Top treks – the best hiking locations

If you’re one of those people who love to get out and explore the natural world when on holiday, there are few better ways than by foot. You can enjoy some peace and quiet, witness stunning scenery and get fitter, all at the same time! With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of some of the best – and sometimes lesser known – hiking locations within easy reach of amazing holiday destinations; so let’s get started!

The Troodos Mountains, Cyprus

The Troodos mountains have it all in terms of hiking; find yourself traversing cedar and pine forests, looking out over majestic landscapes and feeling the warmth of the sun against your neck within one of Cyprus’ premier holiday destinations. There are countless trails over these beautiful slopes, along each of which you’ll find a hidden gem! The 13 kilometre Madari mountain trail is one of the area’s finest. This trek is of a medium difficulty and promises wild flowers, woodland and fantastic views, the highlight of which is a 360 degree panorama over the entire region from the top of Mount Adelfoi. From this point, you’ll also get a glimpse of Xyliatos Dam and Morphou Bay, as well as the UNESCO protected Panagia tou Araka church. Walking in Cyprus, there are very few other tourists on most tracks, meaning you’ll be able to marvel at the serene area undisturbed

Gozo

Gozo is a small island which makes up a part of the Maltese archipelago; but it’s certainly crammed with character. It’s less developed than the island of Malta, meaning that the walks which you find on the island are unspoiled and astonishing, it’s rare to find buildings more than two stories high, and the footpaths and tracks weaving their way through the countryside are a trekker’s dream. Gozo’s coastal walks are the highlight of walking on the island, and a hike along the stretch of cliffs from Marsalforn to Ramla along Gozo’s north coast is amongst the finest. This walk is equally rewarding for flower lovers, as the countryside path is littered with rare and notable flora. Wied l-Għasri is an equally amazing walking location in Gozo, where the highlight is swimming in the sea as it’s funnelled between cliffs.

Tamarind Falls, Mauritius

As well as being home to some truly paradisiacal beaches and resorts, Mauritius is crammed full of remarkable rivers, mountains, forests and waterfalls, meaning that there are fewer better places to enjoy a hiking adventure. The Tamarind falls are amongst Mauritius’ most notable sites, a series of 7 waterfalls within dense forest on the Riviere Tamarin, which are the perfect location for a hike. Your trip will generally start with a hike through the jungle and into a gorge. After reaching the top waterfall, you will be guided along paths downhill to the others, each of which offers unique, spectacular views, as well as the opportunity to cool off in the pools at their bases. The Black River Gorges National Park, around 40 minutes from Flic en Flac, also offers many excellent hikes, where you can enjoy breath-taking panoramas over the gorge, as well as species’ in the indigenous forest which can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

Vietnam, Nha Trang

Vietnam is naturally astonishing country, where you’ll find huge mountains covered in thick forest, as well as stunning valleys, rice paddies and remarkable beaches. With such a wealth of natural beauty, it’s not hard to see how the Southeast Asian nation is one of the world’s premier hiking locations. You don’t need to travel far from Vietnam’s best holiday destinations to enjoy an authentic experience of the country’s scenery. From the historically rich town of Hoi An, you can hike along the beach and discover a wonderful, unspoiled coastal area. From Phu Quoc, explore the National Park Forest Trail to see the rich diversity of Vietnamese wildlife. If you’re staying in the coastal town of NHA Trang, a short journey will take you to Ba Ho, where you can hike uphill to three serene waterfalls, with pools you can swim in at their bases. You’ll also find a magnificent view over mountains at the top of this hike, but be warned, this is a pretty tiring walk, so not for the faint hearted!

Knuckles Mountain Range, Sri Lanka

The Knuckles Mountain Range in Kandy is a true gem of Sri Lanka, a 155 square kilometre area where remarkable highland scenery combines with varied wildlife and a series of winding trails, rising to an altitude of over 1800 metres. On a tour through the mountains, you’ll pass flowing waterfalls and experience vast forests, abundant with rare plants and trees. The mountains are also home to animals such as the wild boar, giant squirrel and slender loris. Whilst you’re in Kandy, you can also hike to the Gadaladeniya and Lankathilake temples along scenic footpaths, as well as the Embakke shrine in Udunuwara.

So there you have it, some amazing holiday destinations for you to add to your hiking bucket list. Whether it’s getting immersed in unique wildlife, enjoying spectacular views, or just leaving the beaten track and enjoying some alone time, there’s bound to be a walk on this list which will tick all of the boxes for you, so don’t forget your hiking boots on your next holiday!

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