Hiking, Trekking & Thrill-Seeking.

Hiking and trekking cover a wide range of difficulty — from a half-day trail to a multi-week high-altitude trek. Here is where to go depending on what you’re ready for.

Beginner to intermediate: The Alps, Switzerland

Well-marked trails, mountain huts for overnight stays, and cable cars that let you shorten or extend a route depending on fitness and time.

Intermediate to advanced: Torres del Paine, Chile

Patagonia’s multi-day “W” and full circuit treks combine granite towers, glaciers, and exposed weather that demands proper gear and preparation.

Advanced: Everest Base Camp, Nepal

A roughly two-week round trip through Sherpa villages at altitudes over 5,000 meters — physically demanding, but does not require technical climbing skills.

Adding thrill activities

Many of these regions pair naturally with additional adrenaline activities — paragliding in the Alps, ice trekking in Patagonia, or via ferrata routes in the Dolomites — for travelers who want more than the trek itself.

Before you go

• Altitude acclimatization matters more than raw fitness on treks above 3,000 meters.
• Book permits and guides well ahead for regulated routes like Everest Base Camp.
• Travel insurance with trekking/rescue coverage is worth the cost on remote routes.