10 Bucket List Backpacking Trip Ideas

I hope these Backpacking Trip Ideas inspire you. I hope you’ll plan your next adventure and spend many hours and days in nature – where we are meant to be.

Once you start backpacking, it becomes a bit of an addiction. Time spent alone on the trails, carrying everything you need on your back, witnessing the most epic views…. it’s the best way to experience the outdoors.

Luckily, it’s a healthy addiction, and the opportunities to quench it are endless.

There is always a new trail to explore, whether it’s in your home country or abroad.

This list includes 5 backpacking trip ideas that I have personally done and 5 trails that are on my own bucket list. Please comment if you’ve done one that should make this list!

I am going to start this list with my favorite 5 backpacking treks that I have done. I can vouch that all of these are beautiful and so worth doing. Click on any of the headings for more information on these amazing treks.

The end of the W Trek

#1. The W Trek

South America – Chile – Patagonia – Torres del Paine National Park

Distance: 55 miles

Typically done in 4 nights/5 days

The W Trek is by far the best trail I have ever hiked and the most amazing place I have ever been. It’s hard to find the right words to describe Patagonia because its beauty is beyond our comprehension. The glacier and mountain views are UNREAL. You can stay at refuges or camp along the way. If there is any chance that you can do this adventure, do it.

The sunset view from Dewey Point on the Pohono Trail – it’s even better in person

#2. The Pohono Trail

USA – California – Yosemite National Park

Distance: 13 miles

1 night

If you only have a short time to spend in Yosemite National Park, I can’t think of a better way to spend it than on the Pohono Trail. You begin and end at 2 of the best viewpoints in the park (Glacier Point and Tunnel View), and you can watch the sun rise and set over the valley from your campsite. AND you escape the massive crowds in this park. It’s glorious.

Pro Tip: Camp at Dewey Point to get the most incredible sunset view.

Tour du Mont Blanc view

#3. The Tour du Mont Blanc

Europe – Switzerland, France, and Italy – The Alps

Distance: 105 miles

Typically done in 10 nights/11 days

The Tour du Mont Blanc or TMB is one of the most famous backpacking treks in the world, and it is awesome. It’s a little less nature-y than other backpacking treks on this list because you end most days in little European towns. This adds to the magic of the trail. You can start the day eating a French croissant, hike the whole day with gorgeous mountain backdrops, and end it with eating an entire pizza.

Cracker Lake – look at that color!

#4. Cracker Lake

USA – Montana – Glacier National Park

Distance: 13 miles

1 night

My favorite things to see in nature are alpine lakes, and Cracker Lake is the most beautiful one I have ever seen. The aquamarine color is absolutely stunning. It’s not that long of a hike for such a beautiful reward at the end. While you could do this as a day hike, I vote for spending the night next to this gem of a lake.

Sunset view from El Hoyo

#5. El Hoyo

Central America – Nicaragua

Distance: 15 miles

1 night

I doubt you’ll find this on any backpacking trip ideas lists, but that doesn’t make it any less deserving of being on these lists. If you find yourself in León, Nicaragua, do this El Hoyo Trek with Quetzaltrekkers. They donate their profits to local children, and most of their hikes include volcano boarding. The El Hoyo Trek includes a sunset view over a volcano and unique views of the Nicaraguan wilderness.

If you’re wondering what to pack for these treks, check out my backpacking gear packing list – everything you need to bring + a free printable checklist!

And which backpacking trip ideas are on my bucket list? Maybe you’ll want to try these out too:

Since I haven’t personally done these trails, I have linked to comprehensive guides from fellow travel bloggers who have accomplished these treks 🙂

#6. Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Trail

USA – Arizona – Grand Canyon National Park

21 miles

2 nights/3 days

The Grand Canyon is incredible, but I only got to spend one day exploring it. A rim-to-rim trail takes you from the touristy overlooks to the inside of the canyon. I can’t imagine a better way to explore it.

#7. Heaphy Track

South Island, New Zealand

49 miles

3-5 nights

One time my husband and I bought “error fare” flights to New Zealand. I got really excited and looked up the many incredible hikes that New Zealand has – there are SO MANY. Our flights got revoked, but I still dream about trekking this country. Heaphy Track, the longest of New Zealand’s Great Walks looks amazing with mountains and rainforest and beach. I would loooove to do it someday.

#8. Toubkal Circuit

Morocco – Atlas Mountains

37.3 miles

4-6 days

This trek looks awesome. Mountain passes, valleys, pretty lakes, and culture. You can stop and eat in the villages along the way. The Toubkal Circuit is one of the most popular multiday treks in Africa.

#9. Huayhuash Trek

Peru – Cordillera Huayhuash – Peruvian Andes

19 miles +

4-14 days depending on how far you want to go

The mountain and alpine lake views of this area make me drool. At high elevation, the expansive views give you the best look at the mountain range. The Huayhuash Trek should be on all of our bucket lists.

#10. Mount Kilimanjaro

Tanzania

23-56 miles

5-9 days

There are many mountains to climb, and Mount Kilimanjaro makes this list. This is Africa’s highest mountain and the world’s highest free-standing mountain, but it’s not a very technical climb. Perfect for backpacking and camping. You will need to book a guided tour for this one. If it weren’t for Covid, I would have hiked this already. Some day….

Backpacking Trip Ideas

Backpacking is tough, but it’s one of the most rewarding ways to spend your time. You’re privy to exclusive views, and spending full days in nature is almost never a bad thing. If you have other backpacking trip ideas, please comment below!

Happy Hiking!

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