I’ve followed every rover mission.
I’ve watched NASA’s Perseverance send back images from Jezero Crater.
Those pictures show a world of red dust, ancient, dried lakebeds, and vast, silent volcanic plains.
I’ve chased that feeling of otherworldly exploration for a long time. My quest led me to find the best desert hikes that feel like Mars right here on Earth.
You will find alien landscapes of profound beauty. But you will also find a stark indifference to human life.
All you need is a good pair of hiking boots.
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Volcanic Frontiers: Martian Landscapes Forged in Fire
Some landscapes are born from fire. They closely resemble the great shield volcanoes of Mars.
These hikes take you into the heart of volcanic craters and lava fields.
1. Sliding Sands Trail, Haleakalā National Park, USA
Descending into Haleakalā crater is surreal. The world falls silent on the Sliding Sands Trail.
Red and black cinder cones surround you. The ground crunches under your boots.
It feels like you’ve been transported to another planet.
This is the world’s largest dormant volcano. The high altitude and barren terrain make it a prime Mars analog.
2. Landmannalaugar, Iceland
Welcome to the “Rainbow Mountains” of Iceland.
You hike past mountains streaked with color. Steam rises from geothermal vents. Black obsidian lava fields stretch to the horizon.
Landmannalaugar is a more volatile, active version of Mars. It connects you to the raw forces that shape worlds.
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3. Teide National Park, Tenerife, Spain
Mount Teide is Spain’s highest peak. It is the third-tallest volcanic structure on Earth. Hiking here feels like an ascent on Olympus Mons.
You climb through a sea of clouds. The air grows thin. The ground is covered in porous volcanic rock. The final push to the summit smells of sulfur.
This is truly one of the most alien desert hikes that feels like Mars.
Carved by The Elements: More Desert Hikes That Feel Like Mars
Wind and water are powerful sculptors. They have carved canyons and deserts on both Earth and Mars.
These otherworldly hiking trails showcase their incredible work.
4. Wadi Rum, Jordan
They call this the “Valley of the Moon.” Hollywood films it as Mars for a reason.
Towering red sandstone mesas rise from the desert floor. The sand is a deep, rusty orange.
Hiking here feels like exploring a movie set. You can almost imagine Matt Damon cultivating potatoes nearby.
The landscape is vast, ancient, and profoundly alien.
5. The Wave, Arizona, USA
The Wave is a geological masterpiece. It is a swirling tapestry of Navajo Sandstone.
The flowing lines of red, orange, and yellow are hypnotic.
Getting a permit here is incredibly difficult. Only 64 people are allowed to visit each day.
This enforced solitude makes you feel like a lone explorer on an untouched planet.
6. Purnululu National Park, Australia
The Bungle Bungle Range is bizarre and beautiful.
Giant beehive-shaped domes rise from the earth. They are striped with orange and black bands.
This landscape is over 350 million years old. It looks more biological than geological.
Hikes into Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm reveal the interior of this strange world.
7. Red Canyon, Israel
This hike is short but intensely Martian. You descend into a narrow slot canyon.
The walls are a swirling mix of red, pink, and purple sandstone. Ladders and metal rungs guide you deeper into the Earth.
The colors are so vibrant that they almost look artificial.
It is a quick, thrilling dose of what desert hikes that feel like Mars are all about.
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Bizarre Badlands: Exploring Otherworldly Hiking Trails
Some places simply defy easy description. They are Earth’s strangest frontiers.
These bizarre badlands and unique formations are often used by scientists as direct analogs for Mars.
8. Bentonite Hills, Utah, USA
This is perhaps the most Mars-like place on Earth. So much so, it is home to the Mars Desert Research Station.
The hills are rolling mounds of colorful bentonite clay. They have a strange popcorn texture. Visit after sunset during the “blue hour.”
This is when the hills glow with purple, blue, and red hues. It is an absolutely unforgettable sight.
9. Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA
Goblin Valley, where thousands of mushroom-shaped rock formations, or “goblins,” fill the basin.
The park encourages you to wander off-trail. You can explore this whimsical, alien playground freely.
It is among the most accessible desert hikes that feel like Mars. It’s perfect for families and aspiring astronauts.
10. Valle de la Luna, Atacama Desert, Chile
Welcome to yet another “Valley of the Moon,” except this one is among the driest places on the planet.
The ground is crusted with salt. Bizarre rock formations dot the landscape. Vast sand dunes rise against the horizon.
NASA tests its Mars rover prototypes here!
The extreme aridity and soil composition are a near-perfect match for the Red Planet.
11. Fairyland Loop, Bryce Canyon National Park, USA
Bryce Canyon is famous for its hoodoos. The Fairyland Loop trail takes you away from the crowds.
It is a strenuous 8-mile hike through a forest of rock. Thousands of pink and orange spires surround you.
It feels like walking through the ruins of an ancient, alien city.
This is one of the most immersive otherworldly hiking trails you can experience.
12. Syncline Loop, Canyonlands National Park, USA
This trail is a rugged adventure. It circles the mysterious Upheaval Dome.
Scientists debate its origin. Is it a salt dome or an impact crater? Well, that’s yet to be uncovered.
The trail is challenging. It involves steep descents and scrambles over boulders.
It offers a raw experience in a starkly beautiful landscape.
13. Peek-a-boo & Spooky Gulch, Utah, USA
This hike is an exercise in claustrophobia.
You navigate two very different slot canyons. Peek-a-boo is fun and beautifully sculpted.
Spooky Gulch is another story. It is incredibly narrow, dark, and tight. At points, it is only 10 inches wide.
Squeezing through feels like exploring the inside of some great alien beast.
It is a truly unique physical challenge on our list of otherworldly hiking trails.
Mission Briefing: Your Interplanetary Hiking Guide
Exploring these hostile environments requires preparation, so think of this as your pre-launch checklist.
Essential Gear
Always carry more water than you think you need. The rule is one gallon per person, per day. Dehydration is a serious risk.
Also, pack salty snacks to replace electrolytes.
The sun is relentless in these landscapes. Wear layers, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. A lightweight, long-sleeved sun shirt is your best friend.
Do not rely on your phone for navigation. Cell service is often nonexistent. Bring a GPS device or satellite communicator.
Always carry a physical map and compass as a backup.
Mission Protocols: Leave No Trace
These landscapes are incredibly fragile. Stay on designated trails or durable surfaces like rock. The delicate “popcorn” clay of the Bentonite Hills can be easily damaged.
In many desert areas, a black, crusty biological soil exists. Do not bust the crust! It can take decades to recover.
Pack out everything you pack in, including all trash and human waste.
Threat Assessment
Flash floods are a real danger. They are especially risky in slot canyons. Always check the weather forecast before you go. If there is any chance of rain, do not enter a narrow canyon.
Heat is another major threat. Avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day. Start your hikes early in the morning. Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Finally, be aware of your surroundings. Rattlesnakes and scorpions call these places home. Watch where you step and place your hands.
These otherworldly hiking trails demand respect.
A Final Frontier
These desert hikes that feel like Mars are a connection to something bigger.
They remind us of the vast, wild universe we are part of. Each step on red dust or volcanic rock is a step into a story of planetary evolution.
It is a story being written here on Earth and millions of miles away on Mars.
Pack your bags, prepare well, and go explore. Your own personal red planet is waiting.