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The Route of Parks, Chile - Newly unveiled, this super hiking trail weaves its way 2,800 km (1,740 mi) through the Patagonian wilderness, from the city of Puerto Montt down to Cape Horn. The trail encompasses three existing hiking routes, the Southern way, the Patagonian channels, and the End of the World Route.

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Virgin Narrows, USA -

Getting wet is part of the fun when trekking the Virgin Narrows, located in Zion National Park. This dramatic slot canyon has walls reaching 300 m (1,000 ft ), but in some places the river is just 6 m (20 ft) wide.

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Inca Trail, Peru - Hike Peru's famous Inca Trail to the majestic ruins of Machu Picchu. Much of the trail is of original Inca construction.

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Cinque Terre, Italy - The so-called "Five Lands" refer to the five picturesque Italian Riviera villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, all conveniently linked by an equally scenic coast path.

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Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand -

A world-renowned trek located on North Island, Tongariro is steeped in Maori myth. The unworldly terrain fuels the legends. A hike that will linger in the memory for years.

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Mount Sinai summit hike, Egypt - There are two main routes to the summit. Ascend the longer, shallower route from Saint Catherine's Monastery. Head down via the steep 3,750 Steps of Penitence. 

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John Muir Trail, USA -

This exciting route begins in California's Yosemite Valley and meanders through a wondrous wilderness and into the Sierra Nevada before terminating at the summit of Mount Whitney.

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Milford Track, New Zealand - A wish-list favorite and regarded as one of the finest walks in the world, this stunning trail follows the footsteps of early explorers from Glade Wharf to Milford Sound, in the dramatically landscaped Fiordland National Park.

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Camino de Santiago, Spain - Also known in English as the Way of St James, there are in fact several ancient pilgrimage routes that snake through France and Spain. All lead to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwest Spain.

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Lycian Way, Turkey - A 500 km (310 mi) footpath around part of the coast of ancient Lycia, the trail combines Mediterranean views with a mountainous hinterland.

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Bryce Canyon, USA - One of Utah's most spectacular natural wonders is honeycombed with countless trails that weave through spire-shaped rock formations known as hoodoos. 

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GR20 (Corsica), France - The GR20 is Corsica's most challenging long-distance footpath. You'll need to be in good shape to follow its 170 km (105 mi) course, but the outstanding views are well worth the effort.

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Fitz Roy Massif, Argentina - Hiking to the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre base camps rewards hikers with a serenely beautiful outlook over this Patagonia landmark. 

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Great Ocean Walk, Australia -

You can't miss the magnificent sea stacks known as the Twelve Apostles on this iconic coastal trail, located on Victoria's southwest coast.

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Metéora, Greece - Follow ancient tracks and climb steep and narrow steps to reach the precipitous Orthodox monasteries perched on sandstone stacks. 

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The Great Wall of China - Following any section of this mighty wall, one of the most impressive architectural feats in history, makes for a thrilling and unforgettable walk. 

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Nebaj-Todos Santos trek, Guatemala - Treading a path across the Cuchamatanes Mountains will heighten your sense of adventure as you follow this classic route. The trail ends in the remote mountain village of Todos Santos.

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Bagan Walk, Myanmar (Burma) - The country's Bagan Plain is distinguished by over 300 elaborately decorated stupas, pagodas, and temples—reason enough to tread the path of one of the best walks in the country. 

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Table Mountain, South Africa - A variety of spectacular and scenic walks and hikes on and up the mountain can be enjoyed, along with magnificent panoramic views. The descent from the top by cable car rewards tired legs. 

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Copper Canyon, Mexico - Named for the copper-green hue of the canyon walls, this landmark destination in Chihuahua state comprises six, interconnected canyons all of which can be explored on foot by following memorable hiking trails.  

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Dana-Petra Trail, Jordan -

The historical city of Petra, famous for its rock-cut architecture, greets those who complete this outstanding trail that cuts a path through the forested Dana Nature Reserve before meeting the desert.

