Unknown Hikes: 10 Adventures Off the Beaten Path

Unknown Hikes: 10 Adventures Off the Beaten Path

From remote deserts to polar escapes, these uncharted hikes will take you far off the beaten path

I lived in London for 10 years, taking the overcrowded subway to work, fighting for space with people around me and standing in queues at bus stops, supermarkets, basically everywhere - after all, I'm British.

Of course, this inspired daydreams of escaping it all and running off into the wilderness with only my backpack, tent, camp stove, and a handful of freeze-dried meals.

About twice a year I managed to escape from London briefly, usually escaping to the mountains of Norway, Austria or Scotland. Since we launched Atlas & Boots, I've discovered many unknown tours around the world, but I still dream of standing out even further from the crowd.

If, like me, you crave true wilderness, nature and isolation, these unknown hikes are for you. Some can be undertaken alone, while others are best undertaken with assistance.

In any case, I have suggested operators who can coordinate the logistics of accessing these remote locations so you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

1. Upper Mustang Trek, Nepal

Distance: 185km (115mi)Duration: 12-14 days

alt="best-countries-for-hiking-nepal-mustang">DreamtimeThe Upper Mustang is one of the best unknown treks in Nepal

When you mention trekking in Nepal or the Himalayas, many people immediately think of Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Basin. However, for a traditional and authentic taste of Nepali and Tibetan culture, consider the “forbidden” kingdom of Mustang.

Closed to foreigners until 1992, Mustang is only now opening up to hikers and western tourism. The trail essentially follows an ancient salt trade route between Tibet and India and utilizes the lowest pass through the Himalayas west of Sikkim in India.

Along the way there are opportunities to visit some of Nepal's oldest Buddhist monasteries as well as the mysterious Kali Gandaki Caves. Further information: Active Adventures

2. Lut Desert Trek, Iran

Distance: 200 km (125 miles) Duration: 10 days

alt="Unknown Hikes – Lut Desert">Dziajda/ShutterstockThe lunar landscape of the Lut

Follow in the footsteps of Thesiger and Marco Polo and cross one of the hottest places on earth. According to NASA, in 2005 a ground temperature of 70.7 °C was measured in the lowest part of the Lut Desert. So not for the faint of heart.

The route passes through lunar-like landscapes, symmetrical star dune formations and a wealth of geological phenomena, including salt flats, meteorite fields and huge natural sandcastles called kaluts. A bucket list trek if ever there was one.

Further information: Secret Compass

3. Lake Baikal Trek, Russia

Distance: 50km (31mi)Duration: 3 days

alt=“The shores of Lake Baikal”>Nikitin Victor/ShutterstockThe shores of Lake Baikal

With more water than all of North America's Great Lakes combined, Baikal is the largest freshwater lake in the world by volume. Follow this classic trail through the lake's western shore for unparalleled views of approximately 20% of the world's unfrozen surface freshwater.

Sometimes the path is just a few inches from the waterline; at others it climbs 767 m (2,500 ft) above the lake to the summit of Mount Listvyanka. The sheer remoteness of southern Siberia makes this area one of the least visited in the world. This is for real explorers.

Further information: Baikal Adventure

4. Angelus Circuit, New Zealand

Distance: 39km (24mi)Duration: 2-3 days

alt="New Zealand's South Island accounts for only a quarter of the country's population">DreamtimeNew Zealand's South Island accounts for only a quarter of the country's population

New Zealand's remote and rugged South Island has been on my trekking bucket list for a long time. Although it is the larger of New Zealand's main islands, it accounts for only a quarter of the country's population, making it a remote and unspoilt destination.

The Angelus Circuit begins in a village called Saint Arnaud on the edge of Lake Rotoiti and works its way through a wilderness of beech forests, large lakes and rugged alpine ridges. Despite the dramatic terrain, the trail itself is relatively gentle and offers mountain huts and camping opportunities along the way.

Further information: Active Adventures

5. Arctic Circle Trail, Greenland

Distance: 165km (103mi)Duration: 9-11 days

alt="Innajuattoq Hut on the Arctic Circle Trail">Atlas & BootsInnajuattoq Lake on the Arctic Circle Trail

Hiking the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland has been a dream of mine for a long time. A dream I recently came tantalizingly close to, but for an unusual natural event. I vowed to go back and finish it one day.

