If you’ve ever gone on a solo vacation, you’re already aware of some of the advantages of solo travel, such as the freedom to make your plans, to halt and go whenever you want, and to reconnect with your inner self. And maybe no form of travel demonstrates these benefits more than a solitary hiking vacation. Hiking alone helps you experience the great outdoors and grow as a person once you’ve found a safe and secure route.
Great hikes must all check off a few criteria to be labeled as such. A sweeping vista or two is required, some unusual flora and fauna are practically expected, and fascinating geological features such as ice fields or waterfalls surely don’t hurt. With a bit of solitude thrown in, you’ve got a recipe for success. However, whether it’s historic temples, one-of-a-kind mountain summits, a strong feeling of history, or just genuinely magnificent scenery, each bucket-list trek in this compilation has that something extra that makes it stand out.
As a solo traveler, you have the freedom to explore nearly anywhere, follow any path, and go as far as you choose. Some routes are better explored on your own, whereas others must be explored at least once. Conquering a difficult path in a dangerous area earns you bragging not only rights but also a lifetime prize.
Pushing your limitations in some of the world’s harshest but lovely areas may be an eye-opening experience for the lone explorer. And here are the top five hiking paths for solo travelers:
Nepal’s Everest Base Camp
You must be proud of yourself for getting this far. It’s not every day that someone gets so near to the top of the planet. While you won’t be climbing Mount Everest on this trip, it is both challenging and eye-opening. The South Base Camp route is most popular, reaching an altitude of 5,545 meters above sea level near the foothills of the snowy Kala Patthar summit. The three-week trek begins in the isolated hamlet of Lukla in northern Nepal, then ascends through Sherpa settlements, river valleys, and icefalls. Lower-level plants and wildflowers are in full bloom throughout the spring season, providing a lovely contrast to the icy Everest just beyond the horizon.
Visit during the spring and fall season for the absolute time.
Expect an exhausting journey to the foot of the world’s tallest peak, including stops at remote Sherpa communities, river valleys, frosted icefalls, and eerie views seldom seen anywhere else.
Australia’s Bay of Fires
Many consider the Bay of Fires to be one of Tasmania’s most picturesque locations, with turquoise seas lapping against white-sand beaches studded with rust-colored rocks. This 70-kilometer-long nature reserve stretches from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point and includes sections of Mount William National Park and a swath of coastal property teeming with indigenous animals. Walking a few miles around the bay’s isolated beaches’ orange lichen-covered granites, you’ll come across spectacular vistas painted in contrasting colors. Most hikers finish the trail in three to five days, passing past crystal-blue coastal inlets, lush hills, and steep terrain along the route.
The best time to visit is from October through May.
Expect calm, secluded beaches along the bay’s signature orange-red rocks near the coast. There are plenty of peaceful campsites, but you may also stay in adjacent eco-lodges.
Canada’s Tonquin Valley
Tonquin Valley path is a 44-kilometer horseshoe-shaped pass cut in the western valleys of Jasper National Park, with raw, spectacular scenery made famous by photographer Ansel Adams. The two silvery Amethyst Lakes, which perfectly reflect the snow-capped peaks of The Ramparts on their crystal-clear surfaces, are many people’s favorite sections of this walk. Typically hikers take four days to complete the loop around the trailhead. Along the Eremite Valley, you’ll see various native animals, including grizzly bears, moose, and caribou.
The best time to visit is from early summer through early October.
Expect postcard-perfect scenery, native animals roaming over broad green valleys, and clear lakes reflecting surrounding mountain ranges.
Peruvian Inca Trail
The Inca Trail, a fabled walk to one of the world’s most famous ancient sites, is the steep road that intrepid travelers follow to reach Machu Picchu. This 43-kilometer path winds across the Andes, passing through the Alpine tundra, cloud forests, and numerous historic towns and ruins. Hikers often spend four to five days to finish this path, which ascends to a height of about 4,000 meters above sea level through a spine of mist-covered valleys. The walk is a famous hiking track, with many visitors attempting to complete it during peak seasons. Although the number of people allowed on the trek at any given moment is limited, a shorter, alternate route, KM 104, will also get you to Machu Picchu with far fewer tourists.
The months of May through October are ideal for a visit.
What to anticipate? A difficult, undulating path that travels at high altitudes and through a variety of habitats, featuring cloud forests, Alpine tundra, jungle-covered river basins, and ancient ruins and villages.
Japan’s Shikoku Pilgrimage
Shikoku Pilgrimage is a physically demanding trek that might take over a month to complete. This 12,000-kilometer old trail passes through 88 vintage Buddhist temples and more than 20 Bangais hidden among woodlands and river streams as it loops along the coast of Shikoku Prefecture. It is a test of the spirit, body, and mind. Hiking through this hilly trail will take you deep into the heart of Zen Buddhist culture and introduce you to some of Japan’s most picturesque and undeveloped areas. Along the journey, you’ll come across overgrown slopes teeming with hundreds of jizo sculptures. Visit all 88 temples and perform Zen Buddhist rites within their incensed halls to complete the trip.
When to go? In the spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, or the autumn when the red maples blanket the mountains in a sea of crimson.
Expect a transcendental trip that purifies the mind, body, and soul. Expect to go through forested slopes, river streams, and several flights of steps to reach secret temples.
