade Association, complete 60% of post-2020 U.S. travelers favour outdoor experiences, and hiking is now nan top-booked activity for Canadian outbound tourists. As municipality fatigue and ambiance worry rise, group are looking for rejuvenating, low-impact recreation that blends adventure, wellness, and biology mindfulness. Hiking meets each these needs—and more.

Annapurna Circuit, Nepal: The Ultimate High-Altitude Journey

Arguably 1 of nan astir rewarding treks connected Earth, Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit is simply a beatified grail for seasoned hikers. The circuit covers astir 100 to 145 miles, depending connected your route, circling nan Annapurna Massif and reaching a breathtaking elevation of 5,416 meters astatine Thorung La Pass.

What makes this trek perfect for U.S. and Canadian hikers is its variety. From lush subtropical jungles to snowy alpine zones, it offers an ever-changing landscape. The way besides introduces trekkers to Nepalese hospitality successful teahouse lodges and Buddhist shrines that dot nan villages. Best undertaken betwixt March–May aliases October–November, nan Annapurna Circuit provides belief and scenic rewards successful adjacent measure.

Torres del Paine W Circuit, Chile: Patagonia’s Crowning Jewel

In nan bosom of Chilean Patagonia, nan W Circuit successful Torres del Paine National Park delivers a multi-day hiking acquisition for illustration nary other. This 80-kilometer way forms a “W” style crossed glaciers, turquoise lakes, and vertical stone spires.

This region is simply a hotspot for Canadian and U.S. hikers who favour rugged, untouched landscapes. With well-established refugios (mountain lodges), nan way is logistically manageable while still offering earthy adventure. The premier play runs from November to March. As ambiance alteration alters glacier formations here, galore North Americans are prioritizing this way while it’s still successful its pristine state.

Kalalau Trail, Hawaii: America’s Most Dramatic Coastal Hike

Closer to home, Hawaii’s Kalalau Trail remains a favourite among U.S. adventurers. Situated connected nan Nā Pali Coast of Kauai, this 11-mile trek (22 miles roundtrip) traces towering oversea cliffs and waterfalls, ending successful nan secluded Kalalau Valley.

Due to its tropical situation and distant setting, nan way requires a camping licence and beingness preparation. Its blend of coastal drama, autochthonal flora, and heavy greenish valleys makes it not conscionable a hike, but an flight into different world. It’s champion tackled during drier months (May–September) and offers a top-tier wilderness acquisition without leaving U.S. soil.

Laugavegur Trail, Iceland: A Geothermal Dreamscape

Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail is simply a surreal 55-kilometer trek known for geothermal springs, achromatic lava fields, rainbow-colored mountains, and glacier-fed rivers. For North American travelers seeking “coolcations,” this way checks each boxes—uncrowded, climate-friendly, and wildly photogenic.

Accessible from Reykjavik and supported by staffed upland huts, nan Laugavegur Trail is 1 of Europe’s astir approachable yet visually captivating hikes. Many travelers widen nan way by linking it pinch nan Fimmvörðuháls Trail to acquisition Iceland’s copy glaciers. Ideal recreation clip is June to September.

Pacific Crest Trail & John Muir Trail, California: American Icons

For those wanting epic treks wrong nan U.S., California’s Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and John Muir Trail (JMT) are legendary. The PCT spans complete 2,650 miles from nan Mexican to Canadian border, while nan 212-mile JMT carves done nan Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Mount Whitney.

North Americans seeking long-form solitude often take these trails for their standard and scenery. While nan PCT tin return months, sections specified arsenic nan Sierra corridor are celebrated among week-long trekkers. Permits are competitive—book good successful advance—and precocious summertime (July–September) offers nan champion access.

Tour du Mont Blanc: Alpine Bliss Across Three Nations

Europe’s best-known long-distance trail, nan Tour du Mont Blanc loops 170 kilometers done France, Italy, and Switzerland. It combines challenging ascents pinch European charm—Alpine hamlets, vineyards, and hearty location cuisine.

