7 ultimate treks for your bucket list

Discover some of the world's most beautiful and remote regions in these bucket list treks. Hiking magnificent trails and taking on the terrain, or the altitude, mean that these iconic hikes will give you a sense of achievement, as well as wonder.

Author: Helen Pettitt - Digital Content Manager at Explore Worldwide
Updated: 2 December 2024

Discover some of the most beautiful and remote landscapes with our round-up of the best bucket list treks. Hike magnificent trails, reach towering summits or just enjoy the journey from A to B, flanked by your expert tour leader and like-minded travellers. Whatever your journey and your pace, these treks are guaranteed to give a great sense of achievement.

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Read on to discover the ultimate treks for your bucket list:

Inca Trail, Peru
Tour du Mont Blanc, France, Italy and Switzerland
Mount Everest, Nepal
Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepal
W Trek, Chile
Walk of the Gods, Italy
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

1. Inca Trail

One of the best treks in the world, the Inca Trail is truly an undertaking and it's worth every step. Wandering through Incan ruins, wide sweeping valleys and vibrant cloud forest, the Inca Trail offers peace and tranquillity, as well as the challenge of reaching 'Dead Woman's Pass' - the highest point on the trail. Numbers on the trail are capped, and we follow a different, quieter route - our camp locations and timings are just out of sync with the crowds. You can walk a while with only the occasional porter running past but there's always plenty to keep your mind off your feet and on the spectacular surroundings of Peru.

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2. Tour du Mont Blanc

One of Europe's most famous mountains, and the highest in the Alps, Mont Blanc is surrounded by high pastures and jagged glaciers. Spanning France, Switzerland and Italy, Mont Blanc is best enjoyed from the many paths that surround it. The Tour Du Mont Blanc is a hiker's dream with well-marked paths, wild flora and fauna and comfortable lodgings to rest after each day. Needless to say, Mont Blanc is one of the best treks in Europe - read on to discover what to expect on a Mont Blanc tour.

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3. Mount Everest

Mount Everest is one of the most challenging but rewarding treks in the world, earning it a well-deserved spot on our ultimate treks list. Cover forested foothills, alpine meadows and river crossings on our Everest Base Camp trek, where you'll pass through Nepali teahouses before reaching the summit at 5645m. Internal flights aren't featured on this Nepal adventure tour - Lukla Airport is considered as perhaps the most dangerous airport in the world.

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4. Annapurna Sanctuary

One among the many giants that make up the Himalayas, the Annapurna range offers a quieter alternative to the Tibetan Plateau. The Annapurna Sanctuary is an enclosed glacial basin beneath the snow-capped peaks of some of the world's highest mountains. Starting out in the valleys of the foothills among the rice terraces, you'll climb through rhododendron and bamboo forest, past waterfalls and stay in Nepali tea houses along the way to the Annapurna Base Camp.

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5. W Trek

In Chile lies one of the world's most remote hikes - the 'W' Trek in Patagonia; so-called for the shape of the path you follow in Torres del Paine National Park. The walk takes in giant glaciers, turquoise lakes and, of course, the spectacular pinnacles that mark the Patagonian skyline. This low-elevation trek's challenge comes from the longer days and steep inclines to reach viewpoints, including the vista of the granite Paine Towers. The views and wilderness experience make the effort worthwhile.

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6. Walk of the Gods

On Italy's western coast is one of the country's most beautiful walks. The coastal trail known as the 'Walk of the Gods' takes you along the Amalfi Coast, between Bomerano and Positano, following an ancient path. You're led under limestone cliffs and past stone farmhouses towards a stone stairway that leads down to picturesque Positano. With stunning views and well-trodden paths, the 'Walk of the Gods' is a great trail accessible for even less-seasoned hikers - a worthwhile option for those looking for the best treks in the world for beginners.

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7. Mount Kilimanjaro

Africa's highest mountain, and the highest free-standing mountain in the world, Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro reigns supreme as (arguably) the best bucket list trek in the world. Taking on such altitude is a real challenge, and this is the appeal of Kili for walking enthusiasts. Opting for the Lemosho Trek route or Rongai Trek route means the greatest chances of success, giving you longer to acclimatise and take in the beauty of the mountain and the vast plains that surround it. From camping under star-lit skies, or spotting colobus monkeys in the trees, to watching the sunrise over the plains from the summit, this is a once-in-a-lifetime trek.

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Don't just travel, Explore!

Aiming to conquer a challenging trek or simply after a quiet, rural walk? We have dozens of walking and trekking tours to suit all fitness levels. Whatever your fitness level (read our breakdown of our trek grades here), we'll help you find the right tour to match your pace and passion.

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