Hiking is not just a great way to spend time with friends and family or to stay fit but it is a wonderful way to see those places which aren't accessible any other way.
If you were to drive in a car and admire the scenery, your perspective would be different than if you were to walk.
Travelling on foot lets you take in those sights and sounds which are easy to miss otherwise; thus making your journey complete.
Here are five of the best hiking trails in the world guaranteed to uplift your soul and your senses:

1. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania - If you are an experienced hiker, then this is one hiking trail that should be on your list.
   Not only is it the tallest point on the continent, but it also a fairly easy mountain to scale.
   The good news is that unlike on other hiking trails, you most likely will not require any special equipment for the hike, but be warned that the altitude sickness that many people face can even cause death.
   The most amazing part about a hike on Mount Kilimanjaro is that there are many routes one can take to reach the summit and as you walk; you encounter the beauty of different climatic zones such as grasslands, temperate forests and even glacial valleys.
   
2. Annapurna Circuit, Nepal - This hiking trail earns the distinction of having one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world.
   A minimum 3 week hiking trip between October to November is believed to be the best time for a trek between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains.
   Although altitude sickness is a serious concern for hikers, the snow-capped peaks also give a wonderful peek into traditions and culture as well.
   Experts suggest packing lightly with minimum gear and not to leave your camera behind.
   Besides plenty of easy hiking trails; you also get to interact with natives who stay here, visit Buddhist temples, enjoy a bath in a hot spring and enjoy lip smacking cuisine in restaurants!
3. Zion Narrows, USA - The landscape is so stunning and the hike through the canyons so adventurous that Zion Narrows has even earned a place on the National Geographic list of America's 100 Best Adventures.
   Imagine walking through sandstone walls that rise up to heights of 3,500 feet and then going through a narrow canyon with not more than 22 feet width at the very top.
   Hanging gardens in the walls, rivulets of water dripping through cracks, waterfalls on the sandstone and sandy banks are a few of the wonderful sights that hikers will come across.
   However, a hike through Zion Narrows can be extremely dangerous as well on account of sudden floods that sweep the area making it one huge pool of water.
   In fact, sudden rainstorms are a big reason for casualties and deaths caused here.
   So, if you plan to make a trip, remember to have the latest weather forecast updates with you and only go if you are certain of dry weather conditions.
   
4. Tour de Mont Blanc, France - Keen on exploring the beauty of Europe? Then, a hike on this 170 km trail where you get to see stunning views of Mount Blanc and other Alp peaks is a must try.
   Besides the famous peaks, you also get to admire beautiful green valleys, huge glaciers and deep blue lakes.
   The good news for hikers is that the trails here are well marked and have been maintained through the years as well, which makes it relatively safe.
   Hikers also get to stay in small huts scattered along the way which serve delectable French cuisine.
   Carrying a small pack is encouraged and if you get too tired, there's always the cable car and chair lift at your disposal as well.
   
5. West Coast Trail, Canada - If an experience of the Canadian wilderness is more to your liking, then look no further than the West Coast Trail.
   Besides permitting only a certain number of hikers to avoid overcrowding; you get to experience the beauty of sunrise and sunsets, beaches and caves, hidden coves as well as odd shaped cliffs.
   The adventurous should try the boulder and log walk between Thrasher and Owen point as well as climbing a very slippery Sandstone Creek.
   Hikers will find the well researched guide books available very useful and although this may be a very expensive hike for some; you can bet that it will be worth every cent.
   

So, why head to a hotel the next time you want a vacation? Simply pack your gear, put on your hiking shoes and have a memorable hike!