Great Long-Distance Walks Of The World

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See The World On Foot

As a long-distance backpacker with an Appalachian Trail thru-hike under my feet and many other treks on my ever-growing "trails to walk" bucket list, I love reading about the footpaths of the world, especially those that ramble on for hundreds, even thousands, of miles.

Seeing and experiencing life on foot is a passion of mine that percolated during my college years while hiking New Hampshire's White Mountains at every opportunity, and bubbled to the surface with a vengeance about a decade later. To me, there's nothing better than wearing out the soles of my hiking boots on long and sometimes rugged paths.

Given that I'm always interested in learning and daydreaming about long-distance walks (a/k/a hikes, backpacking trips, treks, tramps and journeys), I thought I'd put together a compilation of some of the world's premier footpaths, with a website or two for gathering additional information about each trail. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, so if you have a favorite walk not included here, be sure to add it to the "plexo" near the bottom of the page, as well as your comments in the guestbook.

The trails are grouped by continent, with a table of contents for each group. You can click on the trail name to jump to that section.

American Discovery Trail 

Coast to coast across the United States

The "ADT" spans more than 6,800 miles across 15 states from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific--from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware to Point Reyes, California. The trail passes through 14 national parks and 16 national forests, making use of and connecting five National Scenic trails, ten National Historic trails, and twenty-three National Recreation trails. There are two parallel sections of trail from western Ohio to northern Colorado, so hikers and bikers travelling coast to coast can choose their route through the mid-section of the country.

The first hikers to complete the ADT in one continuous journey from February 27, 2005 to October 15, 2005, were Marcia and Ken Powers from Pleasanton, California. You can read their journal on TrailJournals.com

Visit the website of the American Discovery Trail Society for more information.

Back To North American Walks

Appalachian Trail 

Eastern United States

Beginning (or ending) on Springer Mountain in Georgia and ending (or beginning) 2,175 miles later on Maine's Mt. Katahdin, the "A.T." was America's first National Scenic Trail, designated in 1968. It is also one of the most popular long-distance footpaths in the country, with more than 10,000 people reporting they've hiked the entire trail and millions more enjoying sections of the A.T. each year.

For more information on the A.T., visit the website of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Other Appalachian Trail resources on the web include:

*National Park Service A.T. pages
*AppalachianTrail.com
*My own Appalachian Trail journal
*Trailplace.com, an Appalachian Trail resource website

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Arizona Trail 

Border-to-border trail through the Grand Canyon State

I've hiked bits and pieces of this 817-mile trail that stretches from the Mexican border to the Utah state line, including rim-to-rim in Grand Canyon. This primitive trail traverses deserts and mountain ranges as well as populated communities, showcasing the diversity of Arizona. The AZT received National Scenic Trail designation on March 30, 2009.

Visit the Arizona Trail Association's website for more information, trail updates, maps and guidebooks.

Other Arizona Trail reading on the web:

*Traversing the Arizona Trail by hiking writer, Karen Berger, on GORP.com
*Hiking The Arizona Trail by Dennis Lewton on GreatOutdoors.com
*Arizona Trail for Fibromyalgia, including a great trail journal and information by hiker, Sirena

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Benton MacKaye Trail 

Southeastern United States

At a length of nearly 300 miles, the "BMT" passes through portions of Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. This trail intersects the Appalachian Trail at both ends and at its middle, creating three large loop hikes as well. The BMT was named after the man who originated the idea of the Appalachian Trail, which he presented in his 1921 article, An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning.

Visit the website of the Benton MacKaye Trail Association for more information.

More about the Benton MacKaye Trail:

*The Benton MacKaye Trail on GORP.com
*Welchs' Benton MacKaye Trail Journal

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Bruce Trail 

Canada

At 885 kilometers (or 550 miles), the Bruce Trail is Canada's oldest and longest footpath, spanning the entire Niagra Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. There are many waterfalls along the route, which runs through some of the most populated areas in Ontario.

