1.  Always have the right gear: During hiking, you should always have a map, a compass, a pen knife, a first aid kit, food and water.

2.  If and when you encounter wild animals on the trail, stay away from them and try as much as you can not to excite them.

3.  Always tell someone where you are going. If possible, always hike in pairs if not in groups. This is very crucial as you have someone to care for you in case of an injury, exhaustion and fatigue.

4.  Obey the weather: During the course of the hike, watch out for changing weather patterns. If you notice that it might rain, its better to either go back home or assemble a camp where you are.

5.  Be wary of poisonous plants: some plants such as the poison oak, poison ivy and stinging nettle may cause itchiness and rashes when they make contact with the skin. A hiker should know how to recognize them.

6.  In case you get lost, wear bright clothing to increase your visibility and signal for help. A whistle is a good bet.

7.  Replenish your water source: you should ensure that your water bottle never goes empty. Have a plan of where to get water. You can tap water from the morning dew on plants, banana leaves and tropical vines.

1. Alsace Wine Trail, France: It is a four to five day walk with mostly easy walking. It is an inhabited and cultural trail which is set up in a woody charm of Rue Du Vin. Burgheim, Kaysersberg, Turkheim and Riquewihr are connected with day long walks which could stretch up to 17km. If you are interested in mixing wine with walking, then this is the perfect trail for you.

2. Lake District, Austria: If you want to explore the Austrian Lake District, then Halstatt is the best trail for you. The walk is typically easy and consists of Julie Andrews terrain. The hike could last from three days to a week. From the footpaths of steepled villages, you can enjoy a great view of the lake.

3. Camino Frances, Spain: Camino de Santiago is a path which connects various pilgrimage sites which end up in Santiago de Compostella. Out of this series of pilgrimage starting points, Camino Frances is the most popular one. The level is moderate. The whole walk is of 780km and could take a month, but a shorter trip of 111km from Sarria to Santiago will just take 7 days.

4. Durmitor National Park, Montenegro: Although Montenegro’s coast is flushed with wealth, but the interior is perfect for hiking. The crumbling and dark mountains of Balkan provide all kinds of levels for hiking. Zabijack can give a great access to the park trails. It takes only 3 days in the walk.

5. Tour du Mont Blanc, France: To get the best view of Mont Blanc, you need to get to the elevated path of Chamonix. Here you can either tackle the Tour du Mont Blanc which is a steep 250km trail, or you can choose the route between Les Houches and Argentiere. Although the Tour is tougher, but the shorter walks are of moderate fitness. Keep 10 days for the tour and a long weekend for smaller trails.

1) The Appalachian Trail on the East Coast of the United States

It is one of the most varied trails in the United States. It stretches over thousand miles and actually traverses through fourteen states. The Appalachian Trail is an epic trail that offers you a sense of accomplishment. You will get to see many sights and wonders of nature on the East Coast in addition to enjoying the serenity and atmosphere of this trail.

2) The Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

This trail is simply breathtaking. The grandeur and mystic of the Grand Canyon will leave you and your hiking party in absolute awe. The trail is located on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. It is about nine and a half miles long.

3) The Angel’s Rest Trail on the Columbia River Gorge

This trial is located near Portland. This means that you have easy access to necessary supplies, medical equipment and social amenities. The trail is a bit short. It goes on for about four and half miles long. The scenery is wonderful and a delight to eyes weary of city lights. It is therefore a perfect getaway.

4) The Mount Healy Overlook Trail in Alaska’s Denali National Park

This trail takes you through a variety of landscapes. You begin with a forest hike and eventually end up going through the tundra. It offers you spectacular views of ridges and valleys in Denali National Park. You can even hike all the way up to Mount Healy for a better view of this great national park.

5) The Flattop Mountain Trail in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park

This is a challenging trail but it is worth the effort. It involves hiking all the way up to Flattop Mountain. The summit of this mountain sits at about twelve thousand feet above sea level and gives you a stunning view of the natural landscape below.