The best way to get out and explore some of the most beautiful topography that the world has to offer is to go hiking. Hiking allows you to connect with nature in ways you never thought possible and gives you a rush of adrenaline like no other. Thankfully, there are many excellent international hiking vacations that you can partake in, no matter your skill level. From the Inca Trail to the Cinque Terre Trail and more – here are five of the absolute best international hiking vacations that you’ll want to go on at least once in your life:
Fitz Roy Trek – Argentina
Looking for an international hiking vacation that will take your breath away? Look no further than the Fitz Roy Trek in Argentina. The trail is located in Los Glaciares National Park and is a little over 13 miles round trip. Along the way, you can expect to see snow-covered mountains, lush greenery, massive glaciers, and stunning blue rivers. You’ll reach elevations of 11,000 feet, and the hike typically takes between 8 and 10 hours to complete. If you don’t want to try and take on the entire hike in one day, there are campgrounds that you can stay at. We recommend dividing the trip up into two days as it is challenging, and the sunsets and sunrises are absolutely magnificent.
Inca Trail – Peru
You’ve probably heard of Machu Picchu in Peru, but have you heard of the Inca Trail that leads to Machu Picchu? If not, believe us – you’ll want to book a trip to hike this unique trail as soon as possible. The trek is 26 miles long and contains some stunning scenery. But before you go, you’ll need to obtain a permit for the trip and find a guide that can lead you throughout the hike. A few other things that you’ll want to be aware of is that the trail is known for its challenging terrain, and you can expect the journey to take multiple days. Although you may have to prepare for this hike more than some other hikes around the world, it’ll be worth it once you reach majestic Machu Picchu at the trail’s end.
Tour du Mont Blanc – Switzerland, Italy, and France
One of our absolute favorite hikes in the world – the Tour du Mont Blanc – spans three countries (Switzerland, Italy, and France). This hike is one of the most popular in Europe and is also one of the longest hikes. The entire route is 110 miles long, and it circles the Mont Blanc massif. But don’t let the beauty of this trek fool you, as this hiking vacation isn’t for the faint of heart. Most of the terrain is rugged and physically demanding, so don’t take on this trail unless you are prepared. The best part about this hike is that you can now say that you’ve visited three beautiful countries in Europe!
Laugavegur Trail – Iceland
If you’re an avid hiker and are looking for a trail that will give you a run for your money, you’ll want to take on the Laugavegur Trail located in Iceland. This hike is 34 miles long and contains some stunning scenery. In fact, National Geographic even named the Laugavegur Trail one of the most beautiful trails in the world. Some of the things you can expect to see while hiking includes glaciers, lakes, mountains, hot springs, and more. The trail is typically open between June and September, so you’ll want to plan your trip as soon as possible to ensure that you don’t miss out on the fun.
Cinque Terre Trail – Italy
Italy is the pinnacle of charm, and you’ll see exactly why when walking the Cinque Terre Trail. This captivating hike allows you to see the beauty of the Cinque Terre while also getting a good workout at the same time. The entire trail will take you about 6 hours to walk. Unfortunately, some parts of the trail are currently closed due to a mudslide that recently occurred, but there are alternate paths that you can take to get around these closed sections. One last thing to note is that you will have to pay to hike this trail, but trust us when we say that it’s worth each and every penny.
Ready to go on one of these incredible international hiking vacations? Get your bags packed, and start planning the adventure of a lifetime! If you find that you need to obtain a visa or passport to visit one of these destinations, you can get the application process started on the Swift website. If you have any questions about obtaining a visa or passport, please contact us. We’d be happy to help! No matter where you plan on traveling in the world, we’ll get you there!
