15 Best Backpacking Trails in the US & Worldwide (2025 Guide)

Our world is filled with incredible trails that take you through some of the most beautiful places on Earth. From high mountains to deep forests, these paths offer adventurers of all levels something special. This list of the top 15 best backpacking trails includes spots from around the globe, perfect for a quick overnight trip or a challenging trek that lasts for weeks.

Whether you’re just starting out or an experienced hiker looking for a new challenge, these trails promise stunning views and memorable adventures. Each is unique, offering its blend of natural beauty and physical challenge, making every step of your journey worthwhile.

Best Backpacking Trails

Here are the word’s best backpacking trails you can plan your next adventure trip to:

1. Inca Trail, Peru

• Distance: 42 km roundtrip
• Duration: 4 days
• Max Height: 4,200 meters (Dead Woman’s Pass)
• Best Seasons: May to September (dry season)
• Trail Level: Hard

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a challenging hike and a journey through time. As you navigate ancient stone steps and paths, you will pass through mystical archaeological sites like Llactapata, Runkurakay, and Sayacmarca, finishing in the Sun Gate’s dramatic entrance to Machu Picchu.

The path leads through varied ecosystems, from dense cloud forests to alpine tundra, revealing breathtaking views and rich biodiversity.

2. Torres del Paine W Trek, Chile

• Distance: Approximately 70-80 km (43-50 miles)
• Duration: 4-5 days
• Max Height: Approximately 1,100 meters (3,600 ft) (John Gardner Pass)
• Best Seasons: October to April (Southern Hemisphere spring and summer)
• Trail Level: Moderate to Challenging

The “W” Trek in Torres del Paine National Park is a stunning Patagonian adventure. This iconic route takes hikers through a landscape of granite peaks, turquoise lakes, and glacial fields.

Highlights include the iconic granite towers (Torres del Paine), the French Valley with its hanging glaciers, and Grey Glacier. The trail traverses diverse terrain, from lush forests to rocky mountain passes, offering breathtaking views at every turn. The unpredictable Patagonian weather adds an element of challenge, but the rewards are immense.

3. Tour du Mont Blanc, Switzerland, Italy, and France

• Distance: Approximately 170 km (106 miles)
• Duration: 10-12 days
• Max Height: Approximately 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) (Col des Fours or Fenêtre d’Arpette variants)
• Best Seasons: June to September
• Trail Level: Challenging

The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is a classic European trek that revolves around Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps. This multi-country journey offers a unique cultural experience as hikers traverse through Switzerland, Italy, and France.

The trail passes through scenic alpine villages, lush meadows, and high mountain passes, providing stunning views of snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and valleys. It’s a challenging trek with significant elevation gain and loss, but the diverse scenery and cultural engagement make it an unforgettable experience.

4. Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim, United States

• Distance: Approximately 33-42 km (20-26 miles) depending on the chosen route
• Duration: 1-2 days (most do it in 2)
• Max Height: Approximately 2,400 meters (7,900 ft) (North Rim)
• Best Seasons: Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October)
• Trail Level: Extremely Challenging

Hiking rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon is a challenging but worthwhile experience. This iconic trek involves descending to the bottom of the canyon and ascending the opposite rim, crossing the Colorado River. The dramatic scenery, vastness of the canyon, and plain desert environment create a unique and awe-inspiring experience.

Extreme temperature fluctuations, significant elevation change (over a mile of elevation change each way), and challenging trail conditions make this a tireless hike requiring careful planning and preparation.

5. Panorama Ridge, Canada

• Distance: Approximately 21 km (13 miles) roundtrip
• Duration: 1-2 days (often done as a long day hike, but overnight camping is possible with permits)
• Max Height: Approximately 2,133 meters (7,000 ft)
• Best Seasons: July to October (when the snow has melted)
• Trail Level: Moderate/Challenging

Panorama Ridge in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia, offers some of Canada’s most spectacular mountain views. The hike leads through lush forests, alpine meadows, and rocky terrain to a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking Garibaldi Lake and its turquoise waters, framed by towering peaks and glaciers. The hike involves a steady climb, but the panoramic panoramas from the ridge are well worth the effort.