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Samariá Gorge, Greece - Crete's Samariá Gorge National Park is one of the island's most popular tourist attractions, a destination distinguished by a deep and narrow 16-km (10-mi) gorge the base of which makes for a fantastic day-long hike.

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The Yoshida Trail, Japan - The Yoshida Trail is the most popular route to the summit of Mount Fuji, at 3,776 m (12,388 ft) the country's highest peak. The trail begins at the sacred Fuji Sengen Shrine. 

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El Circuito, Chile - Embark on a circuit of Torres del Paine and discover towering granite spires and pristine glaciers. It can be cold and wet, but this is after all part of Patagonia! 

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Appalachian Trail, USA - At 3,500 km (2,200 m) long, this legendary trail, completed in 1937, passes through 14 states. Some intrepid walkers have managed to thru-hike the entire route. Hiking conditions vary from gentle to tough. 

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Inca Trail to Ingapirca, Equador - Part of the Royal Road, which once linked Cusco and Quito, the elevated trail embraces jaw-dropping mountain views before winding down at the ancient castle complex of Ingapirca, topped by the extraordinary Temple of the Sun. 

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Vale do Capão-Guiné hike, Brazil - Brazil's Chapada Diamantina National Park in Bahia state is characterized by a "Lost World" landscape of tabletop mountains, lush vegetation, and a real sense of adventure. The Capão-Guiné takes all this in its stride.

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Waitukubuli National Trail, Dominica - This is the Caribbean's first long-distance trail, a way-signed path that offers adventurous hikers a coast-to-coast trek through the country's verdant and sometimes precipitous interior. 

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Tsitsikamma Trail, South Africa - South Africa's Eastern Cape is where this wonderfully varied trail unfolds. It snakes over mountains, through gorges, and skirts a spectacular coastal forest.

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Toubkal Circuit, Morocco - Exploring the Atlas Mountains invariably means summiting the 4,167-m (13,671-ft) Jebel Toubkal. This circuit includes the push to the top, but also takes in splendid countryside and one or two Berber villages along the way.

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Simien Mountains Traverse, Ethiopia - The country's celebrated highlands are of exceptional beauty, a magical landscape of volcanic peaks and escarpments that reward hikers with a choice of routes, some of which head up to the summit of Ras Dashen (4,620 m/15,157 ft), the country’s highest peak.  

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Sentiero degli Dei, Italy - Following the Path of the Gods is the undoubted highlight of any hike along the Amalfi coast. In fact a series of old mule trails set between villages, the 'alto' path affords handsome views of the surrounding region.

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Tour du Mont Blanc, France/Switzerland/Italy -

Almost 170 km (105 mi) in length, this moderate though occasionally challenging circuit exudes Alpine charm set as it is under the shadow of Western Europe's highest peak. Oh, and stepping into three different nations along the way is a novel treat.

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Berg Lake Trail, Canada -

Mount Robson, the Valley of a Thousand Falls, and glacial Berg Lake itself number just some of the mesmerizing natural wonders characterizing this Canadian Rockies favorite.

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Laugavegur Trail, Iceland -

The country's most famous hiking trail links Landmannalaugar with Thórsmörk and a classic "Land of Ice and Fire" landscape of glaciers, hot springs, and steaming fumaroles.

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The West Highland Way, Scotland - Scotland's breathtaking scenery is brought into stark relief on this exhilarating hike. Among other landmarks, the route takes in Kinlochleven and skirts Loch Lomond to eventually meet Ben Nevis, at 1,344 m (4,410 ft) the UK's highest mountain. 

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West Coast Trail, Canada -

Luring the independent backpacker to the southwestern edge of Vancouver Island is this wild and untamed route that tests even the most seasoned hiker. You'll be at one with Mother Nature, and occasionally at her mercy too.

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Flores Island, Portugal -

One of nine islands in the Azores archipelago, Flores offers a unique hiking experience by way of the West Coast Walk, the most westerly hiking trail in Europe!

