Loop hikes and circuits
Loop hikes and circuits range from short formed-track walks to multi-day treks that return you to the start. The 13 trails here include a Grade 3 moderate loop in Australia, a moderate Utah canyon loop, and very strenuous high-altitude circuits in Peru, Nepal and the Alps, with seasons spread across the year.
Every route in this collection brings you back to where you began, which simplifies logistics: no shuttles, no second car, and often a single parking area or trailhead. Beyond that shared shape, the 13 trails vary enormously. Some are half-day walks with formed tracks, such as the Grand Canyon Track in the Blue Mountains or Bryce Canyon's Navajo and Queen's Garden loop. Others are exposed single-day mountain circuits, like Franconia Ridge or Gros Morne. At the far end sit multi-day circuits around entire massifs, including the Tour du Mont Blanc, the Wonderland Trail, the Annapurna Circuit and the Huayhuash Circuit.
The routes at a glance
-
Tour du Mont Blanc — Chamonix · European Alps · France, Italy & Switzerland
The Tour du Mont Blanc is a roughly 170 km (105 mi) circuit through France, Italy and Switzerland, rated strenuous, with high cumulative ascent and several passes over 2,500 m. It suits experienced multi-day hikers and is typically walked from mid-June to mid-September.
- Distance
- ~170 km / 105 mi circuit
- Difficulty
- Strenuous (multi-day, high cumulative gain, several passes over 2,500 m)
- Official season
- Mid-June to mid-September, once the high cols are clear of snow
-
Acadia National Park · Mount Desert Island · Maine, USA
Acadia offers three signature trails on Mount Desert Island rather than one hike: Precipice Loop, Beehive Loop and Cadillac North Ridge. Precipice and Beehive are strenuous and exposed, with iron-rung climbs; Cadillac North Ridge is moderate to strenuous. The season runs late May to October.
- Distance
- Three distinct signature trails, not one hike: Precipice Loop ~2.1–2.5 mi; Beehive Loop ~1.4–1.6 mi; Cadillac North Ridge ~4.4 mi round-trip
- Difficulty
- Precipice & Beehive: Strenuous/exposed (iron-rung climbs, not for those uncomfortable with heights). Cadillac North Ridge: Moderate to strenuous
- Official season
- Late May to October; fall foliage is a highlight
-
Bryce Canyon — Navajo & Queen’s Garden · Colorado Plateau · Utah, USA
This 2.9 mile (4.6 km) loop in Utah gains 625 ft and is rated moderate by the National Park Service. It suits hikers wanting a manageable half-day on the Colorado Plateau, though the rim sits at high elevation with cold nights, and the season runs May to October.
- Distance
- 2.9 miles (4.6 km) loop
- Difficulty
- Moderate (NPS's own rating: "less than 1000 feet elevation gain, moderate length")
- Official season
- May to October; the rim sits near 8,000–9,000 ft with cold nights
-
Wonderland Trail — Mount Rainier · Cascades · Washington, USA
The Wonderland Trail is a roughly 93 mile (150 km) loop around Mount Rainier with about 27,000 ft of cumulative gain. It is rated very strenuous and expert-level, so it suits well-prepared multi-day trekkers, typically from late July to September once snow clears.
- Distance
- ~93 miles (150 km) loop
- Difficulty
- Very strenuous / expert-level multi-day trek
- Official season
- Late July to September, once the snow clears
-
Franconia Ridge — White Mountains · White Mountains · New Hampshire, USA
This 8.9 mile loop climbs Falling Waters Trail, crosses Franconia Ridge over Little Haystack, Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Lafayette, and descends Old Bridle Path. At about 3,900 ft of gain it is strenuous, and the exposed ridge can see fast weather changes from June to October.
- Distance
- 8.9 miles loop (up Falling Waters Trail, across Franconia Ridge Trail/Appalachian Trail over Little Haystack, Mt. Lincoln, and Mt. Lafayette, down Old Bridle Path)
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Official season
- June to October; the ridge is exposed to fast weather
-
Big Bend — South Rim & Chisos · Chihuahuan Desert · Texas, USA
The standard South Rim Loop in Big Bend is 12.6 miles, going up Laguna Meadows Trail and down Pinnacles Trail, with about 2,800 ft of gain. It is strenuous. A shorter 6.3 mile one-way spur also exists, and the season is October to April because summer is dangerously hot.
