10 Hikes That Changed My Perspective on Distance
As someone who works remotely and escapes into the outdoors between deadlines, I’ve come to believe that some trails are more than hikes — they’re quiet tests of what we carry, physically and mentally. Over the past year, I’ve taken my waterproof backpack for hiking through different continents, climates, and terrains. I packed light, stayed curious, and let the trail show me something new each time.
These 10 hikes — across New Zealand, the US, Tibet and beyond — reminded me why we lace up and head out in the first place.
1. Milford Track, New Zealand
📍53.5km | 3–4 days | Nov–Apr This one’s a rite of passage. You walk from Te Anau through glacial valleys, along the edges of the Fiordland mountains. Mist rolls in and out like clockwork. I kept my 20L waterproof backpack cinched tight on the swinging suspension bridges and soaked in silence at Mackinnon Pass.
2. Half Dome Trail, Yosemite, USA
📍13km | 1 day | Summer It’s steep, exposed, and iconic. But for me, it was also unexpectedly spiritual. Looking over Yosemite Valley from 2,690m, surrounded by absolute stillness, I realized how small I was — and how that felt comforting. Grateful I had a durable hiking daypack that didn’t drag me down during the final cable climb.
3. Gornergrat–Riffelsee Trail, Zermatt, Switzerland
📍13km | May–Oct
The Matterhorn rises in the distance like a perfect pyramid. You hike past alpine lakes and meadows, with cows grazing to the sound of real bells. The clean air made me want to cry. I stayed overnight in a hut and watched the peaks turn orange at dusk.
4. Lake Louise to Yoho Valley, Banff NP, Canada
📍120km | May–Sep This is one of the few trails where I felt like I was part of a moving painting. Every turn revealed something different — glacier lakes, cedar forests, sudden thunder. It’s long but forgiving. My lightweight hiking backpack handled the layered gear well during weather swings.
5. Annapurna Circuit, Nepal
📍200km | Sep–Nov
Tough. Humbling. Spiritual. You feel the weight of the mountains here — and your own heartbeat at 5,416m. I didn’t rush it. I let the altitude teach me patience. The people, the tea houses, the prayer flags — everything felt intentional. I repacked my bag daily to stay balanced.
6. O Circuit, Torres del Paine, Chile
📍130km loop | Oct–Apr I camped under jagged peaks and wind-bent trees. Patagonia is raw — sun, snow, and sleet in one day. I remember pitching a tent beside a river and falling asleep to the wind howling like a story I hadn’t heard yet. Bring weatherproof hiking gear — you’ll need it.
7. Great Ocean Walk, Australia
📍1000km | Mar–May & Sep–Nov You walk along cliffs, beaches, rainforests. It’s less about conquering distance and more about absorbing transitions. I journaled a lot on this trail. My 20L hiking pack was more than enough, especially with water refill points along the way.
8. Dolomites Trek, Italy
📍Flexible routes | Jun–Sep
Limestone spires, mountain huts, creamy espresso at 2,000m. What more do you need? I took my time linking short day hikes through the Alta Via routes. The mix of alpine views and Italian hospitality was unreal.
9. Camino de Santiago, Spain
📍800km | Spring & Fall
I walked a portion, not the full route — but even a few days on the Camino gave me that sense of flow. You pass through ancient towns, hear stories from strangers, and follow yellow arrows with childlike faith. I traveled light, and the simplicity felt right.
10. Mt. Everest Base Camp, Tibet Side, China
📍70km | Apr–May & Sep–Oct
This was about altitude, not distance. Every step above 5,000m reminded me to slow down, to listen. You trek through highland plains, past yaks and icy rivers. The final morning, looking toward Everest, was silent. Sacred, even.
What I Carried:
Across all 10 trails, I relied on one piece of gear I never had to rethink: my Backpackbeat 20L Extend Waterproof Hiking Backpack. It handled drizzle in the Dolomites, dust in Nepal, and snow in Yosemite. Lightweight. Expandable. No frills, no fail.
