International Hiking Challenges
Ever fancied taking on a BIG challenge? Where you get the opportunity to travel around the world, experience some truly remarkable places, and really step outside of your comfort zone?
Then why not take on an International hiking challenge?
We are living in a world where anything is possible! Who knows, you could finally realise your dreams of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro? Maybe trek along the Inca trail to Machu Pichu? Or perhaps experience the Himalayas as you trek up to Everest Base Camp! Just like I did in 2022!
There are simply loads of choices out there, all waiting for you to GO FOR IT!
There are many adventure operators out there, offering a huge variety of tempting expeditions. I couldn’t possibly list them all. But I’ve got a huge selection for you to whet your appetite.
HIKING CHALLENGES USA
HIGHLANDER Hiking Events USA 2024
HIGHLANDER, is widely considered the leading long-distance hiking event series in the world. There are multiple formats — from two-day, 15-mile excursions to three-day, 30-mile trips, and all the way up to four-day, 60-mile expeditions.
The 2024 HIGHLANDER Long-Distance Hiking Event Schedule for the United States
Formats
URSA Major: Distance 103 miles, 19,819ft ascent, 18,717ft descent
Hercules: Distance 55 miles, 8,821ft ascent, 8,837ft descent
Pegasus: Distance 33 miles, 5,731ft ascent, 6,009ft descent
Orion: Distance 18 miles, 2,283ft ascent, 2,330ft descent
Lyra: Distance 13 miles, 1,783ft ascent, 1,827ft descent
Mammoth March Hiking Events USA 2024
Started as a virtual hiking challenge during the coronavirus pandemic, MammothMarch is conquering the US with its unique long-distance hiking events.
MammothMarch20 – Hike and finish 20 miles in 8 hours
MammothMarch30 – Hike 30 miles in 12 hours, from dawn until dusk
Note: Due to high demand a few of these events are already sold out!
MAMMOTH MARCH Hiking Events USA 2024
Oregon 24: Sat, Mar 23 | Silver Falls State Park
Virginia 24: Sat, Apr 6 | Pocahontas State Park
Alabama 24: Sat, Apr 13 | Oak Mountain State Park
East Tennessee 24: Sat, May 4 | Fall Creek Falls State Park
Boston 24: Sat, June 1 | Wompatuck State Park
Wisconsin 24: Sat, June 8 I Mauthe Lake Recreation Area
Delaware 24: Sat, Jun 15 | Fair Hill Natural Resources Mana
Indiana 24: Sat, Jun 29 | Versailles State Park
Southeast Ohio 24: Sat, Aug 3 | Burr Oak State Park
Upstate New York 24: Sat, Aug 10 | Letchworth State Park
Michigan 24: Sat, August 17 I Eastwood Beach at Stony Creek Metropark
Missouri 24: Sunday, Sept 8, 2024 | Defiance Ridge Vineyards
Cuyahoga Valley 24: Sunday, Sept 15, 2024 | Howe Meadow/Countryside Farmers' Market
New Hampshire 24: Sat, September 21 I Bear Brook State Park
North Carolina 24: Sat, October 12 | Lake James State Park
Tampa Bay 24: Sat, November 16 I Alafia River State Park
HIKING CHALLENGES EUROPE 2024
ACTION CHALLENGE Hiking Events EUROPE 2024
Iceland is a land of contrast- our Fire and Ice challenge showcases the best of this incredible wilderness with glaciers, volcanoes, sweeping valleys, raging rivers, lava fields and the new 2021 eruption site (up close!) You’ll complete 3 days of challenging wild trekking with nights spent under canvass, before a last night hotel and celebration in the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik.
HIGHLANDER Hiking Events EUROPE 2024
Boznia & Herzegovina
Blidinji: June 26th-30th 2024
Croatia
Velebit: Sept 10th-14th 2024
Medvednica: June 7th-9th 2024
France
Mont Blanc: Aug 28th-Sept 1st 2024
Georgia
Svaneti: Coming Soon (TBA)
Montenegro
Durmitor: Jun 22nd-26th 2024
North Macendonia
Lake Ohrid: Aug 21st-25th 2024
Portugal
Serra Da Estrela: May 15th-19th 2024
Serbia
Stara Planina: July 3rd-7th 2024
Slovenia
Julian Alps: Jun 22nd-26th 2024
Kamnik-Savinja Alps: Aug 28th-Sept 21st 2024
Spain
Val D’Aran: June 12th-16th 2024
United Kingdom
Lake District: July 3rd-7th 2024
De4 Daagse The 4 Days March 2024 (Netherlands)
The 4Days Marches is the world’s largest walking achievement event! Over 45,000 participants with more than 70 different nationalities, from as young as 11 to over 90, come to Nijmegen every year to walk 30, 40 or 50 kilometres for four days in this city on the Waal river and its beautiful, wooded surroundings. They all gather with the same objective in mind: being awarded the coveted 4Days Marches Cross.