Visit the Bruce Trail Conservancy website for more information.

Additional reading on the Bruce Trail can be found at:

*CanadaTrails.ca
*Our Hikes on the Bruce Trail, Ontario
*Ready's Bruce Trail Journal

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Buckeye Trail 

Ohio

The "BT" is a 1,444-mile loop trail that shows the long-distance hiker every corner of the state, from Lake Erie near Cleveland to the Ohio River in Cincinnati. This is one of the longest trails in the U.S. to go in a circle. And it's a good one for those interested in history, as it passes near sites like the Erie Canal, covered bridges, and monuments commemorating both prehistoric Indian cultures and more recent settlements. The Buckeye Trail wanders through and past a number of waterfalls, huge caves, sandstone cliffs, hardwood oak and hickory forests, and cedar and pine groves, though it's never very far from populated areas.

Visit the Buckeye Trail Association's website to learn more.

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Cohos Trail 

New Hampshire

The 162-mile, remote Cohos Trail is located in northernmost New Hampshire in a million acres of forests and mountains--a perfect footpath for those who really want a wilderness experience. In fact, it's possible to hike 120 miles straight without encountering a town. Those pockets of civilization that are near the trail have no more than 900 residents, so the small-town New England experience is what you'll find when you stop in for supplies and a hot shower perhaps.

The Cohos Trail Association maintains a website with lots of information about the trail.

Also read:

*Blue Eye's Cohos Trail Journal
*Cohos Trail by Kim Robert Nilsen

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Colorado Trail 

From Denver to Durango, Colorado, United States

In June, 2009, my husband and I will hike our first section of the "CT" from Durango to Silverton, a 75-mile portion of this 483-mile trail. The CT travels through the Rocky Mountains, six wilderness areas and eight mountain ranges with elevations up to 13,334 feet.

Visit the Colorado Trail Foundation's website for more information, maps and guidebooks.

More Colorado Trail information on the web:

*The CT on Wikipedia
*The CT on Trails.com

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Continental Divide Trail 

Hiking border to border where the waters divide

The most rugged and remote of America's "Triple Crown," north/south trails, the CDT passes through five big states on its way from the Mexican border to Canada, a route spanning roughly 3,100 miles. I say "roughly" because parts of this trek are open to interpretation and choice. Highlights of the trail include New Mexico's Zuni Mountains, the San Juan Mountains and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, the Wind River Range and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Idaho's Bitterroot Range, and the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Glacier National Park in Montana.

Learn more about the CDT on the website of the Continental Divide Trail Alliance.

Other online resources include:

*The CDT on Trails.com
*The CDT on TrailQuest.net

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Florida Trail 

This is another of America's National Scenic Trails, spanning 1,300 miles across the Sunshine State, including 360 miles of road-walking. The trail runs from Big Cypress National Park to the Panhandle and Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Visit the Florida Trail Association website for more information.

More about the Florida Trail can be found at:

*The Florida Trail on GORP.com
*The Florida Trail on Trails.com
*The Florida Department of Environmental Protection website

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Grand Enchantment Trail 

Arizona and New Mexico

The Grand Enchantment Trail is a 730-mile route across the Southwest, beginning in the Sonoran desert near Phoenix, Arizona and continuing eastward, crossing the Sky Island mountain ranges, desert canyons, the Continental Divide, and toward the southernmost Rocky Mountains, terminating on the outskirts of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The route is occasionally marked by flagging tape and cairns but, for the most part, is described by map and guidebook, linking existing trails, dirt roads and drainages, and sometimes running cross-country. The "GET" shares a route with the Arizona Trail across the Sonoran desert for about 70 miles, and is one and the same with the CDT for 45 miles in New Mexico's remote Black Range.

Find out more about this route at GrandEnchantmentTrail.org.

