1) Inca Trail, Peru

Follow in the footsteps of the Inca emperor Pachacuti, along the most famous trail in South America, the Inca Trail. From the rapids of the Urubamba River, hike through deep jungle and cloud forest over high, treeless mountain passes up to 4200m, down ancient stone steps and past several sets of intact Incan ruins to the lost city of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along the way, try to spot a bobcat, puma or, if you’re really fortunate, the endangered spectacled bear. The Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary is home to a wide variety of reptiles, more than 700 species of butterflies and 415 species of birds including hummingbirds, eagles, quetzals and toucans, as well as more than 190 species of orchids. Read more....

2) The Haute Route, Switzerland

Hike the Haute Route (the High Route) through the heart of the Alps, the most famous mountain trek in Europe. The route connects Zermatt in Switzerland with Chamonix in France, across 11 alpine passes and some 20 glaciers linking the valleys of Haute Savoie in France to the Swiss Valais. Pass beneath 10 of the 12 highest mountains in the Alps, including the 4000m-plus peaks of Mont Blanc, Grand Combin, Dente Blanche, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn. The terrain between the high passes is rugged and remote, scattered with glacial lakes and moraine, while the low-altitude countryside is less strenuous with walks through green valleys and flower-strewn meadows. Read more....

3) The Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Hike the Annapurna Circuit, renowned as Nepal’s classic trek and one of the world's finest. The Circuit, which follows ancient paths used as trade routes between Nepal and Tibet, completely circumnavigates the Annapurna Himal, crosses the formidable Thorong La pass (5416m) and takes you within echo’s reach of the sixth-, seventh- and tenth-tallest mountains in the world (named Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Annapurna I respectively). Stride across a ceilingless expanse through stunning barren landscapes, past desolate peaks and along fertile gorges, in a constant variety of landscapes that range from sub-tropical through alpine to an arid semi-desert. Explore remote villages, inhabited by many of Nepal's different Buddhist and Hindu tribes, discover ancient traditions and sip refreshing tea at one of the many traditional teahouses, restaurants and inns along the way. Read more....

4) The Machame Route, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

For many hikers, watching the sunrise from the 5896m summit of Kilimanjaro is regarded as one of life’s high points – a testament to one of the most popular high-altitude treks in the world. You begin the 3962m climb through lush forests of cedar – the habitat of leopard and rhino – then hike across moorlands of heather and giant lobelias onto steep scree slopes before emerging onto a desolate alpine desert and what lies beyond, the snow-covered summit cone. There are several routes to take: the most popular, used by 80 per cent of hikers, is the Marangu Route, also called the Coca Cola/tourist route. However, a better option is the Machame Route, which is less crowded, more scenic and longer, allowing more time for acclimatisation – an important consideration as many people succumb to altitude sickness and turn back. There are no villages and virtually no inhabitants above 1800m. Read more....

5. The Grand Randonee, French Pyrenees, France

Trek a portion of the extraordinary Grand Randonee, known in France as the GR10. The GR10 is a 1000km trek that runs from Hendaye on the Atlantic coast to Banyuls on the Mediterranean and, if you walk for seven to eight hours a day, will take you almost two months to complete! The central Pyrenees section, which continues for around 200km, passes through the starkly beautiful French Pyrenees, one of the last wilderness areas of Europe, alternating between lush valleys with forests of pine and beech to higher, wilder areas of open ridges, high cirques and deep blue glacial lakes. The long distance footpath (as it is called in France) is well marked and arranged to allow accommodation at a refuge or village at the end of each day's walk – although this also means some gruelling climbs back up the mountain each morning. Read more....