Popular among Canadian and U.S. hikers looking for structured, yet independent hiking, nan Tour du Mont Blanc tin beryllium self-guided aliases done pinch support from circuit operators. The trail’s operation of accessibility and awe-inspiring alpine views makes it 1 of nan astir satisfying experiences connected nan continent.

Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal: A Journey of Legends

Another Nepalese treasure, nan Everest Base Camp Trek is perfect for hikers pinch dreams of opinionated beneath nan world’s highest peak. Spanning astir 130 kilometers complete 2 weeks, nan way journeys done Buddhist villages, glacial valleys, and ineffable monasteries.

While nan trek doesn’t require method climbing, its elevation demands acclimatization and preparation. American and Canadian hikers often mention this way arsenic a life goal, and acknowledgment to wide teahouse accommodation, it remains accessible without sacrificing adventure. October–November and March–April are champion for clear skies and manageable conditions.

Bruce Trail, Ontario: Canada’s Oldest Long-Distance Hike

For those preferring to enactment local, Ontario’s Bruce Trail offers a portion of UNESCO-protected earthy heritage. Stretching 890 kilometers on nan Niagara Escarpment, it’s Canada’s oldest marked hiking way and a favourite for section-hikers and families.

Its proximity to Toronto and abundance of introduction points make it cleanable for agelong weekends aliases extended treks. The way winds done old-growth forests, limestone cliffs, waterfalls, and rich | biodiversity zones. Canadian travelers looking for a low-carbon, high-reward escapade will find it here.

Overland Track, Tasmania: Wild and Isolated Beauty

Tasmania’s Overland Track is simply a 65-kilometer travel done Cradle Mountain–Lake St. Clair National Park. It’s peculiarly appealing to North Americans willing successful off-the-beaten-path destinations.

The way weaves done alpine moorlands, temperate rainforest, and glacial valleys, pinch unsocial wildlife for illustration wombats and Tasmanian devils often spotted. Travel play runs from November done April, and mandatory permits thief sphere its delicate ecosystem.

Emerging Trends: Where North Americans Are Headed Next

As ambiance conditions shift, truthful do recreation patterns. Canadian and U.S. hikers are now looking toward cooler, lesser-known destinations specified arsenic Scotland’s West Highland Way, Canada’s Great Divide Trail, and New Zealand’s Routeburn and Kepler Tracks.

Simultaneously, cogwheel innovations, app-based way navigation, and societal media sharing person lowered nan introduction obstruction for aspiring hikers. This has led to a democratization of hiking, wherever much group from municipality and divers backgrounds are venturing onto trails that were erstwhile only frequented by hardcore enthusiasts.

Planning Your Global Hiking Adventure: Practical Advice

1. Get Permits Early: High-demand trails for illustration nan JMT, Kalalau, and Mont Blanc require precocious planning—some book retired six months ahead.
2. Train for Altitude: If heading to Nepal, Peru, aliases nan Sierra, hole for altitude pinch cardio and conditioning.
3. Gear Up Smartly: Lightweight gear, h2o purification systems, and layered clothing are essentials for divers conditions.
4. Respect Local Culture: In regions for illustration nan Himalayas aliases Andes, knowing section customs enhances nan experience.
5. Travel Off-Peak When Possible: Consider enarthrosis seasons (late outpouring aliases early fall) for quieter trails and amended deals.

A New Golden Age for Hiking Tourism

For U.S. and Canadian tourists, hiking is nary longer a niche pursuit—it’s a defining constituent of modern travel. Whether you’re chasing nan sunrise successful Patagonia, soaking successful thermal rivers successful Iceland, aliases tracing ancient paths successful Nepal, nan world’s astir stunning landscapes are champion knowledgeable 1 measurement astatine a time.

As biology consciousness and wellness-driven recreation rise, hiking offers a uncommon operation of serenity, strength, and story. It empowers travelers to prosecute profoundly pinch nan planet, pinch themselves, and pinch nan cultures they brushwood on nan way.