Read more about the GET on the web:

*Blisterfree's Grand Enchantment Trail journal
*The GET on BikePacking.net (a cyclist's site ... but that's okay too)

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Ice Age Trail 

Wisconsin

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a 1000-mile footpath entirely within the state of Wisconsin, passing through 30 counties and showcasing some of the best examples of continental glaciation anywhere in the world.

See the Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation's website for more information.

Other Ice Age Trail information can be found at:

*The National Park Service Ice Age Trail site.
*Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website
*Jason's Ice Age Trail 1000 website

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International Appalachian Trail 

United States and Canada

If the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail isn't enough walking for you, you can keep going. The International Appalachian Trail picks up where the A.T. leaves off at Baxter State Park's Mt. Katahdin in Maine (pictured here). From there, the IAT heads northeast to Mars Hill and then to the international border at Fort Fairfield, a distance of about 100 miles. After crossing into Canada, the trail continues another 420 miles to Quebec's Cape Gaspe, for a total of 530 miles.

Visit the official website of the International Appalachian Trail at InternationalAT.org.

Information on the IAT can also be found on the following websites:

*The IAT on Wikipedia
*The IAT on GORP.com
*International Appalachian Trail Takes Shape, by Susan Young on ALDHA.org

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John Muir Trail 

California

The JMT is considered to be the premier hiking trail in the United States.The trail begins in Yosemite National Park and continues 215 miles through the Ansel Adams Wilderness, Sequoia National Park, and King's Canyon National Park, ending at Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States at 14,496 feet.

Find lots of information about this trail at JohnMuirTrail.org.

More JMT resources can be found on the web at:

*PCTA.org because most of the JMT is one and the same as the Pacific Crest Trail (see below)
*HikeJMT.com
*The John Muir Trail by photographer Greg Cope

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Long Path 

New York and New Jersey

The Long Path begins in Fort Lee, New Jersey near the George Washington Bridge, continuing twelve miles to the New York State line and following along the Palisades. After crossing into New York, the Long Path turns away from the Hudson River but continues to follow the Palisades Escarpment to its end in Mt. Ivy. Total trail length is 347 miles.

Visit the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference website for more information.

You can read more about the Long Path on:

*Wikipedia.com
*The Long Path North Hiking Club's website

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Long Trail 

Vermont

Not to be confused with the Long Path above, the Long Trail is Vermont's long-distance footpath, extending 270 miles from its border with Massachusetts to Canada. The LT is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States, built by the Green Mountain Club from 1910 to 1930. There are more than 70 primitive shelters--or lean-tos--evenly spaced along this wilderness trail.

For more information on the LT, visit the Green Mountain Club's website.

Other Long Trail reading on the web:

*LongTrailHike.com
*Rainmaker's Long Trail journal on Trailquest.net

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Mountains To Sea Trail 

North Carolina

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail stretches 935 miles from Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey's Ridge on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Along the way, the trail passes through three national parks--Great Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Visit the Friends of the Mountains To Sea Trail website for more information.

More reading material can be found at:

*GORP.com
*Great Outdoor Provision Co. website

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North Country Trail 

The North Country Trail stretches 4,600 miles across seven states from New York to North Dakota's Lake Sakakawea State Park, where it joins the route of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

See the North Country Trail Association's website for additional information.

More resources on the web:

*The NCT at NPS.gov
*GORP.com

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Ouachita Trail 

Arkansas and Oklahoma

The Ouachita Trail runs 223 miles through the Ouachita (wash-uh-taw) Mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma, primarily within the Ouachita National Forest. It traverses the Flatside Wilderness, the Upper Kiamichi Wilderness and several wildlife management areas, with shelters located along the trail. Backpacker.com says this trail ranks third among the U.S. long trails for solitude.

For information and guides on the Ouachita Trail, visit the Friends of the Ouachita Trail website.

Read more about the Ouachita Trail on:

*Backpacker.com
*GORP.com
*Lucky Dog's Ouachita Trail Journal from TrailJournals.com

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Pacific Crest Trail 

Western United States, border to border

Winding its way 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington, the PCT has the greatest elevation changes of any of America's National Scenic Trails, passing through high and low desert, old-growth forest and arctic-alpine country. Each year, an average of 300 hikers attempt to cover the full length of the PCT, roughly about one-tenth of the number of those attempting AT thru-hikes.

