Hiking at first light: 7 awe-inspiring night hikes

We’re all for a good night’s rest, but a fantastic sunrise is worth losing sleep over. From leisurely strolls to heart-pumping climbs, we’ve shortlisted the most magical night hikes around the world so you can greet the new day feeling accomplished and inspired.

1. Mount Agung, Indonesia 

As Bali’s tallest and most sacred mountain, Mount Agung lures seasoned hikers to experience its rugged trails and epic sunrises. Starting from Pura Besakih, the holiest temple in Bali, the intense seven-hour Besakih Temple route winds through seven kilometres of tropical jungle and steep, rocky terrain. 

At the summit, 3,100 metres above sea level, you’ll be rewarded with views that take in the lush island, the nearby Mount Batur caldera and neighbouring Lombok. If you’re looking for a slightly more accessible route, try the Pasar Agung Temple trail, which reaches the mountain’s second-highest peak in about four hours. Hiring an experienced local guide is necessary, no matter which trail you choose.

2. Mount Fuji, Japan 

In the Land of the Rising Sun, you can’t beat a night hike to reach the top of Mount Fuji. About two hours from Tokyo by train, Japan’s highest mountain towers 3,776 metres above sea level. Setting off at dusk, you can choose from four different trails, with an overnight stop at a mountain hut before a final climb to the summit. You’ll arrive just in time to see the sun’s oranges and reds unfurl across the clouds, lakes and hills below.

The trails can be crowded but the camaraderie adds another layer to the travel experience. Prepare for cold, windy weather and unexpected showers. From July to September, climbers must rent a mountain hut, register in advance, and pay an entrance fee (¥1,000-3,000 per person, depending on the trail). 

3. Nagarkot, Nepal

About an hour east of Kathmandu, Nagarkot was once a mountain retreat for Nepal’s royal family. Today, you’ll discover charming guesthouses, beautiful scenery of the Himalayas and accessible nature trails. Among them is the Nagarkot Panoramic Hiking Trail, a three-hour loop around the mountain. Set off with a local guide in the wee hours of the morning for a chance to see the sunrise. On a clear day, you can even spy Mount Everest in the distance.

If short on time or energy, take the one-hour walk from town to the Nagarkot observation tower, then watch in awe as a cascade of colours illuminates the Kathmandu Valley below and the Himalayas beyond.

4. Grosser Mythen, Switzerland

You’ll feel like you’re walking on clouds atop Grosser Mythen, a popular mountain in Switzerland’s alpine foothills. Begin the stony, steep ascent from Brunni village, about an hour’s drive from Zurich. 

With nearly 50 sharp hairpin turns and vertical drops on either side, this three-hour climb is not for the timid, especially at night; however, it’s considered doable for beginners and well worth the effort. Come first light, the sun’s gentle morning rays splash across the clouds while impossibly green valleys and glittering lakes unfurl below. As you watch the light change, enjoy a steaming hot coffee and flaky almond croissant at the summit’s historic restaurant. 

5. Mount Seymour, Canada 

To witness the soft glow of the sunrise over Vancouver, make your way to the magnetic Mount Seymour. Of the mountain’s three peaks – Pump Peak, Tim Jones Peak and Mount Seymour – the latter affords the best views at daybreak. 

Ideal for relatively experienced climbers, the Mount Seymour Trail stretches about nine kilometres through pine forests and rocky terrain. At the summit, find a comfortable spot facing east to soak up 360-degree panoramas over the city, mountains and outlying islands as the first light appears.

6. Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong SAR

Standing at 957 metres above sea level, Tai Mo Shan (meaning “Big Hat Mountain” in Chinese) is Hong Kong’s highest point. There are a few ways to reach it, but we’d recommend MacLehose Trail Section 8, which takes about four hours to complete. You’ll make your way through dense forests, up a series of steps and along a narrow, paved road.

In the still of the morning, watch the sun’s first rays of light hit the clouds. If you visit on a rare cloud-free day, you can see the landscape transition from countryside to skyscrapers. On your way down, follow signs to Chuen Lung Village, where you can celebrate the new day over dim sum.

7. Adam’s Peak, Sri Lanka

Set in the heart of tea country, Adam’s Peak (also known as Sri Pada) is Sri Lanka’s most important pilgrimage site. From December to April, worshippers ascend the mountain each night to visit a sacred Buddhist temple and witness the spectacular sunrise. Whether you tackle it during the height of the action or the quieter off-season, you’ll be scaling a seemingly never-ending staircase – about 5,500 steps in all – that grows narrower and steeper the higher you go. Though it’s hard work, the climb rewards with crisp mountain air and fantastic views at daybreak.