From outback gorges to volcanic craters, and desert canyons to alpine lakes, finding places to hike in nature has always been high on our list of priorities when traveling. National Parks tend to offer the most notable trails, but natural areas such as forests and reserves can be spectacular too. In countries such as Mexico and Colombia, it’s common for landowners to charge visitors to explore so I’ve included private hikes in this list too.
Here are our choices for the best natural parks with hiking routes around the globe.
Australia – Karajini National Park
Open year-round, 24 hours a day. Check Parks and Wildlife service website in case of scheduled or emergency closures
Cost: Parks pass fee of $17AUD per standard vehicle and $8AUD per person for larger vehicles, plus camping fees of $15 per person per night if applicable: pre-booking required
Facilities include:
- National Park campground with overflow parking
- Non-flushable drop toilets
- Chemical toilet dump station
- Picnic area and sheltered tables
- Visitor Center
- Paid showers at the center: 9am – 4pm
- Karijini Eco Retreat with full site facilities including fully equipped ensuite eco tents. There are also non-powered campsites with shared shower facilities, flushing toilets, camp kitchen and barbecue facilities. A restaurant, bar, kiosk and souvenir shop are also available
Karajini National Park epitomizes the magic of outback Australia. Ancient red rock gorges, secluded fern-filled swimming holes and canyons filled with towering waterfalls: it’s a landscape you have to see to believe.
The park is located in Northwestern Australia, approximately 1400km north of the region’s capital city of Perth. We’d recommend arriving via your own 4×4 vehicle, but tours are on offer from Perth and Broome too.
Formalities aside, there are eight incredible hiking trails to enjoy. Varying in length and difficulty, we’d recommend skipping Mount Bruce summit and focusing on the jewels of Karajini’s crown: the gorges. Hancock Gorge was our favorite for the challenging experience alone, whilst the Gorge Rim Walk is well worth your time too. Pack your swimming stuff and don’t skip a dip at Fortescue Falls. Just be aware of the temperatures: it’s fresh!
Baja California Sur, Mexico – Cañon de la Zorra and Cascada Sol de Mayo
Rancho Ecologico Sol De Mayo, 23500 Santiago, Baja California Sur
Open year-round, 9am – 6pm
Cost: 200 pesos or approximately $10USD
Facilities include:
- Parking
- Ranch and animals
- Restaurant
- Toilets
Located at the southern end of the Baja California peninsula lies a desert oasis, for those brave enough to find it. In the heart of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountain range, on the outskirts of the small settlement of Santiago, lies Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo. Although privately owned, visitors are both welcomed and encouraged. The hike may be short, but we’d recommend making a day of it and allowing enough time for a meal at the ranch too: it was one of the best of our trip.
After a feed full of tacos, follow the marked trail and descend the kilometer into the canyon. It’s a steep scramble, but once you catch a glimpse of the 40-foot waterfall plunging into the turquoise swimming hole, in a canyon full of cacti, you’ll be energized to continue. Just don’t forget your swimmers!
Canada – Tonquin Trail
Tonquin Park Road, Tofino, Vancouver Island
Open year-round, 24 hours a day
Cost: Free
Facilities: None
Vancouver Island was our favorite part of Canada, but Tofino crowns the whole country. Vast, pristine beaches with perfect surf breaks, miles of hiking trails winding through the rainforest, leading to trendy towns full of cafés and local markets. What’s not to love?
We were lucky enough to stay in an Airbnb just around the corner from the beginning of Tonquin Beach, and its trail of the same name. Each evening, we’d head out to enjoy it: timing our arrival to the beach for sunset. The 91 wooden stairs provide some elevation but the 3km is an easy and enjoyable one.
Colombia – Cocora Valley
Vía al Valle de Cocora, Km 11, Salento, Quindío
Open year-round, 6am – 6pm (sunrise to sunset)
Cost: COP$20,000 per person at Finca La Esperanza for the Palm Forest (Bosque de Palmas), COP$6,000 per person to hike through private land and COP$20,000 per person at Acaime (a hummingbird sanctuary)
Facilities:
- Paid parking, extra for overnight
- Toilets
- Restaurants
- Horseback riding
- Hummingbird sanctuary
- Private finca selling drinks
You might not have heard of the name of this hike, but we bet you’ve seen the photos of the towering wax palms: the tallest in the world. Although incredibly touristy, both with overseas travelers and Colombians, the hike is well worth the hype. Our top tip would be to camp in the parking lot, roll out of bed and head straight into the valley. Aiming to arrive as soon as the hike opens will make sure you avoid the crowds that arrive from 9-10 am onwards.
The 9.8km circular trail takes approximately 4 hours to complete, depending on how long you want to enjoy the viewpoints. There’s also a detour to a hummingbird sanctuary that will add at least an extra hour to your hike. There are mixed reviews as to whether it’s worth it but for us, the local hot chocolate paired with watching the beautiful birds feed sealed the deal.
Ecuador – Laguna Cuicocha
Muelle Laguna Cuicocha, Km 12, 170517
Open year-round, 8am until sunset
Cost: Free
Facilities:
- Parking
- Toilets
- Restaurant
Located under an hour from Otavalo and its famous Saturday market, lies Laguna Cuicocha. We’d recommend making time to visit both to experience a taste of the best that Ecuador has to offer: authentic local produce and incredible natural scenery.
