Top 10 Best Hikes in Asia

A continent known for its diversity, Asia is home to pristine beaches, bustling cities, exotic jungles and far-reaching deserts. One of the biggest draws, though, is its mountain scenery, and the incredible hiking opportunities that come with it.

This region of the world is home to the highest mountains on the planet, enticing adventurers world-over to the snowy peaks of the Himalayas, the deep canyons of the Pamirs and the lush rice terraces in the continent’s south-east.

I’ve enlisted the help of 10 hiking enthusiasts to showcase their favourite hike on the continent. From the legendary Everest Base Camp trek to the short but beautiful hike to Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan, these are the best hikes in Asia.

Ak-Suu Transverse, Kyrgyzstan

By Stephen from Monk Bought Lunch

The seven-day Ak-Suu Transverse trek in Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul oblast visits some of the region’s most iconic trekking highlights and crosses a surprising diversity of landscapes for such a short trip. Starting from the eco-tourism base of Jyrgalan in the east, the trail climbs over eight mountain passes (the highest at the 3886m Ala-Kol Pass, overlooking one of the route’s highlights and Kyrgyzstan’s most popular trekking destination at Ala-Kol lake) for a total of 108km and a staggering 7128m of elevation gain. 

While there are plenty of pretty peaks (including the 4463m Tashtambek Tor Bashi, pictured here) and alpine lakes to see along the way, what really sets this route apart is the diversity of landscapes and the cultural interactions. Jyrgalan is a valley of lush rolling hills, but within two days out of the village, the landscapes of the Boz-Uchuk and Jergez valleys transition to sheer mountains above and wide grasslands below that are home to semi-nomadic shepherds for much of the year.

In the prime summer trekking season, it’s not unusual to hike past a yurt camp or two in every successive valley; often stopping in for invitations of tea and bread or fermented horse milk along the way. These interactions with the hospitable people and traditional lifestyle of the Kyrgyz tribes make for some of the most memorable moments of the hike – particularly for travellers that speak basic Russian or Kyrgyzstan, or who have a guide to translate for them. 

Beyond Ala-Kol Lake and the Karakol valley, crossing the Telety Pass brings hikers down to Jeti-Oguz Valley’s bright red-soil canyons and rock formations; the area is also the location of a popular Soviet-era sanatoria (health resort) popular with local and post-Soviet travellers, which itself can be the setting for some oddball cultural interactions. Beyond, most hikers will head back to trekking-hub Karakol to resupply for further trips or onwards to Issyk-Kol’s south shore. 

Mount Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo

By Annabel from Smudged Postcard

Mount Kinabalu, at 4,095 metres, is the highest peak in Southeast Asia and is located in the state of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo.

If you wish to climb to the summit, known as Low’s Peak, you must be accompanied by a registered guide due to national park regulations. Climbing numbers are limited per day, so it is essential to book your climb in advance. Usually, the climb is completed over two days with overnight dorm accommodation available at Laban Rata Resthouse at 3,270 metres.

The first day is an enjoyable and relatively easy hike through rainforest with highlights such as carnivorous plants and hundreds of bird species to look out for. The second day commences at around 2am when climbers attempt to make the summit in time to watch the sunrise. It’s then a full descent back to the park gates by mid-afternoon.

The night time ascent will be cold so hats and gloves are essential despite the year-round tropical weather at sea level. Even if you don’t make the summit – it’s a rocky climb for the last few hundred metres – the views from the resthouse are also spectacular. The hike is a great option for families with older children looking for an adventurous but achievable first-time summit, as no formal mountaineering experience is required. A family holiday in Borneo is perfect due to its diverse attractions: hiking, wildlife and beach.

It’s best to climb Mt Kinabalu in March or April when the weather is drier and the heat less intense than other times of the year. The views are likely to be clearer but the weather can never be guaranteed due to Borneo’s tropical climate.

Mount Rinjani, Indonesia

By Annie Abelman

They say trekking Rinjani is ‘not for novices’ and with a summit at 3726 metres above sea level, it’s certainly worth packing your boots, Compeed, and wearing comfy kit.

But if you’ve hiked a bit before and you take time to acclimatise to the altitude, the rewards are there for the reaping. For most, the adventure begins by departing the more popular islands of Bali or Gili, and making the short journey across the water to Lombok, which feels very different.

At the end of day one’s trek (or day two if you take it a little easier) you can look forward to an unforgettable campfire at Rinjani’s crater lake, with a meal lovingly prepared by super strong porters who shoulder up to 40kg of your stuff each – and still canter up the route in half the time it’ll take you.