6. El Camino de Santiago, Spain

• Distance: Varies greatly depending on the chosen route (e.g., the Camino Francés is approximately 780 km/485 miles)
• Duration: Varies greatly (weeks to months)
• Max Height: Varies depending on the route, generally under 1,500 meters (5,000 ft)
• Best Seasons: Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October)
• Trail Level: Moderate

El Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James, is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes leading to the shrine of St. James in Santiago de Compostela. The most popular route, the Camino Francés, crosses northern Spain, passing through diverse landscapes, charming villages, and historic towns.

The journey is a physical trek and a personal and spiritual experience for many. While the terrain is generally not extremely challenging, walking long distances daily can be physically demanding.

7. Standing Indian Loop, North Carolina, USA

• Distance: Approximately 27 miles (43 km)
• Duration: 2-3 days
• Max Height: Approximately 5,499 ft (1,676 m) (Standing Indian Mountain)
• Best Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall (avoid winter backpacking due to potential snow and ice)
• Trail Level: Moderate to Challenging

The Standing Indian Loop in the Nantahala National Forest offers a fulfilling backpacking experience through diverse Appalachian forests. This loop combines sections of the Appalachian Trail, the Benton MacKaye Trail, and other forest service trails, offering varied terrain and scenic views.

Hikers will traverse hardwood forests, climb to the summit of Standing Indian Mountain for panoramic views, and enjoy peaceful watercourses and valleys. The trail includes some challenging climbs and descents, making it a good endurance test.

8. Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Loop, North Carolina/Tennessee, USA

• Distance: Approximately 30-35 miles (48-56 km) depending on a specific route
• Duration: 2-4 days
• Max Height: Approximately 4,000 ft (1,219 m)
• Best Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall (avoid winter due to potential snow and ice)
• Trail Level: Challenging

The Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Loop is a rugged and remote backpacking adventure in the southern Appalachian Mountains. This challenging loop takes hikers through old-growth forests in the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, known for its towering trees, and into the rugged Slickrock Wilderness with its steep slopes and challenging stream crossings.

Expect significant elevation changes, rocky terrain, and potentially difficult navigation in some sections. The solitude and untouched wilderness make this a rewarding trip for experienced backpackers.

9. Gregory Bald + Shuckstack Fire Tower Via Twentymile Loop, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA

• Distance: Approximately 28-30 miles (45-48 km) depending on route
• Duration: 2-3 days
• Max Height: Approximately 4,949 ft (1,508 m) (Gregory Bald)
• Best Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall (avoid winter due to potential snow and ice)
• Trail Level: Moderate to Challenging

This loop in Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a mix of scenic beauty, historical interest, and challenging hiking. The route includes visiting Gregory Bald, famous for its spectacular display of flame azaleas in late spring/early summer, and climbing the Shuckstack Fire Tower for panoramic views.

The trail crosses diverse forest types, climbs to high ridges, and descends into valleys, offering a well-rounded Smoky Mountains experience.

10. Pawnee and Buchanan Pass Loop, Colorado, USA

• Distance: Approximately 26-28 miles (42-45 km)
• Duration: 2-3 days
• Max Height: Approximately 12,500 ft (3,810 m) (Buchanan Pass)
• Best Seasons: July to September (due to snow at higher elevations)
• Trail Level: Challenging

The Pawnee and Buchanan Pass Loop in the Indian Peaks Wilderness offers a classic Colorado high-altitude backpacking experience. This loop crosses two high mountain passes, offering stunning views of alpine tundra, jagged peaks, and pristine lakes.

Expect significant elevation gain and loss, exposed terrain above treeline, and potential for rapidly changing weather conditions. This trek is challenging but rewarding for experienced hikers comfortable with high-altitude environments.