When: July 16th-19th 2024
Format: Choose between walking 30km, 40km or 50km a day!
HIKING CHALLENGES ASIA 2024
ACTION CHALLENGE Hiking Events ASIA 2024
A unique trek through the pristine and unspoilt Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. This 13-day varied challenge includes 6 trekking days and visits to the most special sites of this incredible, remote and pristine country. See the mighty peaks of the Eastern Himalayas, experience the incredible Buddhist culture, and finish with a chance to explore the capital Thimpu and enjoy a traditional Bhutanese celebration meal.
An action packed group challenge to the summit of North Africa’s highest peak, Mount Toubkal at 4,167m, with an amazing sense of achievement as you take in the magnificent panoramic views and breathe the rarefied mountain air. With some tough trekking, Berber hospitality, camping, camaraderie, expert guides, sunshine, and a Marrakech celebration – it’s an unforgettable Moroccan adventure!
Everest Base Camp (Action Challenge)
Everest Base Camp is one of the world’s finest treks. We organise groups for hundreds of trekkers each year, and individuals, couples, and groups of friends can join us for a wonderful and unforgettable adventure. Follow in the footsteps of famed mountaineers and explorers, on winding trails passing through picturesque Himalayan villages.
Everest Base Camp (Skyline Treks and Expedition, Nepal)
I’ve recently teamed up with Skyline Treks in Nepal, who have been running treks all across the Himalayas for over 20 years. They offer a great overall package, which the price p/p will be reduced according to the number of pax (group size), which i can arrange for you. It’s great to work with a provider who are based in Nepal, and have all the local knowledge and experience. I have direct contact with their company founder and CEO, so if you have any special requests, or packages (whether it’s Everest Base Camp, or any of their other treks) you are looking to book, please let me know.
Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes
Been there! Done that! check out my gallery to get a feel for what you could expect! I’ve also compiled my EBC: Top 10 Highlights which are also available in my resources.
This Himalayan trek takes you through the Sherpa homelands and right to the foot of Mount Everest, over high passes and into the remote and stunning Gokyo Valley with its turquoise glacial lakes! A quieter and more adventurous route! Over 15 days of trekking you will see the mighty peaks of the Himalayas, experience the incredible Sherpa culture, and will finish with a chance to explore the bustling Kathmandu and enjoy a traditional Nepali celebration meal.
Challenge yourself on this 9-day adventure to one of the world’s most famous landmarks. Over 5 days of trekking, you will see spectacular panoramic views, trek crumbling pathways, and experience the deep history of this ancient wonder. There will be steep climbs, breath-taking scenery, and you will cap it all off with a celebration dinner in bustling Beijing!
Kilimanjaro - The Lemosho Route
To climb Kilimanjaro on our 11 day Lemosho Route itinerary (trekking for 7 days), you can join one of many Open Group Challenge climbs throughout the year, departing from the UK. Our group climbs bring like-minded people together to share a Kilimanjaro experience. You can sign up on your own, as a couple, or with a group of friends or family.
This classic Himalayan ascent that takes you through quiet and remote valleys, over high passes and right to the breath taking summit of Mera Peak at 6461m. Over 15 days of trekking you will see the mighty peaks of the Himalayas, experience the incredible Sherpa culture, and will finish with a chance to explore the bustling Kathmandu and enjoy a traditional Nepali celebration.
If you’ve summited Kilimanjaro and caught the mountaineering bug, then Mera Peak is the ideal next mountain for you – amazing cultures, stunning scenery & a new challenge at over 6,000m – make Mera your next goal!
Challenge yourself on this 9-day adventure to some of South East Asia’s most famous landmarks. Over 5 days of cycling, you will pass remote villages, paddy fields, the mighty Mekong, ancient temples, bustling cities, and experience the deep history of this incredible region. There will be hot days, long roads and breath-taking scenery, and you will cap it all off with a celebration dinner in Siem Reap!
HIKING CHALLENGES AFRICA 2024
ACTION CHALLENGE Hiking Events AFRICA 2024
Take things higher with this Atlas Mountain Ultra Challenge! It’s 2 marathon distances over 2 days at your pace, set against the backdrop of North Africa’s highest mountain range. With snow-capped peaks, rugged valleys, Berber villages and a traditional Moroccan-style basecamp. This 5-day trip is action packed – a testing challenge, magnificent scenery, camping under the stars, camaraderie, full support, with the option to extend your stay in magical Marrakech afterwards. An unforgettable adventure – and an Ultra Challenge like no other!