Visit the Pacific Crest Trail Association's website for more information on the trail.

More PCT reading can be found at:

*Trails.com
*The PCT on Gorp.com
*Handlebar's PCT journal on Trailjournals.com

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Pacific Northwest Trail 

The 1200-mile Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT), runs from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean and includes the Rocky Mountains, Selkirk Mountains, Pasayten Wilderness, North Cascades, Olympic Mountains, and Wilderness Coast. The trail crosses 3 National Parks and 7 National Forests.

For trail information and maps, visit the Pacific Northwest Trail Association website.

Read more about the PNT on:

*GORP.com
*SummitPost.org
*Sam Haroldson's Thru-Hiker website

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Superior Trail 

Minnesota

Considered one of the best hiking trails in the country, the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) is a 205-mile footpath that follows the ridgeline above Lake Superior from Two Harbors, Minnesota to the Canadian border. There are an additional 39 miles of trail through the City of Duluth. In 2003, I hiked a portion of this fairly easy to moderate trail and, other than the voracious mosquitos I reluctantly shared the trail with in mid-June, I can vouch for its appeal.

Visit the Superior Hiking Trail Association website for more information, guidebooks and maps.

Additional SHT resources on the web:

*Superior Hiking Trail maps
*Backpacker.com

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Trans-Canada Trail 

The Trans Canada Trail is a 21,500-kilometer (10,000-mile) trail, winding its way through every province and territory from the Atlantic to Pacific to Arctic Oceans. When completed, it will be the world's longest recreational trail. Today, almost 70 percent (14,500 kilometers) has been completed. Most of the Trans Canada Trail is intended for walking and cycling, but cross-country skiing, horseback riding and snowmobiling will also be permitted on certain sections. Much of the trail will be on abandoned railway lines that have been resurfaced with fine gravel.

Find more information at TCTrail.com.

Additional resources can be found at:

*Wikipedia.com

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Tuscarora Trail 

Mid-Atlantic, United States

The Tuscarora Trail is the northern portion of an extensive Appalachian Trail bypass in Pennsylvania, Maryland, W. Virginia and Virginia. This route is 220 miles long and connects with the A.T. at both ends. The Tuscarora Trail parts with the Appalachian Trail at the top of Blue Mountain about 13 miles west of the Susquehanna River and reconnects in Shenandoah National Park.

Read more about the Tuscarora Trail on GORP.com.

More information can be found at:

*Potomac Applachian Trail Club

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West Coast Trail 

Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Forty-seven miles (75 kilometers) may not seem like much to some long-distance walkers, but this is a challenging sea-side hike that leads you along the shore and through thick, old-growth forest, with up to 50 huge ladders along the way and often slippery footing. Still, it's considered by many to be one of the best hikes in the world. Some hikers take six or seven days to complete the route, though others do it faster. The trail is entirely within the Pacific Rim National Park, and an overnight permit is required for those wishing to thru-hike.

Visit WestCoastTrailBC.com for more information on the trail (and the B&B that owns the site).

Other reading about the WTC can be found at:

*BestHikes.com where the WTC is #1 on their list
*VancouverIslandOutdoors.com
*I Crawled The West Coast Trail

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Great Walks Of Central And South America 

Skip To...

Great Walks of North America

Great Walks of Europe

Great Walks of Asia

Great Walks of Australia & New Zealand

Great Walks of Africa

I'm currently searching for more long-distance walks in this region and will add them as (or if) I find them. If you know of any, please list them in the plexo below.