11. Devils Thumb + Kings Lake Loop, Colorado, USA

• Distance: Approximately 20-25 miles (32-40 km) depending on route
• Duration: 2-3 days
• Max Height: Approximately 11,900 ft (3,627 m)
• Best Seasons: July to September (due to snow at higher elevations)
• Trail Level: Challenging

The Devils Thumb and Kings Lake Loop in the Indian Peaks Wilderness provides a challenging and scenic backpacking trip through the Colorado Rockies. The highlight is the dramatic rock formation known as Devils Thumb.

The trail winds through forests, climbs to alpine meadows, and offers stunning views of mountain peaks and beautiful lakes, including the scenic Kings Lake. Expect steep climbs, rocky terrain, and potential for afternoon thunderstorms.

12. Fancy Pass, Missouri Lakes Loop, Colorado, USA

• Distance: Approximately 10-12 miles (16-19 km)
• Duration: 1-2 days (often done as a long day hike or overnight trip)
• Max Height: Approximately 12,460 ft (3,800 m) (Fancy Pass)
• Best Seasons: July to September (due to snow at higher elevations)
• Trail Level: Challenging

The Fancy Pass-Missouri Lakes Loop in the Holy Cross Wilderness offers a challenging but rewarding hike through classic Colorado alpine scenery. This loop crosses Fancy Pass, providing stunning views of surrounding peaks and valleys.

The trail also passes by several beautiful alpine lakes, including the Missouri Lakes. Expect steep climbs, rocky terrain, and potential for afternoon thunderstorms. This is a popular route known for its scenic beauty.

13. Four Pass Loop, Colorado, USA

• Distance: Approximately 28 miles (45 km)
• Duration: 2-4 days
• Max Height: Approximately 12,500 ft (3,810 m) (all four passes)
• Best Seasons: July to September (due to snow at higher elevations)
• Trail Level: Challenging

The Four Pass Loop in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is a classic Colorado backpacking trip. This loop crosses four high mountain passes (West Maroon, Frigid Air, Trail Rider, and Buckskin), offering breathtaking views of the iconic Maroon Bells and surrounding peaks.

The trail navigates alpine tundra, wildflower meadows, and rocky terrain. Expect significant elevation gain and loss, exposed sections above the treeline, and potential for rapidly changing weather.

14. Cirque Of The Towers, Wyoming, USA

• Distance: Varies depending on route and exploration, but the main loop is around 25-30 miles (40-48 km)
• Duration: 3-5 days
• Max Height: Approximately 12,800 ft (3,900 m) (depending on route)
• Best Seasons: July to September (due to snow at higher elevations)
• Trail Level: Very Challenging

The Cirque of the Towers in the Wind River Range is a world-renowned destination for mountaineering and backpacking. This area is known for its dramatic granite spires and rugged alpine scenery.

Backpacking or Hiking into the Cirque involves navigating challenging terrain, including steep climbs, boulder fields, and potentially some snowfields early in the season. The stunning views and wilderness experience make it a highly pleasing but strenuous adventure.

15. Teton Crest Trail, Wyoming, USA

• Distance: Approximately 35-45 miles (56-72 km), depending on variations and access points
• Duration: 3-5 days
• Max Height: Approximately 11,200 ft (3,414 m) (Paintbrush Divide)
• Best Seasons: July to September (due to snow at higher elevations)
• Trail Level: Challenging

The Teton Crest Trail in Grand Teton National Park offers an unforgettable backpacking experience through the heart of the Teton Range. This trail traverses high alpine terrain, offering stunning views of jagged peaks, glaciers, and pristine lakes.

Expect significant elevation gain and loss, exposed sections above the treeline, and potential for challenging weather conditions. This is a classic mountain backpacking trip where you carry your backpacks to the scenic destinations.

Conclusion

Backpacking is more than simply reaching a destination. It’s about the transformative journey. It’s about pushing your physical and mental limits, forging a deeper connection with the natural world, and discovering your inner strength and resilience. These 29 trails represent unique opportunities for personal growth, creating unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.

This develops a profound appreciation for the wild places that remain on our planet. So, carefully choose your path, embrace the challenges and the rewards that come with them, and allow the trail to guide you on an unforgettable adventure of self-discovery.