To get there you can expect around eight hours, mostly uphill, through a peaceful, shaded rainforest canopy with tree root steps. The further two-hour descent to the crater lake is tough on the knees, and at times, steep enough to require a handrail. But the sight of the volcano puffing away against a pink sky, amidst a turquoise pool, is worth the concentration and muscle-ache.

As you rest, you’ll watch a spectacular private shooting star show from your tent. You’ll start the next day with a glacial dip, followed by a two-hour uphill scramble alongside scavenging macaque monkeys back out to the crater ridge.

After that, the second day’s route gets easier – opening out onto more open, dusty tracks where more species abound for the keen monkey spotter.

For us, day three was our last since stormy weather prevented us from reaching the summit. This didn’t detract from our breath-taking experience though – and our used muscles were ready for a well-earned break!

SaPa, Vietnam

By Alexander from Destinavo

Sapa is located in northern Vietnam and is one of the most beautiful places to visit in all of Southeast Asia. It’s known for its scenic rice terraces and local tribes that live in the mountains and valleys of Sapa.

In addition to the beautiful scenery, Sapa also offers a cultural experience where you have the chance to do a homestay, which involves staying with a local family and eating traditional food with them. Furthermore, you’ll be walking together with them from village to village as they accompany you and the group on hikes.

It’s a pleasant exchange and several of them speak at least decent English, which makes it easy to learn more from each other. Most travelers will come to Sapa from Hanoi, and it’s easy to get here by train to Lao Cai.

It’s recommended to spend at least 2-3 days in the valley, but longer stays will allow for deeper hikes and visits to several villages beyond the main route.

During the hike, you’ll go up and down through the valley and villages. It’s a relatively easy hike to make, and even younger kids can go hiking in Sapa, which makes it a family-friendly destination. With that said, it’s important to wear good shoes for this hike, especially if you visit when there’s a chance for rain, since it can be slippery in some parts.

Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan

By Myra Armstrong

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known as Paro Takstang, is the most recognisable landmark in Bhutan. Perched on the edge of a mountain, some 900 metres from the ground, the monastery really is a beautiful sight.

Due to its location, the only way to get there is by hiking. Luckily, the path is wide, with decent terrain and a steady incline. The hike is doable for most people with average fitness levels and should take roughly 5-7 hours for a roundtrip.

As you walk, the scenery will get more and more breathtaking. You’ll pass colourful prayer flags and soaring valleys, catching glimpses of the monastery as you go. The best view, though, is when you’re able to stop to overlook the monastery from the cliff opposite – that’s where most people snap that iconic photo.

Once you reach Tiger’s Nest, be sure to explore the temples. You should be wearing appropriate clothing for this – knees and shoulders covered. Backpacks, shoes and cameras are also not allowed to be taken inside the temples.

Bhutan is an expensive county to visit due to the $250 dollar a day tourist tax, but if you’re prepared to pay the price, you’ll be greatly rewarded.

Kolsai Lakes, Kazakhstan

By Ellis from Backpack Adventures

Kazakhstan is famous for its empty steppes that cover most of the country, but few people know that Kazakhstan is also a great place to go hiking. The former capital of Almaty lies in the southeastern corner of the country, bordering China and Kyrgyzstan. Here, the Tien Shan mountains are a trekker’s paradise.

One of the most beautiful hikes leads up to the Kolsai lakes – a series of blue lakes surrounded by spectacular alpine mountain sceneries. Only the first lake is accessible by car from the rural village of Saty. From the first lake, it is an 8 kilometer hike up to the second lake.

Even though it is only 8 kilometers, it is a challenging trek. The first part is a trail that runs above and along the first lake with beautiful views. In the summer, the flowers bloom and you can spot many types of birds. After the lake, the path runs along a serene river as you enter the dense pine forests.

Then, it is a steep climb up to the second lake. It takes at least 4 to 5 hours to get there from the first lake. It is possible to camp at the second lake or return to the village of Saty where there are several homestays. Saty is about 6 hours from Almaty, so you need at least 3 days for the hike to the Kolsai lakes. If you have your own transport consider a visit to the Charyn Canyon and lake Kaindy as well.

Tiger Leaping Gorge, China

By Daphna from A Tiny Trip

Tiger Leaping Gorge is an iconic Asian hike in Southern China. Located not far from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lijiang, it is the perfect place to take in the gorgeous mountain scenery of Yunnan province. To hike Tiger Leaping Gorge you will need to leave the cobblestone streets of Lijiang to Qiaotou, via public bus or private transport.

