The most incredible hiking trails in Asia

A list of the best hikes in Asia wouldn’t be complete without including Mt. Everest. Everest Base Camp in Nepal is one of the most iconic hikes in the world. The challenging route to the base camp at 5,364 meters takes you through the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayan mountain range. Most trekkers take two weeks to reach the base camp and then return to Lukla, Nepal – stamina is a must to complete this epic hike. 

Time Out tip Mt. Everest climbers must rent and wear a tracking chip to reduce precious time on search and rescue missions.

Difficulty level Moderate. Unlike an Everest summit attempt, you don't need technical expertise or mountaineering skills to complete the EBC.

Duration of hike Typically 12 days to allow for acclimatisation. 

Distance of hike 130km round trip. 

This trek in southern Kyrgyzstan is your ticket to some serious mountain magic. It's not called the "Best of Alays" for no reason – over seven days, you'll cross over some incredibly diverse terrain. We're talking lush valleys, alpine lakes, high mountain passes, and snowcapped peaks. Highlights include (literally) breath-taking high-altitude Jiptik and Sary-Mogol passes and panoramic views of the Pamir Mountains. It's a challenging trail, but doable for fit and well-prepared hikers. 

Time Out tip Go in the summer to meet semi-nomadic shepherds living in the Alay Valley. 

Difficulty level Moderate to challenging

Duration of hike 7 days.

Distance of hike 90km.

If you're looking for a hike that's equal parts nature and culture, then Japan's Kumano Kodo delivers. This network of ancient pilgrimage trails on the Kii Peninsula has been walked for over 1,000 years, leading to the sacred Kumano Sanzan shrines. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, it offers a unique way to explore Japan's spiritual and natural heritage: mossy forests, quiet mountain villages, and ancient shrines. The routes range from gentle to challenging, with the Nakahechi trail being the most popular. With luggage transfers, guesthouses, and scenic rest stops, it’s a meaningful trek without the fuss. 

Time Out tip Spring and autumn offer the best weather for the trail. Mid-week dates are also best as capacity is often limited in smaller villages along the trail.  

Difficulty level Easy to challenging, depending on the chosen route.

Duration of hike The classic Nakahechi trail takes about 6 to 7 days. 

Distance of hike 68 kilometres. 

Paro Taktsang (aka Tiger's Nest) is a Buddhist temple in Bhutan that sits on a cliff’s edge over 900 meters above the Paro Valley floor. The strenuous hike takes several hours, with many rest stops along the way. The most challenging part of the hike is the final stretch, where you hike down several hundred steep stairs and then up several hundred more to reach the sacred site. It’s worth it for scenic views of the valley below and the reward of a beautiful temple at the end of the hike. You can store your belongings in a locker, as no phones or cameras are allowed inside.

Time Out tip: Don’t bother bringing snacks. There’s a vegetarian cafe where you can drink tea and eat food to re-energise before completing the hike.

Difficulty level Challenging. 

Duration of hike 5 to 6 hours round trip. 

Distance of hike 6.4km round trip. 

Hike Japan’s highest peak and most iconic mountain, Mt. Fuji, by following the Fujinomiya Route, the shortest and most direct path to the top of the hill. It typically takes two days to reach the peak, with an overnight stay at the ninth station followed by an early start on the second day to get a peek at the sunrise. You won’t regret sacrificing a few hours of sleep – after all, the true name of Japan, Nippon, translates to "Land of the Rising Sun.”

Time Out tip Take the Prince Route for the descent to stop by the Hoei Crater, Mt. Fuji's largest crater.

Difficulty level Moderate to challenging, with challenging slopes and rocky terrain. Be prepared for changeable weather too. 

Duration of hike Five to seven hours up and two to three hours down on the Fujinomiya trail. 

Distance of hike 8.6km round trip on the Fujinomiya trail.

Sri Lanka is synonymous with black tea. On the Pekoe Trail, you can hike through the tea-carpeted highlands from the Hanthana Mountains to Nuwara Eliya, aka ‘Little England’ due to its colonial architecture. The trail goes by the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, the historic Loolkandura Estate, which was the first tea plantation in the country, and more. There are 22 sections to the trail, so you can hike its entirety over a few days or break it up into a couple of day trips. 

Time Out tip The official trailhead is in Kandy, and stage one goes from Hanthana to Galaha, from the Ceylon Tea Museum to the Hanthana Tea Estate, one of the largest tea plantations in Sri Lanka.

Difficulty level Moderate to challenging. 

Duration of hike About 10 to 15 days. 

Distance of hike It spans 300km over 22 stages – a massive hike if you do it all the way through. 

Chiang Mai is a spiritual hub of Thailand and home to hundreds of ancient Buddhist temples — some of the most beautiful are located in the surrounding mountainous forests. The most famous hike is the moderate Monk’s Trail. It starts at the mountain base to Wat Pha Lat and then up to Doi Suthep. This is the most revered Buddhist temple in the northern Thai city as it contains a relic, a piece of Lord Buddha’s shoulder bone. 

Time Out tip Bring clothes that cover your knees, shoulders, and chest if you intend to visit the temples.

Difficulty level Easy enough, though it gets steeper from Wat Pha Lat to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. 

Duration of hike About 3.5 hours.

Distance of hike About 7.5km with an elevation gain of approximately 620m. 

Trips to Komodo Island aren’t just to see living dragons — but also to see incredible nature above and below the ocean at nearby islands. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage sphere, Padar Island is adjacent to Komodo Island and offers a short 30 to 45-minute hike to a mirador. Here, you can see the rare phenomena of a white sand beach, pink sand beach, and black sand beach in a single frame. 

Time Out tip The hike is best before sunrise, but be sure to bring a flashlight as Komodo dragons live on the island and are venomous.

Difficulty level Moderate. The stairs are easy to navigate, but there are rock inclines and sandy trails nearer the top. Plus, it's hot. 

Duration of hike 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your fitness level and how often you stop to take in the gorgeous views. 

Distance of hike About 2km round trip.