7 Travel Experts Share Their Favorite Hiking Spots

The world’s best hiking spots challenge hikers and enrich the travel experience. They provide you with a sense of accomplishment while creating lifelong memories to share with others. And don’t forget the unforgettable photo ops. To share those stories, we asked travel experts to name their favorite hiking spots. The results may make you want to find one of your own.

Top Hiking Spots by the Experts: Best Places Around the World

Alberta, Canada

Our favorite hike so far has been Red Rock Canyon in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada. This hike is a very simple .4-mile loop with minimal elevation gain. The secret is to skip the loop and climb down into the canyon to do an epic creek walk!

Our family loved splashing through the frigid glacier water as we enjoyed the spectacular colors of the bedrock. There were obstacles like fallen trees, small waterfalls and gorgeous pools of crystal-clear water throughout the hike, which made it fun and beautiful all at the same time!
Craig and Bryanna, Family Travel Experts, Crazy Family Adventure

Forsand, Norway

My favourite hiking spot would have to be Preikestolen in Norway. It is a huge rock that is over 600 metres above the Lysefjord and has the most stunning views that are like something out of a dream.

Getting to the rock is of course a challenge with a few hours worth of hiking, which includes scrambling rocks and stone steps. It is just a wonderful feeling of achievement when you actually reach the top, and you are rewarded by views you probably never dreamed possible.
Seb, Travel and Backpacking Expert, Aspiring Backpacker

Glenwood Canyon, Colorado

My all-time favorite hike is Hanging Lake in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. You’ve probably seen pictures of this euphoric place, but it’s hard to believe something so magical exists on Earth, let alone in right in my own backyard.

A geologic wonder of the Rocky Mountains state, the bright travertine lake and turquoise waterfalls appear suspended upside down, as if clinging to the cliffside, which will leave you mesmerized, completely taken with nature. It’s a manageable day hike that’s just 2.4 miles round-trip, but will test your stamina as it is mostly uphill at altitude.
Lauren Monitz, Content Marketing/Digital Specialist, TheDownLO

Huaraz, Peru

By far the most spectacular hike of my life was in Huaraz, Peru. I’ve been all over the world hiking over mountains, across valleys and along beaches, but my hike to Laguna 69 in Huaraz will forever stand out as my favorite hiking spot.

It’s a challenging hike (we’re talking 8 miles at 13,000-feet with a total elevation gain of 2,000 feet), but it is worth every step. At the end of the climb, you turn a corner and are greeted by a glacier lake that is so blue you will hardly be able to believe it is real.
Sarah Dittmore, Travel Expert/Writer, Autobiography of an Adventurer

Karakum Desert, Turkmenistan

The best and unforgettable hike happened in the most unique and least predictable place one could imagine – Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan. We can’t describe the vastness and beauty of the endless sea of sand dunes; colorful, white and red mountains; and one of the weirdest phenomenon on Earth – “the door to hell,” which is an ever-burning gas crater set on fire by Soviet scientists.

The surrounding atmosphere and overnight camping accompanied by peaceful hissing of the flames was an experience out of this world. After all that, we thought we couldn’t expect anything better. And then, the next day, after a good few hours of hiking along the desert and colorful rocks, we reached the top of the most spectacular scenery we’d ever seen – Yangykala canyon. It’s impossible to describe it in words – the most exciting spot was the rock called “crocodile mouth.” Just look at the photos!
Tom and Flavio, Adventure Travel Experts, Adventurous Travels

Mount Batur, Bali

Sunrise hike up Mount Batur, Bali … For me, there’s something about a hike at sunrise. That it feels like the march of the faithful perhaps. Faithful, in this case that the 1 a.m. wake up and 3 a.m. start, followed by three hours of scrambling up a stony mountain path in the torchlight would be worth it. But worth it – as these things usually are – it was.

And the view of the first rays of sun peaking over Mount Bromo, Bali’s volcano in the distance will stay with me for a lifetime.
Ellie Cleary, Sustainable Travel Expert, Soul Travel Blog

Teapot Mountain, Taiwan

Of the hundreds of hiking trails that criss-cross the diverse mountainous terrain of Taiwan, one path surpasses them all, earning itself a spot on the list of the world’s best hiking spots: Teapot Mountain.

This trail is not for the faint of heart, often winding over cliffs with nothing but a sturdy rope to assist you across the vertical rock face. Conquer the cliffs, work your way through the mazes of thick, tall silver grass, and you will be rewarded with a bird’s-eye view of the spectacular northern coastline.
Dan and Casey, Travel Experts, A Cruising Couple

Don’t stop now. Get more expert travel tips and ideas.