As you enter the park, you will slowly leave the low rolling hills covered with agricultural crops. Hike uphill on the mountainside along the Jinsha River, as the mountains on the other side seemingly get closer to you. There are guest houses along the way, where you can stop for food and lodging.

Note that while the majority of the hike is fairly easy to moderate, there are a couple of sections that are steeper and more strenuous in the first half. At the end of the first day, most hikers will have made it to Halfway Guest House (which is more than halfway)! On the second day, you will descend the mountain, going by a waterfall, and ending at Tina’s Guest House. From here, you have an opportunity to hike into the gorge itself, and back up. Tiger Leaping Gorge boasts amazing mountain views that are not to be missed!

Batad Rice Terraces, Philippines

By Lotte from Phenomenal Globe

One of the most beautiful places we visited during our trip around the Philippines was the beautiful UNESCO Heritage rice terraces of Batad. Located in the Ifugao province on Luzon, these stunning terraces are over 2000 years old!

While you can admire the Banaue rice terraces from a viewpoint next to the road, the Batad rice terraces are more famous and, in my opinion, more beautiful as well. The only way to reach Batad is on foot as there are no roads to the village. The shortest option is a 3 kilometer trail, however, I highly recommend to do a multiday hike from Banaue to Batad, through the stunning terraces. This way, you can really immerse yourself in the beautiful nature and the serenity of your surroundings. A 3-day trek can easily be arranged in Banaue. Trekking is usually done in groups and always led by a guide – which is necessary, as it’s almost impossible to navigate through the terraces and narrow paths leading crisscross through the fields.

Along the way, you can admire the rice terraces of Banaue (while driving to the starting point of the hike), the terraces of Cambulo and finally the famous terraces of Batad. Trekking here is a once in a lifetime experience, especially when you imagine how difficult it must have been to create the rice terraces on the steep hills without any modern equipment.

The Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

By Mike from Live Travel Teach

The Annapurna Circuit is one of the best hikes in Asia because of its natural splendor, unique mountain views, cultural immersion and lack of tourists compared to the more popular Everest Basecamp trek. To be honest, any trek you do in Nepal will be stunning, but if you’ve got to pick one that’s got it all, then I highly recommend the Annapurna Circuit.

The trek can be completed in 15-20 days, but the longer you take, the more fun you’ll have. Some of the best parts were taking it easy and enjoying some side hikes rather than just pushing onward every day. If you need to shorten the hike then talk to a guide about taking a jeep further up the trail; you can start as high up as Manang if needed. Speaking of guides, they are an invaluable resource on a trek like this.  

While many hikers complete the Annapurna Circuit without a guide, you’re sure to miss out on a few sunrise viewpoints and the better side trails if you go solo. Guides make it easy for you when you arrive in a village; you can just relax and know that there will be a room and meal ready shortly rather than having to haggle for everything yourself. Porters can be a lifesaver but more importantly, a few bucks for you goes a long way towards helping the local people. Every dollar you spend on guides, porters, food and lodging will stay in Nepal and help the local economy.

Waterfalls, monkeys and gorgeous views fill the foothills of the Himalayas as the trek begins. Within a few days, you’ll be staring at snowcapped mountains, yaks, mountain goats and glaciers before coming back down the pass. Be sure to stop at some of the local temples and shrines for a truly authentic Nepali experience.  

Everest Base Camp, Nepal

By Campbell and Alya from Stingy Nomads

Nepal’s Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world at 8848m above sea level. Only the world’s best climbers, after months of preparation, attempt this specialist climb. Trekking to the basecamp – where the climb starts – is a strenuous, popular trek and is a significant accomplishment. The only way to reach the start of this trek in the mountain village of Lukla is by flying or walking since no roads reach the town. The flight to Lukla is exciting; the runway in the mountains is at an upward slope and is one of the most dangerous runways in the world!

The trail leads through spectacular mountain scenery, mixed with fascinating Sherpa culture and warm Nepalese hospitality. The 130km roundtrip trek to Everest Base Camp takes on average 12 to 13 days. Kalapatthar at 5550m is the highest point on the route.

A slow ascend is important at this altitude since altitude sickness is a risk. Many companies offer organised tours with a guide and porters, hiring a private guide or porter is also a common option. Many trekkers do however do this hike independent; the route is easy to follow, there are many other hikers on the trail and there are many tea houses offering accommodation and food on the way. Trekking in the world’s biggest mountains is an exciting adventure.

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