Superb sights and aching limbs: from gentle strolls to hardcore hikes, we've scoured the globe to bring you five of the best treks on the planet.

With as many as 70% of all Britons claiming that going for a walk helps them de-stress, the popularity of walking, or trekking holidays, has never been greater. And, as the UK’s appetite for doing more than simply sampling the beaches and bars of the Mediterranean with our holiday time increases, so too has the availability of trekking holidays. From Loch Ness to the Lycian Way, Nepal to New Zealand, Kenya to Columbia, wherever takes your fancy you can put on your walking shoes and romp about until your heart’s content.

And, for all those fed-up of pounding the pavements to relive stress, we’ve picked Five of the Best Treks on the planet, which guarantee magical views, beautiful scenery and, er, possibly more than the occasional blister!

Angel Falls, Venezuela

Often overlooked by walking enthusiasts in favour of the more popular, and far busier, Inca-Trail in Peru, Venezuela is a country of tropical rainforests and wild mountain scenery. Must-do for intrepid jungle trekkers is the table top mountain of Roraima, inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle’s Lost World and a long, but worthwhile, trek to the awe-inspiring Angel Falls, the world’s largest waterfall. Just remember – don’t forget your insect repellent and insoles!

The Great Glen Way, Scotland

For all those would-be explorers limited by time and budget, there are many outstanding walking routes available in the UK. Among the best is the 73 mile Great Glen Way from Fort William to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. Starting close to Ben Nevis, before straddling the shores of Loch Linhe, the historic Caledonian Canal and Loch Lochy, the Great Glen is one of the most beautiful areas of the entire British Isles, where no matter how tired your feet may get from walking, your eyes never will thanks to the abundant natural beauty all around.

Everest Base Camp, Nepal

A mountainous land of rugged lands, ancient temples and magnificent mountains, Nepal, and its tremendous trails offer the ultimate challenge to hikers from across the globe. And the biggest undertaking of them all is a trek to the foot of Mount Everest. Reaching base camp is a task not for the faint of heart, with numerous obstacles to overcome, such as freezing colds and altitude sickness, but for those who make it the sense of achievement, comradeship and unbelievable views are second to none.

The Lycian Way, Turkey

Although more synonymous with beaches, bars and bad behaviour, Turkey’s Mediterranean coast is also a brilliant spot for walking enthusiasts, thanks to the Lycian Way, Turkey’s first designated long distance footpath. Less arduous than other treks mentioned in our list, the beautiful sea views, cliffs and secluded beaches, winding their way along the coast, then inland to the Nine Lakes, and on to magnificent Mount Olympus, is also one of the most breathtakingly beautiful. And history buffs will not be disappointed either, as the trail, which takes over three weeks to complete, passes along numerous ancient ruins and age-old villages throughout its 500km course.

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

The tallest point in the whole of Africa, the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, is an icon of the entire continent, and one of the best trekking destinations in the world where you can experience sweeping plains, tropical forests and rugged mountain terrain in just one trip. There are numerous routes to the top of Kilimanjaro, some more difficult than others, but all equally worthwhile and inspirational.