Woohoo! That’s a wonderful trip but very tough. I attempted it years ago, got to mt pegasus before having to retreat due to a massive storm. Not for the faint hearted. If we are looking at this league, the ascent of precipitous bluff in tasmania is a trip that stands out in my memory for challenge and amazing scenery! If you are less ambitious, the robert louis stevenson trail in the cevennes in france is beautiful and full of character and characters in a remote part of france. Follows the route of robert louis stevenson in his book Traveks with a donkey.
On the other hand, the full arthur traverse is a walk you’ll be telling your grandkids about
I spent my 20’s walking all over that wonderful state. Cradle mountain in the snow, a cold waterfall shower on the south coast track with a mate, the sun rising over prion beach, the taste of fresh wild water, wading through mud and fog on the approach to frenchman’s. Some of the wildest places on earth. My knees are a bit past clambering up rocks with heavy packs nowadays but i have so many wonderful memories to recollect. Time hiking in Tasmania is never wasted
What would you recommend for time? It says 10-14 days but that seems ridiculous. I completed the North Coast amd Cape Scott Trail here in Canada (a notoriously difficult trail) in 5 full days, 110km total.
I think notoriously difficult varies depending on where you are in the world. West Arthur ranges and SW Tassie is probably some of the most undisturbed land in the world and it's no walk in the park. No marked tracks, steep, rocky, scrubby bush, bog, and terrible weather is expected.
Basically borderline mountaineering at some parts, with some seemingly short days (5-6km) turning into an hour+ per KM. That being said, you can do the Western Arthur Ranges in around a week, but I'd probably agree with 10-14 days for the full thing!
I wouldn’t plan on less than 10-14 days for the full traverse. The overall distance of the route is incredibly misleading. The topography is gnarly, the scrub is wild, the mud will suck you’d boots off, the exposure is hectic and the whole thing cops the full brunt of whatever the Southern Ocean decides to spit out.
It’s the hardest tracked route in Aus by some margin.
You are absolutely correct. When we had to retreat from the Arthur’s it was a storm of biblical proportions with fog obscuring the track. We had to retreat down a morraine and were unable to find the path in the fog. Lots of false paths as people had cairned routes that ended in sheer cliff faces. Luckily fog cleared and we could work out where we were (this was before gps was really a thing) and got off completely exhausted. Closest we have all come to dying of exposure. However google lake oberon, surely one of the most beautiful spots on earth. If you’re well equipped and up for a challenge there’s probably no better walk in Australia.
Sequoia National Park always makes me feel like I’m in a Tolkien novel. Death Valley feels like another planet. Patagonia is epic. The Inka Trail from Cusco to Machu Pikachu in Peru is kinda life changing.
Pretty much every state/national park in California feels like a mythical land. Yosemite is absolutely breathtaking and while it can be very busy there are some beautiful parts of the park that are more remote. I also absolutely loved Redwoods NP/SP and the whole Oregon California coast. If I ever leave my current state that’s where I will be going.
Also if OP reads this comment look into a hike in the Appalachian mountains! Oldest mountain range in the world, so many awesome hikes to pick from all the way up and down it.
Laugevagur in Iceland is pretty surreal. Lots of ice, deserts, river crossings and volcanic activity. Definitely points on the hike that feel very otherworldly.
https://preview.redd.it/jl3a243zd42c1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3e3d34e0a64eaee6f164034ff4c64cf44a15fc17
I second the Laugevagur trail! It's like nothing else I've done. I would recommend going in early September.
Absolutely.
The Laugavegur is hut-to-hut trekking (you can camp in a tent at those locations) and an incredibly well traveled route. Bring the right base layers for insulation, gore-tex boots, and a light shell jacket/pants for rain and you're good to go in terms of weather/wind.
An estimated 75-100k people hike it every year.
It's an awesome trek, you can bite off as much as you want or just take it easy going hut to hut. Highly recommend it if you want an adventure that puts you in terrain you likely have never seen before without having to get in to troublesome terrain/areas.
Er, from Hvangil to Emstrur-Botnar the trail actually goes parallel or simply follows the jeep track if you haven't noticed, this summer the traffic was like one car every several minutes. It is a full day of Laugavegur as I'm aware. Not to mention you meet at least 100 people every day.
The nature is nice but it's so overcrowded I felt like I'm in a goddamn Disneyland, wondering why I'm carrying a backpack here.
It depends on how you time it. I went this year during one of the "peak" weeks. My partner and I decided to have slow mornings and left the campsites around 1 and hiked until evening. Since there is so much light, it made very little difference to be hiking at night. Each day on the trail we would have a few hours of not even seeing another person and we could opt in to being social at the campsites at night, if we wanted.
But I do highly recommend the Laugavegur. If you do Landmannalaugar to Skogar (or vice versa) it will get you a little closer to the km range you were looking. Landmannalaugar to Hrafntinnusker was so incredibly otherworldly.
I've haven't, but I just did the North Coast and Cape Scott Trail all at once in August, 110km. So not something ud go for at the moment but looks great!
It’s not basic! It’s freaking Antarctic Patagonia! I did it with my 13 year old daughter last December as a mother/daughter trip and it was most definitely life changing.
Just do the o if you are gonna spend all that time going there and are looking for 110-150km.
Also I did the Huemul in el chalten and that is also pretty epic. Massive vistas of an insane glacier. Would highly recommend
You're getting a lot of recommendations for mountains that aren't all that different than what we're lucky to have in western Canada. Glacier National Park is amazing, yes, but it's just beneath Waterton. I'd say go for something totally different and do some desert hiking instead. It'll be a totally alien, fantastic experience. I've done the desert section of the PCT in California and New Mexico on the CDT,and adored them both. I bet a section of the Arizona Trail would also suit you really well.
Exactly haha, interesting thing living here. I've seen some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world my entire life so hard to top that when it comes to mountains, that's why I asked for something different.
Kalalau Trail Bro. It's amazing. My last 7 backpacking trips have been there, and I grew up doing this in CO. It's breathtaking, scary, and you'll see boobies
I see your point for sure but I live in western Canada and just did Patagonia. While it is very similar the experience is very different.
Quite different trees, set ups for the treks and culture.
It is however fairly busy on the main trails
Highly recommend the o and huemul circuit. Still mountains but very very epic.
Maybe go find some non mountain trek first and return to this one
>d finding a perfectly blue waterfall oasis around a corner after a long day backpacking.
oh no :( wishing you the best and hope you beat the diagnosis
Was going to say this. Not exactly secluded or undiscovered, but 20 miles of roadless coastline in Hawaii is amazing. Throw in your own beach, a valley with swimming holes and mangoes and you can see why some folks live back there. Plus you can walk around naked and no one will care.
