Excuse us a second: our brow's sweating, our legs are trembling and, oh god, we're WEARING A FLEECE. We've been HIKING. That's right, and you should too. That's why we've rounded up the three of the best hiking trails around the world. Walk this way…
Appalachian Trail, USA
This hike has enjoyed some stardom recently, following the recent film adaptation of Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods. It's one of the longest marked footpaths in the world, totalling 2,180 miles with an elevation gain (if you hiked the whole thing) – that's the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest 16 times. If you don't have the stamina (or the annual leave) to make the distance, just pick a section from the route that stretches from Maine to Georgia. appalachiantrail.org
25 Fontes, Madeira
Set in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the small, volcanic island of Madeira (35 miles long, 13 miles wide) is heavy on mountains draped in lush vegetation. There are various routes to explore on the 'Pearl of the Atlantic', from clifftop hikes to clambering up waterfalls (25 of them in fact, hence the 25 fontes trail). Putting one foot in front of the other gets a bit repetitive after a while, so head to the capital of Funchal where you can marvel at colonial buildings, or whizz down a steep hill in a wicker toboggan. We know which we'd rather… hfholidays.co.uk
Dingle Way, Ireland
The Dingle Way’s 110 miles takes walkers through arguably the most impressive and richest archaeological heritage of all the Emerald Isle’s national trails. You'll ramble an average of 13 miles a day through fields of heather and wildflowers, and take in small ancient villages and isolated golden beaches – one stretches over six miles, the longest in Ireland. With self-guided adventure company Macs Adventure, you don't need to worry about carrying your gear – they'll move your stuff from guesthouse to guesthouse, leaving you to hike with just your day's snacks. macsadventure.com