Ausangate Circuit 

Peru

The Ausangate Circuit is a challenging, 70-kilometer (44-mile), high-altitude trek with optional side-trips. The entire trip is above treeline as it circles 20,905-foot Ausangate massif, making for sweeping views of the glaciers. I've read that, on this hike, you may have contact with the indigenous Quechua people, still dressed in bright, traditional costume. To these herders, Ausangate is a sacred mountain where llamas & alpacas are believed to have originated.

I found some good information on BestHike.com.

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Inca Trail 

Peru

At just 26 miles in length, the Inca Trail doesn't qualify as a long-distance trek, but it's such a famous walk, I've included it here. The Inca Trail is a route that leads through the mountains above the Urubamba river, roughly following the course of an old Inca roadway leading to the city of Machu Picchu. Though this trail can be completed by some hearty souls in one long day, many hikers take up to four days to do this mountainous jungle walk to take in all the sights.

Find more information as well as guided trips at IncaTrailPeru.com.

Additional trail resources and tours at:

*IncaTrail.net
*Go2Peru.com

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Paine Circuit 

Chile

Chile's 60-mile Paine circuit is said to be the finest trek on earth in terms of visual impact (though I've read much the same about other trails mentioned here). Thirty-five miles of recommended side-hikes make for a 100-mile adventure in the Torres del Paine National Park.

Information and guided hikes can be found at:

*OutsideOnline.com
*Patagonia's Paine Circuit: A 100-Mile Trek of Chile's Breathtaking Massif
*AndesMountain.cl

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Camino de Santiago 

Spain

The Camino de Santiago de Compostela, also known as The Way of St. James, is a collection of old pilgrimage routes throughout Europe, all with Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain as their final destination. For more than 1000 years, pilgrims have been walking along the Camino de Santiago. Traditionally, pilgrims and other travellers set out each year from their doorsteps or various starting points across Europe to make their way to Santiago de Compostela, but certain routes have become popular, especially the French Way (or Camino Francés). Most routes take approximately 4 weeks to complete.

For a list and descriptions of various routes, see Wikipedia.com and Santiago-Compostela.net.

Additional information can be found on the following sites:

*Walking Spain's Camino de Santiago
*CaminodeSantiago.me.uk
*Rocky & Swamp Fox's 2008 Camino de Santiago Journal from TrailJournals.com

Coast To Coast Path 

Northern England

The Coast to Coast Walk is a 220-mile long-distance footpath in Northern England, which passes through three national parks--the Lake District National Park, the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and the North York Moors National Park.

For more information, read:

*The Weekly Walker: Hiking England Coast to Coast by Tom Davids
*St. Bee's to Robin Hood's Bay

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Cotswold Way 

Southern England

The Cotswold Way is 102-mile trail that runs between the market town of Chipping Campden and the city of Bath, with most of its length on the Cotswold Escarpment. The trail passes through picturesque villages and close to a number of historic sites. This is one of the UK's National Trails.

For more information, visit NationalTrail.co.uk.

Read more about the Cotswold Way at:

*Wikipedia.com
*The Cotswold Way: Bath to Chipping Campden
*Some Places of Interest Along the Cotswold Way

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Countrywide Blue Tour 

Hungary

The Countrywide Blue Tour starts on Irottk Mountain on the Austrian-Hungarian border then cuts across Hungary, eventually ending 1,128 kilometers (700 miles) later at the village of Hollóháza by the Hungarian-Slovakian border. The name "Blue Tour" comes from the horizontal blue stripe between two white stripes that mark the route.

Information can be found on:

*Wikipedia.com
*EasyDestination.com

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Dales Way 

Northern England

The Dales Way is a footpath extending about 80 miles (129 kilometers) from Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere, passing through the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Lake District National Park. Situated mostly along river vallyes, this walk is shorter and less strenuous than the more well-known routes, the Pennine Way and Coast to Coast Walk.

Visit the Dales Way Association website for information and the handbook.

More about the Dales Way can be found on these websites:

*The Walking Englishman
*Wikipedia

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E1 - E11 Routes 

European Long-Distance Paths

The European long-distance paths designated E-1 through E-11 are a network of routes that pass through many different countries, but mostly lie in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. See a map and overview of these routes on the European Rambler's Association website.

