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Three peaks bathed in the afternoon sun on the back half of the Annapurna Circuit.

6 Iconic Week-Long Backpacking Routes

If you only have a week to go backpacking, these 6 iconic routes will provide more than enough fuel for your wanderlust.

Hiking Difficult, Severe

Also in Tasmania, AustraliaMagallanes y Antártica Chilena, ChileHaute-Savoie, FranceWashington, United States of America

Three peaks bathed in the afternoon sun on the back half of the Annapurna Circuit.
Three peaks bathed in the afternoon sun on the back half of the Annapurna Circuit. Photo: Drouyn Cambridge

Description

If you only have a week to go backpacking but you want to hike a truly epic, world-renowned route, these five backpacking routes of varying lengths will provide more than enough fuel to stoke your wanderlust fire. With routes ranging from Patagonia to Europe, North America to Tasmania, and even Nepal, just choose the corner of the planet that you want to visit and GO!

Each of the routes detailed here can be completed in a week of backpacking… but exactly how much ground you can cover in a week depends on many variables ranging from fitness to the difficulty of the terrain. Thankfully, the options presented here cover the entire spectrum. Want to experience some beautiful terrain, but don’t want to push the mileage too hard? Try the Overland Track in Tasmania, with options ranging from 40 to 50 miles.

Or do you fancy a longer challenge? The Annapurna Circuit in Nepal runs for over 140 miles and climbs roughly 37,000 feet in elevation! But of course, the hardcore backpackers of the world could complete this route in just a couple of days. The question is, do YOU think you can do it in a week?

Routes included

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