10 of the World's Best, Most Beautiful Hikes
In honor of Cheryl Strayed’s famous 1,100-mile trek, AFAR highlights 10 more.
— -- intro: With the national release today of "Wild," a biopic starring Reese Witherspoon about author Cheryl Strayed's famous 1,100-mile trek up the Pacific Crest Trail, no doubt many viewers will leave movie theaters inspired to take on the great outdoors themselves.
But which trails should you tackle first? The editors of AFAR Media have pulled together a list of the most beautiful hiking destinations around the world to help narrow down your choices. Here we highlight the Top 10.
quicklist: 1title: Barrenjoey Lighthouse Climb, Australia text: "The hiking trails are plentiful and the view from the top is incredible," according to AFAR. With sweeping views in all directions, this place is magical and totally worth exploring." media: 27393633
quicklist: 2title: Garibaldi Lake, Canadatext: With "aqua blue lakes" and "phenomenal views," it's easy to see why many are drawn to hiking the area of Panorama Ridge and Black Tusk.media: 27392601
quicklist: 3title: Naukluft National Park, Namibiatext: Why visit Sossuvlei, Namibia? Consider this loving AFAR description: "A beautiful land where you can find the oldest and probably the tallest sand dune on earth."media: 27392866
quicklist: 4title: Fitz Roy, Santa Cruz Province, Argentinatext: Hiking out from Laguna Torre, try to steal a photo of "Cerro Torre, an iconic needle of granite in the midst of Los Glacieres National Park" recommends AFAR.media: 27393826
quicklist: 5title: Andy Goldsworthy’s Wooden Line, West Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, Californiatext: "Artist Andy Goldsworthy's Wooden Line meanders its way through a grove of Eucalyptus in the Presidio, inviting all to take off shoes and balance beam through the forest," according to an AFAR contributor.media: 27393745
quicklist: 6title: Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealandtext: "There aren't too many hikes in the world that start with a ride on a water taxi, but that's how our hike on the Abel Tasman Trail began," notes Janet Sheldon on AFAR's slideshow. "The trail followed the coastline, rising and falling with the mountainous topography. Sometimes it provided gorgeous views of the water and the beaches below. Sometimes the trail led into the woods where ferns carpeted the forest floor and bridges crossed trickling streams."media: 27393474
quicklist: 7title: Mt. Moran, Grand Teton National Park, Wyomingtext: Those who take on the 9-mile loop along the Hermitage Point Trail will be rewarded with incredible vistas and a camping site for resting periods.media: 27393339
quicklist: 8title: Schilthorn, Switzerlandtext: Listen for the distant tinkling of cowbells and look out for a lot of vertical terrain along the trail from the Schilthorn to the Lauterbrunnen Valley. media: 27392982
quicklist: 9title: Trolltunga Hike, Scandinaviatext: "Trolltunga (Troll's Tongue) is a challenging hike in Skjeggedal, Norway," writes Laura O, an AFAR contributor. "We were in Norway for a little over a week and this was definitely our favorite experience. It is one of the most rewarding hikes I have ever done. It wasn't crowded and the views were incredibly beautiful."media: 27393048
quicklist: 10title: Diablo Lake, Washingtontext: "There are limitless hiking opportunities in these mountains," recommends Jonathan Cyr on AFAR, referring to the North Cascades. "But if your time and/or mobility is limited, this is one of the most beautiful drives in the country.media: 27393191