We got same day camping passes! Easy to backpack as long as you don’t want the cabins, although the group of bachelorette ladies in the cabin by the campsites sipping their boxed wine were certainly a vibe
Just got back from there last week. It’s a truly incredible place. If you can snag camping permits (forget the cabins - way harder to get) you’ll have a great time. You’ll be able to view the sunrise without the parking lot permits if come back to the parking lot early enough. If you’re in good enough shape you could probably do a significant chunk of the summit trails with a trail run / day hike.
I'm biased because I'm from the area but the Tahoe Rim Trail is 10/10 (besides mosquito pass). You go from high desert overlooking Nevada, to the beautiful, lush, green forests on the West shore, to the granite peaks and lakes in desolation wilderness. It's so hard to capture in a photo but this was my favorite view of the lake.
https://preview.redd.it/uihgsq80222c1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e2b02ab653cb7bf92fe922d2335a74d7d99a6f0
This is the answer! It totally feels like a different planet, especially if you are used to the typical mountain and forest experience. It also challenges you to use and develop a different wilderness skill set than an alpine/subalpine environment.
I was gonna recommend terrain around Moab - not sure of any named hikes of the length OP is after, but OP, if you are reading this, Utah has truly got some of the prettiest land in the nation. Try the Uintas in summer for a very different mountain vibe to what we have in AK and Canada, or the red-rock desert any time of year for decidedly otherworldly landscapes.
Trekking in the Sinai (Egypt) is like nothing else I’ve ever done. Absolutely epic landscapes and extremely remote. You’ll pass millennia-old monasteries (some still in use) and haunted oases. Stone-age leopard traps and hidden gardens in high mountain canyons. The experience of hiking with Bedouin guides, supported by camels, is straight out of ancient times. Check out my recent comments for some photo galleries and links on the subject.
It’s extremely different from the rest of Egypt (other than the towns like Nuweiba, Dahab, etc, but even those are still their own thing). It’s almost entirely uninhabited.
Thanks! The Sinai Trail looks interesting, but 10km/day, visa issues at that pace, and Egypt itself have turned me off. Maybe I’ll consider it when the region cools down. Still probably leaning toward the Jordan Trail, even if I’ve already seen some of the highlights.
I’ve been to Sinai but only Dahab for a week. visited the colored canyons, beautiful. Bit what you describe is something else! How can i make my boyfriend go with me to do this? I want it on my bucket list!
Gonna drop a couple I've done.
The Tombstones-Northern Yukon Canada. The mountains are very similar to Patagonia which was amazing. But what really got to me was walking thru the artic tundra. Ecerything feels and is so fragile, its fauna like I had never seen. Really wild!
Wind River High Route-Wyoming. While this is just another mountain range traverse, the peaks are some of the most incredible I've seen. Very big, smooth, granite faces. The further you get in you reach so many glaciers. You can see them melting at the edges, and watching streams form rivers to cut entire valleys out. True creation.
GR20-Corsica, France. This is a thru hike of Corsica, which is already an amazing little island. But what really blew my mind on this was that you stayed pretty high up in the mountains, high enough you surpassed alpine, but you could see the ocean the whole time. Not like way way out in the distance, but like at certain views it was right there. I couldn't really fathom being on an island, being so high in the clouds for day after day, and seeing the ocean and knowing it was 90f down there when we were freezing in the windy tops.
I went a couple years ago, but we didn't see any signs of anything. I would totally go solo. The permits were full and we met new people every night since you have to camp and eat in certain spots
Amusing to see this asked from Western Canada.
My most amazing trip was southeast Alaska, in Glacier Bay, but that's probably a lot like where you are if you're near the coast.
I would suggest you check out one of the big national parks in southern Utah, like Zion or similar. Just don't go get lost in Bryce Canyon.
Definitely agree on southern Utah or Arizona for something vastly different than western Canadian mountains. So many amazing options down there. Havasupai falls in the Grand Canyon was my bucket list hike and definitely didn’t disappoint when we finally got there. I love the The desert and there’s something just unreal about hiking into the Grand Canyon and finding a perfectly blue waterfall oasis around a corner after a long day backpacking.
look at the Gr221 on the island of Mallorca in Spain - the Tramuntana Range is as mediteranien as it gets and you walk among olive trees and old stone walls.
see my post here:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/backpacking/comments/17u6w9c/the\_gr221\_long\_distance\_trail\_in\_the\_sierra\_de/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/backpacking/comments/17u6w9c/the_gr221_long_distance_trail_in_the_sierra_de/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
It's not a backpacking trip, rather a multi day kayak. Everglades NP
https://maps.app.goo.gl/n8Pvy7CZT89F1zak6
I met a guy doing bikepacking this dirt road in Baja Peninsula https://maps.app.goo.gl/oWrtwGFve8qr6UVt7
Baja has lots of trails. I haven't done this one, but would like to, given time https://maps.app.goo.gl/gnJ3JqFXsdfKjNjE8
You can backpack Cumberland Island
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cfwa5FFZixU4Z2e76
You can do a multi day kayak in Okefenokee
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kZECPZWsqfeFZsYW9
Peru is amazing if you haven't been. So many things to see/do
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QfqMCwmK92xFUxC1A
Most of these are best done in winter because of mosquitos or heat.
This one close to my house is best done in Fall or Spring. Cumberland Plateau. https://maps.app.goo.gl/aJVBJEEoksxpFvWb8
Have a look at [the Jordan trail](https://www.jordantrail.org/)
or [the Peaks of the Balkans](https://fromsunrisetosunset.com/peaks-of-the-balkans-2019/)
Several hikes in Nepal would fall in that category.
Manaslu Circuit on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/nepal/gandaki-pradesh/manaslu-circuit?p=66951946&sh=hqtzr3
You could then add the Annapurna Trek, then the Dhaulagiri trek (no lodges) and have had a lovely month of trekking IF the weather holds AND the passes aren't snowed in.
I am also from BC and Alberta, from the Rockies, and I find it hard to match the heartstring pulls of there, with the clean waters and air, but the Himalayas also do something for me despite the unsanitary lodges and terrible bus rides.
Annapurna base camp trek. Went there with my now wife. Amazing and humbling experience. It isn’t always snowy parts of the year. Also proposed to her there too!
https://preview.redd.it/3hw66fnmp32c1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3923168622d561dd8cc94fc59c6360def46fbf9e
I did a week long trek through Corcovado national park in Costa Rica back in 2006. First 15km was river crossings on horseback in the jungle. Then camp at a ranger station in the middle of Corcovado. Then next day is 15km ish to the ranger outpost on the beach. Many folks were hanging out, whether there for education or fun. We watch tapirs munching, hawks catching frogs and many many other awesome sights. The hike out is 17km ish along the beach, but you have to time the tides right or there are two sections you can get stuck. I learned that day that hermit crabs go uphill when the tides going in and they quite literally all turn around when they feel the tide receding. Quite fun to watch.
