There are many hikes around the world that are believed to promote wellness, either physically, mentally, or spiritually. These journeys, or in some cases, pilgrimages, are found in Europe, Asia, and even North America, like in the United States. To reconnect with oneself and nature, embark on one of these ten serene trails to wellness located all around the world.
10 Boynton Canyon, Sedona, Arizona, USA
This gorgeous trail near Sedona, Arizona, is an out-and-back route that usually takes around 2.5 hours to complete. It’s one of the top hikes in Sedona and is fairly flat, making the distance more manageable. The trail leads hikers into a box canyon and passes ancient Sinaguan Indian ruins. As one of the few “vortex spots” in the world, it’s believed that this hike has healing properties. The trail is dog-friendly as long as pets are on a leash.
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Distance:
9.8 km -
Elevation Gain:
252 meters -
Difficulty Level:
Moderate
9 Adam’s Peak, Sri Lanka
On the island nation of Sri Lanka in South Asia, travelers can embark on a spiritual journey to ascend Adam’s Peak. Adam’s Peak is one of the most spiritually significant places in Sri Lanka. There’s a rock at Adam’s Peak with a footprint thought to belong to Lord Buddha in the Buddhist tradition. The out-and-back route is near Maskeliya, Nuwara Eliya, and is considered difficult due to the significant amount of elevation gain to reach the peak. It takes approximately 5 hours on average to complete the trip and is best hiked from January to May.
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Distance:
8.9 km -
Elevation Gain:
965 meters -
Difficulty Level:
Hard
8 Mount Kailash, Tibet
Located near Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, this is a point-to-point trail that is considered challenging for its elevation gain and distance. It’s critical for travelers to acclimatize to the altitude before attempting this hike, which reaches an elevation of over 5000 meters. Mount Kailash is a sacred site for people of both the Hindu and Buddhist religions. Circling the mountain on foot is thought to be a holy ritual that can bring the hiker good fortune.
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Distance:
14 km -
Elevation Gain:
700 meters -
Difficulty Level:
Hard
7 The Inca Trail, Peru
There are few places in the world with the same spiritual energy as Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail that leads there. The Inca Trail is a challenging route due to the high altitude, requiring hikers to spend time in Cusco for a few days prior to departure, so they can acclimate. It takes 4 days traditionally to complete the trek, culminating with breathtaking views of Machu Picchu.
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Distance:
40 km -
Elevation Gain:
1600 meters (Approximately) -
Difficulty Level:
Hard
6 Kumano Kodo, Japan
The Kumano Kodo trail is a spiritual pilgrimage that is part of Japan’s cultural heritage. The hike can be completed in various ways with different route options and takes travelers through small villages and beautiful landscapes in the Japanese countryside of the Kansai region. The Kumano Kodo is best hiked in October and November when temperatures are cooler, and the leaves are changing color.
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Distance:
15.4 km (Nakahechi route) -
Elevation Gain:
618 meters (Nakahechi route) -
Difficulty Level:
Moderate
5 Camino De Santiago, France & Spain
The Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage through Western Europe that begins in Saint Jean Pied de Port, France, and travels through Spain to end in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. The trek can be done in around 28 days and is a massive undertaking. The duration and challenges of the trek are part of the personal and spiritual journey that takes place on the trail. The route leads travelers to where St. James is thought to be buried at the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, which is a primary reason this route is so religiously significant.
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Distance:
838 km -
Elevation Gain:
17,688 meters -
Difficulty Level
: Hard
4 Table Mountain, South Africa
Climbing Table Mountain via India Venster and Platteklip Gorge in Cape Town is the adventure of a lifetime. This loop trail is challenging and requires steep elevation gain but is easily completed in a single morning or afternoon. Table Mountain is a flat-topped granite and sandstone peak overlooking Cape Town, and its large amount of quartz is part of why it’s a spiritual place to explore. Quartz is well known for its healing properties.
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Distance:
7.4 km -
Elevation Gain:
840 meters -
Difficulty Level:
Hard
3 Tiger’s Nest Trail, Bhutan
This out-and-back trail in Bhutan is a magical experience that takes around 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete on average. The Tiger’s Nest is the most sacred Bhutanese shrine, so it’s worth the challenge of the high altitude to reach this incredible structure. There is a rest stop halfway up where hikers can relax at a café before continuing to the shrine.
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Distance:
6 km -
Elevation Gain:
594 meters -
Difficulty Level:
Moderate
2 Fushimi Inari, Japan
The hike through the 30,000 Torii gates that weave their way up Mount Inari is a sacred path. Travelers can complete the hike near iconic Kyoto, Japan (which is also wonderful for tours), in just under 1.5 hours, and it’s best to do so early in the morning to avoid crowds. This ensures the full experience of embracing the tranquility of Japan’s nature and the serenity of the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Plus, Kyoto itself is one of the best city and countryside destinations in Japan, seeing as it offers the best of both.
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Distance:
4.5 km -
Elevation Gain:
168 meters -
Difficulty Level:
Easy
1 Angkor Wat Trek, Cambodia
The trek to Angkor Wat in Cambodia is a 5 or 8-day experience that takes hikers through local villages, rice paddies, and the jungle. The long journey ends with a magnificent sunrise over the Khmer architectural marvel that is Angkor Wat. The sunrise at Angkor Wat was also deemed the best in the world in a 2022 study.
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Distance:
Varies by route -
Elevation Gain:
Varies by route -
Difficulty Level:
Moderate
