Here at Time Out, we’ve got writers stationed in all corners of the globe. They’ve travelled the world over, exploring the planet’s best cities, sampling the finest pizza and chilling on the greatest beaches. They’ve also covered miles and miles of stunning hiking trails between them. So, naturally, we asked them for their favourites. The result? A list of the 20 most incredible walks in the world, tried and tested.
The list features everything from a renowned Spanish pilgrimage and a Japanese alpine trek to a 35-day hike through Turkey and a beautiful desert expedition in Jordan. It also happens to feature four amazing trails that are right here in the UK. Whether you’re after a calm countryside amble or a proper mountain adventure, without having to leave the country, these are the British trails we named some of the best in the world.
West Highland Way
Scotland’s spectacular West Highland Way ranked third on our list. Beginning on the outskirts of Glasgow and meandering through the Highlands to finish in Fort William, it measures 154km and normally takes hikers around five to seven days.
Time Out contributor Olivia Simpson said: ‘Early on, the route hugs the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, before taking you past some of Scotland’s most beautiful mountains, including Buachaille Etive Mòr, which Bond fans will recognise from Skyfall.
‘If you do it in autumn, like I did, you may be treated to the magnificent sight of stags rutting and bellowing in the morning light as you cross Rannoch Moor, one of my favourite wild places in Scotland.’
Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon)
In at number eight was a mountain that, since 2021, has officially been known as Yr Wyddfa, aka, Mount Snowdon. It’s the highest summit in Wales, with six routes to choose from depending on your ability. Time Out’s travel writer Liv Kelly advised that ‘the Llanberis path is the most beginner-friendly, and the Watkin Path is the most challenging’.
She added: ‘Opt for the Pyg or Miners track and you’ll be treated to arguably the most outstanding views of any of the routes. From Pyg, the Snowdon Horseshoe (the ring of peak ridges leading to the summit) will be your backdrop, as well as the distinctive U-shaped glacial valleys that formed these mountains.’
Wales Coast Path
Wales is the gift that keeps on giving. And no list of the world’s best hikes would be complete without the first and only path to follow a country’s entire coastline. The 1,400 km-long Wales Coast Path landed in 14th place.
If you wanted to do the whole thing in one go it would take you somewhere between seven to 12 weeks, so probably best to break it up. Along the way, there are tons and tons of castles to keep an eye out for as well as wild Welsh ponies, Neolithic burial sights and a population of seals, dolphins, puffins and even the odd whale.
Coast-to-Coast Path, England
The Coast-to-Coast path between St. Bees in Cumbria and Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire earned 17th place on our ranking. It stretches a total of 306km, traversing the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, and takes around 12 to 14 days if you wanted to complete the whole thing. From bridleways and country roads to mountain trails and pretty little villages, it really shows off the best of the English countryside.
Our top tip? It’s worth signing on with a tour organiser, who ‘provide logistical support and book nightly accommodations while transporting luggage throughout the journey’.
See our full roundup of the best hikes on the planet here.
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