How do you define an excellent hike? It's a path with unparalleled scenery, according to some hikers. For others, it's a path so thrilling that they'd buy a plane ticket to hike it, or so difficult that they can boast about having accomplished it dordle. There is a wide variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors, from backpacking to walking excursions to hut-to-hut treks.

To help you plan your next adventure, we have compiled a list of the top hiking paths from across the globe. Some are short enough to do in a day if you make an effort, while many others are likely better suited for hikers with more experience. They cover a wide range of locations, taking explorers to some of the world's most breathtaking regions. Once you've picked which trek you want to take on next, use this list as a jumping off point to research specifics like required permits and necessary preparation.

This famous coastal path on the west coast of Vancouver Island is known for its breathtaking ocean vistas and tough terrain. In 1907, the trail was constructed as a life-saving route to help in the rescue of people shipwrecked along the island's dangerous shore; now, it is a beautiful place to backpack for several days. There are hot springs, glacial rivers, and vast stretches of black sand to be discovered on your adventure through these rhyolite mountains, which are known for their extreme diversity of color. The Laugavegur Trail travels over 34 kilometres through the beautiful and otherworldly southern highlands of Iceland.

This route travels through three different nations (France, Italy, and Switzerland) and around the highest mountain in the Alps, providing sufficient opportunities to sample local cuisine along the way. This 7- to 10-day multiethnic walking tour is for you if you like cheese as much as you enjoy walking.