Greenland is the largest non-continental island in the world, but has only about 57,000 inhabitants, making it the least populated area on earth. The trail follows a course through an area known as the “Land of a Hundred Lakes.”

It is one of the most remote and unknown treks in the world, with recent estimates suggesting that only around 1,500 people undertake the expedition each year. As the name suggests, the Arctic Circle Trail lies entirely within the Arctic Circle, between 40 and 50 km north of the great parallel at 66° 33′ 39”.

Further information: Read our article about trekking the Arctic Circle Trail

6. Sarek National Park, Sweden

Distance: 100km (63mi)Duration: 10 days

old=““>Sander van der Werf/ShutterstockSweden's Lapland is a survivalist's dream

Sarek in Swedish Lapland is a survivalist's dream. You'll have to be the adventurous type to get out here, as there are no marked trails, cabins, or amenities that you could find elsewhere.

The possibilities are endless, but a good suggestion is to hike from Sitoalvsbron to Kvikkjokk through the vast Rapadalen valley, seeing glaciers, alpine peaks, the wild Rapaatno river and endless arctic wildlife along the way. This is Europe's last great wilderness, so progress is slow and often arduous. Just watch out for the bears.

Further information: Nature travel

7. Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Distance: 15km (9mi)Duration: 1-2 days

alt="On the way to Maryam Korkor in the Tigray Mountains">Atlas & BootsOn the way to Maryam Korkor in Tigray

Tigray is located in the northern part of Ethiopia, a region with over 120 rock-cut churches. To get to these churches, one must climb the red sandstone ridges of Tigray's somewhat labyrinthine mountain system.

The challenge of this hike is not necessarily the distances covered, but the almost vertical climbs to access the remote cliff-side churches. The only way to reach this area is through community trekking programs, which provide local guides and priests to lead the way.

More information: Read our article about hiking in Tigray

8. Mount Cameroon, Cameroon

Distance: 38km (24mi)Duration: 3 days

alt="Mountain Cameroon at sunset">Fabian Plock/ShutterstockMount Cameroon is often overlooked

Too often overlooked for the iconic and standalone Kilimanjaro to the east, West Africa's highest mountain, Mount Cameroon, has much to offer. In one direction there is an uninterrupted view over the Atlantic Ocean and in the other of the plains of Central Africa.

It is a shorter and less strenuous hike than the higher mountains of East Africa and has the added benefit of ending in the charming coastal town of Limbe.

If you're feeling a little more adventurous, there's the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope Footrace every February, where participants complete the round trip in just 4.5 hours!

Further information: Mount Cameroon Tour

9. Lake Song Kul, Kyrgyzstan

Distance: 36km (27mi)Duration: 3-4 days

alt="Kyrgyzstan is home to several unknown treks">Sipetyy/ShutterstockKyrgyzstan is home to several unknown treks

Kyrgyzstan's neglected landscapes are a dream for DIY adventurers and those seeking solitude and escape. Dominated by an alpine lake at 3,016 meters (9,895 feet), the lake's water can change color instantly as the sun rises high and sinks low behind the rugged peaks and vast landscapes.

Despite the area's inaccessibility, there are many options for hikers with yurt stays and multi-day hikes combined with horseback riding. Crystal clear but freezing nights provide excellent stargazing opportunities on these remote trails.

Further information: Discover the Silk Road

10. K2 Base Camp Trek, Pakistan

Distance: 160 km (100 miles) Duration: 14 days

alt=“Hike to base camp K2″>K2 seen from Camp Concordia

The K2 Base Camp trek through Pakistan's mighty Karakoram Mountains is one of the most beautiful high-altitude treks in the world. Pakistan has long been touted as the “next big thing” in tourism, but alarmist headlines have often belied these predictions.

Recently conditions have improved and tourist numbers have begun to increase, albeit modestly. When I completed the hike in September 2019 as one of the last trekking groups of the year, only 1,300 tourists had entered the area all season.

Pakistan is home to several amazing and still largely unknown hikes, the best of which is the trip to K2, the second highest mountain on earth. At 8,611 m (28,251 ft), K2 is one of only 14 eight-thousanders and a member of the seven second peaks.

Further information: Read our article about the K2 Base Camp trek

old=““>

Mission statement: Dreamstime

      .