10 of the World’s Best Walks for 2024

When it comes to hiking the world, we’ve got so many choices! You can immerse yourself in nature, take on a physical challenge or recharge on a wellness journey. Then there’s walks for history lovers, for foodies and even those seeking charming villages to explore. Our tops picks also include the most underrated mountain hikes, trips to take if you’re on a budget and where to head if you’re taking the family.

1. Best walk for history and culture

CAMINO FRANCES – EUROPE’S ANCIENT PILGRIMAGE TRAIL

Why? The history of the Camino de Santiago dates back to the 9th century. The path across northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela was one of the three major Christian pilgrimage routes during the Middle Ages, leading pilgrims to the resting place of the Apostle St James. Listed as a World Heritage site, this ancient trail is a treasure trove of historical sites, religious art, monuments, churches, cathedrals, and fascinating festivals, rituals and traditions. Immerse yourself in a unique and timeless experience. Buen Camino!
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Need to know

Location: Northern Spain
Length: 41 days
Type: Self guided
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Trip cost: from $6590pp (twin share)
Best time to walk: April to June and September to October
You may also like: Hadrian’s Wall in Britain; Italy’s Dolomites

2. Best international walk for immersion in nature

KUMANO KODO PILGRIMAGE TRAIL – STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

Why? Walking the sacred World Heritage Kumano Kodo trail feels like stepping into an enchanted kingdom. It’s mystical, remote and serene. The rugged, forested mountains, tranquil valleys and magnificent waterfalls provide an awe-inspiring nature experience for hikers. As you journey along the ancient cobbled paths and staircases, you’ll pass intricate moss-covered stone statues, 800-year-old cedar trees and mountain-top villages. The seasonal contrasts of cherry blossom in the spring and rich autumn foliage inject wonderful colour along the route. Keep your eyes peeled for an interesting variety of creatures.
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Location: Japan (Kii Peninsula)
Length: 7 days
Type: Self guided
Difficulty: Challenging to strenuous
Trip cost: from $2450pp (twin share)
Best time to walk: April until November
You may also like: England’s Coast to Coast Path; Slovenia’s Julian Alps

3. Best Australian walk for immersion in nature

GREAT OCEAN WALK – REMOTE & RUGGED LANDSCAPES

Why? Spanning 104km, Victoria’s Great Ocean Walk is an adventure that boasts total immersion in nature. The track keeps to often inaccessible and remote parts of the coast, cutting through the Otway National Park where mountains and forest plunge dramatically to meet the Southern Ocean. The solitude, rugged scenery and friendly wildlife encounters make this a must-do experience. If you’re not quite up for the full adventure, walk highlights can be done over 4 days. Guided options also available.
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Need to know

Location: Victoria (southwest coast)
Length: 7 days
Type: Self guided
Difficulty: Moderate
Trip cost: from $2595pp (twin share)
Best time to walk: Late September to late November and early February to mid-May
You may also like: Western Australia’s Cape to Cape Track

4. Best walk for a physical challenge

ITALIAN DOLOMITES – MAGNIFICENT MOUNTAINS

Why? The mighty Dolomites are steep and rocky mountains. Their intrinsic beauty derives from a variety of spectacular vertical forms such as pinnacles, spires and towers, with contrasting horizontal surfaces including ledges, crags and plateaux, all of which rise abruptly above extensive talus deposits and more gentle foothills. The terrain is rough, stony and hard underfoot and some of the paths are narrow and exposed. Dizzying heights and vast scree slopes are a feature of the trails. To get the most from this trip you need to be fit, experienced and free from vertigo. It’s a challenging trek, but no technical mountaineering skills are required and you’ll be accompanied by an experienced international mountain guide.
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Need to know

Location: Northern Italian Alps
Length: 8 days
Type: Guided
Difficulty: Strenuous
Trip cost: from $3390pp (twin share)
Best time to walk: Early June to mid-September
You may also like: Tour du Mont Blanc Highlights; Grampians Peaks Trail (VIC)

5. Best walk for foodies

LUCCA TO SIENA – A CULINARY JOURNEY

Why? This region is culinary heaven. Get swept away by the romance of Tuscany and bring a large appetite! Situated in the beating agricultural heart of Italy, Tuscany is home to the ancient Via Francigena pilgrim trail (Italian Camino, Via Romea) and is a paradise of fresh produce. Relax on a vine-shaded bench with a picnic lunch of cheese, salami and olives, then reward yourself in the evening with Chianti, the most famous Tuscan wine, or a Negroni, one of Italy’s most stylish cocktails. Tuscany’s gastronomic delights include the region’s rare white truffles (‘white gold’); a yearly festival is held to honour the delicacy in the hill town of San Miniato. Tuscan olive oil is special too; top-tier olives are pressed in both Lucca and Siena.
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Need to know

Location: Tuscany (Italy)
Length: 9 days
Type: Self guided
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Trip cost: from $1995pp (twin share)
Best time to walk: Late April to June and September to October
You may also like: Portuguese Coastal Camino; Food, Wine & Walking: Mornington Peninsula (VIC)

