To find backpacking trails for your next adventure, start by considering your preferred region—options range from multi-country routes like Southeast Asia’s Banana Pancake Trail to scenic destinations such as Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail or Nepal’s Everest Base Camp trek. Check local access instructions since some trails, like the Tour du Mont Blanc, require advance permits, while others remain permit-free. Evaluate logistics, elevation, and available accommodations. By exploring popular and lesser-known trails, you’ll increase your chances of discovering the ideal trek that matches your goals and experience level.
Whether you’re planning your first backpacking trip or searching for your next ambitious route, understanding the world’s most renowned trails can shape your adventure. Start by considering classic multi-country trails like the Banana Pancake Trail, which weaves over 6,000 kilometers through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, offering a vast network of hostels and cultural stops.
Discover the world’s most famous trails, from Southeast Asia’s Banana Pancake Trail to vibrant hostel networks and unforgettable cultural experiences.
In the Americas, the Central America Gringo Trail lets you cross seven countries, highlighting sites like Tikal in Guatemala and Ometepe in Nicaragua, while the South America Gringo Trail connects iconic routes such as Peru’s Inca Trail, Bolivia’s Salt Flats, and Colombia’s Lost City. These popular backpacking routes have emerged from common paths taken by travelers and are not set in stone, giving you flexibility to explore smaller segments if your time is limited.
For alpine scenery, the Tour du Mont Blanc spans 105 miles through France, Italy, and Switzerland, demanding 10,600 meters of elevation gain, and the Walker’s Haute Route links Chamonix to Zermatt, traversing ten of the Alps’ twelve highest peaks. Many backpacking trips in the United States do not require permit reservations, making it easier to access wilderness areas with less advance planning. For high-demand destinations like these, advance planning is crucial as permits can sell out months before the hiking season begins.
If you’re trekking solo, choose routes like Havasu Falls in Arizona—a 20-mile round trip to turquoise waterfalls, where camping requires a permit—or the Desolation Wilderness in California, a 63,960-acre area with over 700 lakes and minimal bureaucracy.
The Ala-Köl trek in Kyrgyzstan offers a three-day journey to a glacial lake at 3,560 meters, often with yurt accommodations. Coyote Gulch in Utah provides an 11-mile canyon route with natural arches and few crowds, while Scotland’s 96-mile West Highland Way offers hostel access and clear waymarks.
For permit-free adventures, the Jordan Trail provides 402 miles across Jordan, and the Pekoe Trail traverses 186 miles of Sri Lanka’s tea country, supported by homestays.
Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail covers 34 miles of volcanic terrain, and Corsica’s GR20 runs 112 miles along a granite ridge, both with flexible camping options. The Drakensberg Grand Traverse in South Africa only requires permits for specific campsites.
You’ll also find coastal options like Canada’s 47-mile West Coast Trail and Sweden’s 270-mile Kungsleden, as well as elevated challenges including the Everest Base Camp trek and Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit.
Each trail offers unique logistics, elevation profiles, and access requirements, so research local regulations, seasonal conditions, and support infrastructure before setting out.
