5 Hiking Adventures for Summer 2018

After spending months cooped up in your office, staring at a screen and hunching your back over, nothing sorts you out quite like a hiking holiday. Finally, you are out in the open air with plenty of space to stretch your legs out. You can fill your lungs with fresh, crisp air that isn’t contaminated with the sweat and tears of your colleagues. And, best of all, you don’t have to waste your time responding to boring emails and phone calls. You can disconnect from the world and engage in one of the most wholesome activities on the planet.

So, where should you head this summer for the best hiking adventure? Here are a few of our suggestions for incredible hiking routes around the world.

The Salkantay Trail, Peru

It is quite likely that if you choose to hike along the Salkantay Trail this summer, you will go for days without seeing another living person. If that is what you are after then book your flights right now. The trail starts in Soraypampa, a tiny village in the middle of the Sacred Valley. From there you will walk for four days until you reach the town of AguasCalientes – the base town for Machu Picchu. One more day of hiking takes you up the mountain to the famous ruins – the ultimate end point for a breath-taking hike.

The Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

This is a hardcore trek for people with a good level of fitness and a lot of motivation. Reaching a peak altitude of 5,416 metres above sea level, this hike has some incredibly challenging parts, but that’s all part of the fun. And, of course, every step of the way you will be rewarded with scenery that will blow you away. Make sure you stop off at the stunning, turquoise Gokyo lakes on your way and be prepared for mouth-watering Nepalese food served from people’s homes along the way.

Blyde River Canyon, South Africa

There are few views more staggering than those you will find in the Blyde River Canyon in South Africa. This plunging canyon is lined with verdant vegetation and stretches out as far as the eye can see. Throughout the canyon and surrounding area, there are dozens of different hiking trails to choose from, depending on your level of confidence. The Leopard Trail is an excellent option for those who don’t have a lot of time or only want to commit to one day of hiking.

Harding Icefield Trail, USA

The trail that leads through the Harding Icefield in Alaska is a truly unique hike and will get you out of that summer heat for a bit. From certain points on the trail you will have panoramic views of the icefield’s glaciers. The trail is eight miles long and can easily be completed in a day but take note that it is quite a strenuous undertaking. The elevation of the trail increases by roughly 300m every mile, meaning you reach some serious altitude during the hike.

Abel Tasman Coast Track, New Zealand

For those who want to enjoy the beach but also want to get up and moving, this hike is perfect. There are around 30 miles of trail to enjoy but make sure you go in the southern hemisphere summer (November – February) so you have the best hiking weather. The trail runs along the sandy coast of the South Island and takes anything from two to five days to complete, depending on how long you fancy walking for. The scenery is gorgeous and there are plenty of birds to admire as you walk.