30-04-2025
Two of the world's best places to hike are in the U.S.
The best way to feel like you've truly experienced a place is to spend time in its woods or other natural spaces: tramping along seaside cliffs, easing through moors and meadows or even walking briskly on an urban city route. Getting out of breath, pausing for water, moving on and finally reaching the end: it's all exhilarating and memorable. Plus, you may get some incredible photos you can't get any other way than on the trail. To help us find these experiences, Time Out has compiled a list of the best hikes in the world —and two of them are right here in the U.S.
The top hike in the world is one you've probably heard of, the Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage walk in northwest Spain. There are seven routes to get there, and the French Way, beginning in St. Jean Pied-du-Port, France, is Time Out 's pick. It takes a month to walk, so you'll probably be relieved to hear that the first U.S. hike on the list is a mere two-day walk.
That's the 22-mile round-trip Kalalau Trail, No. 9 on the list. This walk starts in Ke'e Beach and stretches to Kalalau Beach in Kalalau, Hawai'i on the Napali Coast. Since it involves an overnight, you'll have to secure a camping permit. Along the route, you'll see beaches, crashing surf, rugged seacliffs and the 300-foot Hanakapiai Falls (that's pretty great, but please consider that Yosemite Falls inside Yosemite National Park is the tallest waterfall in North America at 2,425 feet).
The second U.S. hike on this list is Paria River Canyon in Arizona, No. 19 on the list. Editors selected this 38-mile stretch, from the White House trailhead to Lees Ferry, which involves moving through slot canyons and across beaches. You'll even wade through shallow rivers while avoiding quicksand and swirling pools—hearty folks, sign up! Folks who like to stroll without the risk of flash foods, safely, pick another hike! The required permits are obtained through a competitive application process, which takes place months in advance.
The top 20 hikes in the world:
1. The French Way, Camino de Santiago
2. The Lycian Way, Türkiye
3. West Highland Way, Scotland
4. The Nakahechi Route, Kumano Kodo, Japan
5. The Great Ocean Walk, Australia
6. Kungsleden, Sweden
7. The Jordan Trail, Jordan
8. Mount Snowdon, Wales
9. Kalalau Trail, USA
10. Dientes Circuit Trek, Chile
11. Gotemba Trail, Japan
12. Waitukubuli National Trail, Dominica
13. Whale Trail, South Africa
14. Wales Coast Path, Wales
15. Mount Meru, Tanzania
16. Ratikon High Trail Hut-to-Hut Circuit, Austria/Switzerland
17. Coast-to-Coast Path, England
18. Maria Island, Australia
19. Paria River Canyon, USA
20. Tour du Mont Blanc, Switzerland/Italy/France