These routes are traditionally marked with the white and red "blaze" shown here.

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Pennine Way 

Northern England

This is a 270-mile walk from the Peak District National Park along the Pennine ridge through the Yorkshire Dales, up into Northumberland, across the Cheviots, and ending in the Scottish Borders. There are a number of youth hostels along the route and many private lodging accommodations.

For more information, visit Pennine Way National Trail website.

More reading on the Pennine Way can be found at:

*Pennine Way Association
*Pennine Way Walk: A Charity Challenge
*The Pennine Way: Edale to Kirk Yetholm

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South West Coastal Path 

England

The 630-mile South West Coast Path National Trail runs from Minehead on the edge of the Exmoor National Park to the shores of Poole Harbour in Dorset and is the longest trail in England.

Read about the trail on the South West Coastal Path Association website.

For more information, visit:

*Official Guide to the South West Coastal Path
*Explore the South West Coast Path

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Southern Upland Way 

Scotland

This is Scotland's coast to coast route, covering 212 miles with most long-distance hikers completing the distance in 10 to 14 days. There's lots of hill-walking along the way, with no summits above 3000 feet, but more than 80 above 2000 feet, making for plenty of ups and downs.

Visit the Official Website of the Southern Upland way for detailed information.

Also see:

*About Scotland: Walking the Southern Upland Way
*Our Adventure Journal: Southern Upland Way

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Tour de Mont Blanc 

The TMB is one of the most popular long-distance hikes in Europe, circling the Mont Blanc Massif in about 170 kilometers (106 miles) and passing through parts of Switzerland, Italy and France. Most hikers finish the entire route in 7 to 10 days.

For more information and help planning a trip, see:

*Tour de Mont Blanc, a personal page
*Sherpa Expedition's Tour de Mont Blanc page
*GreatWalks.net

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Great Walks Of Asia 

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Great Walks of North America

Great Walks of Central & South America

Great Walks of Europe

Great Walks of Australia & New Zealand

Great Walks of Africa

I'm currently searching for more long-distance walks in this region and will add them as (or if) I find them. If you know of any, please list them in the plexo below.

Annapurna Circuit 

Nepal

The Annapurna Circuit is a 300-kilometer (186-mile) trek in Nepal around the Annapurna mountain range in the Himalayas, reaching its highest point at 17,769 feet. This is called a "teahouse trek," because there are villages with lodges and restaurants along the entire route.

There's some good information on WikiTravel.com.

Other online resources include:

*VirTourist.com
*Long-Distance Walks with Mark Moxon
*Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary, the trekking web guidebook

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Great Wall Of China 

Thank you to my husband for suggesting this one.

Crossing hundreds of mountain passes, the Great Wall of China stretches to over 6,700 kilometers (4,160 miles) in total but is no longer a connected structure. There are, however, well-defined sections that can be walked on to create adventures, long and short.

Check out this blog by Australian adventurer Mark Scholinz, who completed an arduous six-month, solo trek from Jiayuguan to Shanhaiguan, covering 4,000 kilometers: GreatWallTrek.com

Find more reading material about walking the Great Wall at:

*The View From The Top: Walking The Great Wall Of China at TravelWithAChallenge.com
*See two sample tour itineraries at ChinaDirectTravel.co.uk

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Israel National Trail 

The Israel National Trail, or INT, is a footpath extending from the Red Sea in the south to the Syrian/Lebanese border in the north, crossing the Negev Desert, past three seas, and running alongside ancient ruins and through modern cities. At a distance of about 580 miles, a hiker in excellent condition might be able to finish this trail in about 30 days. Having spent a couple of months travelling around Israel as a teenager, this trail definitely appeals to me; I'd love to go back and see the country on foot.

For more information and to watch a video on the trail, visit the Israel National Trail website.

