Many national parks offer guided hiking tours, which help travelers explore safely and learn from local experts. National park hiking tours are a fantastic way to take care of logistics and enrich your adventure with knowledge and stories of the local area!
Below are some of the best national parks for hiking around the world, offering unforgettable trails and trekking adventures.
Gran Paradiso National Park — Italy
- Best for: Alpine hiking, vistas, meadows, and waterfalls.
- Trail difficulty: Moderate.
- Best season: Summer offers the warmest weather and driest trails. However, in spring, wildflowers bloom and fall delivers fiery foliage. Hikers should wait until the snow melts for the safest trails, usually by June.
Gran Paradiso National Park in the Alps of northwest Italy offers some of the best hikes in the world. Explore alpine meadows, glaciers, waterfalls, streams, and snow-kissed peaks. The park is famous for Italy’s 7th largest mountain, Mount Gran Paradiso, which offers incredible vistas for those daring enough to trek to the summit. You can even encounter the protected resident ibex (a wild goat), wolves, badgers, owls, and eagles.
There are many hikes to choose from, including trails through low-lying foothills, scenic river routes, and the popular 16.3 km Alpe Money day trek with unparalleled views.
Babia Góra National Park — Poland
- Best for: Alpine hiking and wildlife.
- Trail difficulty: Moderate to difficult.
- Best season: Mid-June to the end of September offers the warmest weather. However, July and August can get busy!
Babia Góra National Park, located in southern Poland near the border with Slovakia, is a rugged and diverse landscape. The national park attracts hikers for its steep slopes, plunging valleys, enchanting meadows, and glacial landscapes. Hikers can also spot a range of mammals and birdlife such as the European brown bear, lynx, gray wolf, and golden eagle.
The trail to the summit of Babia Góra is a popular and challenging climb offering rewarding panoramic views of the neighboring Tatra Mountains.
Sagarmatha National Park — Nepal
- Best for: Exploring the Himalayas and views of Mount Everest.
- Trail difficulty: Advanced.
- Best season: The best time to visit Sagarmatha National Park is from September to November for warmer temperatures (15-25°C / 59-77°F) with blue skies.
Sagarmatha National Park is a protected part of the Himalayas in northeast Nepal. Hikers are drawn to the region for its dramatic snowy mountains, glaciers, steep valleys, and, of course, views of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. The national park is home to Sherpas and their unique culture.
Trails in this region are difficult due to the high altitude, snow, and freezing temperatures.The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most popular hiking routes in the park. This 12–14-day trek takes you to the base of Mount Everest.
Bidoup Nui Ba National Park — Vietnam
- Best for: Quiet jungle treks, diverse flora and fauna, and wildlife.
- Trail difficulty: Moderate.
- Best season: Bidoup Nui Ba National Park is best visited from December to April for cooler and drier weather.
Take a trip into the jungles of the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Bidoup Nui Ba National Park is a quiet haven for hikers because of its rich flora and fauna and fewer crowds. It is also one of the best backpacking national parks, making it a great option for young, budget-conscious travelers. The lush and diverse forests, often interlaced with wisps of mist and fog, and dotted with ponds, are crisscrossed with enchanting hiking trails.
To explore the park, you must book a group tour with a forest ranger, who can take you on a range of half-day, full-day, and multi-day routes. The Bidoup Route is a 2-day and 1-night trek through pine forests, rivers, and streams.
Tavan Bogd National Park — Mongolia
- Best for: Alpine hiking, scenic trekking, and wildlife.
- Trail difficulty: Moderate to advanced.
- Best season: Visit Tavan Bogd National Park in late spring to early fall (May to September) for mild weather and more accessible trails.
Tavan Bogd National Park in western Mongolia, bordering China and Russia, is famous for its towering Tavan Bogd mountains. Trekking is one of the most popular ways to explore the park’s vast wilderness, including the snow-capped mountains, glaciers, serene lakes, and lush valleys. Hikers love the park for its range of ecosystems, from steppe grasslands to dense forests. Enjoy wildlife spotting along the trail, including the Siberian ibex and gray wolves. You may even spot the elusive snow leopard.
Explore the region’s captivating culture, from ancient petroglyphs to an authentic glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the Kazakh nomadic people. Trails are mostly rugged and undefined, often with challenging ascents.
Mount Field National Park — Australia
- Best for: Short hikes, alpine hikes, and waterfalls.
- Trail difficulty: Beginner to moderate.
- Best season: Mount Field is a year-round destination. However, fall (April-May) is a great time of year for fiery foliage!
Mount Field National Park is one of Tasmania’s oldest national parks. The park attracts hikers for its eucalypt forests and unique alpine vegetation. Explore glaciers, lakes, and tumbling waterfalls, including the three-tiered Russell Falls.
Mount Field National Park offers a range of trails, many of which are great for beginners. For example, the walk to Russell Falls through cool-temperate rainforest is about a 25-minute return trek and is even wheelchair accessible. Another 30-minute forest circuit takes hikers among some of the world’s tallest flowering plants. For those seeking a day trek, the Tarn Shelf Circuit takes you into Mount Field’s alpine areas and lakes.
