Go interact with people from different arena, immerse yourself in cultures and begin to open yourself up to viewpoints that you had never been before. For me, trekking is one of the greatest joys in life. Scrutinize historical epochs and typical sociopolitical pictures of different countries you pass by. Explore the unexplored and discover your own self in the midst of countless natural splendors, cultural and biological diversities. This world offers myriads of possibilities to trek around and explore some of the most beautiful and untouched places. And here I go, presenting you with the list of 10, undoubtedly the best, trekking routes in the world. All ten of them are worth putting in the wishlist of every trekking aspirant who wants to venture into the most amazing places this planet has to offer. As this list came out of much research and from many resources, the routes listed here are the ones that have been loved the most.
10. Routeburn Track, New Zealand
Altitude: up to 1255m
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Days for Trek: 2-4 days
Best month for Trek: Late October to Late April
Major Attractions: Mt. Aspiring, Fiordland National Park, Darren Mountains, Hollyford Valley,
The Routeburn Track makes a relatively very short trek, but if it comes to natural splendors, it’s one of the greatest trekking routes in the world. It’s hard to imagine how come this just 20-mile long trail offers such awe-inspiring and diverse sceneries. You just have to pass through 2 beautiful national parks: Fiordland and Mt Aspiring and enjoy the incredible sight of wild birds, and breathtaking views of stunning peaks, waterfalls, lakes, and rivers. Routeburn Track has rightly proved to be one of the most accessible and popular trekking destinations in New Zealand. How can you miss out the magnificent views of Darran Mountains and Hollyford Valley while climbing above the bush line to an alpine wetland? With soaring peaks, those jewel-like lakes, and huge valleys, Routeburn Track provides a magnificent alpine adventure.
9. The Matterhorn Circuit, Switzerland
Altitude: 3317m
Difficulty Level: Strenuous
Days for Trek: 8 Days
Best month for Trek: July/August
Major Attractions: Mt. Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, 4000m+ summits, Wildlife
Circumnavigating the Mt. Matterhorn, one of the world’s most renowned and historical mountains, Matterhorn Circuit Trek lets you experience the exhilaration of trekking in the European Alps. The trail traverses through high passes and typical villages. Enjoy the culinary specialties like Raclette and share your beautiful hike with like-minded people. Standing at an elevation of 4478 meters above sea level and surrounded by some of the peerless alpine scenery and typical Swiss villages, Mt. Matterhorn is known to be the most popular trekking destination in Switzerland. The Matterhorn Circuit Trail crosses between Italy and Switzerland which adds a cultural dimension to this trek. If you are physically fit and have done good deal of trekking previously, Matterhorn Circuit Trek is going to be one of the most rewarding treks in the world. For sure, a demanding excursion around one of the world’s iconic mountains.
8. Fitz Roy Trek, Patagonia, Argentina
Altitude: around 1200m
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Days for Trek: 4 Days
Best month for Trek: January to March
Major Attractions: Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonian Forest, Fitz Roy Massif, Granite Peak,
Located in the Patagonia region of Argentina, Fitz Roy Trek is often considered a nice alternative to the Torres del Paine trek. The trail is located in Los Glaciares National Park and passes through several beautiful lakes, glaciers, mountains and spires. The awesome Monte Fitz Roy looks a beautiful tinge of red and orange during the sunset. This trek actually offers you three views of Fitz: one at sunrise, second with Cerro Torre, while another is from Marconi Pass. The beautiful trek of Fitz Roy Massif via gnarled and spooky beech forests is definitely one of the most rewarding hiking experiences in the world. Put it differently, Fitz Roy Trek is one of the most stunning and advanced treks Argentina as to offer.
7. Overland Track, Australia
Altitude: 1617m
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Days for Trek: 5-6 Days
Best month for Trek: October to May
Major Attractions: Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Cradle Mountain, Lake St. Clair
Often known as one of the finest bushwalks in Australia, Overland Track Trek is 40-mile route across the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site passing through the stunning crags of Cradle Mountain to the rainforest-covered shores of Lake St. Clair. Let every single step of yours leads to new discoveries and some of the finest natural splendors including Dolerite Mountains, moorlands, and beautiful waterfalls. You will find a diverse ecosystem over there. Once you are there, you can’t stay without admiring the beauty of glassy lake that astoundingly reflects the surrounding peaks. Anyone can be intrigued by the delicate cushion plants that thrive amid alpine extremes. If you want more, you can take numerous sidewalks leading to waterfalls and still more summits including Mt. Ossa.
6. Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
Altitude: 5416m
Difficulty Level: Strenuous
Days for Trek: 24 Days
Best month for Trek: February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December
Major Attractions: Poon Hill, Mount Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Thorong La Pass, Kaligandai River Valley, Muktinath, Manang Village
Annapurna Circuit, a much-acclaimed trekking route Nepal has to offer, is one of the highest mountain on earth. Nepal offers some of the best hikes through world’s most dramatic mountain landscape. Circumnavigating beautiful Annapurna massif, Annapurna Circuit passes through staggering snow-clad peaks while providing spectacular backdrop. Besides, the trek also offers trekkers to witness a wide range of natural, biological, and cultural diversity. Depending upon how fast you can walk in the Himalayan region, Annapurna Circuit trek normally takes around 3 weeks to complete letting you explore the Tibetan culture, Buddhist temples and monasteries, and one of most gorgeous river valley at Kali Gandaki. Kaligadaki River-gorge is known to be the deepest of its kind in the world.
5. The Haute Route, France-Switzerland
Altitude: 2987m
Difficulty Level: Strenuous
Days for Trek: 12 Days
Best month for Trek: July to September
Major Attractions: Europaweg, Zermatt, Champex, Cabane de Moiry, Le Chable, Arolla
The much celebrated ‘The Haute Route’ is considered the most attractive of all trekking routes in the world. Leading from Chamonix in France via southern Valais to Zermatt in Switzerland, this fabled route of Haute traverses some of the highest and most scenic destinations accessible to any hikers. It approximately takes two weeks to complete. Being one of the most challenging trails, it demands a high level of physical fitness and every section of this route contains a high huff factor. It’s a high-level hiking experience of the European Alps.
4. Torres del Paine Circuit, Chile
Altitude: 2000m
Difficulty Level: Strenuous
Days for Trek: 9 Days
Best month for Trek: December-January
Major Attractions: Patagonia, EcoCamp Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Circuit serves the best trek for those who are looking for a dramatic alpine landscapes, jagged mountainscapes, and an opportunity to witness the stunning spires of pink granite that make the famous Paine towers! Being cited as one of the ’50 places to visit before you die’ by National Geographic, and also being a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Torres del Circuit is one of the finest trekking routes in the world. It’s a 100km long circuit offering surreal mountain panorama, unique wildlife, and dazzling glacial lakes. Passing through the wondrous trail through Magellenic forest, all hikers make a beautiful journey in this gorgeous place. Having said this, the trek is equally demanding in terms of inclement and quite horrendous weather.
3. The Inca Trail, Peru
Altitude: 4205m
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Days for Trek: 4 Days
Best month for Trek: October
Major Attractions: Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, Urubamba River
Here we go, one of the most beautiful trekking trails, often cited as the number one trekking route in the world by many, The Inca Trail in Peru. There can be many Inca trails you can opt for but the most popular by far is the one that lead to Machu Picchu, one of the most traveled routes in the world. You can find the mix of everything in this relatively short trek ranging from snow-covered Andes to lush tropical jungles. Pass through the grand Sun Gate and get lost into the most beautiful views you might have ever seen—Machu Pichhu, one of the ancient cities of Peru.
2. GR20, France
Altitude: 2225m
Difficulty Level: Strenuous
Days for Trek: 15 Days
Best month for Trek: June to September
Major Attractions: Cirque de la Solitude, Lac de Nino, Lac de Melo, Lac de Capitello, Monte d’Oro, Monte Incudine, Aiguilles de Bavella
The Grand Randonee 20 (GR20) is one of the most scenic as well as the most challenging treks Europe has to offer. This legendary walk is known for its diversity of landscapes it traverses. The GR20 Trail traverses the high mountains of the island’s interior crossing several ridges, granite slopes, and chasms while exploring the lifestyles Shepherds en route. Along with the beautiful views of snowcapped peaks, there are forests on the way, the windswept craters and glacial lakes and so on. However, you have to walk through some plains but it doesn’t come easy. Your path is rocky and at times steep as well. But it’s all part of the fun. Traversing the entire island from north to south is going to be one of the most challenging and interesting walks in France. It’s one of very few treks in the world which is in the bucket list of every hiker.
1. Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Altitude: 5545m
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Days for Trek: 16 Days
Best month for Trek: February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December
Major Attractions: Mount Everest, Sherpa Culture, Sagarmatha National Park, Kalapatthar, Tengboche Monastery
With arguably the greatest of all high mountain trekking trails, Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek is one of the best treks in the world. Located at the lap of world’s highest peak, EBC Trek strolls through the Khumbu region of Nepal Himalayas that lets you witness three of the highest peaks on this planet namely, Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, and Lhotse Sar in a single glance. En route, magnificent views of dozens of Himalayan giants await you. As called by renowned mountain explorer W.H. Tillman, the view from Tengboche is ‘the greatest view in the world.’ Everest Base Camp Trek immerses through the warm and welcoming Sherpa villages and some of the oldest Buddhist Monasteries. How can you not mention the greatest close-up view of Mount Everest from Kalapatthar, the best viewpoint in the entire Khumbu region? The best part yet is that this trek lets you encounter and intermingle with the legendary Sherpa people, the true heroes of Nepal Himalayas. Everest Base Camp is the ultimate trekking destination for any trekker. And it’s truly going to be a life-defining experience for anyone.
Source : elist10.com
No comments:
Post a Comment