Top 10 tough walks
For many long distance walkers, the tougher or longer the better, especially if the route covers a wide variety of terrain. The most iconic walks vary both topographically and geographically and stretch you physically and mentally, going into landscapes that are only accessible on foot. Then there are climbs, with plenty of iconic summits out there to please the peak seekers.
But it is the journey through these landscapes that really attracts the serious walker, with overnights under canvas, in hiking huts, remote lodges or homestays. You’ll often walk with guides from the local communities, generating income for them and helping you gain a greater understanding of local culture and their love of landscape. Here are ten of our tough trekking trails. They may have challenging moments, but they’ll also take you across some of the world’s most terrific trekking terrain.
But it is the journey through these landscapes that really attracts the serious walker, with overnights under canvas, in hiking huts, remote lodges or homestays. You’ll often walk with guides from the local communities, generating income for them and helping you gain a greater understanding of local culture and their love of landscape. Here are ten of our tough trekking trails. They may have challenging moments, but they’ll also take you across some of the world’s most terrific trekking terrain.
1. Everest Base Camp
You may have heard of this one. It’s the Oscar of the trekking world, following in the footsteps of super skilled sherpas and mountaineers, you trek slowly from Lukla to Base Camp, which is over halfway up Everest at 5,364m, with some serious acclimatising to manage along the way.
When to go: September to November and February to May
Our top selling trip: Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal
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Read more: Everest Base Camp travel guide and High altitude trekking guide
When to go: September to November and February to May
Our top selling trip: Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal
See all our trips: Everest Base Camp holidays
Read more: Everest Base Camp travel guide and High altitude trekking guide
2. Mont Blanc Circuit
Also known as the Tour de Mont Blanc or TMB, this is considered by many to be Europe’s finest long distance hiking trail. Passing through France, Italy and Switzerland, the TMB covers 170km of trails at the massif’s lower levels. It may be well-established but it’s pretty hard core: you’ll trek as high as 2537 metres, carrying your own bags from mountain hut to mountain hut. Most trips start in the Chamonix Valley in France.When to go: June to September
Our top selling trip: Mont Blanc Circuit walking holiday
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Read more: Walking in France and Mont Blanc Travel Guide
3. Kumano Kodo, Japan
This week-long walking trip follows one of the ancient routes along the Kumano Kodo, the classic Japan pilgrimage trail. Taking in two of the three main shrines, the Nakahechi section of the Kumano Kodo ascends into the mountains, with some steep ascents and descents involved. But the views are spectacular, the mountains are good for the soul, and at the end of every day there is a traditional ryokan waiting to invite you in.When to go: All year-round
Our top selling trip: Kumano Kodo Trail walking holiday in Japan
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4. Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea
100km of trekking at its most tropical, through rainforests and mountain trails of Papua New Guinea, where local guides and porters help you take on this extraordinary route through dense forest and over rivers. During WW2 this was the terrain of a very bloody battle between the Japanese and the Allied Forces.
When to go: April to October
Our top selling trip: Kokoda Track trekking holiday, Papua New Guinea
Read more: Papua New Guinea travel guide and The Kokoda Track
When to go: April to October
Our top selling trip: Kokoda Track trekking holiday, Papua New Guinea
Read more: Papua New Guinea travel guide and The Kokoda Track
5. GR20 Walking Trail, Corsica, France
This 200km long trek takes a good week to complete and is considered by many passionate promeneurs to be the toughest walk in France, as you stay in mountain huts and cross the island’s interior of granite mountains, snow-capped peaks, dramatic gorges, pine forests, plateaus and plains.When to go: May/June and September
Our top selling trip: Grande Randonnée walking holiday in Corsica, France
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6. Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
This possibly wins the circumnavigation award, covering 125km and taking 16-25 days to complete. You’ll pass through valleys, alpine forest and subtropical jungles but the jewel in the crown is the Annapurna mother massif in the middle. The cultural trail through Nepalese and Tibetan villages is as uplifting as the natural one.When to go: September to May
Our top selling trip: Annapurna Circuit trekking holiday
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Read more: Annapurna Circuit travel guide and Trekking in Nepal travel guide
7. Accursed Mountains, Albania
The accursed Albanian Alps are one of Europe’s best-kept secrets when it comes to wilderness hiking, with footpaths and old mule trails leading through towering Theth and Valbona National Parks, past Arapit (the “Albanian Matterhorn”) and across dramatic landscapes, including alpine meadows, valleys and remote villages.
When to go: May to September
Our top selling trip: Tailor made Albanian Alps walking holiday
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When to go: May to September
Our top selling trip: Tailor made Albanian Alps walking holiday
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Read more: Albanian Alps walking guide
8. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Climbing the highest freestanding mountain in the world (5,895 m) takes between five and nine days. The climb is challenging; you need time to acclimatise to the altitude, you’ll stay in mountain huts or tents, and you’ll need to be reasonably fit to cope with the relentless ascent. But the rewards are high: being able to see the curvature of the earth from its dizzying summit, and going for a safari afterwards as a reward for your amazing achievement.When to go: July to September
Our top selling trip: Kilimanjaro charity trek, Tanzania
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Read more: Kilimanjaro travel guide
9. Inca Trail, Peru
High in the Andes, the Inca Trail is a high-altitude battle against slippery rocks, steep ascents and erratic weather – yet its mystical appeal draws thousands to hike it every year. It takes three to five days or walking between five and seven hours a day to reach Machu Picchu.When to go: June to September
Our top selling trip: High Inca Trail Trek in Peru
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Read more: Inca Trail travel guide and Peru Walking Holidays guide
10. Snowman Trek, Bhutan
A tough trail in Bhutan’s northwestern Gasa district that only 50 per cent of hikers finish - and those that do need a month to tackle. You’ll trek down the Himalayan spine between Bhutan and Tibet, crossing no less than 11 mountain passes, all at more than 4,500m.When to go: September/October
Our top selling trip: Snowman Trek in Bhutan
See all our trips: Walking holidays in Bhutan
Read more: Bhutan Walking travel guide and Bhutan travel guide
More Walking articles
If you’re interested in finding out what we rate and what we don’t as part of our walking travel guide then you’ll be pleased to know that you have no further to travel other than right here.
When it comes to types of walking holidays they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes with centre-based, walking safaris, self-guided walking tours and winter walking just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to stepping out in your favourite well-worn pair of hikers.
Our interactive map of highlights ranges from Canada and Patagonia to the Alps, the Atlas Mountains and Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit. You’ll have no excuses when it comes to deciding on where to go on a walking holiday.
If you’re looking to try a few new walking holiday activities then take a rest right here as we know what complements a walking holiday including ideas about cultural engagement, local food, wildlife watching and how to get two for the price of one.
Our top 10 mountains to climb are scattered around the globe, offering fit and adventurous travellers the chance to shoot for the summit and experience a unique part of the world in a single trip.
Our walking holidays for families are based around expert advice from those who have been there and done that, so we can offer a wide range of trips for families with children of all ages.
Discover walking holiday advice from the experts by reading up on getting started, packing tips, getting fit and how to travel safely with your kids when on a walking holiday, as well as walking holiday reviews from our travellers.
From porters’ rights in Nepal to leaving no trace wherever you are, responsible walking holidays start and finish with you, the responsible traveller, so read on and find out how to travel right when on a walking holiday.
Find all our walking guides in one place covering everything from the paths of England to the snow capped mountains of the Himalaya or the mystical Inca Trail.
