Top 10 day walks in the world

From the lunar landscapes of Tanzania and Utah to the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland and New Zealand, these are the very best day walks in the world. So grab your hiking boots and read on...

3 mins

1. Ol Doinyo Lengai, Tanzania

Pink flamingos and the perfect cone

The perfect cone-shaped Lengai Volcano (Dreamstime)

The perfect cone-shaped Lengai Volcano (Dreamstime)

What the expert says 

The lunar landscape of the slopes (Shutterstock)

The lunar landscape of the slopes (Shutterstock)

A slippery ascent up loose gravel slopes, best done by moonlight to avoid sunstroke – but the lunar landscape at the top is worth the effort

— Ariadne Van Zandbergen, Africa-based photographer

Heavenly and hellish, the symmetrical volcanic cone of 2,878m Ol Doinyo Lengai – ‘Mountain of God’ in Maasai – is an active adventure in more ways than one: the volcano rumbles and periodically spits out rocks and lava – taking local advice is a must, as is an experienced guide and a pre-dawn start. Ngare Sero village, at the base, is within touching distance of flamingo-friendly Lake Natron. On the climb itself expect wonderful photo opportunities plus the adrenalin buzz of peering down on the crater’s glowing lava fields (from a safe distance) and, clouds permitting, views stretching to the horizons.

Need to know 

Flamingoes walking on Lake Natron (Shutterstock)

Flamingoes walking on Lake Natron (Shutterstock)

Length: 10km, 7-10 hours return

Difficulty: 4/5 Steep climb to an active crater

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The ascent to Gran Cratere (Shutterstock)

The ascent to Gran Cratere (Shutterstock)

Gran Cratere, Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy – an easy climb to the lip of a rumbling crater.

2. Faulhornweg  Bernese Oberland, Switzerland

Quintessential Alpine scenery & flora

Schreckhorn and Wetterhorn from Bachalpsee lake (Shutterstock)

Schreckhorn and Wetterhorn from Bachalpsee lake (Shutterstock)

What the expert says 

The  high North Face of Eiger mountains, Bernese Oberland (Shutterstock)

The high North Face of Eiger mountains, Bernese Oberland (Shutterstock)

One dramatic view after another appears: Eiger, Jungfrau, Schreckhorn – it’s a delight from start to finish

— Brian Bloomfield, Ramblers Holidays tour leader in the Alps

Traditional wooden chocolate-box chalets, meadows strewn with Alpine flowers, some of the world’s most iconic peaks – the paths of the Jungfrau region tick all the boxes. This high-level route is both achievable and dramatic: starting with the cog railway ride up to Schynige Platte from Wilderswil, the walk traverses meadows, passes, karst outcrops and the 2,680m Faulhorn. But it’s the views that dazzle: the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch duck into view intermittently from behind the peaks to the south, while the sharp summit of the Schreckhorn is reflected in the still Bachsee.

Need to know

Hikers in Bernese Oberland (Shutterstock)

Hikers in Bernese Oberland (Shutterstock)

Length: 15km, 5-6 hours

Difficulty: 3/5 Long, gradual ascent

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A hiker on the Stubai circuit (Dreamstime)

A hiker on the Stubai circuit (Dreamstime)

A day on the Stubai circuit, Austrian Tirol – use Neustift as a base for walks along the high route.

3. Sentiero degli Dei Amalfi Coast, Italy

Aerial views of rocky coast linking romantic cliffside towns

The Sentiero degli Dei Amalfi Coast, Italy

The Sentiero degli Dei Amalfi Coast, Italy

What the expert says 

Walking the Path of Gods in summer (Dreamstime)

Walking the Path of Gods in summer (Dreamstime)

Awesome path clinging to precipitous cliffs hundreds of vertical metres above the gorgeous turquoise Gulf of Salerno.

— Gillian Price, author of the guide Walking on the Amalfi Coast (Cicerone)

You might dream of exploring the Amalfi Coast’s pastel-hued cliffside settlements in an open-top classic car... but to enjoy the vistas in peace, take to the ‘Path of the Gods’. Leading past soaring cliffs, tiny shrines and cypress groves between the charming fishing settlements of Praiano and Positano (above), this walk burns enough calories to justify that extra-large tiramisu at the end. 

