Located above the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland, the “King’s Trail” is Sweden’s longest and perhaps most famous hiking path. The most frequented section of this trail is situated between the villages of Abisko and Nikkaluokta. This 65-mile segment takes between 10 and 12 days to hike. Thanks to its location in the Arctic Circle, the trail is a great place to view the northern lights between September and March.

The Trolltunga (Troll's Tongue) hike in southwestern Norway is a 16-mile trek that takes around two days to complete due to its rough terrain. Hikers brave these trails for the reward at the end: views of Trolltunga, a massive cliff that soars 2,300 feet above the valley below. Named for its odd shape, “The Troll’s Tongue,” is one of Norway’s most famous cliffs.

Located on the eastern edge of the Himalayas, Bhutan is known for its dramatic landscapes. One of the top day hikes in this country is a trek to the Tiger’s Nest, an ancient Buddhist monastery perched high in the mountains. The site can only be reached on foot or horseback; no cars travel up this steep mountainside. Though the trek is only four miles round-trip, the first leg heading up to the monastery is mostly uphill.

The full length of the Jordan Trail runs from Umm Qais in the north of Jordan to Aqaba (a port city on the Red Sea) in the south, totaling 420 miles. The trek takes around 40 days to complete. The most popular and accessible section of this trail runs from Dana (a village in central jordan) to the ancient city of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

The Doolin Cliff Walk is one of Ireland’s most famous hiking trails. It runs from the small town of Doolin south to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center and UNESCO site. Along the five-mail trail, hikers enjoy stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the ancient cliffs below. Highlights of the trek include native flora and fauna, the 220-foot Branaunmore sea stack, and O'Brien's Tower.

The Mediterranean island of Corsica is home to one of the most famous footpaths in Europe, the GR20. Its name stems from the traditional naming system of footpaths in Europe: Grande Randonnée (French), Gran Recorrido (Spanish), Grande Rota (Portuguese), and so on. These roughly translate to “great hike” in English. This 112-mile north-to-south trail meanders through the center of the island’s rugged terrain alongside untouched waterfalls and peaceful pine forests.

This 70-mile Great Ocean Walk traverses the coast of southern Australia. It begins at Apollo Bay in the east and ends at the Twelve Apostles rock formation (one of Australia’s most famous natural landmarks) in the west. The hike takes about one week on average and is primarily within Great Otway National Park.

The Kalalau Trail has a reputation for being among the most beautiful — and treacherous — hikes in the U.S. The 11-mile trail travels alongside steep sea cliffs and tropical valleys. The most popular stop on the trail is located at the two-mile marker: Hanakapi’ai Beach. This is often the final destination for many day hikers, offering a tranquil beach hideaway after a notoriously difficult hike.

The most trekked trail in Arizona’s Grand Canyon is the Bright Angel Trail. At its most popular turnaround point, Plateau Point, the hike is a 12-mile round trip from its starting location. The trail travels through Havasupai Gardens, where the Indigenous Havasupai People once lived, and boasts stunning views of the Colorado River from its many observation points.

The longest of the Triple Crown trails is the Continental Divide, which stretches for roughly 3,100 miles from the Canadian border of Montana to the Mexican border in New Mexico, roughly following the Continental Divide. The other two trails in the Triple Crown are the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail.

The Alta Via 1 is a nine-day hike that runs between the towns of Dobbiaco and Belluno in northern Italy, reaching a maximum elevation of 9,029 feet. This famous trail wanders through former World War I battle sites, underground tunnels, and the steep, rocky hillsides of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route also requires an overnight stay in the historic Rifugio Nuvolau, one of the oldest alpine huts in the Dolomites.

Hiking through the Alps of Western Europe just isn’t enough for some adventurers — the 105-mile Tour du Mont Blanc trail is also known for its annual footrace, one of the most difficult in Europe. Taking place in August, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) typically draws over 2,000 athletes from across the world. The trail encircles Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps.

This 5.4-mile Angels Landing Trail in Utah is so popular that it now requires a permit via a lottery system in order to limit trail numbers and ensure safety. The strenuous hike features a 1,500-foot elevation increase, but the aerial views of Zion Canyon provide an excellent payoff. The Narrows hike is another jewel of Zion — a 9.4-mile journey through shallow water between towering sandstone walls carved out by erosion.

Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite National Park is one of California’s top destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. The Half Dome Day Hike — named for the massive piece of quartz that rises 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley — is one of the park’s most popular treks. After enduring the roughly 15-mile round trip hike to the rock's summit, hikers are rewarded with breathtaking views of the park below.

The Everest Base Camp Trail is the most popular of the Mount Everest trails. The base camp is more accessible and far less dangerous than the trek to the peak, but that’s not to say that the journey to base camp is an easy feat — the camp sits at an altitude of 17,500 feet above sea level. More than 500 hikers a day make the trek during peak season in spring.

Known for its rugged wilderness, New Zealand is home to an extensive hiking network. The 10 most popular of these hikes are called the “Great Walks.” The Milford Track is located in the Fiordland region of the South Island. Hikers have been trekking here for over 150 years, making it one of the oldest official hiking trails in the country. The 30-mile journey takes around four days and boasts incredible views of the valleys and fjords.

Of the seven hiking trails to the top of Africa’s tallest mountain, the nearly 40-mile Machame Route is Kilimanjaro's most popular. The trail has a steep ascent, a challenge which attracts serious hikers to the mountain. The trek takes around one week and is among the most ecologically diverse hikes in the world, passing through five ecological zones before reaching the 19,340-foot summit.

One of South America’s most famous treks, the Inca Trail leads hikers through the Andes mountains to Peru's famed Machu Picchu archaeological site. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, the 27-mile trail once connected Cusco (the capital of the Inca Empire) with the citadel of Machu Picchu. There are various route options for hikers, ranging from two to seven days.

It takes hikers an average of six months to trek through the Appalachian Mountains on the world-famous Appalachian Trail. The first section of the trail opened in 1923; today, the 2,100-mile trail passes through 14 states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia.

With stunning views of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, the Pacific Crest Trail is one of America’s most famous hiking routes. It stretches over 2,600 miles from the Canadian border in Washington to the border of Mexico in southern California. The PCT was officially authorized in 1968 with the passing of the National Trails Act and was finally completed in 1993.