With stories of 50 incredible hiking routes in 30 countries, from New Zealand to Peru, plus a further 150 suggestions, Lonely Planet’s Epic Hikes of the Worldwill inspire a lifetime of adventure on foot. From one-day jaunts and urban trails to month-long thru-hikes, cultural rambles and mountain expeditions, each journey shares one defining feature: being truly epic. When to go: Spring is the best time to visit for hikers since the weather is usually dry and temperatures are still comfortable. Your global trekking tour has one clear direction from here – north along the spine of the Andes mountains to Peru. Here you can embark on the four- to five-day hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This famed 23-mile (37km) route winds it way along trails used by the Incas, and culminates at the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu. If you’re unable to get permits for the Classic Inca Trail (it’s a very popular hike and must be booked in advance), there are additional routes, such as the five-day Salkantay Trail that offer an alternative – but no less captivating – perspective on this region.

Hike the world in 2022: best walks by continent – Lonely Hike the world in 2022: best walks by continent – Lonely

The sights: There are castles – tons of castles. Wales claims the densest concentration (600!) of medieval fortresses in the United Kingdom. Their legacy is a bone of contention in Wales (many of them represent the beginning of the occupation), but their aesthetic qualities are undeniable.Trek through 7 national parks and numerous national forests, state parks, and wilderness areas on this hike. Along the way, you will experience the Mojave Desert and also reach heights of over 13,000 feet. After reading Wild, I kept thinking if she can do this, maybe wecan too! Dramatic silver-grey mountains, spearing upwards towards the sky. Gnarled, fairytale forests swirling with mist, their eerie twisted silhouettes emerging with each footstep forward. Wind-blasted viewpoints jutting out over iceberg-dotted lakes. This 55km hiking trail has been rated one of the best in the world by the National Geographic, and it's easy to see why. The Laugavegur trail takes you through rainbow coloured mountains, past hot springs, over glaciers and volcanic slopes.

Epic Hikes of the World - Waterstones Lonely Planet Epic Hikes of the World - Waterstones

The path is relatively easy, and mostly stays within the altitudes of 1200m to 1800m. However, there are some 2000m+ peaks you'll be scrambling up, including Sedlo pod Svišt’ovkou (2,023m) and Vel’ka Svit’ovka (2037m). The scree on the paths can be slippery, but there are chains to help support you. Bed down in mountain huts along the trail. 14. The Dolomites' Alta Via, Italy Hikers making their way through the Dolomites. Photo: Getty. Mt. Kenya National Park has become famous not just for the dramatic landscape, but for the yearly trail run up the mountain. It's an especially impressive event not just for the length (12km or 16km, depending on the race) and altitude (2500m and 3000m), but for for the different extremes in temperatures — from hot equatorial forest to freezing cold summits.There are some superb kayaking destinations in Patagonia, particularly in the Chilean half with its multitude of fjords, pristine rivers, and glacial lakes. Besides international operators such as Swoop Patagonia arranging multi-day kayaking adventures on Chile’s Río Baker, in Parque Nacional Pumalín and in Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, there are local operators who offer day trips in popular locales. Climbing to 18,193 feet (5,545m) at its highest point, the 2-week trek to Everest Base Camp is Nepal's best-loved trek, with 8849m Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) rising ahead like a petrified giant. Tracing winding river valleys and the creaking mass of the Khumbu glacier, this mighty mission visits mountain monasteries, soaring lookouts and precariously balanced Sherpa villages, with gruelling days of altitude gain that will test your muscles and endurance to breaking point. Read more: 5 Tips for Climbing Mont Blanc 16. Gran Paradiso Hut to Hut Trail, Italy Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, Piemonte, Italia. Photo: Getty While the hike doesn't take place at high altitudes, we've given it a challenging rating because you'll be hiking for up to 10 hours a day, and the heat can make it difficult for some people. Deep in the heart of mountainous South Island, in the fantastically named Mount Aspiring National Park, your trek begins in style: onboard a helicopter! Soar over the mountains for a birds-eye view before your landing in the excitingly named Siberia Valley. Here the trekking begins, with an adventurous ascent to the Siberia Hut – but that’s only the base camp.