5 “Epic” Trails That Didn’t Live Up To The Hype + 12 I’d Do Again In A Heartbeat
Hiking’s supposed to feel epic—sweaty, rewarding, a little life-changing. But let’s be honest, not every so-called “bucket list” trail actually delivers. Some are swarmed with people. Others look way better on Instagram than they do in person. And a few just feel… kind of blah, especially after hours of uphill struggle.
On the flip side, there are trails that catch you off guard—in the best way. They push your limits, drop your jaw, and make every sore muscle worth it. This list dives into both: the overhyped hikes that fizzled out, and the ones that completely blew me away.
1. Angels Landing, Utah (USA)
Hiking on a narrow path with dizzying drop-offs can be thrilling. However, when you have to wait in long lines to navigate these ledges, it’s hard to enjoy the experience. Angels Landing is often packed with eager tourists, making the journey less about adventure and more about waiting.
The majestic views are still there, but the hype doesn’t quite match the tedious trek through the crowds. While it’s labeled a must-do, the overwhelming number of fellow hikers can turn this epic trail into an underwhelming hike. Patience and timing are key if you want to enjoy it.
2. Mount Fuji, Japan
Climbing a world-renowned peak sounds like a dream, but the reality can be much different. As you ascend Mount Fuji, you’ll find yourself surrounded by hordes of climbers, making progress feel more like a slow shuffle.
The industrial feel of the trail, with its worn pathways and crowded rest stations, takes away from the natural beauty. Despite its iconic status, the trek becomes more about ticking off a bucket list item than truly enjoying the climb. Underwhelming views and endless crowds can make this hike feel less epic than advertised.
3. Trolltunga, Norway
The trail offers stunning views but reaching the photogenic rock takes hours of hard work. Trolltunga itself is repetitive, with similar scenery mile after mile. You finally arrive at the famous overlook, only to stand in line for that perfect photo.
Social media often portrays it as an epic adventure, but the reality is an exhausting journey with an anticlimactic finish. While the view is undeniably beautiful, the experience can leave you questioning if it was worth all the effort. Prepare for a physically demanding day with a payoff that doesn’t always meet expectations.
4. Inca Trail To Machu Picchu, Peru
Walking in the footsteps of the Incas should be an awe-inspiring experience. However, the heavy foot traffic and strict itineraries on this famous trail make it feel more like a tourist conveyor belt. There’s little room for spontaneity or exploration beyond the set path.
The history is captivating, but the rigidity of the experience can be a letdown. Hiking enthusiasts might find the lack of flexibility frustrating, as the journey becomes less about adventure and more about following a guide. Despite its fame, some leave feeling more boxed in than inspired.
5. Roy’s Peak, New Zealand
The landscape promises breathtaking vistas, yet the hike is a long uphill slog in open terrain. Social media sets the scene as dramatic and varied, but the reality is a monotonous ascent without much change in scenery.
The view from the top is impressive, but the journey might not feel rewarding after hours of the same sights. Many hikers feel the experience doesn’t quite match the online buzz, with expectations set sky-high by stunning photos. Prepare for a straightforward climb that offers a great photo op, but not an epic adventure.
6. The Kalalau Trail, Hawaii (USA)
It starts off like a jungle dream—lush greenery, crashing waves, muddy switchbacks, and the occasional wild goat. Then the cliffs open up, revealing drop-dead views of the Pacific that honestly feel like they can’t be real.
The Kalalau Trail hugs the edge of Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast and makes you work for every mile. But that mix of isolation, danger, and paradise? It’s what makes this hike legendary. You’ll be sore, sunburned, and maybe a little terrified—but you’ll never forget it.
7. The Laugavegur Trail, Iceland
At first, it feels like you’ve landed on another planet. You’re walking through obsidian lava fields one hour, then rainbow-colored mountains the next. The Laugavegur Trail in Iceland is all about contrasts—hot springs, black sand deserts, mossy valleys.
The weather’s wild, and so is the terrain, but that’s what makes it so unforgettable. If you want variety packed into every single day, this is it.
