2020 Hiking Bucket List

The new year is all about making resolutions, so why not go for something really big this year? We’ve put together our own 2020 hiking bucket list with some of the most incredible hikes in the world. Since these hikes span different continents, you may realistically only be able to plan one of these trips this year. But these are some of our favorites and should give you a great place to start on planning this year’s adventures.

Camino de Santiago

Source: Outside

Camino de Santiago, or the “Way of Saint James” is a series of Catholic pilgrimages leading to a shrine of Saint James that dates back to Medieval Europe. This hike is not for the faint of heart or those looking for a casual hike. This is something to really plan for and turn into the trip of a lifetime.

Mount Rainier

Source: Visit Rainier

Mount Rainier is a Washington icon that ascends to 14,410 feet above sea level. It is an active volcano and is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. Mount Rainier is also the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States.

Grand Canyon Rim to Rim

Source: Grand Canyon National Park Trips

Maybe you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon, but this is the ultimate Grand Canyon hiking experience going from one rim of the canyon to the other. The rim to rim hike is nearly 24 miles long and takes you below the level of the rim and across the Colorado River.

Fitz Roy

Source: Shutterstock

The hike to Fitz Roy is the most popular choice for hikers visiting Patagonia. The hike to the base of Fitz Roy is very long but easy, and the ascent to the lagoon is very challenging. There’s something for all levels of hiking ability around Fitz Roy.

Overland Track

Source: Halfway Anywhere

The Overland Track is an Australian bushwalking track that spans Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It’s a 40-mile hike from Cradle Mountain to Lake St. Clair that attracts over 9,000 people each year.

Australia has so many great hiking spots to explore, and the country could use your help protecting their beautiful land from the raging bushfires.

Sierra High Route

Source: The Hiking Life

If just seeing the Sierra Nevada isn’t enough for you, you can actually hike through it and soak in all the sights along the way! This 195-mile cross-country trekking route is a big undertaking, especially because most of the High Route is off-trail.

Dragon’s Back

Source: Get Your Guide

Dragon’s Back is a ridge in southeastern Hong Kong Island, which is also the last leg of the Hong Kong Trail. This trail was selected as one of the world’s 23 best trails by CNN in 2019, so that should tell you that this is a must-see!

Tahoe Rim Trail

Source: Backpacker Magazine

This 165-mile long distance hiking trail forms a loop around the Lake Tahoe Basin, which covers areas in both California and Nevada. Although the trail is open year-round, the ideal hiking season is July through September to avoid the harsh winter storms.

West Coast Trail

Source: MB Guiding

The West Coast Trail is a 47-mile backpacking trail that follows the southwestern edge of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. The trail was built in 1907 in an effort to help rescue shipwrecked survivors along the coast. People typically take five to seven days to backpack along this route that spans rainforests, beaches, steep ladders, heavy mud, and whatever else the West Coast has to throw at you.

Tour du Mont Blanc

Source: Kuhl

The Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the most popular hikes in Europe, and one of the best in the world. This hike spans France, Italy, and Switzerland, and takes several days to complete. You can choose to camp along the way, or there are also plenty of accommodations to choose from so you can carry a lighter pack.

Get Ready for Your 2020 Hikes with Gear from Appalachian Outfitters

These hikes aren’t something you can do in Converse and jeans; they are hikes you really have to plan and prepare for. Successful hiking and backpacking trips are the result of having comfortable, reliable gear with you—gear you can get at Appalachian Outfitters!