Any route through the Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici (in the Pyrenees) is highly recommended. It's without a doubt the most beautiful place I've ever been to. This is just a random picture from last summer, I spent it working up there
https://preview.redd.it/o51lbuxsj52c1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7d83863d1dacb5ce3493845885766b94158805ec
Mt Bromo & Mt Ijen. Mt Bromo and it’s surrounds feels like a mountain on Mars or a moon. Climbing up and into the sulfur crater of Ijen for sunrise was actually a little bit indescribable. Otherworldly and ethereal atmosphere.
Yes I was going to say Parque de los Nevados - did a gorgeous hike there from El Cedral to Valle de Cocora vía Paramillo del Quindío - the trees at the end are definitely otherworldly but so is the paramo ecosystem you walk through in the earlier days. I think the route I did is maybe more like 60km (although not sure, was 4 days with maybe 3000m ascent??) but I'm sure you could make it longer by going to other parts of the park
Have you done the Chilkoot trail? It was such a cool hike, very historic and had littered items from 100 years ago all over the trail. Pretty insane to see a massive stove in the middle of nowhere.
https://preview.redd.it/fp9fxjd9u32c1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10eb74a1e44b799c2a4fc7688ad0cab12f09a0e1
the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia (the country) are stunning. You get the heights combined with ancient mountain villages including some inhabited villages that have a culture of guesthouses that welcome backpackers. it holds the highest continuously inhabited village in europe and 'Tusheti National Park'
https://preview.redd.it/l9ql71tzq82c1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=89a4a676df5140c0ab822a00c0c44da82c8833d2
From Plužine to Žabljak via Durmitor national park in Montenegro.
https://preview.redd.it/8xn6kwoxd22c1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c2501735102c345349d7bdfc9212f8ab2e790eac
The Northern Loop in Glacier National Park, Teton Crest Trail in Grand Teton National Park, Wonderland Trail in Mount Rainier National Park
Edit - Adding “Outworldly Backpacking” and huge mountains are kind of synonymous
Bob People's told me about this one when I thru-hiked the AT. I myself am not religious, but I have become fascinated with the Camino de Santiago. It is considered a pilgrimage with routes through Spain, France, and Portugal, to what is believed to be the burial place of the apostle James, with visitors dating back to the 9th century. You stay in hostels along the way, most of which are centuries old monasteries that feed you, (including wine made on site), and I've heard from other ardent backpackers that the whole experience is incredible. As a history buff, I love the idea of mixing two of my passions, and walking through beautiful landscapes past century old sites, believed to hold spiritual significance.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camino_de_Santiago
Volcanic areas often look otherworldly. Not really accessible now, but Tolbachik volcano circle in Kamchatka is my all-time favorite, a lot wilder and more remote than Iceland.
[Aladaglar](https://overoldhills.com/aladaglar-september-2020/) mountains in Turkey have that extraterrestrial desert feel above 2500, same goes even more for Ladakh.
The hike to the Kalalau Valley (if it’s still there) in Kauai is undefinably awesome, in the original sense of the word “awe”.
c. 1300, aue, "fear, terror, great reverence," earlier aghe, c. 1200, from a Scandinavian source, such as Old Norse agi "fright;" from Proto-Germanic *agiz- (source also of Old English ege "fear," Old High German agiso "fright, terror," Gothic agis "fear, anguish"), from PIE *agh-es- (source also of Greek akhos "pain, grief"), from root *agh- (1) "to be depressed, be afraid" (see ail).The current sense of "dread mixed with admiration or veneration" is due to biblical use with reference to the Supreme Being. To stand in awe (early 15c.) originally was simply to stand awe.Al engelond of him stod awe.["The Lay of Havelok the Dane," c. 1300]Awe-inspiring is recorded from 1814.
Pico Duarte, Dominican Republic. My crew and I took a 5 day 120km trail but I know there are shorter trails that are more common. Downside is that they require you to pay for a guide per day but it is relatively cheap. Really difficult trail but some of the best views I’ve ever seen.
As for different.. maybe colca canyon in Peru? 3 to 4 days of dessert hardscapes and rock scrambling. And hot springs/waterfalls/camp villages along the way.
Nakasendo Trail in Japan. In April when the cherry trees are blooming. Beautiful. [https://www.japan-guide.com/ad/nakasendo/](https://www.japan-guide.com/ad/nakasendo/)
Agreed that it’s unique but there are 1000+ places I’d recommend over it. If you live in SoCal great but I don’t see a reason anyone should travel a long distance to visit Joshua Tree.
I think it’s worth doing a loop in the grand Tetons. The formations are unique and you get right up against them and all over them. They also have pretty insane prominence. I think regardless of what you’re from or used to a lot of those canyons in the Tetons look like paradise. Also, some of the canyons run perfectly east to west and the sunset lights up the entire thing. that place is special.
Grampians Peaks Trail in Victoria Australia. It is about 160kms but you don’t have to do the whole lot. I don’t know if it is other worldly but it’s probably different to Canada. I would suggest going in August or September though.
Yup, surprised this just got recommended. Top or second at tip of my list I think. I just went to Cape Town and Namibia last year though so not sure if this Spring ill do that.
We went camping out there, but in the lower area , looking up at the edge of it. Have done small sections along the top, but would love to traverse the whole one. Tugela falls from the top must be amazing.
We stayed in royal natal with a single base, and did clover hikes out and around as day hikes, coming back to the same base.
Recently, have done a couple of 2 - 3 night hikes in Big Sur, which is really pretty, but would not call it "otherworldly". We spent a night by Sykes hot springs, and lying in a tub without anyone else around looking up the stars in the middle of the night was magical
Here's a pic from car camp base we had: Royal natal Drakensburg https://imgur.com/gallery/yS9qESx
Manaslu circuit Nepal - loop in tsum valley and stay in the monestary at the end of that - absolutely out of this world
Patagonia is also worth the hype, just well trodden
Madagascar is also great, completely on another planet through the tsingys and boabobs
If you want something different, then try Denmark, very flat though with hills, so the landscape is changing.
We have (small compared to CA) fields, forests, rolling sea, and dunes.
We have Hærvejen, "the army road" that goes through a large portion of Jutland. It's known from the 11. century and has been an important trafing route from Germany
[Haervej info](http://www.haervej.com)
The Dingle Trail in Ireland, I did it last year, it’s fantastic and beautiful- 130 km over 5 or 6 days, you hike 20- 30 km/ day and stay at lovely pubs/inns at night- the best part, the publicans for a very small fee, will transport your main pack to the next night’s pub! The hike ends or starts in a beautiful town called Dingle. Check it out!!!
Definitely not anywhere I've been! Those too closely resemble Earth. But the Needles district of Canyonlands NP. Hands down. I've been all over and there's nothing even remotely like the Colorado Plateau anywhere else, to my knowledge. Abbey Country, the land of Hayduke. Martian and surreal, like the psychedelic dreams that come to you somewhere between sleep and the waking world.