See also:

*Israel National Trail blog by Shay Rabineau
*Wikipedia.com
*Travel Israel
*Maoz's Israel National Trail Journal

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Great Walks of Australia And New Zealand 

Help design a proposed 2,000km (1,250 miles) 'Dreaming Trails' network of walking tracks, starting at Cape Kimberley in the Daintree rainforest and moving up the eastern seaboard to the tip of Cape York, Australia's most northerly point. The Dreaming Trails will feature Coral Sea coastline, rainforest, savannah, plains and wetlands, and World War II memorial sites, together with opportunities to interact with the indigenous Traditional Owners still living on their country. Cape York in Australia is often referred to as one of the last pristine, tropical regions in the world.

If you are interested in this project and would like to find out more about it and offer your views for the trails' design, visit The Dreaming Trails website.



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Great Walks of North America

Great Walks of Central & South America

Great Walks of Europe

Great Walks of Asia

Great Walks of Africa

Alps Walking Track 

New South Wales

The Australian Alps Walking Track (aka the Alps Track) is a 650-kilometer trail that winds through the high country of Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT. The entire route can be completed in about 10 weeks.

For information, visit the website of the Australian Alps National Parks.

Additional resources include:

*Australian Alps Walking Track by John Chapman
*The Australian Alps Walking Track Diary by Jugglebutton

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Bibbulum Track 

Southwestern Australia

Stretching 963 kilometers from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany, the Bibbulum Track passes through some of the most beautiful national parks of Southwestern Australia. The trail is named after an Aboriginal language group, known as the Bibbulum.

Visit the website of the Bibbulum Track Foundation for information, maps and guides.

See also:

*The Oyster's 2007 Bibbulmun Track Journal from TrailJournals.com

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Bicentennial National Trail 

Australia

The Australian Bicentennial National Trail (BNT) is a 5,330-kilometer (3,311-mile) multi-use route through bush, wilderness and mountainous areas, from Cooktown in North Queensland to Healesville in Victoria. The trail connects 18 National Parks and accesses some of the most remote country in the world.

Visit NationalTrail.com.au for details.

Also read:

*Wilderness Trekking: The Bicentennial National Trail from Kingsboroughau.com
*Bicentennial National Trail from ATHRA.com.au

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Great North Walk 

Australia

The Great North Walk runs from Sydney to Newcastle in New South Wales, with the main track spanning 250 kilometers (160 miles) between the Obelisk in Macquarie Place to Queens Wharf Tower in Bicentennial Park.

See the New South Wales Department of Lands website for details.

More information and photos can be found at:

*The Great North Walk by John Chapman
*Great North Walk - Sydney to Newcastle NSW by Nigel Waring
*The Great North Walk: Mystery, history, adventure

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Milford Track 

New Zealand

The Milford Track is one of New Zealand's most popular walks, and it's also sometimes referred to as the "finest walk in the world." (Where have I heard that before?) The trail passes through the mountains and temperate rain forest of Fiordland National Park on South Island, with a total distance of 53 kilometers, starting at Lake Te Anau and finishing at Milford Sound at Sandfly Point.

See MilfordTrack.net for further information as well as the history of this route.

Other reading on the Milford Track includes:

*The Milford Track by Scott Yost
*Department of Conservation website

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Te Araroa 

New Zealand

This is New Zealand's newest long-distance path, from Cape Reinga to Bluff, with completion scheduled for sometime in 2010 with a finished distance of 3030 kilometers or 1882 miles. It's expected that an end-to-end walk will take about four months. Some sections of the trail are already open.

For more information, visit TeAraroa.org.nz.

Some information can also be found at:

*New Zealand Tramper
*Tramping the Length of New Zealand by Eric Martinot

Back To Australian & New Zealand Walks

Tasmania Overland Track 

Australia

Australia's most famous walking track, the Tasmania Overland Track, spans 73 kilometers, or 45 miles, across the Cradle Mountain Lake St. Clair National Park. Along the way, this track passes through dolerite mountains, near beautiful waterfalls, and close to Tasmania's highest mountain before finishing at Australia's deepest lake. The entire route takes about six days.