- Distance
- 12.6-mile loop (Laguna Meadows Trail up, Pinnacles Trail down) is the standard full South Rim Loop; a shorter 6.3-mile one-way spur to the South Rim viewpoint also exists for those returning the way they came
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Official season
- October to April; summer is dangerously hot
-
Gros Morne · Atlantic Canada · Newfoundland, Canada
Gros Morne Mountain is a 17 km (10.6 mi) loop with 1,000 m of gain, rated difficult by Parks Canada. It suits fit day hikers. The mountain is closed to hikers from May 1 until June 28, and the season runs late June to September.
- Distance
- 17 km (10.6 mi) loop
- Difficulty
- Difficult (Parks Canada rating)
- Official season
- Late June to September; Gros Morne Mountain is closed to hikers from May 1 until June 28
-
Annapurna Circuit — Thorong La · Annapurna Himalaya · Nepal
The Annapurna Circuit loops the Annapurna massif in Nepal over roughly 160–230 km depending on how much is walked, with a high point of 5,416 m at Thorong La. It is a strenuous, high-altitude teahouse trek, best in October–November or March–April.
- Distance
- ~160–230 km / 100–145 mi total route length, looped around the Annapurna massif — the wide range reflects how much of the route is done on foot vs. by jeep/bus on the now-motorable lower sections, and where trekkers start/end
- Difficulty
- Strenuous / high-altitude — teahouse trek with one serious high-altitude pass crossing at Thorong La
- Official season
- October–November and March–April
-
Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit · Andes · Peru
The Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit covers roughly 120-130 km in Peru, typically over 8-14 days, crossing four passes above 4,270 m. It is very strenuous and high-altitude, with average daily gain and loss above 1,000 m. The dry season runs May to September.
- Distance
- ~120-130 km for the full circuit, typically walked over 8-14 days depending on the route variant taken
- Difficulty
- Very strenuous / high-altitude
- Official season
- May to September (dry season)
-
Mount Kosciuszko — Main Range · Snowy Mountains · NSW, Australia
This 22 km loop starts and ends at Charlotte Pass car park and climbs to the Mount Kosciuszko summit. NSW National Parks grades it 4, hard, with steep, rough and demanding alpine terrain. Summer, December to March, is the hiking season; winter is a snow trip.
- Distance
- 22 km loop, starting and ending at Charlotte Pass car park, via the Mount Kosciuszko summit
- Difficulty
- Grade 4 / hard (official NSW National Parks grading: steep, rough and demanding alpine terrain)
- Official season
- Summer (December–March); winter is a snow trip
-
Blue Mountains — Grand Canyon Track · Blue Mountains · NSW, Australia
The Grand Canyon Track is a 6.3 km loop in the Blue Mountains, graded 3 (moderate) by NSW National Parks, with short steep hills, many steps and a formed track. It suits walkers wanting a shorter outing, and it is open year-round, loveliest in spring and autumn.
- Distance
- 6.3 km loop (NSW National Parks' own figure; some third-party sites round to 6.5 km)
- Difficulty
- Grade 3 / moderate (official NSW National Parks grading: short steep hills, many steps, formed track)
- Official season
- Year-round; spring and autumn are loveliest
-
Seceda & Alpe di Siusi — Val Gardena · Dolomites · South Tyrol, Italy
This is two cable-car-served areas in the Dolomites, not a single trail: an easy Seceda summit loop of about 4 km, and the gentle Alpe di Siusi plateau paths. Difficulty is easy to moderate with the lifts, moderate to strenuous on foot from the valley. Season is June to October.
- Distance
- Two distinct cable-car-served areas typically combined in one day, not a single trail: (1) Seceda ridge - from the Col Raiser/Seceda cable-car top station, an easy ~4 km summit loop with more extended on-foot options from the valley (2.5-4.5 hrs depending on starting village - Selva, Santa Cristina, or Ortisei); (2) Alpe di Siusi plateau - a network of gentle paths, e.g. the Saltria-Monte Pana stretch is ~12.8 km point-to-point
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate (cable-car-assisted options); moderate to strenuous if climbing on foot from the valley floor
- Official season
- June to October
-
Plitvice Lakes · Lika · Croatia
Plitvice Lakes offers official loop routes from 3.5 km (Program A) to 17.5 km (Program K2). Programs A, B, E and F are easy to moderate, C and H moderate, and the K routes are the park's most strenuous, taking 6-8 hours. Book tickets ahead in summer.
