Some roads are best travelled alone. As a solo traveller, you can go almost anywhere, take any trail, and go as far as you want. Conquering a challenging route in a treacherous land not only gives you bragging rights, but also the reward of a lifetime.
Here are some of the most epic hiking trails for solo travellers hoping for an eye-opening experience and to test their mettle in 2019:
Shikoku Pilgrimage, Japan
Considered to be one of the most underdeveloped parts of Japan, Shikoku Prefecture is both nature-bound and idyllic. The island, shrouded by overgrown forests, steep hills, and river creeks is the site for the physically taxing Buddhist pilgrimage, known as the “Shikoku 88”. This arduous spiritual journey can take more than a month to complete and tests the mind, body, and spirit. Start your trek on the island’s ancient coastal trail that leads inward to the 88 historic Buddhist temples and over 20 Bangais (unofficial temples) hidden among nature. By hiking across this mountainous path, you’ll venture deep into the heart of Zen Buddhist culture, discover some of the most picturesque parts of the country, and become lost in the island’s serene surroundings along the way. Complete the pilgrimage by visiting all 88 temples and carrying out Zen Buddhist rituals within their incensed halls.
When to go:
Spring season to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom or Autumn when red maples cover the mountains in a sea of crimson.
What to expect:
A transcendental journey that cleanses the mind, body, and spirit. Expect to trek through forest-covered hills, river creeks, and climb many flights of stairs to hidden temples.
Pacific Crest Trail, USA
Featured in the novel and movie, Wild, the Pacific Crest Trail, or PCT, is a 43,000-km trail that traverses the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The PCT meanders south from British Columbia and zips through 5 national forests and 7 national parks before ending at the U.S. – Mexico border. On this gruelling hike through untouched wilderness, you’ll go from the Mojave Desert to a snowy mountain range soaring 13,000-ft above sea level. Only a handful of hikers have fully completed the journey on foot, let alone doing a round trip yo-yo hike.
When to go:
Late April to late September.
What to expect:
Untamed wilderness that stretches across diverse geologies, ranging from arid desert, river valleys, forests to snowy mountains.
Inca Trail, Peru
One of the most iconic archaeological sites in Peru, the Macchu Picchu, is linked to the rest of the world by an equally legendary hiking trail. For intrepid travellers hoping to reach the ancient citadel on foot, the 43-km-long Inca Trail will guide them across the Andean mountains, weaving by Alpine tundra, cloud forests, and several ancient settlements and ruins, to their destination. Hikers normally take four to five days to complete this journey, which takes them upward to an altitude of around 4,000-m above sea level along the spine of mist-covered valleys. Due to the popularity of this trip, you may find many tourists attempting to conquer the path throughout peak seasons. Although there is a limit placed on the number of people allowed on the trail at any given time, a shorter, alternative route, KM 104, will also take you to Macchu Picchu with considerably fewer crowds.
When to go:
May to October.
What to expect:
A challenging, undulating trail that crawls along high altitudes and across several types of environments, including cloud forests, Alpine tundra, jungle-covered river valleys, ancient ruins and settlements.
Tonquin Valley, Canada
Long immortalized by famed photographer Ansel Adams’ timeless photographs, Jasper National Park’s rugged landscape is both majestic and awe-inspiring. Among some of the most iconic images made by Adams of Jasper, is the horseshoe-shaped Tonquin Valley, a favourite destination among hikers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Adventurers hoping to conquer the valley on foot can hike along a 44-km-long circular trail that loops around the valley’s mountainous terrains. For many, the high points of this trail are the two silvery Amethyst Lakes, which perfectly mirror the snowcapped peaks of The Ramparts on their crystal-clear surfaces. Throughout the journey, you’ll experience frequent encounters with local wildlife, especially along the Eremite Valley, which includes caribou, moose, and grizzly bear.
When to go:
Early summer to early fall.
What to expect:
postcard-perfect sceneries, local wildlife roaming across vast green valleys, and crystalline lakes that create a mirror image of nearby mountain ranges.
Bay of Fires, Australia
Turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and rust-coloured boulders are what make the Bay of Fires one of the most beautiful corners of Tasmania. This 70-km-long nature reserve spans from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point, encompassing parts of Mount William National Park and a swath of oceanfront land brimming with indigenous wildlife. Walk a few miles beside the orange lichen-covered granites along the bay’s remote beaches and you’ll meet dramatic, colourful vistas every step of the way. Most hikers take around three to five days to complete the trek, passing by crystal-blue ocean inlets, verdant hills, and steep rock gullies along the way.
When to go:
October to May.
What to Expect:
Quiet, remote beaches along the bay’s trademark fiery orange boulders by the coast. There are plenty of quiet campsites but you can always opt for staying at nearby eco-lodges.
Everest Base Camp, Nepal
You can pat yourself on the back for having made it this far. It’s not every day someone makes it this close to the top of the world. While you won’t be ascending Mount Everest on this hike, this trek is as gruelling as it is eye-opening. Most trekkers take the South Base Camp route, which reaches an altitude of 5,545-m above sea level at the foothill of the icy Kala Patthar peak. The three-week journey starts from the remote village of Lukla in northeastern Nepal before climbing elevations to Sherpa villages, river valleys, and cutting across icefalls. During the spring season, shrubs and wildflowers are in full bloom near the lower elevations, creating an otherworldly contrast to the frozen Everest just above the horizon.
When to go:
Spring and Fall seasons.
What to expect:
An arduous hike to the base of the highest mountain in the world, stopping by remote Sherpa villages, river valleys, frozen icefalls, and haunting landscapes that can’t be seen anywhere else in the world.