Beyond flight passes and annual travel insurance, you’re going to want to know about these cool hiking spots to hit on your round-the-world trip.
If you are a hiker, a round-the-world adventure is going to look a lot different than a whirlwind trip to the big cities around the globe. After booking your round-the-world flight pass, updating your passport and securing annual travel insurance, you’re going to want to look into the places you can go to escape the crowds and hike through natural terrain. Here are some ideas to get your started.
Kalalau Trail, Kauai, Hawaii, United States
One of the most beautiful areas of the United States, Kauai, Hawaii would be an amazing place to stop to hike and camp. Kalalau Trail is part of the Hawaii State National Parks system and runs nearly 18km each way along a beautiful coast, from Ke’e Beach to Kalalau Valley. Not for the faint of heart, this challenging but breathtakingly beautiful hike runs along the Na Pali Coast and will take you between three to five days to complete.
The drier months of May to September see more hikers on the trail, so if you are looking to skip the crowds, plan to do this hike between April and October.
Long Range Traverse, Newfoundland, Canada
The Long Range Traverse is a seasoned hiker’s dream, especially if what you are seeking is solitude. With the absence of marked trails, this jaunt through Gros Morne National Park will take you 40km through wild Canadian backcountry, over six days. Starting at the Western Brook Pond you will use a map and compass (memories of Boy Scouts!) to make your way to the ending point at Gros Morne Mountain, a peak that reaches 806 metres high above the Gulf of St. Lawrence, stopping at designated camps along the way.
It’s best to hike the Long Range Traverse between July and September, when weather conditions are at their best.
MacLehose Trail, New Territories, Hong Kong
Hong Kong may not be the first place you would think to hike, but the New Territories surrounding Hong Kong are very rural and quiet, providing a great place to strap on those hiking boots, especially if one of your planned stops is Hong Kong anyway!
Nearly 100km in length, the MacLehose Trail was historically used for fitness competitions by the British Army. As such, this trail is quite challenging, starting at the eastern beaches before ascending into the tropical mountains and winding past Tai Mo Shan, the highest peak at 957 metres high.
Although this hike takes five or six days to complete, much has been done to accommodate hikers, such as stone steps and pathways, free camping and the odd food vendor here and there offering refreshments. The best time to hike the MacLehose Trail is between November and March, when humidity is at its lowest.
Queen Charlotte Track, New Zealand
Located on the north end of New Zealand’s South Island, this 71 km trail runs from Ship Cove (where Captain Cook was known to frequent during the 1700’s!) to Anakiwa, and will take you between three and five days to complete. What’s a great thing about this hike is that, due to the region’s temperate climate, it can be tackled year-round. This trail also offers accommodation choices after a day of hiking over sunny hills and along the dragon’s back ridge, ranging from camping to luxury lodges.
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