Embarking on a backpacking adventure is a thrilling way to immerse yourself in nature, explore diverse landscapes, and challenge yourself physically and mentally. Choosing the right route can make or break your experience, so we’ve curated a list of some of the best backpacking routes around the world. From epic treks in remote wilderness to well-established trails with convenient facilities, there’s something here for every level of adventurer.
1. The Inca Trail, Peru
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging
Length: Approximately 26 miles (42 kilometers)
Convenience Facilities: Well-developed with designated campsites, toilets, and limited amenities.
One of the most iconic backpacking routes in the world, the Inca Trail takes you through breathtaking Andean scenery, including ancient ruins and lush cloud forests, culminating in the majestic Machu Picchu. The trail typically takes 4 days to complete, with challenging ascents and descents at high altitude. Permits are required, and it’s best to go with a guided tour for cultural insights and logistical support.
2. The Appalachian Trail, USA
Difficulty Level: Strenuous
Length: Approximately 2,200 miles (3,500 kilometers)
Convenience Facilities: Numerous campsites, shelters, and towns along the trail.
For the ultimate long-distance backpacking experience, the Appalachian Trail (AT) stretches from Georgia to Maine, traversing diverse landscapes of forests, mountains, and meadows. It typically takes 5 to 7 months to thru-hike the entire trail, but shorter sections offer rewarding backpacking trips ranging from a few days to several weeks. The AT is well-maintained with plentiful water sources and opportunities to resupply in towns along the way.
3. The Tour du Mont Blanc, Europe
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging
Length: Approximately 105 miles (170 kilometers)
Convenience Facilities: Well-serviced with mountain huts, lodges, and villages.
For stunning alpine scenery without the extreme altitude, the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) encircles the Mont Blanc massif, passing through France, Italy, and Switzerland. This multi-day trek offers a mix of challenging climbs and rewarding vistas, with comfortable accommodations available in mountain huts and villages en route. The TMB can be completed in 7 to 10 days, making it popular among backpackers seeking a taste of European wilderness and culture.
4. The Overland Track, Australia
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Length: Approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers)
Convenience Facilities: Basic huts and campsites with limited amenities.
Tasmania’s Overland Track is a premier wilderness trek showcasing the island’s rugged beauty, from ancient rainforests to alpine moors and dramatic peaks. The trail typically takes 5 to 6 days to complete, with well-marked paths but variable weather conditions. While facilities are more basic compared to other routes, the Overland Track offers a true wilderness experience for adventurous backpackers.
5. The Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging
Length: Approximately 128 miles (206 kilometers)
Convenience Facilities: Teahouses and lodges along the trail.
Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit is renowned for its panoramic mountain views, diverse landscapes, and encounters with local cultures. The trek usually takes 12 to 21 days, depending on the route and side trips. Teahouses and lodges along the trail provide meals and basic accommodations, making this a more accessible high-altitude trek suitable for experienced backpackers.
6. The West Coast Trail, Canada
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging
Length: Approximately 47 miles (75 kilometers)
Convenience Facilities: Campsites with food lockers and pit toilets.
Located on Vancouver Island, the West Coast Trail offers a challenging coastal hike through dense rainforests, rugged beaches, and cliffside paths. This multi-day trek is best tackled in 5 to 7 days, with sections requiring rope-assisted climbs and careful navigation during tidal crossings. Permits are required, and facilities are basic but sufficient for self-sufficient backpackers.
7. The Laugavegur Trail, Iceland
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Length: Approximately 34 miles (55 kilometers)
Convenience Facilities: Basic huts and campsites.
Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail is a spectacular journey through otherworldly landscapes of geothermal fields, colorful mountains, and glacier-fed rivers. The trail typically takes 3 to 4 days to complete, with comfortable mountain huts along the way offering beds and meals. The Laugavegur Trail is best hiked during the summer months to avoid challenging weather conditions.
8. The Kalalau Trail, Hawaii, USA
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging
Length: Approximately 22 miles (35 kilometers)
Convenience Facilities: Primitive campsites with no amenities.
On the rugged Na Pali Coast of Kauai, the Kalalau Trail offers a challenging coastal hike with stunning ocean views and lush tropical valleys. Permits are required to hike and camp along the trail, which typically takes 2 to 3 days one way. Facilities are limited to primitive campsites, and hikers must carry all essential gear and supplies.
Conclusion
When selecting a backpacking route, consider your fitness level, experience, and desired level of challenge. Research permit requirements, seasonal conditions, and available facilities to ensure a safe and enjoyable trek. Whether you dream of scaling high mountain passes or wandering through remote wilderness, the world’s best backpacking routes offer a chance to disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with the natural world. Happy trails!