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792 voters

The Best Countries for Hiking

Updated June 14, 2019 7.2k votes 792 voters 11.4k views48 items

List RulesUpvote the country that has the best terrain, mountains or hills to go for a leisurely hike

This is a ranked list of the best countries for hiking as voted on by men and women. These places include some of the most beautiful and scenic areas in the world such as Luxembourg, Switzerland, and South Africa. These are all some of the top places to go hiking in the world. This list answers the question, “what are the best countries in the world to go hiking?” Whether you are looking for beautiful mountain ranges, gorgeous bodies of water, or luscious greenery, these places offer all the lovely landscapes you could ever wish to trek upon. Many countries in Europe offer vast hiking routes while other countries just offer gorgeous open landscapes to tread upon. Each of these best countries for hiking offer distinct features as well. Those seeking the thrill of being one with the land and discovering new countries by foot might want to venture to far off lands like Bhutan. Excellent hiking can also be had in North America in the United States and Canada as well. Whether looking for an extreme activity or a leisurely stroll these ranked places offer great hiking in every part of the world. As a traveler looking for the world’s best hiking you might ask yourself, “Where are best spots to hike around the world?”. Well here we have compiled a list of the very best places for this activity.

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New Zealand
Māori language, New Zealand Sign Language
Capital: Wellington
Founded: 1840-02-06
Currency: New Zealand dollar
Area: 268680.0
Government: Unitary state, Parliamentary system, Constitutional monarchy
Anthem: God Defend New Zealand, God Save the Queen
Divisions: Bay of Plenty, Otago Region, Tasman District, West Coast, Wellington
Best trails: Queen Charlotte Track, Te Araroa Trail, and Milford Track

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Switzerland
Romansh language, French Language
Capital: Bern
Founded: 1291
Currency: Swiss franc
Area: 41285.0
Government: Federal republic, Directorial system
Anthem: Swiss Psalm
Divisions: Seftigen District, Canton of Vaud, Canton of Glarus, Canton of Aargau, Canton of Zurich
Best trails: Eiger Trail, Jaunbach gorge, Zermatt Lakes Trail and Hardergrat

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Canada
French Language, English Language
Capital: Ottawa
Founded: 1867
Currency: Canadian dollar
Area: 9984670.0
Government: Federal monarchy, Parliamentary system, Constitutional monarchy
Anthem: O Canada
Divisions: Agassiz, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba
Best trails: Great Divide Trail, Bruce Trail

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Iceland
Icelandic Language
Capital: Reykjavik
Founded: 1904-02-01
Currency: Icelandic króna
Area: 103001.0
Government: Constitutional republic, Parliamentary republic
Anthem: Lofsöngur
Divisions: Westfjords, Norðurland vestra, Eastern Region, Iceland, Capital Region
Best trails: Glymur, The Laugavegur & Fimmvorduhals Trek, Landmannalaugar Hike

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Kenya
English Language, Swahili Language
Capital: Nairobi
Founded: 1963-12-12
Currency: Kenyan shilling
Area: 582650.0
Government: Representative democracy, Presidential system, Republic
Anthem: Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu
Divisions: Nyanza Province, Western Province, Nairobi Province, Coast Province, Central Province
Best trails: Ngong Hills, Nairobi Safari Walk, Chyulu Hills

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Hong Kong
English Language, Chinese language
Founded: 1842-08-29
Currency: Hong Kong dollar
Area: 1104.0
Anthem: March of the Volunteers
Best trails: Dragon's Back Ridge, Lamma Island, MacLehose

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Mali
French Language
Capital: Bamako
Founded: 1960-09-22
Currency: West African CFA franc
Area: 1240000.0
Government: Republic, Semi-presidential system, Unitary state
Anthem: Le Mali
Divisions: Ségou Region, Mopti Region, Kayes Region, Sikasso Region, Gao Region
Best trails: Lafiabougou, Arche, Trek País Dogon

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Scotland
Scottish English
Capital: Edinburgh
Founded: 0843
Currency: UK £
Area: 78387.0
Government: Devolution, Constitutional monarchy
Anthem: Is There for Honest Poverty, Scotland the Brave, Flower of Scotland, Scots Wha Hae, Highland Cathedral
Divisions: Orkney
Best trails: Old Man of Hoy, Stac Pollaidh, Muckle Flugga
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Sweden
Swedish Language
Capital: Stockholm
Founded: 1397
Currency: Swedish krona
Area: 449964.0
Government: Representative democracy, Hereditary monarchy, Unitary state, Parliamentary system, Constitutional monarchy
Anthem: Du gamla, Du fria
Divisions: Gotland County, Falköping Municipality, Värmland County, Blekinge County, Norrbotten County
Best trails: Kungsleden (King’s Trail), Pilgrimsleden (Pilgrim Trail), Utvandrarleden (Emigrant Trail)

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United States of America
Best trails: Half Dome, Angel's Landing, Devils Garden Trail, Franconia Ridge Loop

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Australia
Best trails: Overland Track, Larapinta Trail, Great Ocean Walk

