5+ Epic Virtual Hikes from Across the Globe

Do you love the outdoors but can’t get out to experience it right now? What if I told you that you could take virtual hikes from the comfort of your own home – no stretching necessary! Well, you can! If you’re like me and crave that feeling of adventure that hitting the trails provides, then you’ll love these amazing online hiking experiences.

No matter why you’re stuck at home, whether it’s a frigid winter, an injury, or something else, you can still experience nature by going on a virtual hike. Even if you’ll never be able to take in an epic hike due to mobility issues or other health reasons, you can still enjoy a piece of the magic that hiking delivers. And the following virtual hiking tours are not for your average hiker. These virtual hiking trails are epic and are bucket list hikes for sure!

5 Epic Virtual Hikes

Skyline Trail on Cape Breton in Canada

If I could choose my top hike right now it would be the Skyline Trail in Nova Scotia, Canada. I had planned a road trip out East in June and hiking Cape Breton was something I really looked forward to. But alas, I will be happy, for now, with virtually hiking the Skyline Trail.

Located in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, the Skyline Trail is one of Canada’s top hiking trails. The trail is roughly an eight kilometre loop, where you can stand atop a rugged cliff that overlooks the incredible Cape Breton coast. Virtually hiking the Skyline Trail you can check out different vistas of the trail including the epic end of trail view of the Cape Breton coastline, but without the bugs, moose, and exhaustion at home!

The Dolomites in Italy

The Dolomites are a mountain range in Northern Italy and are declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. I’ve been in love with the Dolomites for a few years now! And getting to hike the Dolomites is high on my bucket list of European hikes. Hiking the Dolomites is not for the faint of heart, there are many narrow sections where you have to be roped along. There are sheer drop-offs, incredible winds, but also fantastic views.

But until I can get to these stunning peaks I’ll be thankful for the ability to virtually hike them. Airpano put together one of the best virtual hikes of the Dolomites. Starting in the small village of Colfosco, in the shadow of these amazing peaks, you’ll begin your Dolomites hike. From here you can choose which peak you want to visit for awe-inspiring 360-degree views.

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Appalachian Trail in the United States

Is hiking the Appalachian Trail something you’ve always wanted to do? The great Appalachian Trail runs 3,500 kilometres along the Appalachian Mountains through the eastern United States. Incredibly, the trail goes through fourteen states, copious state parks, two national parks, and can take between five to seven months to complete.

Well, whether you know you’ll not last a few days without a clean bathroom or sleeping in the cold and rain is not your jam, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort to hike the Appalachian Trail. You can now take a virtual hike across the Appalachian Trail in minutes instead of months. This fun virtual hiking tour of the Appalachian Trail takes you along the ridges and valleys as well as pointing out interesting features along the trail, like the Blood Mountain Shelter and Clingman’s Dome. You can even choose to explore it by state or trail highlights.

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Mount Everest in the Himalayas

For many serious hikers, the Mount Everest trek is the ultimate hike. But, let’s be honest, most of us will not take on this massive undertaking. It’s estimated that roughly 800 people hike Mount Everest every year, that’s a far stretch from many other famous trails, like Spain’s Camino which sees hundreds of thousands of people every year. And it’s because of how dangerous it is as well as the insane amount of training that goes into it.

So, don’t worry about the danger, training, altitude adjustment or the wind. Curl up in front of your computer and virtually hike Mount Everest. This 3D map of multiple Everest routes is incredibly interactive. You’ll be scaling up the rugged terrain and even making your way along sheer cliffs. Along the way you’ll discover camping points and information points as though you’re on a guided hike.

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Matterhorn in Switzerland

The Matterhorn, Switzerland’s epic mountain peak reaches up 4478 metres (14,691 feet). I’ve never hiked it, but I did lay eyes on her strangely pyramid-like peak while hiking in Switzerland. Reaching the summit of the Matterhorn is more than a hike, it’s a harrowing climb. Only around 3000 people make it to the summit of the Matterhorn every year.

But you don’t have to worry about avalanches, sore muscles, or the price tag of travelling to southern Switzerland. You can enjoy the views safely from home on a virtual hike of the Matterhorn. I found two different virtual hikes of the Matterhorn. The first through Airpano is like the Dolomites hike. While the other virtual hike of the Matterhorn is interactive and informative. You’ll start off in a museum and then start your hike while learning how the Matterhorn became a legend. Panning around, once you reach the summit you’ll feel like you’ve travelled through the clouds and are standing on top of the world.

More Virtual Hiking Experiences

Are you looking for more virtual hikes you can take at home? Well, I’ve got a few more virtual trails and online outdoor experiences up my sleeve. There are a few websites that are really focusing on virtual hikes like this one here. Then there are many Google virtual hikes through amazing US National Parks that include everything from a Grand Canyon virtual hike to one through Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

And if you’re like me and love hiking in Ontario you can do that virtually too! You can explore Bruce Peninsula National Park’s famous Grotto area or take in a live webcam from Algonquin Park. And the Nature Conservancy of Canada has also gathered some 360-degree hikes from coast to coast, which take you through a variety of terrain.

So, no matter what is keeping you from hitting the hiking trails don’t let it stop you from exploring and enjoying the beauty of the Great Outdoors. Just bring it indoors to you!

Do you have a trail you’d like to virtually hike?

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