Need to know

Hikers on the Amalfi Coast (Dreamstime)

Hikers on the Amalfi Coast (Dreamstime)

Length: 12km, 5 hours

Difficulty: 3/5 Undulating, rocky path with steep drops

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Hikers on the South West Coast Path (Dreamstime)

Hikers on the South West Coast Path (Dreamstime)

South West Coast Path, England – many stretches make fine day hikes, but the section between Boscastle and Tintagel (or on to Port Isaac for the energetic) is hard to top for coastal beauty.

4. Torres del Paine lookout, Chile

Iconic view of iconic towers

A couple enjoying a quiet look at the famous towers at sunrise  (Dreamstime)

A couple enjoying a quiet look at the famous towers at sunrise (Dreamstime)

What the expert says 

A comfy view of the torres (Dreamstime)

A comfy view of the torres (Dreamstime)

Set off early to arrive at dawn, and pray for good weather – this walk offers the unmissable view of the park’s namesake torres, and is a pretty impressive taster for the full Torres del Paine Circuit

— Rudolf Abraham, author of Torres del Paine (Cicerone)

This trek will make you want to walk further – perhaps the multi-day ‘W’ or full circuit treks, both of which offer deeper insights into the varied geography, flora and fauna in the park (as well as the notoriously fickle climate). But the main raison d’être for this relatively gentle in-and-out walk is to savour views of those pinnacles – the three-plus-a-bit jagged teeth rearing up at the back of a huge cirque.

Need to know

Not so clement weather at the torres  (Dreamstime)

Not so clement weather at the torres (Dreamstime)

Length: 19km, 4.5-6 hours

Difficulty: 2/5 Not a hard trek, but weather can turn in an instant

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The road to Mt Cook (Dreamstime)

The road to Mt Cook (Dreamstime)

Hooker Valley Track, New Zealand – for views up towards Aoraki/Mt Cook.

5. Sarangkot Pokhara, Nepal

Panoramic Himalaya views on a modest hike 

The view from Sarangkot (Shutterstock)

The view from Sarangkot (Shutterstock)

What the expert says 

Enjoying the view from Sarangkot (Shutterstock)

Enjoying the view from Sarangkot (Shutterstock)

The mountains in this region rise so quickly that you get the best views by not being too close. At 1,600m, Sarangkot is perfect, with mind-blowing panoramic Himalayan vistas of peaks over 8,000m

— Bryn Thomas, author of Trekking in the Annapurna Region (Trailblazer Guides)

Like mountains? You’ll love the Nepal Himalaya, with a panoply of hiking opportunities. You could take on the three-week Annapurna Circuit. But you don’t have to. From Pokhara a brisk stroll either up Gyarjati, or from Naudanda along the ridge, brings you to the crest of Sarangkot. Though itself a relatively lowly 1,592m, the panoramic vistas from the top are little short of transcendental: peer left to gasp at Dhaulagiri (8,167m), right across to Annapurna II (7,937m), and due north at the perfect pyramid of Machhapuchhare (6,997m), the ‘Fishtail’ mountain. If you’re captivated by the views and fancy a special dawn performance, there are guesthouses in Sarangkot village, or drop back down to the lake along a path on the southerly hillside. 

Need to know 

The view over Annapurna Range at sunrise (Dreamstime)

The view over Annapurna Range at sunrise (Dreamstime)

Length: Depends on route, but around 7km up, 4-5 hours return

Difficulty: 2/5 The haul up to the top can be breathtaking, but it’s not a tough trek

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Hiker on the Plain of Six Glaciers path (Shutterstock)

Hiker on the Plain of Six Glaciers path (Shutterstock)

Plain of Six Glaciers, Lake Louise, Canada – four or five hours leading away from the crowds to views of mountains and glaciers.