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Germany
German Language
Capital: Berlin
Founded: 1949-05-23
Currency: Euro
Area: 357021.0
Government: Representative democracy, Federal republic, Constitutional republic, Parliamentary republic
Anthem: Deutschlandlied
Divisions: Munich, Bremen, Haan, Hanover, Hesse
Best trails: Herzogstand to Heimgarten, Painter's Way, Partnachklamm

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Republic of Ireland
English Language, Irish
Capital: Dublin
Founded: 1916-04-24
Currency: Euro
Area: 70273.0
Government: Constitutional republic, Unitary republic, Parliamentary system
Anthem: Amhrán na bhFiann
Divisions: County Wexford, County Kildare, County Sligo, Munster, County Leitrim
Best trails: The Causeway Coast Way, Divis Ridge Trail, Glendalough

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Argentina
Spanish Language
Capital: Buenos Aires
Founded: 1816-07-09
Currency: Argentine peso
Area: 2780400.0
Government: Representative democracy, Presidential system, Federal republic, Constitutional republic
Anthem: Argentine National Anthem
Divisions: San Juan Province, Argentina, Comuna 5, Lihuel Calel department, Maipú Department
Best trails: Fitz Roy Trek, Aconcagua

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Spain
Spanish Language
Capital: Madrid
Currency: Euro
Area: 505992.0
Government: Unitary state, Parliamentary system, Constitutional monarchy
Anthem: Marcha Real
Divisions: Province of Zamora, Province of Segovia, Province of Soria, La Rioja, Province of Valladolid
Best trails: Ruta del Cares, Peñalara, Camino de Santiago

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Greece
Greek Language
Capital: Athens
Founded: 1821-03-25
Currency: Euro
Area: 131940.0
Government: Constitutional republic, Parliamentary system
Anthem: Hymn to Liberty
Divisions: Chios, Phthiotis, Argolis, Pella, Dodecanese Prefecture
Best trails: The Menalon Trail, The Viros Gorge, Mount Athos

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Chile
Spanish Language
Capital: Santiago
Founded: 1810-09-18
Currency: Chilean peso
Area: 756096.3
Government: Presidential system, Democratic republic, Constitutional republic, Unitary state
Anthem: National Anthem of Chile
Divisions: Santiago Metropolitan Region, San Felipe de Aconcagua Province, Coquimbo Region, Maule Region, Ranco Province
Best trails: The W Circuit of Torres del Paine National Park, Grey Glacier, Embalse El Yeso

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Slovakia
Slovak Language
Capital: Bratislava
Founded: 1918-10-28
Currency: Euro
Area: 49036.0
Government: Parliamentary republic
Anthem: Nad Tatrou sa blýska
Divisions: Nitra Region, Žilina Region, Trenčín Region, Bratislava Region, Košice Region
Best trails: Peak Velky Rozsutec, Loop hike in Velka Fatra mountains, High Tatras

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Liechtenstein
German Language
Capital: Vaduz
Founded: 1806
Currency: Swiss franc
Area: 160.0
Government: Unitary state, Parliamentary system, Constitutional monarchy
Anthem: Oben am jungen Rhein
Divisions: Planken, Triesenberg, Triesen, Mauren, Eschen
Best trails: Bergdorf Malbun, Fürstensteig, Stausee Kleinsteg

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Andorra
Catalan language
Capital: Andorra la Vella
Currency: Euro
Area: 468.0
Government: Diarchy, Coregency, Monarchy, Principality, Unitary state
Anthem: El Gran Carlemany
Divisions: Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Ordino, La Massana, Encamp
Best trails: Vall de Rialb - Estany Blau, Els Pessons, Pic de la Serrera
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Sudan
English Language
Capital: Juba
Founded: 2011-07-09
Currency: South Sudanese pound
Area: 619745.0
Government: Representative democracy, Presidential system, Federal republic, Republic
Anthem: South Sudan Oyee!
Divisions: Central Equatoria, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap, Western Equatoria, Jonglei
Best trails: Nile street, Sabaloka Gorge
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Wales
Welsh Language
Capital: Abergwyngregyn, Dolwyddelan
Founded: 1216
Government: Monarchy, Principality, Popular monarchy
Best trails: Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Snowdon im Blick, Chepstow to Tintern Abbey
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England
English Language
Capital: London
Currency: UK £
Area: 130395.0
Government: Constitutional monarchy, Constituent country
Divisions: East Midlands, South East England, North East England, East of England, Wakefield
Best trails: Lairig Ghru, South Downs Way, South West Coast Path

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Czech Republic
Czech Language
Capital: Prague
Founded: 1993-01-01
Currency: Czech koruna
Area: 78866.0
Government: Parliamentary republic
Anthem: Kde domov můj?
Divisions: Prague, Moravian-Silesian Region, South Moravian Region, Olomouc Region, Karlovy Vary Region
Best trails: Edmundsklamm Loop from Schöna, Elbquelle (symbolisch) Loop from Špindlerův Mlýn, Tal der Eger Loop from Loket

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Turkey
Turkish Language
Capital: Ankara
Founded: 1923-10-29
Currency: Turkish lira
Area: 783562.0
Government: Parliamentary republic
Anthem: İstiklâl Marşı
Divisions: Adana Province, Manisa Province, Iğdır Province, Erzurum Province, Ağrı Province
Best trails: Lycian Trail, Uludağ Mountain, Cappadocia

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