One of the best ways to slow down, breathe deeply, and feel more grounded in life is through trekking the great outdoors. However, being out and about in nature can also take you to top peaks that show off breathtaking views of the globe’s best sights far below. From Scottish highlands and fairytale forests, to pristine lakes and volcanic peaks, there are exceptional walks all around the world that are truly worthy of the climb. If you’d like to get a glimpse of some of the best views around, read on for five top summits to climb — just make sure you don’t forget to pack your camera.
1. West Highland Way in Scotland
A top trek in Scotland is the nation’s most famous long-distance walk, the West Highland Way. This trek takes hikers along a route that stretches for close to 100 miles, between Fort William and Milngavie. The walk usually takes between five to nine days to complete, and is best traveled between the warmer months of May to October.
The West Highland Way takes trekkers through constantly changing scenery that features a mix of barren moors, back-and-forth switchbacks, and Munros rising up on all sides. A top spot to stop for a killer view is Conic Hill, where the sparkling waters of Loch Lomond, one of the largest inland stretches of water in Great Britain, draws the eye. This popular walking route was the first long-distance one in Scotland and provides tourists with a fantastic introduction to the Scottish Highlands.
2. Milford Track in New Zealand
Often considered one of the best walks in the world, the Milford Track in New Zealand covers more than 33 miles and takes around four days to complete. Along the popular route, walkers can take in sights such as the pristine New Zealand lakes, verdant forests, masses of birch trees, and ice-carved valleys in the Fiordland National Park. Along the track are raised platforms that extend across the wetlands, plus a zigzagging course that covers nine switchbacks to the MacKinnon Pass summit that sits at around 3,500 feet.
For a stunning view and perfect photo opportunity, walk across the Track’s suspension bridges that lead to the cascades of Sutherland Falls. This waterfall is the tallest in New Zealand, at approximately 1,900 feet.
3. Laugarvegurinn in Iceland
If you want to trek through a region that shows off a diverse range of landscapes, take a flight to Iceland. The Laugavegurinn hiking trail showcases the country’s spectacular range of glaciers, volcanic peaks, waterfalls, clear lakes, and lava plains covered with moss. The Icelandic trail generally takes around four days to finish.
The “Hot Spring Route” covers nearly 33 miles and is named after the sulphuric steam that plumes up from the landscape in Iceland. The track winds through the southern highlands of the country, and is best trekked between the months of June to August when huts along the route are open for nightly stays. If you really want to push yourself, consider trekking the Laugavegurinn in just one day, taking advantage of the 24 hours of daylight that occur in midsummer.
4. Uran Chirripo Loop in Costa Rica
Another top trek that showcases a diversity of landscapes is the Uran Chirripo Loop in Chirripo National Park in Costa Rica. Within the heart of the Talamanca Mountain range, this route sends travelers through numerous ecological zones with an abundance of biodiversity. Walkers get to take in the beauty of old-growth oak tree forests, plus the bare Paramo (Moorland) grasslands, and the cloud forest surrounding glacial lakes and tall pinnacles.
Once at the top of Mount Chirripo — the highest peak in Costa Rica — you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. The trek takes approximately four days to complete and can be taken all year round, but it is best to avoid the muddy months between September and November.
5. Rennsteig in Germany
One of the oldest walking tracks in Germany is the Rennsteig Trail, and also one of the country’s best-kept hiking secrets. The 104-mile long route has been used by messengers and traders for hundreds of years, since the 14th century at least, and takes around six days to complete. The trek takes tourists from the center of Germany, along the ridge of the fairytale-esque Thuringian Forest, and ends near the nation’s border with the Czech Republic. Along the way, walkers are rewarded with sights of medieval towns, towering mountain peaks and river-filled valleys. Don’t miss a detour to Wartburg Castle in Eisenach. The historic building has been a World Heritage-listed site since 1999 and is an interesting monument to Germany history and culture.