Canyonlands, NP, Utah. It’s about as different from huge snowy mountains as you can get. It truly does feel otherworldly walking through the maze of sandstone canyons and arches with very little vegetation—I felt as though I was on Mars.
There are 3 areas to the Park: Island in the Sky, Needles, and Maze. I’d skip Island in the Sky.
I’ve only ever day hiked there, but it’s certainly big enough for a significant backpacking trip.
Southern Utah. The popular trails are crowded, but there are a whole lot that are just plain old too hard to get to and too far to travel to for most people. I did a 3 day trip in a narrows (not Zion) during peak tourist season a couple of months ago and we didn’t see another soul.
Torres del Paine in Chile. Even by the standards of most beautiful mountain ranges, it's insanely beautiful. Fitzroy massif near there is also incredible.
Cocuy to Guican trek, Colombia. Amazing high altitude trek through the Andes, through ice and snow and some amazing, unique ecosystems.
Lost city (Cuidad Perdida) in Colombia or Choquequirao in Peru: treks through jungle to ancient lost cities, presumably a guide is needed.
Climbing Toub Kal in Morocco, via the route that has a 4 day trek beforehand. Rugged and amazing, totally different scenery to more temperate climate zones.
Via degli dei, in Northern Italy. My Italian friend said it's amazing, check it out.
Laugavegegur trek, Iceland. Amazing trek through completely different landscapes, volcanoes and black sand, at least according to what I read online, I haven't been there.
These fall outside of your parameters, but I highly recommend both the Timberline Trail in Oregon (65 km) and the Tahoe Rim Trail (235 km.) Also, this website has a bunch of mini thru hikes that can be filtered by region and distance. [BACKPACKING ROUTES - Backpacking Routes](http://backpackingroutes.com/)
I did Salkantay. Really insane views and incredibly difficult. Also walking to Aguas Calientes and taking the stairs all the way up to the tip top of montaña Picchu was truly glorious.
Grand Canyon or any south Utah/ Arizona trails. The confluence of the Colorado river and little Colorado is otherworldly. After Patagonia, the American southwest is my favorite, followed by the eastern Sierra.
Go hike the mountains around washington state or go to Cali and hike mount shasta. Great views from the peaks and it feels like you're half way to space when you're at the tops. Plus great views of the stars at night. Or visit the dry deserts of death valley.
North India. Go in the winter. 50/50 you make it back. It will change your life, forever. But probably should leave a will with friends.
And, yes you will meet God realized souls that live in caves, the higher you go. They will call you by your first name, you never met them in your life. At that point you know we are in a computer simulation.
Give it a try. 50/50. And that’s really optimistic. The journey is the reward as we say.
:-)
Lost Coast trail in California. 3 days hiking on some of the most beautiful ocean side scenery I’ve ever seen. Remote, desolate. Camping on the beach. The only problem is you’re either walking on sand or boulders.
Full Arthur Range Traverse (Eastern and Western) - Southwest National Park, Tasmania
Woohoo! That’s a wonderful trip but very tough. I attempted it years ago, got to mt pegasus before having to retreat due to a massive storm. Not for the faint hearted. If we are looking at this league, the ascent of precipitous bluff in tasmania is a trip that stands out in my memory for challenge and amazing scenery! If you are less ambitious, the robert louis stevenson trail in the cevennes in france is beautiful and full of character and characters in a remote part of france. Follows the route of robert louis stevenson in his book Traveks with a donkey. On the other hand, the full arthur traverse is a walk you’ll be telling your grandkids about
Precipitous Bluff is amazing, and the whole Southern Ranges Traverse is one of the best walks I've done (up there with the Arthurs)
I spent my 20’s walking all over that wonderful state. Cradle mountain in the snow, a cold waterfall shower on the south coast track with a mate, the sun rising over prion beach, the taste of fresh wild water, wading through mud and fog on the approach to frenchman’s. Some of the wildest places on earth. My knees are a bit past clambering up rocks with heavy packs nowadays but i have so many wonderful memories to recollect. Time hiking in Tasmania is never wasted
What would you recommend for time? It says 10-14 days but that seems ridiculous. I completed the North Coast amd Cape Scott Trail here in Canada (a notoriously difficult trail) in 5 full days, 110km total.
I think notoriously difficult varies depending on where you are in the world. West Arthur ranges and SW Tassie is probably some of the most undisturbed land in the world and it's no walk in the park. No marked tracks, steep, rocky, scrubby bush, bog, and terrible weather is expected. Basically borderline mountaineering at some parts, with some seemingly short days (5-6km) turning into an hour+ per KM. That being said, you can do the Western Arthur Ranges in around a week, but I'd probably agree with 10-14 days for the full thing!
How are the spiders out there lol, I don't really care as long as there not all over the place ever 5 steps hahaha
Spiders aren’t bad in Tassie, it’s too cold for them.
Interesting, thanks!
No worries. Have fun.
Read what [swami says](https://www.thehikinglife.com/2016/04/southwest-tasmania-traverse/) under the difficulty section
That isn’t quite the same route, and takes in a lot of off-track scrub along the west coast. But his point remains…
That route mentioned is 298 km, not what I was looking at
I wouldn’t plan on less than 10-14 days for the full traverse. The overall distance of the route is incredibly misleading. The topography is gnarly, the scrub is wild, the mud will suck you’d boots off, the exposure is hectic and the whole thing cops the full brunt of whatever the Southern Ocean decides to spit out. It’s the hardest tracked route in Aus by some margin.
You are absolutely correct. When we had to retreat from the Arthur’s it was a storm of biblical proportions with fog obscuring the track. We had to retreat down a morraine and were unable to find the path in the fog. Lots of false paths as people had cairned routes that ended in sheer cliff faces. Luckily fog cleared and we could work out where we were (this was before gps was really a thing) and got off completely exhausted. Closest we have all come to dying of exposure. However google lake oberon, surely one of the most beautiful spots on earth. If you’re well equipped and up for a challenge there’s probably no better walk in Australia.
Sequoia National Park always makes me feel like I’m in a Tolkien novel. Death Valley feels like another planet. Patagonia is epic. The Inka Trail from Cusco to Machu Pikachu in Peru is kinda life changing.
https://preview.redd.it/t7nh3c4bu22c1.jpeg?width=625&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2d2ac2a07c6b54e2668cac21a6ca2ed058d05422
Positively glorious.
Thank you for sharing this absolutely incredible image.
I've never been and this is exactly how I remember it
Adding to the Inca, if you want to do a slightly less crowded trail that's a little longer, the Salkantay is also very cool!
Choquequirao to Machu Pikachu blows all other options away.
Did salkantay and it was amazing. Highly recommend!