6. Ihlara Valley Cappadocia, Turkey

Rock-carved churches and views of the Cappadocian mountains

Views from the Selime monastery in South Cappadocia (Dreamstime)

Views from the Selime monastery in South Cappadocia (Dreamstime)

What the expert says 

Hikers in the peaceful  Ihlara Valley (Dreamstime)

Hikers in the peaceful Ihlara Valley (Dreamstime)

A walk through the green and leafy Ihlara gorge, with its ancient cave churches, provides an alternative to the better-known fairy chimney landscapes around Göreme

— Rudolf Abraham, author of the forthcoming Trekking in Eastern Turkey (Cicerone)

The ‘fairy’ chimneys, troglodyte dwellings and tuff peaks around Göreme grab the headlines, but there’s more to Cappadocia. The red-walled gorge between Ihlara village and Selime blends natural beauty with historical curiosities – the churches carved into the cliffs north of Ihlara, many with fascinating painted frescoes depicting biblical scenes, and ancient rock-hewn Selime Monastery. Away from Ihlara, crowds thin to allow appreciation of the peaceful greenery and birdlife. With several entry and exit points into the gorge, and lunch options at Belisirma, it’s an easy walk with wonderful pay-offs.

Need to know

Selime and Ihlarla Valley (Dreamstime)

Selime and Ihlarla Valley (Dreamstime)

Length: 15km, 7-8 hours

Difficulty: 2/5 Can get hot in the middle of the day

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Discover the Monastry via Little Petra (Dreamstime)

Discover the Monastry via Little Petra (Dreamstime)

Petra through the ‘back entrance’ – walk from Little Petra to its bigger sibling via the Monastery: a quite different perspective on the ‘rose red city’.

7. Dove Lake circuit & Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, Australia

A round-trip taster of the Overland Track, one of the planet’s finest multi-day treks

Dove Lake circuit & Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, Australia is one of our top day walks in the world (Shutterstock)

Dove Lake circuit & Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, Australia is one of our top day walks in the world (Shutterstock)

What the expert says

The magestic summit of Cradle Mountain (Dreamstime)

The magestic summit of Cradle Mountain (Dreamstime)

If Tasmania received the visitors it deserves, Cradle Mountain would be an icon to rival Uluru. This walk shows off some of the island’s best scenery

— Paul Bloomfield, Wanderlust

Tasmania’s Overland Track is an 80km ramble past dolerite crags, through rainforest and moors, and alongside sparkling lakes and waterfalls – an iconic and challenging multi-day trek. The beauty of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Claire National Park, backdrop for the track, is that it’s not just for tough trekkers –many of the classic views are easily accessible from either end. Postcard-friendly vistas of Cradle Mountain itself are revealed from various angles on short walks from the northern park entrance. The 6km circuit of Dove Lake offers the views, plus chances of spotting wildlife including wallabies, wombats, quolls and –if you’re lucky – Tasmanian devils. Add on the climb up Cradle Mountain itself and you have a near-perfect Aussie day.

Need to know 

Walking alongside  Dove Lake, towards Cradle Mountain (Dreamstime)

Walking alongside Dove Lake, towards Cradle Mountain (Dreamstime)

Length: Varies depending on route, but plan for 12km and 8-10 hours

Difficulty: 2/5 for circuit, 4/5 for summit climb

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Climbing Half Dome (Dreamstime)

Climbing Half Dome (Dreamstime)

Half Dome hike, Yosemite NP, USA – the first day of the 350km John Muir Trail climbs to the shoulder of Yosemite’s trademark dome.

8. Dragon’s Back Hong Kong Island

Ridgetop hike in one of the world’s most urban environments

The Dragon's Back Hike (Shutterstock)

The Dragon's Back Hike (Shutterstock)

What the expert says 

The view from the Dragon's Back (Dreamstime)

The view from the Dragon's Back (Dreamstime)

The spectacular views over land and sea afforded by the hike, and the sense of remoteness so close to the hubbub of such a large city, creates a very special walk.”

