Valley of Flowers Trek, Uttarakhand

One of India’s most scenic treks, the Valley of Flowers is fairly crammed with wild flowers, exotic butterflies and endangered beasts. A UNESCO World Heritage Site marked at the point where the Zanskar and Eastern and Western Himalayan ranges meet, it is dotted with waterfalls and streams, and surrounded by high mountain peaks. The valley has mythological roots too:it was the home of the Sanjivani herb that Hanuman brought to cure Lakshman’s wounds. The ten-kilometer valley takes about a week to cross, and is best visited between June-September.

Araku Valley Trek, Andhra Pradesh

Situated in the forested hills of the Western Ghats, the Araku Valley is untouched by the ways of modern life, and home to large coffee plantations as well as indigenous tribes. Situated in Vishakhapatnam, popularly known as Vizag, the hilly slopes host pleasant weather all year round. The trek starting from the base camp of Shivlingapuram takes roughly a week to complete, and brings you through diverse terrain including meadows, villages, water bodies and the hillside. The Borra Caves 1300 meters above sea level are one of the deepest in India, and are teeming with stalactites and stalagmites, while the Katiki waterfalls are a half-hour trek into the forest. You may choose to do all three as part of your trek.

West Highland Way, Scotland

The Scottish highlands are known for their immense beauty and varied landscapes. This route stretches between the two towns of Milngavie and Fort William, and it takes between six to eight days to traverse the long distance of 154 kilometers. Pastoral fields, moors, lochs, and rugged highlands all form part of the West Highland Way, easily walkable at a moderate pace. The Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain, is close to the end of the route, and can be climbed as an addition to the trip. With the proper gear and clothing to deal with Scotland’s variable weather, the Way is a rewarding primer to the highlands with plenty of time to appreciate the countryside. Visit between June-August.

Across Catalonia, Spain

A weeklong hike spanning various landscapes from volcanoes to the seaside, this trail begins at the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone ¬– home to over forty extinct volcanoes set in deep beechwood woodlands. You’ll cross the lake of Banyoles, the old town of Girona and a trek down to Costa Brava that ends in a long coastal expanse with scattered fishing settlements and beach coves. You’ll have the chance to sample traditional homemade cuisine and experience the hospitality of the locals, besides meeting travelers from all over the world. May to June and September to October are the most comfortable months to visit, as Spain has extremely hot summer months.

The Valais pass, Switzerland

The Valais is one of Switzerland’s most walked treks that houses both vineyards and snowy peaks. The trail begins at the Bernese Oberland, connects to the Kanderfirn Glacier, the Gemmi pass and down an erstwhile trade route into Leukerbad – a spa town with natural thermal baths, a relaxing stop to ease sore muscles. The path then passes southwards through vineyards, heading towards snow-laden mountain peaks and ending in the town of Zermatt with a majestic view of the Matterhorn – a mountain in the Alps between Switzerland and Italy. July and August are the best months for hiking, while late September and October see the beautiful colours of fall.