7 of the Best Hut-to-Hut Mountain Hikes Around the World

For more than a century, AMC has given the world the opportunity to explore New Hampshire’s stunning alpine terrain by day and spend nights in our famed high mountain huts. But we’re not the only ones. Across the globe, there are many other hut-to-hut systems, providing refuge to hikers in some of the world’s most famous outdoor destinations.

In fact, the AMC hut system, America’s very first, was influenced by similar mountain huts in the Alps. Hut-to-hut lodging options are now available near peaks across the globe, from Annapurna and the Andes to the coastline of Canada. While these systems cater to adventure seekers from all over world, each brings local culture, flair, and a unique approach to lodging.   

Inspired to try a hut-to-hut hike? Start with AMC’s high mountain huts, where you’ll hike the Appalachian Trail by day and enjoy warm bunks and home-cooked meals from the “Hut Croo” at night.

Then, hop across the pond to see what some of our peers around the world are up to: 

Walker’s Haute Route, France and Switzerland 

Length: 132 miles

Start/End Point(s): Chamonix, France / Zermatt, Switzerland

Best time to hike: July-September

Days to complete: 9-15

The Haute Route, French for “high road,” lives up to its name. Passing through 11 mountain passes and reaching a high point of just shy of 10,000 feet, the path was forged in the 1800s as a summer route from Chamonix, in France, to Zermatt, in Switzerland. Along the way, hikers get up close to some of Europe’s most famous peaks, including Mont Blanc Massif and the Matterhorn, all without requiring specialized mountaineering equipment. Each night, stay in a mountain hut (“refuge” in German; “cabane” in French) with beds and prepared meals – just like the AMC provides! Many huts are situated next to glaciers, alpine lakes, and other incredible views to wake up to. 

Walker’s Haute isn’t the only area in the Alps you can explore without ever pitching a tent. Organizations like the Italian Alpine Club and Swiss Alpine Club maintain hut systems in their respective countries, and there are many privately owned, mostly family-run huts.   

Laugavegur Trail, Iceland 

Length: 33.6 miles 

Start/End Point(s): Landmannalaugar / Thórsmörk   

Best time to hike: Late June–Early September 

Days to complete: 4-5 

Lava fields, glaciers, and rivers–oh my! Iceland’s longest hiking trail really puts on a show, giving hikers a taste of what the Land of Fire and Ice is really about. You’ll hike among sweeping glaciers, active volcano calderas, black-rock valleys, and you can choose to add an extra ascent of Fimmvörðuháls pass, which takes hikers through the tiny (population: 25!) remote village of Skógar. Wildlife is sparse on this route due to Iceland’s barren nature, but you might see some trolls or fairies.

Each night, you’ll cook dinner and sleep in a bunk at a scenic mountain hut with showers, toilets, fresh water, and geothermal heat. Come prepared with a sleeping bag and clothes for any weather, as Iceland is known for its quick-changing weather patterns. And while you’re at it, check out the folk museum at Keldur, and be sure to take a tour of Iceland’s spectacular waterfalls. 

Annapurna Circuit, Nepal 

Length: 143 miles 

Start/End Point(s): Besisahar / Pokhara 

Best time to hike: October-November or April-May 

Days to complete: 15-20

It’s one of the most famous hikes in the world for a reason. Tens of thousands of visitors a year trek this more than 100-mile loop around the base of Annapurna, a massif that includes the world’s tenth-highest mountain. Along the way, hikers pass through a wide range of terrain, from jungles and rice paddies to high mountain passes, and take in a variety of cultures. Of course, moving through climate zones so quickly means plenty of shifting elevation. Come prepared for a challenge! 

Each night you’ll stay in “tea houses,” small hotels common in popular hiking destinations across the Himalayas. Amenities at each tea house vary. Some, especially at lower elevations, include hot water and showers; others do not. Almost all offer food in a communal dining area. Feast on dal bhat, a classic Nepalese lentil curry, and, of course, plenty of warm tea. Note that as of April 2023, all foreign visitors to the Nepal’s Himalayan Region and National Parks will need to employ the services of a registered trekking agency. 

Kumano Kodo, Japan 

Length: 43.5 miles 

Start/End Point(s): Takijiri-oji / Kumano Nachi Taisha 

Best time to hike: March-June or October-November 

Days to complete: 4-6 

You’ve probably heard of Spain’s iconic Camino de Santiago, but how about its lesser-known “sister” hike, Japan’s Kumano Kodo? The Kumano Kodo is an impressive network of ancient pilgrimage trails that link three breathtaking shrines: Kumano Hongū Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. Join the centuries-old tradition of walking this sacred path through the mountains and villages of Japan’s Kii peninsula, where you can stay in traditional inns—or ryokans—each night.  

On the way, soak in geothermal onsens, enjoy quaint tea houses, and see some of Japan’s most beautiful waterfalls. The blend of rich cultural opportunities, fascinating history, and gorgeous scenery has earned the Kumano Kodo its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Sunshine Coast Trail, Canada 

Length: 112 miles 

Start/End Point(s): Sarah Point in Desolation Sound / Saltery Bay 

Best time to hike: June-September 

Days to complete: 9-10 

Bright days ahead! The Sunshine Coast is a stretch of southern British Columbia where the waters of the George Strait, separating Vancouver Island from the mainland, meet the fast-rising Coast Mountains. Its namesake trail system includes 14 huts spread out over 112 miles, making it Canada’s longest hut-to-hut hiking trail.  

Highlights of a trek on the Sunshine Coast Trail include miles along the water, most notably Powell Lake, and old growth forests abound. Huts are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are fairly rustic. Most are not enclosed on all sides. Campsites are also available near most huts. 

The “W” Trek, Chile 

Length: 50 miles 

Start/End Point(s): Torres del Paine National Park 

Best time to hike: November-March 

Days to complete: 4-5 days 

You know a picture from Patagonia when you see it. Now experience the real thing. This region of Chile and Argentina contains towering jagged peaks, clear blue lakes, and some of the southernmost hiking trails in the world. Torres del Paine National Park in Chile showcases the best of what this region has to offer, and one of the most breathtaking ways to experience the park on foot is via the “W” Trek. The path passes by the Paine massif, including the three “towers” for which the park gets its name. Along the way are three out-and-back paths, near the beginning, middle, and end of the trek, creating a “W” shape. 

Compared to some of the other adventures on this list, the “W” is an achievable route for developing hikers. Trails have few technical features, and elevation remains low. Want to tack on an extra 25-30 miles for a more rugged, off-the-beaten path adventure? Turn the “W” into an “O.” 

Hikers can camp or stay in “refugios,” cabins with bunk rooms and communal dining. Sound like another hut system you love? 

Overland Track, Australia 

Length: 40-51 miles depending on route 

Start/End Point(s): Cradle Mountain / Lake St. Clair 

Best time to hike: December-February (or if you want to beat the crowds, go during the shoulder seasons in March-May or September-November) 

Days to complete: 6 

The (Tasmanian) devil is in the details. If you’re planning a trip Down Under, be sure to check out Overland Track, an alpine route through Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, on the island of Tasmania. The terrain is rugged but worthwhile. Highlights include Mount Ossa, the island’s highest peak, Harnett Falls, and the chance to see wildlife you won’t find anywhere outside Australia. The path offers seven huts, each with a nearby tentsite. 

If you’re looking to eschew the bright lights of Melbourne or Sydney for a world-class hike (err, bushwalk), the Overland Track may be just the spot. 

For more tales of global adventure check out No Limits But the Sky, the best mountaineering stories from Appalachia Journal. Read stories from the summit of Kilimanjaro to the Canadian Rockies.