6. Best walk if you’re on a budget

PORTO TO SANTIAGO – THE ESSENTIALS TRIP

Why? With overnight stays in modest, well-located hotels you can experience a seaside slice of the Portuguese Coastal Camino on a budget. This trip begins in the vibrant riverside city of Porto and traverses the Atlantic Coast of northern Portugal before heading inland and continuing to the legendary city of Santiago de Compostela. It’s a slightly faster paced itinerary than our regular trips and includes all the wonderful things that make this quieter Camino so alluring, including absolutely delicious food! Try the salted cod, grilled sardines, succulent oysters and of course the irresistible pastéis de nata (custard tarts).
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Need to know

Location: Portugal & Spain
Length: 15 days
Type: Self guided
Difficulty: Moderate
Trip cost: from $1995pp (twin share)
Best time to walk: March to October
You may also like: Sarria to Santiago: The Essentials Trip (Spain)

7. Best walk for wellness

NAKASENDO WAY HIGHLIGHTS – WITH SHIMO-SUWA ONSEN

Why? This short and tranquil hike offers a great introduction to walking in Japan and the opportunity to relax and indulge in the hot spring district of Shimo-Suwa. You’ll follow in the footsteps of the Shogun on the ancient paved paths known as ishidatami. Along the way you’ll pass hidden waterfalls, walk through stunning cedar and cypress forests and discover numerous wayside temples and shrines. Enjoy the wonderful well-preserved ancient villages of Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso-Fukushima and Narai; stay overnight in traditional Japanese-style accommodation; and taste the local delights of the Kiso Valley and Gifu Prefecture. This is an exceptional trip that will leave you feeling inspired, energised and rejuvenated. Every act is from the heart and you will be exceedingly well-looked after.
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Location: Kiso Valley, Japan
Length: 6 days
Type: Guided
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Trip cost: from $3195pp (twin share)
Best time to walk: March to May and September to November
You may also like: Kiso Valley Highlights

8. Best underrated mountain hike

SLOVENIA – JULIAN ALPS & COAST

Why? Sitting snug in the heart of Europe between Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary, pint-sized Slovenia is laidback and easy to get to. With spectacular snow-capped peaks, gobsmackingly beautiful emerald rivers and lakes, rolling vineyards and coastal paths along the Adriatic Sea, Slovenia is a true hikers’ paradise. One of the best things about Slovenia is that it’s unspoiled by large crowds; you’re likely to meet locals on the mountain trails and only a sprinkle of foreign visitors. As well as enjoying spectacular alpine scenery without hiking at altitude, you can explore UNESCO-listed cave systems, picturesque towns, and savour top-notch food and wine. All our walking adventures start in the charming capital Ljubljana. 
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Need to know

Location: Slovenia
Length: 8 days
Type: Guided
Difficulty: Challenging to strenuous
Trip cost: from $3995pp (twin share)
Best time to walk: April to October
You may also like: Julian Alps Highlights (self-guided); Vineyards, Karst & Coast (self-guided)

9. Best walk for picturesque villages

COTSWOLD WAY – PICTURE-PERFECT ENGLAND

Why? The Cotswold Way is a 102-mile (164km) long-distance walking route through the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, connecting Chipping Campden in the north and Bath in the South. It is a glorious jumble of stunning landscapes, picture-perfect villages, rich cultural and historical heritage and wonderful biodiversity. The path meanders along the western fringe of the Cotswold limestone escarpment, passing through ancient beech woodlands, rare grassland, glorious meadows, Neolithic, Roman and medieval sites and some of England’s prettiest villages. There are endless views and achingly gorgeous honey-coloured villages to enjoy. Not to mention the abundance of wildflowers, butterflies, grasses, streams and Cotswold sheep.
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Need to know

Location: England
Length: 13 days
Type: Self guided
Difficulty: Moderate
Trip cost: from $2890pp (twin share)
Best time to walk: March to September
You may also like: Le Puy-en-Velay to Cahors (France)

10. Best walk for families

NZ’s QUEEN CHARLOTTE TRACK – A POPULAR WALK FOR ALL AGES

Why? The best family holidays with teenagers often involve a good dose of outdoor nature. With exceptionally well-maintained trails, easy access, and the absence of dangerous wildlife (no snakes) New Zealand’s Queen Charlotte Track is hands down one of the best destinations. The walking is not too difficult and the cosy lodges are a big part of the holiday and lots of fun. The only time you’ll see your teens on the phone is when they are snapping away at the unbelievable scenery. With abundant marine life, beach swimming and great food, it’s a winner. And its proximity to Australia means the airfares won’t blow the budget.
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Need to know

Location: New Zealand’s South Island
Length: 5 days
Type: Self guided
Difficulty: Moderate
Trip cost: from $2190pp (twin share)
Best time to walk: Year-round
You may also like: New Zealand’s Abel Tasman Coastal Track; Mont Blanc Circuit