Pretty much every state/national park in California feels like a mythical land. Yosemite is absolutely breathtaking and while it can be very busy there are some beautiful parts of the park that are more remote. I also absolutely loved Redwoods NP/SP and the whole Oregon California coast. If I ever leave my current state that’s where I will be going. Also if OP reads this comment look into a hike in the Appalachian mountains! Oldest mountain range in the world, so many awesome hikes to pick from all the way up and down it.
Laugevagur in Iceland is pretty surreal. Lots of ice, deserts, river crossings and volcanic activity. Definitely points on the hike that feel very otherworldly.
https://preview.redd.it/jl3a243zd42c1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3e3d34e0a64eaee6f164034ff4c64cf44a15fc17 I second the Laugevagur trail! It's like nothing else I've done. I would recommend going in early September.
Is it really safe to go backpacking in Iceland? The weather and wind can be so intense
Absolutely. The Laugavegur is hut-to-hut trekking (you can camp in a tent at those locations) and an incredibly well traveled route. Bring the right base layers for insulation, gore-tex boots, and a light shell jacket/pants for rain and you're good to go in terms of weather/wind. An estimated 75-100k people hike it every year.
I didn’t know that, interesting!
It's an awesome trek, you can bite off as much as you want or just take it easy going hut to hut. Highly recommend it if you want an adventure that puts you in terrain you likely have never seen before without having to get in to troublesome terrain/areas.
Feels like you're walking town's main street along the driveway though, with cars passing by.
I think you’re thinking of the wrong hike…
Er, from Hvangil to Emstrur-Botnar the trail actually goes parallel or simply follows the jeep track if you haven't noticed, this summer the traffic was like one car every several minutes. It is a full day of Laugavegur as I'm aware. Not to mention you meet at least 100 people every day. The nature is nice but it's so overcrowded I felt like I'm in a goddamn Disneyland, wondering why I'm carrying a backpack here.
It depends on how you time it. I went this year during one of the "peak" weeks. My partner and I decided to have slow mornings and left the campsites around 1 and hiked until evening. Since there is so much light, it made very little difference to be hiking at night. Each day on the trail we would have a few hours of not even seeing another person and we could opt in to being social at the campsites at night, if we wanted. But I do highly recommend the Laugavegur. If you do Landmannalaugar to Skogar (or vice versa) it will get you a little closer to the km range you were looking. Landmannalaugar to Hrafntinnusker was so incredibly otherworldly.
As a western Canadian, have you done the west coast trail? It is very different than huge snowy mountains.
I've haven't, but I just did the North Coast and Cape Scott Trail all at once in August, 110km. So not something ud go for at the moment but looks great!
Oh yea if you recently did the North Coast trail it is fairly similar. I’ve done both though and do think WCT is maybe better but overall same vibe.
Siete lagos región of Argentina/chile. And like 10 other spots in Patagonia
I know it’s basic, but the W Trek honestly changed my life. There was not a single moment in 5 days when the scenery didn’t take my breath away.
It’s not basic! It’s freaking Antarctic Patagonia! I did it with my 13 year old daughter last December as a mother/daughter trip and it was most definitely life changing.
Just do the o if you are gonna spend all that time going there and are looking for 110-150km. Also I did the Huemul in el chalten and that is also pretty epic. Massive vistas of an insane glacier. Would highly recommend
This. Don't forget Patagonia national park, it's been my favourite so far!
Definitely a consideration, can you do it in late May/June though?
It’s really cold and snowy
You're getting a lot of recommendations for mountains that aren't all that different than what we're lucky to have in western Canada. Glacier National Park is amazing, yes, but it's just beneath Waterton. I'd say go for something totally different and do some desert hiking instead. It'll be a totally alien, fantastic experience. I've done the desert section of the PCT in California and New Mexico on the CDT,and adored them both. I bet a section of the Arizona Trail would also suit you really well.
Exactly haha, interesting thing living here. I've seen some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world my entire life so hard to top that when it comes to mountains, that's why I asked for something different.
Kalalau Trail Bro. It's amazing. My last 7 backpacking trips have been there, and I grew up doing this in CO. It's breathtaking, scary, and you'll see boobies
I see your point for sure but I live in western Canada and just did Patagonia. While it is very similar the experience is very different. Quite different trees, set ups for the treks and culture. It is however fairly busy on the main trails Highly recommend the o and huemul circuit. Still mountains but very very epic. Maybe go find some non mountain trek first and return to this one
Thanks for making this post. My doc told me i am dying early so i’m looking for things to add to my bucket list!
>d finding a perfectly blue waterfall oasis around a corner after a long day backpacking. oh no :( wishing you the best and hope you beat the diagnosis
Haleakala in Maui
Kalalau brah, kauai
Was going to say this. Not exactly secluded or undiscovered, but 20 miles of roadless coastline in Hawaii is amazing. Throw in your own beach, a valley with swimming holes and mangoes and you can see why some folks live back there. Plus you can walk around naked and no one will care.
Was gonna suggest this (it’s an hour from my house) but think it’s way too short for his request
i feel like i could spend 5 days in haleakala - if you could get any cabins before the rest of the world lol
We got same day camping passes! Easy to backpack as long as you don’t want the cabins, although the group of bachelorette ladies in the cabin by the campsites sipping their boxed wine were certainly a vibe
Just got back from there last week. It’s a truly incredible place. If you can snag camping permits (forget the cabins - way harder to get) you’ll have a great time. You’ll be able to view the sunrise without the parking lot permits if come back to the parking lot early enough. If you’re in good enough shape you could probably do a significant chunk of the summit trails with a trail run / day hike.
Ha i mentioned this one as well. Truly amazing
I'm biased because I'm from the area but the Tahoe Rim Trail is 10/10 (besides mosquito pass). You go from high desert overlooking Nevada, to the beautiful, lush, green forests on the West shore, to the granite peaks and lakes in desolation wilderness. It's so hard to capture in a photo but this was my favorite view of the lake. https://preview.redd.it/uihgsq80222c1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e2b02ab653cb7bf92fe922d2335a74d7d99a6f0
Desolation was one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done
How long and how hard to get permits?
It's ~150 miles. You only need a permit for desolation but it's not difficult.
Somewhere in Nepal, Tibet, Ladakh
He said no snowy mountains.
If you look at Ladakh there’s no snow at all (not in winter ofc)
I can recommend Ladakh. So beautiful!
I climbed a snowy mountain in Ladakh *Stok Hangri* The valley from Leh to the base camp was stunning.
Just did one in Ladakh in September - no guides required but also not camping but home stays. Insane views though - Markha Valley.
West highland way - Scotland https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Highland_Way
Canyon lands national park was very otherworldly. It's like an alien planet when you get into it. I did the needles district.
This is about as different from snowy mountains as you can get. I’d add Arches too.
And Bryce Canyon national park!
