10 Epic Day Hikes That Changed How I See the World

Most of my best travel memories don’t come from big cities, famous landmarks, or bucket-list tours; they come from the moments I laced up my boots and went for a hike. Day hikes, especially, have a magic of their own: you get to dive into some of the world’s most incredible landscapes without needing weeks of preparation or a heavy pack (not that I don’t love those as well). From hidden waterfalls in Brazil to icy blue lakes in Peru and alien-looking peaks in China, these trails have all left me speechless in their own way. Here’s my countdown of the top 10 day hikes I’ve ever done, so far.

10. Huerquehue, Chile

Huerquehue National Park is like stepping into a fairytale. When people think of hiking in Chile, they think of Patagonia, specifically Torres del Paine National Park. What if I told you there was a whole other region with endless jaw-dropping landscapes? I’m not even talking about the Carretera Austral, which is also incredible.

Tucked away in Chile’s Lake District, this hike climbs through forests of Araucaria (ancient monkey puzzle) trees until you reach a series of crystal-clear mountain lakes. The views are endless, and if the weather’s good, you’ll see snow-capped volcanoes peeking above the treeline. The mix of lakes, forest, and Andean backdrops makes it unforgettable. I will say, however, I may have wandered off the real trails to reach the top of a mountain for the best views. You won’t get to go there on a guided tour. I could see 3 different volcanoes in 3 different National Parks from the one I was in. You can find the exact route I took on my AllTrails.

My Route through Huerquehue
Distance: 25km
Elevation Gain: 1500m

9. Cachoeira Fumaçinha, Brazil

Deep in Bahia, far from Brazil’s famous beaches, lies one of the country’s best national parks: Chapada Diamantina. Within it, you’ll find one of the most underrated adventures: the trek to Cachoeira Fumaçinha. This hike feels more like an expedition: scrambling through canyons, wading rivers, and climbing rocks until you reach a thundering waterfall hidden between towering cliffs. It’s raw, wild, and not for the faint of heart.

For me, it was one of the most rewarding hikes in South America because so few people even know it exists. This is the toughest hike on this list to actually find the trail, as it’s not well marked, and they highly encourage you to take a guide so you find your way.

Cachoeira da Fumacinha por Baixo
Distance: 12.7km
Elevation Gain: 730m

8. Meteora, Greece

Most people visit Meteora on bus trips for the monasteries perched impossibly on cliffs, but hiking here takes the experience to another level. The trails wind between massive sandstone pillars, offering angles and viewpoints the bus tours never see. Walking among these ancient rocks, with monasteries seemingly floating above, feels surreal. It’s history, nature, and pure wonder all wrapped into one. There are several different trails to hike here, but we made our own route that visited the most monasteries and formed a nice loop starting in town. We also found a dog at the start of the trail who decided to come along for the hike from start to finish.

My Meteora Loop Route
Distance: 11.7km
Elevation Gain: 635m

7. Laguna Caminante, Argentina

In Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, you can find many trails that feel like the edge of the Earth. Laguna Caminante is definitely my favourite, as it is a full-day hike that takes you through lenga forests, a stunning cave, over rocky passes, and finally to a glacial lake framed by jagged peaks. The wind is fierce, the weather unpredictable, and the trail tough in sections, but the remoteness is what makes it so special. It’s Patagonia at its rawest, and you’ll likely have it all to yourself. Once again, a cute pup joined us and led us through a snowstorm, mountain pass, and everything in between.

Laguna del Caminante
Distance: 24km
Elevation Gain: 1090m

6. Grand Canyon South Rim, USA

The Grand Canyon is famous for a reason: it’s overwhelming in scale. Hiking down from the South Rim lets you feel its immensity in a way no viewpoint ever could. Several trails lead down to the canyon, and you really can’t go wrong with whichever one you choose. The descent takes you past layers of ancient rock, shifting colors with every turn. By the time you reach the bottom, you feel tiny compared to the vast canyon walls towering above. Of course, the hard part is climbing back up, but the challenge makes the views that much sweeter.

It’s worth noting that there are tons of hikes here, ranging from a few hours to several days, such as the Rim to Rim hike. It’s even possible to do day trips from Las Vegas, though you won’t get to do as much hiking.

Grand Canyon South Rim
Distance: varies

5. Mount Bromo, Indonesia

Bromo was the hike that first made me realize just how otherworldly landscapes can look. I started before dawn, climbing up to King Kong Hill to watch the sunrise over the smoking volcanoes. The colors, orange skies, gray ash fields, and green ridges didn’t seem real. It’s probably the single best view I’ve ever come across.

Later, walking across the Sea of Sand and standing on the rim of the crater as it rumbled below was both thrilling and humbling. I finished with another climb up Mt Batuk to get one more angle of the volcano. It’s one of the most unique hikes I’ve ever done. It was all on the same day, just split into two parts. I’ve also written an article about how to hike Mt Bromo without a guide. But if you want the easier way, just book a tour.

King Kong Hill (from town)
Distance: 8.05km
Elevation Gain: 410m

Mt Bromo + Mt Batuk (from town)
Distance: 8.22km
Elevation Gain: 560m

4. Laguna 69, Peru

When people think of Peru, their mind instantly focuses on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Though there are lots of great hikes in the Cusco region, from Salkantay to Ausangate, the best region to hike in Peru is actually North of Lima, in Huaraz. High in the Cordillera Blanca, Laguna 69 is the kind of place you almost don’t believe exists until you see it.

The hike isn’t the easiest. You’re at serious altitude, but every step is worth it. At the end, a turquoise lake sits beneath towering, snow-covered peaks, with waterfalls tumbling straight down into the water. The colors are almost too perfect to be natural. It’s the definition of a bucket-list hike in Peru. I’ll be honest, I did visit with a tour because I don’t think it’d be worth it to try to figure out transport and accommodation.

Sendero Laguna 69
Distance: 13km
Elevation Gain: 820m

3. Trolltunga, Norway

Trolltunga is one of Norway’s most iconic hikes, and for good reason. The trail takes you through alpine landscapes of fjords, lakes, and snowfields until you finally reach the famous “troll’s tongue”, a sliver of rock jutting out over a dizzying drop. Standing there feels both terrifying and exhilarating. The sheer drama of the scenery makes it one of the most photogenic hikes in the world, but even without the Instagram shot, it’s an epic adventure. If you’re not ready to go alone, you can join a guided tour.

Skjeggedal – Trolltunga
Distance: 25.9km
Elevation: 1245m

2. Fitz Roy, Argentina

Patagonia has no shortage of legendary treks, but the day hike to Laguna de los Tres, right beneath Fitz Roy, might be the most rewarding. The final climb is brutal, and of course, it is quite crowded. But when the jagged spires of Fitz Roy appear above a shimmering blue lake, you forget the pain instantly. It’s Patagonia at its absolute best. You can also consider tying this together with Laguna Torre and making it a multi-day trek. If you want to visit from El Calafate, you can book a tour, but it will still be a self-guided trek.

Laguna de Los Tres via Monte Fitz Roy Trail
Distance: 22km
Elevation: 1253m

1. Zhangjiajie, China

Zhangjiajie was like walking into another world. Towering sandstone pillars rise straight out of the forest, shrouded in mist and scattered across a landscape that inspired the movie Avatar. The hikes wind through staircases, bridges, and viewpoints that seem to float in the clouds. Every corner reveals a new perspective, and it genuinely feels like being on another planet. For me, this was the single most mind-blowing day hike I’ve ever done. Similar to the Grand Canyon, this is a National Park with loads of trails, though you can do most of them in a couple of days.

Zhangjiajie National Park
Distance: varies