The Top Five Hiking Countries in the World

Sunday, September 6th, 2009

If you’re an avid hiker, chances are that you’ve done a little poking around and discovering on your own – finding all of the local hills, discerning which are the most challenging, etc. But for the truly avid hiker, a world of opportunity is at your feet: you’re anxious to see what else is out there. If you’re really an ambitious hiker with his or her sights set high, this article is for you. In it, we’ll take a look at the top five hiking countries in the world.

Keep in mind that this is a highly subjective list, and many countries with awesome sights and sounds have been left out of necessity.

1. United States of America

That’s right: for my fellow Americans, good ol’ Uncle Sam simply has the greatest diversity, range, and spectrum of possible hikes on Earth. The sheer size of the United States makes it ideal for different types of environments, and its location above the equator gives rise to several different climate zones that you don’t find in other large countries like Canada.

2. Switzerland

Switzerland is known typically for its knives, its cheese, and even its watches – but what we forget is that the Swiss Alps offer some nasty, challenging, and beautiful terrain in one of the safest countries in the world. Switzerland is ideal for the hiker who enjoys a good challenge in addition to beautiful and serene scenery. For you winter hikers, the Swiss Alps also provide an endless array of challenges.

3. Italy

Cousin to Switzerland because of its access to the Alps, Italy can be much like Switzerland except it offers a greater variety of hikes – from the volatile area near Mount Vesuvius to Tuscany to the Mediterranean Sea, Italy is one of the best countries to enjoy hiking on – especially while on vacation.

4. Argentina

South America had to be represented on this list, and Argentina makes an ideal choice, particularly because of its relative similarity to some European countries (such as in Buenos Aires), as well as its diverse range of terrain. Other countries like Bolivia and Brazil also present some interesting hiking ventures.

5. Canada

Mentioned earlier, Canada’s sheer size and still-untapped wilderness makes it a brilliant choice for a hiking vacation, as well as other outdoor sports such as skiing. Canada is home to some of the best sights on Earth, and although its climate range is fairly predictable, it still makes for a pleasant experience.

Photo Credits; longhorndave