I just finished reading Cheryl Strayed’s “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” a dark, raw and fiercely humorous book on how one woman finds herself during a three-month long trek through the wild Pacific Crest Trail. The book is powerful, emotional, honest and inspiring, and Strayed uses her brilliant memoir to take a hard look at self-discovery, heeling and change.
Of course when times are tough, we can’t always pick up our bags and leave town. Yet, I often find that there is no better way to escape and reflect upon life than to go on a hike, and the more remote and wild, the better. I have been fortunate to have done many wonderful adventurous hikes over the years. Although every hike I’ve done has been special and has brought me to a new place, there are a select few that have truly inspired me and are unforgettable.
Here is a list of the top five wild hikes that are bound to get your mind thinking.
1. Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Hidden at the far southern tip of Chile is home to Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most insanely beautiful parks in the world. In this remote, windswept region of nowhereland, you can experience four seasons in a day and winds so powerful that they knock you down. It is one of the most spectacular settings possible for trekking yet extremely difficult to reach.
Chile’s crown jewel, Torres del Paine, at the far end of Patagonia.
When to go: The trail is open October to April yet best time to go is the month of November before it gets too hot and the crowds get too large. Be prepared for some insane weather!
2. Annapurna Trek, Nepal
By far the most life changing trek I’ve ever done, the three-week long Annapurna trek takes you through some of the most beautiful terrain in the world. With the mighty Himalayas as a jaw-dropping backdrop, you hike through rural villages, passing Buddhist temples, prayer wheels and mule trains. It is bound to be one of the most exceptional hikes of your life and the beauty and peace of Nepal will certainly fulfill your soul.
A hike through the Annapurnas is bound to change your life. It changed mine.
When to go: Nepal has two prime hiking seasons: Fall (October -December) and Spring (March-May). We went in November as it is normally less rainy and affords better views. It was a spectacular time to go and not too crowded.
3. Skaftafell National Park, Iceland
Iceland is not a very populous country and it is a relatively easy place to find tranquility and peace. Iceland’s dramatic landscape gives the perfect backdrop for hiking and exploring perhaps some of the most wild places in the world. The stark, barren beauty of Skaftafell National Park takes your breath away and is like no place on earth.
Stark, Wild Beauty like no where else in the world can be found here at Skaftafell National Park, Iceland.
When to go: Given Iceland’s climate, the trekking season is very very short and only lasts during the summer months of June, July and August. We went in early August and had spectacular weather and not too large of crowds.
4. Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
Located at the end of the world, in the tiny Patagonian outpost El Chatlen lies Los Glaciares National Park, one of the finest in Argentina. The landscape is serene and the raw beauty of remote Patagonia is sure to inspire. There are several day hikes in the park and instead of camping, you can spend the nights at a local inn indulging in delicious local food and wine. You are also a bus ride away from the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, definitely worth a visit.
The beauty of Los Glaciares National Park in Patagonia is surreal.
When to go: Similar to Patagonian Chile, the trekking season runs from October to April. Once again we chose November when the weather and conditions were perfect. Not too hot and not too cold, and not many tourists.
5. Santa Maria Volcano, Guatemala
You rise at dawn to start the hike up to the sacred top of Santa Maria Volcano in the highlands of Guatemala. Or even better yet, you leave in the early afternoon and reach the top by dusk and spent the night on top of one of the world’s most active volcano landscapes. As the sun sets, you see the brilliant flowing lava from neighboring volcanos lighting up the blackness of the sky. If you do the day hike don’t be alarmed when you hear the Mayans chant as Santa Maria’s next door neighbor Santiaguito erupts. You are in for one of the wildest experiences of you life!
The active volcano awaits….Santiaguito (2,488m) on Santa Maria’s southwest flank
When to go: Winter to Spring months are the best when the weather is mild and not too rainy. I hiked in March and it was perfect.
Related Posts:
The Unforgettable Hike to the Flagship Torres del Paine
Entranced in Iceland: A VIsit to the Remote Skaftafell National Park
The Surroundings of a Patagonian Outpost
Watching a Live Volcanic Eruption from my Perch on Santa Maria
You really are a world traveler. I also enjoyed Strayed’s book, although some of it was a bit too personal.
I could have done without her candid talk about her bodily functions and sex life. It actually turned me off to the book but the rest of it and the meaning is so grand. My only thought is she included it to get more sales. But I think the book would have been even better without it.
Agreed.
If you like non-crowded places to hike, the High Tatras in Slovakia and the National Parks in Macedonia (Pelister, Mavrovo and especially Galicia) are really magnificent, unexploited gem for hikers. I would love to visit some of the places you have mentioned here, especially the National Park in Iceland… really breathtaking. Thanks for sharing!
Oh thank you! I always try to add more places to my list and have never been to these countries…yet. 🙂
Just gorgeous!! Do you by chance have a favorite hike in the U.S.?
Thanks! As for the US, I love hiking in Arizona and my native Minnesota but I’ll be honest that I haven’t done many long term hikes in the US yet. I hope to someday hit Oregon and California and of course Alaska!
Definitely adding a few of these to my backpacking bucket list.
Yes they are wonderful hikes. I forgot to mention New Zealand too, South Island. Amazing!!!
Adding all of these to my bucket list. Thanks
Great! 🙂
Reblogged this on Off On My Travels.
Very nice! Thanks, now I have more places to add to my list. 🙂 So many hikes, so little time. Iceland is definitely on my list. I am not sure I will make the others, although Nepal sounds appealing. Next up on my list is to do 5 days of hiking in Yosemite. That is still a few months away, so the fires should be out by then.
I think my top 5 are: the 5-day hike through the Andes to Machu Picchu, Cradle Mountain NP in Tasmania, Crater Lake NP in Oregon, Zion NP in Utah, and the coast-to-coast walk through Auckland, NZ which was a little different from the rest.
Wonderful list! I didn’t put Machu Picchu on but it was another favorite. Would love to see Crater Lake someday!!!!
Reblogged this on Free Bird and commented:
Enough to give you goosebumps..
Thanks for the reblog! 🙂
Your welcome 🙂
These are majestic mountains! Breathtaking photos, Nicole.
Thanks Amy!
Gorgeous destinations Nicole! Did you read James’ and Bama’s ascent to the Rinjani Volcano in Indonesia? They were both breathtaking accounts!!
Thanks Madhu! No actually I haven’t had time yet but I will be sure to pop on over. Would love to go to Indonesia!
I would love to pick up and leave town right about now! I have dreamed of walking the Camino de Santiago. Hopefully one day I will. Enjoy autumn in MN. 🙂
Oh….that is my next post! I have a friend who runs a trip to walk it and she asked if I’d share it with my readers. Stay tuned LuAnn!
Yea!! 🙂
“Wild” was one of my favorite books in recent years. So happy you enjoyed it, as well! These hikes look pretty “wild” indeed!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
I just finishes “Wild” too. I liked it so much I got mad when it was over 🙂
Ahh, these hikes look amazing!!!!
🙂
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Fantastic post – and SO inspiring! I want to book a flight right now!!! (especially to Iceland & Annapurna!!)
Yes those two places are amazing! 🙂