8. The Enchantments, Washington State (USA)
The name fits. One moment you’re deep in the woods, and the next you’re stepping into alpine magic—turquoise lakes, granite peaks, and meadows filled with wildflowers (or snow, depending on the month).
Washington’s Enchantments feel remote, raw, and totally worth the grueling permit process. It’s a hike that constantly rewards you, even when your legs are screaming. And yes—those mountain goats are real, and they’re basically celebrities up there.
9. Torres Del Paine “W” Trek, Chile
Few hikes serve up this much drama, this fast. Jagged peaks, crashing glaciers, surreal turquoise lakes—Patagonia doesn’t do subtle.
The “W” Trek in Torres del Paine takes you straight through the heart of it all, and while it demands a lot, it gives back even more. Expect to be wind-whipped, muddy, and completely awestruck. You’ll finish the trail exhausted—but glowing.
10. The Dolomites Alta Via 1, Italy
Ever eaten apple strudel at 7,000 feet? On this route, that’s not just possible—it’s part of the experience. Italy’s Alta Via 1 winds through the Dolomites with stunning views, cozy mountain huts (rifugi), and a balance of challenge and comfort that makes it one of Europe’s best-kept long-distance secrets.
Every day ends with a warm meal and a view you won’t believe is real. And somehow, every next stretch feels even better than the last.
11. The Drakensberg Amphitheatre Hike, South Africa
This one’s not for the faint of heart—or those afraid of heights. A steep climb leads to sheer cliff faces and a series of metal chain ladders that test your nerve. The payoff? One of the most jaw-dropping views in all of South Africa.
The Drakensberg Amphitheatre hike feels more like a full-body adventure than just a walk. It’s bold, rugged, and guaranteed to make your palms sweat—in the best way.
12. Mount Toubkal, Morocco
You don’t just hike this mountain—you earn it. The path winds through Berber villages, rocky mule tracks, and finally to a summit that towers over North Africa. Mount Toubkal may not be technical, but the altitude and terrain make it a true mental and physical test.
The mix of culture, tradition, and natural beauty along the way is just as rewarding as the summit view. And once you’re standing on top, the entire Atlas range opens up beneath your feet.
13. The GR20, Corsica (France)
Steep, rocky, remote—this one doesn’t let up. Corsica’s GR20 is often called the toughest trail in Europe, and honestly, it lives up to the hype.
But for every brutal ascent, there’s a sweeping view or quiet moment that reminds you why you came. You’ll cross ridgelines, scale boulders, and occasionally curse the trail markers—but it’s all worth it. This isn’t a casual stroll; it’s a full-on adventure.
14. Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Norway
You don’t expect the scale until you see it in person. One second you’re trudging uphill through forest, and the next, you’re standing on a massive cliff edge with a vertical drop into a deep Norwegian fjord.
Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock, delivers a rush that’s all about the final reveal. It’s not a long hike, but the feeling at the top sticks with you. You don’t just look at the view—you feel it in your bones.
15. The West Coast Trail, British Columbia (Canada)
Every day on this trail is different, and every stretch brings a new challenge. There are ladders, river crossings, cable cars, boggy boardwalks, and long stretches of beach hiking. The West Coast Trail in British Columbia is wild, wet, and utterly rewarding.
One moment you’re scaling a slippery bluff, the next you’re walking beside a crashing tide. It’s a rugged, hands-on kind of hike—and that’s exactly the point.
16. The Haute Route, France To Switzerland
You start in one country and end in another, but the trail in between is the real magic. Linking Chamonix and Zermatt, the Haute Route winds through glaciers, high passes, and tiny alpine hamlets. It’s not just beautiful—it’s iconic.
You’ll cross through some of the most legendary landscapes in the Alps. And the views? Let’s just say your camera will run out of memory before your legs give out.
17. Awa’awapuhi Trail, Kauai (USA)
The journey begins under thick canopy, thinking it’ll be a quiet forest stroll. But then the trail climbs, and suddenly you’re walking along a narrow ridge with cliffs dropping into canyon and sea.
That view is the whole reason people come to Kauai’s Awa’awapuhi Trail—and it lives up to the hype. There’s no rail, no warning—just pure exposure and jaw-dropping beauty. It’s short, sharp, and absolutely unforgettable.