— Jackie Peers, photographer and hiking guide with Walk Hong Kong 

For most visitors, walking in Hong Kong means the stroll between air-con subway and air-con shop. But hundreds of kms of paths – including four long-distance trails – lace the territory, making it easy to escape the urbanity. The path running along the Dragon’s Back – an undulating ridge at the south-east of Hong Kong Island – is part of the 50km Hong Kong Trail, but a fine day walk in its own right; it’s been dubbed ‘Asia’s favourite hike’. Looping up through woodland, the path breaks into open ground on the ridge, revealing views of bays, beaches, villages and the South China Sea.

Need to know

Enjoying the hot but rewarding Dragon's Back hike (Shutterstock)

Enjoying the hot but rewarding Dragon's Back hike (Shutterstock)

Length: 4.5km, 2-3 hours – but can be extended

Difficulty: 2/5 Not long and not high but undulating, and can be hot

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High Line Park, New York (Dreamstime)

High Line Park, New York (Dreamstime)

High Line Park, New York – get an alternative perspective on the Big Apple from this elevated park walkway.

9. Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand

The ‘world’s best day walk’ among brooding craters

Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (Shutterstock)

Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (Shutterstock)

What the expert says 

A trail of hikers tackling the terrain of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

A trail of hikers tackling the terrain of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

This remarkable hike crosses an outstandingly atmospheric volcanic area, complete with multicoloured rocks and craters, bright mineral lakes and a perfect steep cone. Varied, interesting vegetation and some huge views to Lake Taupo.

— William Mackesy, founder of Walkopedia.net, online treasury of global walks

In a land renowned for its Great Walks (capital letters intended), it’s a bold claim to label one hike ‘New Zealand’s best day walk’ – even the world’s best, according to some commentators – but that tag has been bestowed on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, itself essentially one stage of the four-day Northern Circuit.
One for cone rangers, its all about the volcanoes: the track hauls up to the saddle between Mt Ngauruhoe (2,291m) and Mt Tongariro (1,967m), for views (on a clear day) across to Mt Taranaki, way to the west. Continuing through the Middle-Earth landscape, you pass stinky geothermal springs, vividly coloured Red Crater and the Emerald and Blue Lakes until, heading north, Lake Taupo may be visible.

Need to know 

Having a rest by one of the emerald lakes on the trail (Dreamstime)

Having a rest by one of the emerald lakes on the trail (Dreamstime)

Length: 17km, 7-8 hours

Difficulty: 3/5 or 4/5, depending on weather – it’s a testing day with steep climbs; cloud, wind and rain can make it much harder

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Mt Bromo in Java, Indonesia (Shutterstock)

Mt Bromo in Java, Indonesia (Shutterstock)

Mt Bromo, Java, Indonesia – a relatively comfortable hike across a massive caldera followed by a straightforward climb up the crater slopes.

10. Horseshoe Canyon Utah, USA

Al fresco gallery of awesome North American rock art

Admiring the views into one of Utah's red rock canyons (Shutterstock)

Admiring the views into one of Utah's red rock canyons (Shutterstock)

What the expert says

Rock carving on Newspaper Rock, Utah (Shutterstock)

Rock carving on Newspaper Rock, Utah (Shutterstock)

This spectacular hike, deep into one of Utah’s most remote and ravishing red-rock canyons, is rewarded by the breathtaking sight of the so-called Great Gallery – a rock wall covered in mysterious, ghost-like but human-sized figures, painted by Native Americans at least 2,000 years ago

— Greg Ward, author of the Rough Guide to Southwest USA

This walk involves scenery typical of Canyonlands National Park, in which it lies – for example, the stretch from the trailhead across slickrock and into the canyon. But the main draw is at the bottom: Horseshoe Canyon, an incredible open-air rock art exhibition where pictographs of strangely shaped figures were painted many millennia ago. 

Need to know

A carving on Newspaper Rock, Utah (Shutterstock)

A carving on Newspaper Rock, Utah (Shutterstock)

Length: 10.5km, 5 hours
Difficulty: 2/5 Relatively mild ascent and descent, but gets hot around midday

 Or try...

An aborigini carving in Kakadu National Park (Dreamstime)

An aborigini carving in Kakadu National Park (Dreamstime)

The Barrk Sandstone Bushwalk in Kakadu National Park, Australia – for Aboriginal art.

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