This is the answer! It totally feels like a different planet, especially if you are used to the typical mountain and forest experience. It also challenges you to use and develop a different wilderness skill set than an alpine/subalpine environment.
I was gonna recommend terrain around Moab - not sure of any named hikes of the length OP is after, but OP, if you are reading this, Utah has truly got some of the prettiest land in the nation. Try the Uintas in summer for a very different mountain vibe to what we have in AK and Canada, or the red-rock desert any time of year for decidedly otherworldly landscapes.
It's epic there, but just drive the white rim road and you're good. Wild horses on the green river, chefs kiss
Trekking in the Sinai (Egypt) is like nothing else I’ve ever done. Absolutely epic landscapes and extremely remote. You’ll pass millennia-old monasteries (some still in use) and haunted oases. Stone-age leopard traps and hidden gardens in high mountain canyons. The experience of hiking with Bedouin guides, supported by camels, is straight out of ancient times. Check out my recent comments for some photo galleries and links on the subject.
Is the Sinai different from the rest of Egypt? I saw the rest of the country and would not go back.
It’s extremely different from the rest of Egypt (other than the towns like Nuweiba, Dahab, etc, but even those are still their own thing). It’s almost entirely uninhabited.
Thanks! The Sinai Trail looks interesting, but 10km/day, visa issues at that pace, and Egypt itself have turned me off. Maybe I’ll consider it when the region cools down. Still probably leaning toward the Jordan Trail, even if I’ve already seen some of the highlights.
Where did you get 10 km/ day from? The Sinai trail is an incredible hike, definitely worth it IMO.
I’ve been to Sinai but only Dahab for a week. visited the colored canyons, beautiful. Bit what you describe is something else! How can i make my boyfriend go with me to do this? I want it on my bucket list!
Gonna drop a couple I've done. The Tombstones-Northern Yukon Canada. The mountains are very similar to Patagonia which was amazing. But what really got to me was walking thru the artic tundra. Ecerything feels and is so fragile, its fauna like I had never seen. Really wild! Wind River High Route-Wyoming. While this is just another mountain range traverse, the peaks are some of the most incredible I've seen. Very big, smooth, granite faces. The further you get in you reach so many glaciers. You can see them melting at the edges, and watching streams form rivers to cut entire valleys out. True creation. GR20-Corsica, France. This is a thru hike of Corsica, which is already an amazing little island. But what really blew my mind on this was that you stayed pretty high up in the mountains, high enough you surpassed alpine, but you could see the ocean the whole time. Not like way way out in the distance, but like at certain views it was right there. I couldn't really fathom being on an island, being so high in the clouds for day after day, and seeing the ocean and knowing it was 90f down there when we were freezing in the windy tops.
The Tombstones are absolutely insane looking, how's the Grizzly activity up there though? Would you do it solo?
I went a couple years ago, but we didn't see any signs of anything. I would totally go solo. The permits were full and we met new people every night since you have to camp and eat in certain spots
Oh really nice, so far north I didn't think anyone would be up there
Adding these to my bucket list
Milford Track, New Zealand
second this
That looks awesome
Amusing to see this asked from Western Canada. My most amazing trip was southeast Alaska, in Glacier Bay, but that's probably a lot like where you are if you're near the coast. I would suggest you check out one of the big national parks in southern Utah, like Zion or similar. Just don't go get lost in Bryce Canyon.
Definitely agree on southern Utah or Arizona for something vastly different than western Canadian mountains. So many amazing options down there. Havasupai falls in the Grand Canyon was my bucket list hike and definitely didn’t disappoint when we finally got there. I love the The desert and there’s something just unreal about hiking into the Grand Canyon and finding a perfectly blue waterfall oasis around a corner after a long day backpacking.
Kumano kodo - japan
look at the Gr221 on the island of Mallorca in Spain - the Tramuntana Range is as mediteranien as it gets and you walk among olive trees and old stone walls. see my post here: [https://www.reddit.com/r/backpacking/comments/17u6w9c/the\_gr221\_long\_distance\_trail\_in\_the\_sierra\_de/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/backpacking/comments/17u6w9c/the_gr221_long_distance_trail_in_the_sierra_de/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
It's not a backpacking trip, rather a multi day kayak. Everglades NP https://maps.app.goo.gl/n8Pvy7CZT89F1zak6 I met a guy doing bikepacking this dirt road in Baja Peninsula https://maps.app.goo.gl/oWrtwGFve8qr6UVt7 Baja has lots of trails. I haven't done this one, but would like to, given time https://maps.app.goo.gl/gnJ3JqFXsdfKjNjE8 You can backpack Cumberland Island https://maps.app.goo.gl/cfwa5FFZixU4Z2e76 You can do a multi day kayak in Okefenokee https://maps.app.goo.gl/kZECPZWsqfeFZsYW9 Peru is amazing if you haven't been. So many things to see/do https://maps.app.goo.gl/QfqMCwmK92xFUxC1A Most of these are best done in winter because of mosquitos or heat. This one close to my house is best done in Fall or Spring. Cumberland Plateau. https://maps.app.goo.gl/aJVBJEEoksxpFvWb8
Desert section PCT
Have a look at [the Jordan trail](https://www.jordantrail.org/) or [the Peaks of the Balkans](https://fromsunrisetosunset.com/peaks-of-the-balkans-2019/)
Peaks of the Balkans is superb. Gotta love that lovely limestone
Several hikes in Nepal would fall in that category. Manaslu Circuit on AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/nepal/gandaki-pradesh/manaslu-circuit?p=66951946&sh=hqtzr3 You could then add the Annapurna Trek, then the Dhaulagiri trek (no lodges) and have had a lovely month of trekking IF the weather holds AND the passes aren't snowed in. I am also from BC and Alberta, from the Rockies, and I find it hard to match the heartstring pulls of there, with the clean waters and air, but the Himalayas also do something for me despite the unsanitary lodges and terrible bus rides.
South coast track . Tassie
Dolly Sods, West Virginia
Still my favorite backpacking trip and I’ve done some epic spots
Darien gap
My absolute favorite!
Tasteless thing to joke about
That’s a pretty tame joke by internet standards, lighten up.
It meets all of OP's qualifications
Annapurna base camp trek. Went there with my now wife. Amazing and humbling experience. It isn’t always snowy parts of the year. Also proposed to her there too! https://preview.redd.it/3hw66fnmp32c1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3923168622d561dd8cc94fc59c6360def46fbf9e
Pariah Canyon down yonder in Utah is a must I reckon it’ll scratch that itch ya got
I did a week long trek through Corcovado national park in Costa Rica back in 2006. First 15km was river crossings on horseback in the jungle. Then camp at a ranger station in the middle of Corcovado. Then next day is 15km ish to the ranger outpost on the beach. Many folks were hanging out, whether there for education or fun. We watch tapirs munching, hawks catching frogs and many many other awesome sights. The hike out is 17km ish along the beach, but you have to time the tides right or there are two sections you can get stuck. I learned that day that hermit crabs go uphill when the tides going in and they quite literally all turn around when they feel the tide receding. Quite fun to watch.