NEW for 2024! Push yourself further afield – and take on the Jordan Ultra Challenge! It’s 2 marathon distances over 2 days at your pace in a fantastic setting on an inspirational route through the dramatic desert scenery of Wadi Rum, with vast silent landscapes, ancient sun baked riverbeds, sand dunes, and a Bedouin style basecamp. This 6 day trip is action packed – a testing challenge, magnificent scenery, camping under the stars, camaraderie, full support, a visit to Petra – the ‘8th wonder of the ancient world, and capped with some relaxation in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea. An unforgettable Arabian adventure – and an Ultra Challenge like no other!
Challenge yourself on this 8-day adventure trekking through deserts, gorges and over ridgelines as you approach the city of Petra with its carved sandstone temples and relics. There will be tough trails, high temperatures and fantastic views, and we’ll cap it all off with a float in the Dead Sea and a celebration dinner Jordanian style!
HIKING CHALLENGES SOUTH AMERICA 2024
ACTION CHALLENGE Hiking events South America 2024
I’m doing this one in Nov 2024! Challenge yourself on this 11-day adventure to Ecuador’s “avenue of the volcanoes”, a breathtaking valley running south from Quito , that is home to some of the world’s tallest active volcanoes. You will summit 5 volcanic peaks, including 2 active ones, on this varied and exciting itinerary. Cold weather, steep glacial ascents and the thin air all of high altitude all add to the challenge! For the more ambitious, you can upgrade this to a summit of Chimborazo (6,310m) – the tallest point on Earth, measured from the centre!
Approach the long abandoned and captivating hidden city of Machu Picchu along a network of ancient trails. Over 4 days trekking you’ll see the rugged beauty of the Andes and see the ancient sites of the Inca Empire up close. We finish with a chance to explore the vibrant city of Cusco, before a Peruvian celebration long into the night.
The ‘W’ trek in the Torres Del Paine National Park is the iconic challenge in Southern America, consistently being voted in the top 5 trails of the world. Located in Chile’s Southern tip, this 10 day adventure will take you into the heart of one of the great wilderness parks. Come face to face with the native flora and fauna of the Patagonian steppe, such as guanacos, Lamagaia and more. All set against a backdrop of glaciers, stunning trails and, of course, the awesome peaks of the Torres Del Paine.
HIGHLANDER Hiking Events South America 2024
HIGHLANDER El Camino, COSTA RICA (Aug 6th-10th 2024)
HIGHLANDER Costa Rica invites you on an adventure like no other. Wander through the unique cloud forest ecosystem and stretches of the renowned Camino de Costa Rica, spotting quetzales and sloths (if you're lucky) and immersing in a rural Costa Rica few tourists get a chance to know. Discover waterfalls and wild rivers, farming villages and local culture, at a slow, pura vida (pure life) rhythm uniquely attuned to the landscape. You won't find this route in many guides; we are here to take you off the beaten path, and into the Adventure of a Lifetime.
HIKING CHALLENGES AUSTRALASIA 2024
Hiking Events AUSTRALIA 2024
THE GREAT AUSSIE HIKE - Daylesford - April 26-27, 2024 - 100km, 80km, 50km, or 30km
My Next Challenge Events 2024
Walk for a Bloke - Sydney NSW - March 23rd 2024 - 25km
Bare Creek Trail Run 2024 - Garigal National Park, Sydney NSW - March 24th 2024 - 2km, 6km, 12km & 20km
Coastrek Sydney 2024 - Sydney - 20km, 30km & 50km
Hiking Events NEW ZEALAND 2024
OXFAM Trailwalker - Aotearoa - March 23rd-24th 2024 - 100km, 50km, or 25km
Raupehu Trail Festival 2024 - Tussock Traverse 2024 - Feb 3rd 2024 - 32km, 21km, or 12km
INSPIRED ADVENTURES - Black Dog Institute - Southern Alps New Zealand Trek - Feb 16th-21st 2024
Join Black Dog Institute on a 6 day hike that will take you from the vibrant, colourful city of Christchurch through the constantly changing natural surroundings of New Zealand’s great wilderness. Visit the gleaming glacial waters of Lake Tekapo. Trek to Sealy Tarns for a spectacular view of Aoraki/Mount Cook’s 3,724m peak. Tread narrow trails through an alpine landscape up to the Rob Roy Glacier with snow fields, waterfalls and towering cliffs to be discovered at every step.
Thanks for reading!
If you want to know what’s the best gear to take with you on your hiking adventures, then check out MY Guide To THE TOP 10 HIKING GEAR ESSENTIALS!
If you found this useful, then I’d be very grateful if you’d buy me a coffee!
