Those who love hiking know how liberating it can be to be away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the pollution and the noise, to be amidst nature and all its glory.
And if you are looking for some unique trails to explore, here are 5 unique ones to try out in Southeast Asia for your next hiking adventure.
Mount Rinjani, Lombok, Indonesia
Photo Credits: Rinjani National Park
Fancy scaling an active volcano? If so, Mount Rinjani is the ultimate challenge for those of you who are hardcore enough. Besides the awesome views of the volcano’s rugged majesty and the beautiful cobalt blue crater lake, you will also be able to fulfill your (possible), aspiration of staring danger in the face.
The best time to climb would be during the dry season between April and November.
Chiang Mai Hill Tribe Treks, Thailand
Photo Credits: GAdventure
If immersing yourself in some of the local tribes while in the heart of a lush jungle is what you seek, then this may be the trail for you. While trekking options abound in Chiang Mai, you are sure to find ancient forest trails, waterfalls and stunning scenery at every turn. Most treks will also include a village homestay, where you can eat with local families and learn how to cook in the jungle (a great skill to have if you ever get lost. And if you feel that mere hiking isn’t enough, you can also take on some whitewater rafting or ride an elephant!
Banaue Rice Terraces, Philippines
Photo Credits: The Poor Traveler
Towering thousands of feet above sea level, the spectacular Banaue Rice Terraces is a sight to behold as compared to the rest of the rice terraces commonly seen in Southeast Asia. These 2,000-year-old terraces were carved into the mountains by ancient indigenous communities, making this a once-in-a-lifetime trekking experience. Soak up the breathtaking views of this mystical landscape as you wind your way through remote farming villages and emerald rice paddies.
Do make plans in advance as Banaue is an 8 to 9-hour bus ride from Manila and you will probably need about two to three days to visit the terraces.
Cao Bang, Vietnam
Photo Credits: North-Vietnam
Blessed with mountains, caves and lakes galore, this remote and magical province in northern Vietnam is every hiker’s dream. Whichever trekking route you may choose, it should include the majestic Ban Gioc Waterfall located right on the Chinese border. Expect a truly picturesque landscape complete with cascading turquoise waters framed by verdant peaks.
A 5-hour bus ride from Hanoi is required to get to Cao Bang.
Gunung Mulu National Park, Borneo
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this national park is made up of abundant natural wonders and stunningly diverse wildlife. If you need to know, this is also where you can explore the world’s largest underground cave and watch millions of bats take flight at dusk. And that’s not all. Apparently, many people come here just to see the famous geological formations known as the Pinnacles. Be warned though. The Pinnacle Summit Trek can get pretty arduous and it’s not for the faint of heart.
Photo Credits: Lee Teck Seng
To get there, fly to Mulu, which usually has a stopover in Kuching.
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