Timberline trail (circumnavigation of Mt. Hood in NW Oregon)
Any route through the Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici (in the Pyrenees) is highly recommended. It's without a doubt the most beautiful place I've ever been to. This is just a random picture from last summer, I spent it working up there https://preview.redd.it/o51lbuxsj52c1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7d83863d1dacb5ce3493845885766b94158805ec
Nepal. If you haven't trekked in the Himalayas you haven't lived.
Mt Bromo & Mt Ijen. Mt Bromo and it’s surrounds feels like a mountain on Mars or a moon. Climbing up and into the sulfur crater of Ijen for sunrise was actually a little bit indescribable. Otherworldly and ethereal atmosphere.
Nooooooooooooooooooo
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The Burren. Co. Clare Ireland. Out of this world
White mountains in California where the bristle cone pines live
Pick a spot in the Icelandic highlands. Neil Armstrong went there to train before his moon mission.
I was pretty mesmerized by areas of Colombia (near Salento specifically)
Yes I was going to say Parque de los Nevados - did a gorgeous hike there from El Cedral to Valle de Cocora vía Paramillo del Quindío - the trees at the end are definitely otherworldly but so is the paramo ecosystem you walk through in the earlier days. I think the route I did is maybe more like 60km (although not sure, was 4 days with maybe 3000m ascent??) but I'm sure you could make it longer by going to other parts of the park
The Greenstone Ridge, Isle Royale National Park in Michigan
Have you done the Chilkoot trail? It was such a cool hike, very historic and had littered items from 100 years ago all over the trail. Pretty insane to see a massive stove in the middle of nowhere. https://preview.redd.it/fp9fxjd9u32c1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10eb74a1e44b799c2a4fc7688ad0cab12f09a0e1
huayhuash trek - peru; pacaya samiria national park
the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia (the country) are stunning. You get the heights combined with ancient mountain villages including some inhabited villages that have a culture of guesthouses that welcome backpackers. it holds the highest continuously inhabited village in europe and 'Tusheti National Park' https://preview.redd.it/l9ql71tzq82c1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=89a4a676df5140c0ab822a00c0c44da82c8833d2
Laugavegur, Path of the gods. Sumerian Gorge.
From Plužine to Žabljak via Durmitor national park in Montenegro. https://preview.redd.it/8xn6kwoxd22c1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c2501735102c345349d7bdfc9212f8ab2e790eac
Currently on a world trip. This was one of our favorite stops
The Northern Loop in Glacier National Park, Teton Crest Trail in Grand Teton National Park, Wonderland Trail in Mount Rainier National Park Edit - Adding “Outworldly Backpacking” and huge mountains are kind of synonymous
The Colorado Trail. Beautiful scenery and plenty of water along the way.
[https://rotavicentina.com/trilho-dos-pescadores/#filter=r-fullyTranslatedLangus-&zc=9,-7.7179,37.63598](https://rotavicentina.com/trilho-dos-pescadores/#filter=r-fullyTranslatedLangus-&zc=9,-7.7179,37.63598)
Grand Canyon - Rim to Rim to Rim
Bob People's told me about this one when I thru-hiked the AT. I myself am not religious, but I have become fascinated with the Camino de Santiago. It is considered a pilgrimage with routes through Spain, France, and Portugal, to what is believed to be the burial place of the apostle James, with visitors dating back to the 9th century. You stay in hostels along the way, most of which are centuries old monasteries that feed you, (including wine made on site), and I've heard from other ardent backpackers that the whole experience is incredible. As a history buff, I love the idea of mixing two of my passions, and walking through beautiful landscapes past century old sites, believed to hold spiritual significance. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camino_de_Santiago
the best one i ever did was the kalalau trail in kauai. difficult, dangerous and insanely gorgeous.
Volcanic areas often look otherworldly. Not really accessible now, but Tolbachik volcano circle in Kamchatka is my all-time favorite, a lot wilder and more remote than Iceland. [Aladaglar](https://overoldhills.com/aladaglar-september-2020/) mountains in Turkey have that extraterrestrial desert feel above 2500, same goes even more for Ladakh.
Cordillera Huaraz
The hike to the Kalalau Valley (if it’s still there) in Kauai is undefinably awesome, in the original sense of the word “awe”. c. 1300, aue, "fear, terror, great reverence," earlier aghe, c. 1200, from a Scandinavian source, such as Old Norse agi "fright;" from Proto-Germanic *agiz- (source also of Old English ege "fear," Old High German agiso "fright, terror," Gothic agis "fear, anguish"), from PIE *agh-es- (source also of Greek akhos "pain, grief"), from root *agh- (1) "to be depressed, be afraid" (see ail).The current sense of "dread mixed with admiration or veneration" is due to biblical use with reference to the Supreme Being. To stand in awe (early 15c.) originally was simply to stand awe.Al engelond of him stod awe.["The Lay of Havelok the Dane," c. 1300]Awe-inspiring is recorded from 1814.
Nepali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii
Buckskin gulch to Lees Ferry. Longest and deepest slot canyon in the world. Plenty of other stuff to see in the area if you have more time.
Socotra Islands, Yemen
Pico Duarte, Dominican Republic. My crew and I took a 5 day 120km trail but I know there are shorter trails that are more common. Downside is that they require you to pay for a guide per day but it is relatively cheap. Really difficult trail but some of the best views I’ve ever seen.
The weather on Mars is really nice this time of year
Torres del Paine, Chile
As for different.. maybe colca canyon in Peru? 3 to 4 days of dessert hardscapes and rock scrambling. And hot springs/waterfalls/camp villages along the way.
Annapurna sanctuary.
Nakasendo Trail in Japan. In April when the cherry trees are blooming. Beautiful. [https://www.japan-guide.com/ad/nakasendo/](https://www.japan-guide.com/ad/nakasendo/)
olypic national park. beautiful old growth forest
Part of me still lives there in the hollow trunk of a mossy tree, squatting amidst the foliage, eating mushrooms and berries
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I do actually find Joshua tree to feel otherworldly, like moonscape or mars vibes. Not "epic" though like I think this post intends
Agreed that it’s unique but there are 1000+ places I’d recommend over it. If you live in SoCal great but I don’t see a reason anyone should travel a long distance to visit Joshua Tree.
This is not it
I think it’s worth doing a loop in the grand Tetons. The formations are unique and you get right up against them and all over them. They also have pretty insane prominence. I think regardless of what you’re from or used to a lot of those canyons in the Tetons look like paradise. Also, some of the canyons run perfectly east to west and the sunset lights up the entire thing. that place is special.