- Distance
- Official park routes are all loops ranging 3.5-17.5 km: Program A 3.5 km, B 4 km, C 8 km, E 5.1 km, F 4.6 km, H 8.9 km, K1 16.5 km, K2 17.5 km. The longest/most complete circuit (Program K) is the closest to a single signature 'hike'
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate for Programs A/B/E/F; moderate for C/H; the K routes are the park's own most-strenuous rating, taking 6-8 hours
- Official season
- Spring to fall; book tickets ahead in summer
How to choose between them
Start with time and effort. For a short outing, the Blue Mountains' Grand Canyon Track, Bryce Canyon's Navajo and Queen's Garden loop, or Plitvice Lakes' shorter programs fit a half-day. For a demanding day, look at Franconia Ridge, Gros Morne, Big Bend's South Rim Loop or the Kosciuszko Main Range. Multi-day circuits such as the Wonderland Trail, Tour du Mont Blanc, Annapurna Circuit and Huayhuash Circuit need serious planning around altitude, cumulative gain and logistics. Exposure also matters: Acadia's Precipice and Beehive involve iron-rung climbs. Finally, match the route to the season it is open.
When to go
Official seasons in this collection fall across the whole calendar. The Blue Mountains Grand Canyon Track is open year-round, while Mount Kosciuszko is a summer walk from December to March. Northern Hemisphere routes cluster in summer and fall: the Tour du Mont Blanc from mid-June to mid-September, the Wonderland Trail from late July to September, and Franconia Ridge from June to October. Big Bend is the reverse, October to April, because summer is dangerously hot. Annapurna favors October–November and March–April. Always confirm current dates and closures with each managing authority before you go.
Common questions
What is a loop hike?
A loop hike returns you to the trailhead without retracing your steps, so you need no shuttle or second vehicle. The loops here range from the 2.9 mile Navajo and Queen's Garden route in Bryce Canyon to multi-day circuits like the 93 mile Wonderland Trail.
Which loops here are the shortest?
Among the shorter options are Bryce Canyon's 2.9 mile Navajo and Queen's Garden loop, the Blue Mountains' 6.3 km Grand Canyon Track, and Plitvice Lakes' Program A at 3.5 km. Acadia's Beehive Loop is also short but rated strenuous and exposed.
Which loops are multi-day treks?
The Tour du Mont Blanc, Wonderland Trail, Annapurna Circuit and Huayhuash Circuit are multi-day circuits. Each is rated strenuous or very strenuous, with high cumulative gain or high-altitude passes, so they suit experienced, well-prepared hikers.
Is there a loop open all year?
The Blue Mountains Grand Canyon Track is listed as year-round, with spring and autumn loveliest. Most other loops here have defined seasons, so check dates with the managing authority, since some trails close or become dangerous outside them.
Sources
Facts come from each route's official managing authority, linked on its trail guide:
- Regional authorities & refuge associations — autourdumontblanc.com (Tour du Mont Blanc — Chamonix)
- U.S. National Park Service — nps.gov/acad (Acadia National Park)
- U.S. National Park Service — nps.gov/brca (Bryce Canyon — Navajo & Queen’s Garden)
- U.S. National Park Service — nps.gov/mora (Wonderland Trail — Mount Rainier)
- U.S. Forest Service (White Mountain National Forest) — fs.usda.gov (Franconia Ridge — White Mountains)
- U.S. National Park Service — nps.gov/bibe (Big Bend — South Rim & Chisos)
- Parks Canada — parks.canada.ca (Gros Morne)
- ACAP / NTNC — ntb.gov.np (Annapurna Circuit — Thorong La)
- Local communities — gob.pe/sernanp (SERNANP, Peru protected areas agency) (Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit)
- NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service — nationalparks.nsw.gov.au (Kosciuszko National Park) (Mount Kosciuszko — Main Range)
- NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service — nationalparks.nsw.gov.au (Grand Canyon Track) (Blue Mountains — Grand Canyon Track)
- Regional authorities & South Tyrol tourism — valgardena.it (Val Gardena tourism association) (Seceda & Alpe di Siusi — Val Gardena)
- Plitvice Lakes National Park — np-plitvicka-jezera.hr (Plitvice Lakes)
Conditions, permits and access rules change without notice — confirm current information with each managing authority before you go. See our editorial policy.