Mount Aspiring National Park — New Zealand
- Best for: Alpine hiking with short and long trails.
- Trail difficulty: Beginner to moderate.
- Best season: New Zealand’s summer, from early November to late April, is the best season for Mount Aspiring National Park.
Mount Aspiring National Park sits in the Southern Alps of the South Island and is a blend of open wilderness, towering mountains, and river valleys. It’s a hiker’s paradise thanks to its range of short and long trails, and it is one of the best national parks for beginner hikers. Key highlights include glaciers carving through valleys, snowfields, and the soundtrack of unique native birdsong.
For those seeking more challenging hikes, the 3-day Routeburn Track is an alpine adventure showcasing some of the country’s most spectacular natural landscapes. For a short and classic “Kiwi” trail adventure, embark on a 30-minute Blue Pools Walk through a silver beech forest and over a swing bridge where you can marvel at the magical Blue River.
Kluane National Park and Reserve — Canada
- Best for: Glaciers, short and long hikes, and wildlife.
- Trail difficulty: Beginner to moderate.
- Best season: Plan your guided hiking tour of Kluane National Park in summer for warmer temperatures of around 11°C (52°F) with longer daylight hours.
Kluane National Park is one of the top national parks for hiking. Nestled in the southwest of the Yukon in Canada, Kluane National Park is an endless wilderness of sprawling ice, vibrant forests, and snowy mountains.
Hikers flock to this icy oasis to explore its peaks, enormous glacial valleys, boreal forests, and sparkling lakes. It’s also home to Canada’s tallest peak, Mount Logan.Wildlife lovers are in for a treat, too! The ancient glaciers spill into the Alsek River, snaking through grizzly bear habitat. Hikers can also spot mountain goats, caribou, wolves, and black bears.
There are plenty of hiking options through the park, including short family-friendly trails and multi-day expeditions across the park’s dramatic landscapes. Popular choices include the King’s Throne, a challenging 8-hour ascent that rewards climbers with views of Kathleen Lake. Meanwhile, the St. Elias Lake Trail is a leisurely 2–4-hour hike to a lake perfect for canoeing (yes, you can rent a canoe when you get there!).
Isalo National Park — Madagascar
- Best for: Desert hiking and wildlife.
- Trail difficulty: Moderate to advanced.
- Best season: The best time for hiking in Isalo National Park is from May to October for drier, cooler weather. For ideal wildlife spotting, book your tour from September to October.
Isalo National Park is in the Ihorombe Region of Madagascar, tucked into the nation’s southwest. The park is home to endless golden savannahs, deserts, dramatic canyons, and strangely shaped sandstone rock formations, whittled by centuries of wind and rain.
Hikers are drawn to the park for its red and yellow landscape and the chance to spot a wild ring-tailed lemur. The creatures are used to people, making it easier to observe them up close.
Hiking in Isalo National Park offers a range of challenging yet rewarding trails. The trail to the Piscine Naturelle, a naturally occurring pool, is a popular route up the massif, with views of plunging valleys. Renowned for its peaceful ambience and clear water, it’s a refreshing stop for hikers. For another advanced trail, consider the Cascade des Nymphes, taking you through deep gorges and streams.
Kilimanjaro National Park — Tanzania
- Best for: Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro and safari walks.
- Trail difficulty: Beginner to advanced.
- Best season: The best time to hike Kilimanjaro National Park is during the dry season from December to March and late June to September.
Sheltering Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park is considered one of the best hiking destinations in Africa. Many hikers flock to the park to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, and to enjoy its more accessible trails. Expeditions in this African wilderness will take you into endless golden savannah, rainforest, and arid rocky paths.
Home to a range of habitats and climates, a variety of wildlife roams Kilimanjaro National Park. You can spot elephants, Cape buffaloes, black rhinos, giraffes, leopards, hyenas, and monkeys on the lower slopes of the mountain, just to name a few.
Kilimanjaro National Park has a mix of beginner-friendly safari walks and advanced mountaineering. Guided safari treks take you into the vibrant grasslands where you can encounter monkeys, baboons, and lots of butterfly and bird species. If you wish to brave Mount Kilimanjaro, there are different routes for hiking to the peak.
Why Choose Guided National Park Hiking Tours
Guided hiking tours in national parks are a smart way to experience the wilderness. A local guide knows how to navigate the trails and will help keep you safe. They are also teeming with local knowledge, and guides love sharing with visitors. Learning from local guides can be a wonderful way to enrich your trip. Guided tours help with organizing logistics, trail permits, and access to remote trails. All you need to do is pack your bags and show up!
Guided tours offered by Hiking & Trekking Club connect travelers with trusted local providers who are experts on local trails and trained to keep you safe.
Guided National Park Tours: For Beginners and Experienced Hikers!
National parks offer some of the best hiking experiences in the world. With diverse landscapes and trails, there’s an adventure for everyone, whether you are a beginner or an advanced hiker.
Be sure to consider guided trekking adventures for a safe, organized expedition, threaded with plenty of local knowledge and authenticity. Are you ready to explore the world’s best national park hiking trails? Discover guided adventures and trekking tours with Hiking & Trekking Club.