Peru has a bad ass one where you start before the mountains go through then hit up some awaywaska and end in the rain forest.
John Muir trail south of Yosemite. Shut up and do it.
Annapurna circuit
Kalalau Trail Kauai I win.
The Greater Patagonian Trail. 3000 kms across Chile, stunning and varied views.
Mardi Himal, Nepal. Anywhere in North Kashmir, India. Just pack well for the latter lol.
The trek to basecamp on Olympus Mons.
Grampians Peaks Trail in Victoria Australia. It is about 160kms but you don’t have to do the whole lot. I don’t know if it is other worldly but it’s probably different to Canada. I would suggest going in August or September though.
Everest Basecamp
Go to Australia that’ll feel like a foreign planet
The Amphitheatre, Drakensburg, south Africa.
Yup, surprised this just got recommended. Top or second at tip of my list I think. I just went to Cape Town and Namibia last year though so not sure if this Spring ill do that.
We went camping out there, but in the lower area , looking up at the edge of it. Have done small sections along the top, but would love to traverse the whole one. Tugela falls from the top must be amazing. We stayed in royal natal with a single base, and did clover hikes out and around as day hikes, coming back to the same base. Recently, have done a couple of 2 - 3 night hikes in Big Sur, which is really pretty, but would not call it "otherworldly". We spent a night by Sykes hot springs, and lying in a tub without anyone else around looking up the stars in the middle of the night was magical Here's a pic from car camp base we had: Royal natal Drakensburg https://imgur.com/gallery/yS9qESx
Bhutan, per my mother, who has hiked EVERYWHERE.
Koli - Finland
Mt. Haleakala, Maui. Feels like the closest thing to mars
Go to India
Mount Agung in Bali.
.
The Peaks of the Balkan trail
Manaslu circuit Nepal - loop in tsum valley and stay in the monestary at the end of that - absolutely out of this world Patagonia is also worth the hype, just well trodden Madagascar is also great, completely on another planet through the tsingys and boabobs
If you want something different, then try Denmark, very flat though with hills, so the landscape is changing. We have (small compared to CA) fields, forests, rolling sea, and dunes. We have Hærvejen, "the army road" that goes through a large portion of Jutland. It's known from the 11. century and has been an important trafing route from Germany [Haervej info](http://www.haervej.com)
Kokoda trail - Papua new Guinea
Iceland’s Laugavegur trail if you really want an other world experience. Volcanic caldera, cinder cones, glaciers, rivers, lakes and waterfalls.
Uinta Highline trail in Utah is great after Leidy Peak.
The Dingle Trail in Ireland, I did it last year, it’s fantastic and beautiful- 130 km over 5 or 6 days, you hike 20- 30 km/ day and stay at lovely pubs/inns at night- the best part, the publicans for a very small fee, will transport your main pack to the next night’s pub! The hike ends or starts in a beautiful town called Dingle. Check it out!!!
Patagonia. Nothing compares. My cousins went and that place looks like a fantasy world.
Definitely not anywhere I've been! Those too closely resemble Earth. But the Needles district of Canyonlands NP. Hands down. I've been all over and there's nothing even remotely like the Colorado Plateau anywhere else, to my knowledge. Abbey Country, the land of Hayduke. Martian and surreal, like the psychedelic dreams that come to you somewhere between sleep and the waking world.
Canyonlands, NP, Utah. It’s about as different from huge snowy mountains as you can get. It truly does feel otherworldly walking through the maze of sandstone canyons and arches with very little vegetation—I felt as though I was on Mars. There are 3 areas to the Park: Island in the Sky, Needles, and Maze. I’d skip Island in the Sky. I’ve only ever day hiked there, but it’s certainly big enough for a significant backpacking trip.
White Rim Trail/Road is impressive AF
Southern Utah. The popular trails are crowded, but there are a whole lot that are just plain old too hard to get to and too far to travel to for most people. I did a 3 day trip in a narrows (not Zion) during peak tourist season a couple of months ago and we didn’t see another soul.
Torres del Paine in Chile. Even by the standards of most beautiful mountain ranges, it's insanely beautiful. Fitzroy massif near there is also incredible. Cocuy to Guican trek, Colombia. Amazing high altitude trek through the Andes, through ice and snow and some amazing, unique ecosystems. Lost city (Cuidad Perdida) in Colombia or Choquequirao in Peru: treks through jungle to ancient lost cities, presumably a guide is needed. Climbing Toub Kal in Morocco, via the route that has a 4 day trek beforehand. Rugged and amazing, totally different scenery to more temperate climate zones. Via degli dei, in Northern Italy. My Italian friend said it's amazing, check it out. Laugavegegur trek, Iceland. Amazing trek through completely different landscapes, volcanoes and black sand, at least according to what I read online, I haven't been there.
Try New Mexico Chaco Canyon upper North Western part of the state. Head to thr south west of New Mexico to WhiteSands Park
Moab, Utah in general makes you feel like you are on mars
These fall outside of your parameters, but I highly recommend both the Timberline Trail in Oregon (65 km) and the Tahoe Rim Trail (235 km.) Also, this website has a bunch of mini thru hikes that can be filtered by region and distance. [BACKPACKING ROUTES - Backpacking Routes](http://backpackingroutes.com/)
I did Salkantay. Really insane views and incredibly difficult. Also walking to Aguas Calientes and taking the stairs all the way up to the tip top of montaña Picchu was truly glorious.
Longer than you’re lookin for, but any section of the JMT in summer is pretty incredible
Route the Cathats from France to Spain. Did the last 60km part this summer.
Boreal trail. it's 120 km I believe, through the boreal forest and lakes.
Grand Canyon or any south Utah/ Arizona trails. The confluence of the Colorado river and little Colorado is otherworldly. After Patagonia, the American southwest is my favorite, followed by the eastern Sierra.
Go hike the mountains around washington state or go to Cali and hike mount shasta. Great views from the peaks and it feels like you're half way to space when you're at the tops. Plus great views of the stars at night. Or visit the dry deserts of death valley.
Many hikes in the Grand Canyon
North India. Go in the winter. 50/50 you make it back. It will change your life, forever. But probably should leave a will with friends. And, yes you will meet God realized souls that live in caves, the higher you go. They will call you by your first name, you never met them in your life. At that point you know we are in a computer simulation. Give it a try. 50/50. And that’s really optimistic. The journey is the reward as we say. :-)
Haleakalā volcano. Feels like you're on the moon and Mars. Probably the most interesting hiking I've ever done
North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona. John Muir Trail, California. No Name Basin, Colorado.
Another vote for canyonlands/arches/moab! It’s truly a unique place.
Lost Coast trail in California. 3 days hiking on some of the most beautiful ocean side scenery I’ve ever seen. Remote, desolate. Camping on the beach. The only problem is you’re either walking on sand or boulders.