While there’s nothing wrong with meandering through your local parks and trails, tackling the occasional steep incline, it’s only natural to want to seek out something a little more challenging to get the blood pumping and the heart racing.
If you’re an experienced hiker who’s ready to travel the world and explore nature tracks outside your own backyard, here are some of the most challenging ones that you may like to learn more about:
The Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea
The Kokoda Track Papua New Guinea is often described as one of the most spectacular, but also one of the most challenging, treks in the world. If you’re an avid hiker who truly wants to push yourself to your limits, this is the track to put at the top of your must-visit list.
The Kokoa Track is 85 miles long and is known for being where the battle between Japanese and Australian forces occurred in 1942. It’s also where Japanese forces were repelled on land for the very first time during the Pacific War.
The trail runs from Owers’ Corner to Kokoda Station, cutting across the Owen Stanley Range and linking Papua New Guinea’s southern and northern coasts. On the single-file trail, which typically takes 6-12 days to navigate, you’ll encounter steep mountain ridges, dense tropical rainforests, and fast-flowing rivers. It’s time to start preparing for the hike of a lifetime!
The Snowman Trek, Bhutan
If you consider yourself to be an incredibly advanced trekker with plenty of mountainous experience, it could be time to tackle the Snowman Trek in Bhutan. Certainly not for the faint of heart, the Snowman Trek is a 25-day adventure from Shana to Trongsa through the Himalayas, with 11 high passes up to 5,300 meters.
Just a handful of groups attempt this trek every year, and it’s easy to see why. It takes a very experienced and eager trekker to want to spend nearly two weeks, eight hours a day, journeying through some of the most isolated, inhabited valleys on the planet and camping above 4,000 meters. Most people who tackle the Snowman Trek join a special hiking group that offers 25 days of trekking and five days of touring and sightseeing for a fixed price.
The Great Himalaya Trail
Committing to a multi-day trek can be hard enough when you have work and home commitments, but imagine planning a 150-day trek? That’s the reality for anyone trying to attempt the Great Himalaya Trail, among the world’s longest and highest continuous mountain trails.
The Great Himalaya Trail spans around 2,800 miles across Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bhutan, with many of the most popular sections weaving through the Everest, Annapurna, and Dolpo regions. Most people don’t complete the entire Great Himalaya Trail. Instead, they tackle select routes, such as the:
- High Alpine route: A technical and rugged trail requiring local permits, mountaineering skills, and specialized equipment.
- Trekking route: A supported walking route that guides you through remote mountain villages.
- Running or bikepacking routes: Lower-altitude routes for off-road biking or fast-packing.
Tour de Monte Rosa, Switzerland
If you want your next hiking adventure to be a combination of hard work and spectacular views, the Tour de Monte Rosa in Switzerland is a great option. It’s a high-alpine trekking circuit that loops through the Swiss and Italian Alps, spanning up to 108 miles and offering spectacular views of surrounding peaks. Most people take nine to 11 days to complete the circuit, walking about eight hours a day.
If casual strolls through your local park just aren’t cutting it anymore, it’s time to challenge yourself. The most eager adventurers with experience and specialized equipment may like to tackle some of these challenging trail options above. Let the adventure begin!