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Great Himalaya Trail, Tibet/Nepal -

Experienced hikers will take this colossal 1,700 km (1,056 mi) challenge across the Nepalese Himalaya in their stride. Less seasoned exponents can opt for one of the lower altitude trails.

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Overland Track, Australia - One of Australia's most famous hiking trails is found in Tasmania, where it starts from Ronny Creek on Cradle Mountain and runs all the way to Lake St Clair, with plenty of side trips to waterfalls and lookouts to satisfy wanderlust.

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Larapinta Trail, Australia - The trek out of Alice Springs along the outback backbone of the West McDonnell Ranges to Mount Sonder is regarded by many as an 'Oz'-hiking rite of passage.  

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Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea -

During World War II, Japanese and Australian troops fought and died along this track during a particularly bloody campaign. Today, different challenges face those attempting this arduous hike, not least torrential rain, suffocating humidity and an alarming array of bugs and critters.

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Via Algarviana, Portugal -

Connecting the village of Alcoutim in the east to the Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse in the west, the 300-km (186-m) Via Algarviana long-distance footpath spans the entire Algarve, taking in coast and countryside.

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Kilimanjaro Trail, Tanzania - The African continent's highest peak, Kilimanjaro (5,895 m/19,340 ft) remains a tough challenge: this is the world's highest trekking summit! There are six routes to choose from. 

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Mount Kailash Circuit, Tibet - Considered sacred in four religions, Bon, Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, Mount Kailash is visited every year by pilgrims who believe circumnavigating the mountain on foot will bring them good fortune. Hikers often join this holy ritual.

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Lantau Trail island, China - Lantau island, the largest island in Hong Kong, provides walkers with an easy-going circular trail that takes in temples, beaches, gardens, and the unmistakable outline of the bronze statue of The Big Buddha, or Tian Tan Buddha. 

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Chomolhari Trek, Bhutan - Test your stamina by embarking on this high-altitude trek from Paro to Dodena, a true mountain adventure that includes colorful dzongs (monasteries) on the sightseeing itinerary.

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Hadrian's Wall, Scotland - Built on the orders of Emperor Hadrian, this landmark Roman wall runs the width of England. Around 117 km (73 mi) in length, the ancient structure runs parallel to a modern and much-trodden hiking trail. 

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Cotswold Way, England - The 160-km (100-mi) Cotswold Way meanders and undulates its way through some of the most scenic countryside in England. The route passes a collection of charming villages and national monuments, including the 18th-century Broadway Tower (pictured).

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Kungsleden, Sweden -

The "King's Trail" is an inspiring 442-km (275-m) traverse across the country's Arctic tundra, with Sweden’s highest peak, Mount Kebnekaise, providing a fitting finale.

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Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Wales - Often cited as the most breathtaking stretch of coastline in Britain, the Pembrokeshire coast is served by a remarkable 186-km (300-mi) waymarked trail that covers nearly every kind of maritime landscape.

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Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike, USA -

This epic hike is best undertaken in spring or fall, though winter excursions are rewarded with some sparkling, fairy-tale photo opportunities. The distance covered is around 70 km (44 mi).

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Kalalau Trail, Hawaii - A trek along the tropical Nā Pali Coast of Kauai Island takes you through emerald jungle, past tumbling waterfalls, and affords jaw-dropping Pacific Ocean views. 

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Chilkoot Trail, USA/Canada -

Following this trail is to rediscover Alaska's and Yukon Territory's gold mining history. Routes include the Golden Stairs and The Scales. Feeling lucky?

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Pico do Arieiro-Pico Ruivo, Portugal -

Anchored in the Atlantic Ocean, the Portuguese island of Madeira is celebrated for its stunning mountain scenery, a result of a thunderous volcanic past. Hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, the island's highest peak, and end up above the cloud line.

See also: Stunning nature photographs that look like paintings.

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