Whilst the hike will take up most of your day (and energy!) the 14km circuit is relatively easy. The trail borders the crater lake, created over 3000 years ago by an eruption from the nearby Cotacahi volcano. The views are incredible the entire way around: bright blue waters and two uninhabited islands, bordered by wildflowers and native Andean trees. One word of warning: make sure you’re adjusted to the altitude before you hike, you’ll be over 3000m above sea level.
Hong Kong – Pok Fu Lam Country Park
Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Rd, The Peak
Open year-round, 24 hours a day
Cost: Free
Facilities:
- Rain shelters
- Toilets
- Lookouts
- Fitness facilities
- Picnic sites
- Information and map boards
Whilst we are yet to visit Hong Kong, the 270-hectare sylvan sanctuary of Pok Fu Lam sounds like the perfect place to hike. The most notable trail is the Pok Fu Lam tree walk where visitors can experience the country’s native species, whilst also appreciating the harbour and urban views of the city below. Keep an eye out for the black-eared kites, they’re striking.
Japan – Aichi Prefecture Forest
5182-1 Arai, Owariasahi-shi, Aichi
Open year-round, 9am – 5 pm
Cost: General Park is free but the Botanical Gardens is JPY 220 per person. Sports facilities fees are varied
Facilities:
- Parking
- Toilets
- Park
- Botanical garden
- Open air stage
- Boat pond
- Sports facilities (tennis courts, basketball courts, archery fields, horse riding, sports squares and golf)
Japan is another must-see destination for us and this forest park is high on our list. 468 hectares filled with parkland, botanical gardens and sports facilities, all whilst overlooking Owariasahi City and Nagoya City Moriyama-ku.
There are trails within the park but the more adventurous can choose to hike from Nagoya City. 13km of hiking and eight hours of effort offer incredible views of Horai Lake, spectacular waterfalls and native forests. We can’t wait to visit.
New Zealand – Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Tongariro National Park
1310 Lake Rotoaira Road, State Highway 46. Otukou, Turangi 3382
Open November to May daily, 5:15am – 7pm
Cost: Free, but pre-booking is required to manage walker numbers
Facilities:
- Parking
- Toilets
- Picnic areas
Lord of the Rings fans will want to prioritize this hike, and anyone eager to experience ‘New Zealand’s greatest day walk’. Ancient lava fields, an active volcano and ethereal emerald crater lakes: you can understand why the scenery was used for scenes of Mount Doom in the films of Tolkien’s books.
The 20km point-to-point trail is challenging but oh-so-rewarding. Make sure you’re prepared for changeable weather conditions, with warm layers ready for the peaks. Don’t scrimp on the snacks either, with approximately ten hours hiking: you’re going to need them.
Taiwan – Guguan Seven Heroes
Guguan, Heping Dist., Taichung City Taiwán, R.O.C
Open year-round, 24 hours a day
Cost: Free
The Seven Heroes of Guguan is a collection of hikes in the mountains of Central Taiwan, an area known for its hilly landscape and hot springs. With trails ranging from four hours to whole days, with routes varying in difficulty, it makes for a perfect active getaway in the Taiwanese mountains.
Unfortunately, we’re yet to visit the area ourselves but we’d head straight for Mount Bojinja. It’s known as the steepest hike of the lot, with a 2km vertical slope to ascend and rock climbing required to reach the summit. We bet the views make up for the effort. Reward your hard work with a visit to a hot spring hotel in the neighbouring town of Guguan afterward, and you’re onto a winner.
We stayed at the luxury Hoshinoya Guguan hot springs resort; it is the best place to relax after hiking and soak in the private onsen.
Top Hiking Destinations in Natural Parks Around the World
- Guguan Seven Heroes – Taichung City, Taiwan
Mountain trails with hot springs and the steep, adventurous Mount Bojinja hike. - Karijini National Park – Australia
Ancient red rock gorges, fern-filled swimming holes, and breathtaking waterfalls. - Cañon de la Zorra – Baja California Sur, Mexico
A desert oasis with a 40-foot waterfall surrounded by cacti and turquoise pools. - Tonquin Trail – Vancouver Island, Canada
Rainforest trails leading to pristine beaches and stunning sunsets. - Cocora Valley – Salento, Colombia
Towering wax palms and scenic trails in a lush valley. - Laguna Cuicocha – Otavalo, Ecuador
A crater lake surrounded by wildflowers and Andean trees. - Pok Fu Lam Country Park – Hong Kong
Urban hiking with views of native species, the harbor, and city skyline. - Aichi Prefecture Forest – Japan
Trails through botanical gardens, parklands, and views of Horai Lake. - Tongariro Alpine Crossing – New Zealand
Lava fields, active volcanoes, and emerald lakes on a challenging day walk.
From outback gorges in Australia to volcanic crater lakes in Ecuador, these natural parks are perfect for hikers seeking breathtaking trails and unforgettable thinking and forest walking experiences. Whether you’re exploring the red rock canyons of Karijini, descending to turquoise swimming holes in Mexico’s desert oases, or trekking through Colombia’s iconic Cocora Valley, each destination offers unique adventures. Plan ahead, pack smart, and immerse yourself in nature’s wonders around the globe.
Editor’s note:
Love hiking? We do! Especially when it combines city vibes with nature escapes. It’s the conscious way to stay fit after a good meal in town! 🍟✨ From Mexico’s Cañon de la Zorra to Colombia’s Cocora Valley, and even Hong Kong’s Pok Fu Lam, we’ve rounded up some of the best trails worldwide. 🌍 Oh, and Europe? The Dolomites, Swiss Alps, and Mont Blanc are calling—but that’s for our next article! 🏔️ Where are you hiking?
Let us know, write to hello@localsinsider.com!
