Psych Hike
If hiking the landscape has even the slightest appeal, do a little research and add it to your
vacation list. To help you find the trip that’s right for you, start by looking at the difficulty and
think about how challenging you want it to be. Next, do you prefer mountains, the coast, forests
or a mix? Most importantly, look at the logistics and decide how easy it is to access the
trailhead, arrange baggage transfers, and find accommodations.
Whether you are a beginner or an expert, there are great hiking destinations all over the world.
Here a few options to spark your imagination:
International Picks
The Kerry Way – Ireland
Like the West Highland Way, but with more sheep and possibly more rain. Winding through the
stunning Iveragh Peninsula, this trail passes lakes, mossy forests, and storybook villages.
Bonus: Guinness at the end of every day.
Tour du Mont Blanc – France, Italy, Switzerland
A higher-elevation, more alpine adventure — but still accessible for hikers who like good food,
charming villages, and the occasional cowbell echoing across a valley.
Camino Primitivo -Spain
One of the original pilgrimage routes of the Camino de Santiago — quieter and more rugged
than the main path, with a good mix of challenge and café con leche breaks. Less wild than the
Highlands, but rich in character and reflection.
Routeburn Track – New Zealand
Shorter (2–4 days) but jaw-droppingly beautiful. Think mossy rainforest, alpine views, and
waterfalls, all in one hike. If the West Highland Way had a cousin, this would be it.
Rondane National Park – Norway
Craggy mountains, quiet trails, reindeer sightings, and cozy cabins. Like the Highlands, but with
more Norse mythology and waffles.
US Based Alternatives
The Long Trail – Vermont (Segment Hikes)
The older, quieter sibling of the Appalachian Trail. Forested, foggy, and full of charming small
towns and cheese. Very “New England Highlands.”
The Lost Coast Trail – California
A rugged coastal trek with sweeping ocean views, sea lions, and a real sense of remoteness.
You’ll need to plan around the tides, which makes it feel even more adventurous.
John Muir Trail – California
A longer and more challenging journey through the Sierra Nevadas, with epic mountains, alpine
lakes, and a spiritual tone that rivals the West Highland Way’s misty mystery.
Superior Hiking Trail – Minnesota
Follow the ridgelines above Lake Superior for forested trails, bluff views, and small-town stops.
Less dramatic than the Highlands, but with a similar peaceful, immersive pace.
So, go take a hike. Enjoy!