Visit the Parks & Wildlife Service website for more information on this walk.

See also:

*Overland Track by John Chapman
*Walking Tasmania's Famous Overland Track from CradleHuts.com
*The Big O: Tasmania's Overland Track - Overland Track, Tasmania, Australia from BootsnAll Travel

Back To Australian & New Zealand Walks

Great Walks Of Africa 

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Great Walks of North America

Great Walks of Central & South America

Great Walks of Europe

Great Walks of Asia

Great Walks of Australia & New Zealand

I'm currently searching for more long-distance walks inthis region and will add them as (or if) I find them. If you know of any, please list them in the plexo below.

Kenya Safari 

This a guided walk I found, covering 110 miles in 11 days across Tsavo, Africa's largest national park. This route follows game trails along the Tsavo River past World War I forts to the place where the infamous "Man-eaters of Tsavo" halted the British Empire in 1895. You then hike the length of the Galana River, home to large elephant populations and unique maneless male lions, ending at the Indian Ocean. This trek was awarded the 2006 Outside Magazine's trip of the year.

Visit Mountain Travel Sobek to see the itinerary and pricing. (I believe the various group prices are totals, which would be split by members of the party.)

EcoAfrica is another company that guides this trek, with a 14-day itinerary.

Back To African Walks

Otter Trail 

South Africa

Located in the Tsitsikamma National Park, this 42-kilometer (26-mile) trail is considered one of the finest walks in the world (yes, I know, I've said that before) and apparently takes five days to complete with nights spent in huts. The trail never strays far from the shore, but there are steep climbs and descents to and from the beach and river crossings. This trail is named for the Cape Clawless Otter found in the area.

For information, visit the Tsitsikamma National Park website.

Some nice photos can be seen at www.wim.co.za.

Back To African Walks

Other Great Long-Distance Walks 

What have I left out? Please list any other long-distance footpaths in the plexo below, along with the location and/or country or countries the trails pass through. If you have a lens or website with information on these trails, please share that with us in the guestbook.

Abel Tasman Coast Track, NZ. 52km

1 point

Laurel Highlands Trail

Southwestern Pennsylvania, 70 miles0 points

Allegheny Trail

330 miles, mostly in W. Virginia0 points

Mid-State Trail

In Massachusetts, 92 miles0 points

Wonderland Trail

93 miles around Mt. Ranier, Washington0 points

Finger Lakes Trail

New York0 points

Hayduke Trail

800 mi. in Utah & Arizona, very rugged0 points

Kysna Forest Hiking Trails

South Africa0 points

Queen Charlotte Track, Marloborough Sounds, NZ. 7 more...0 points

Heaphy Track, NZ. 82km0 points

Routeburn Track, NZ 32km

0 points

Articles On Great Walks Of The World 

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  • Reply
    kiwisoutback kiwisoutback Nov 6, 2009 @ 11:22 am
    Wow this is incredible, and inspirational! It makes me want to unplug this computer right now and head up north for a walk along the Appalachian Trail. I have some new hiking boots, so I no longer have any excuse. Squid Angel blessed!
  • Reply
    Aladdins-Cave Aladdins-Cave Oct 31, 2009 @ 1:35 am
    I was looking for a Great walking trail in Germany. I had done one many years ago, but could not find here. And I have even forgotten where it started and finished.
    I'm interested about your comment at bottom of page.
    About navigating on the page. Very interesting. But not sure if I should even use it on my
    BOOK lens. I don't think it would suit my Lens. Your input would be appreciated.

    Thanks
    5 Stars here
  • Reply
    LotusPetalYoga LotusPetalYoga Oct 15, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
    I love the way you made this page and all the great information. My absolute favorite place is the Able tasman trail in New Zealand. Glad to see it here. I am saving this page as a favorite so I can look back at it when I plan another trekking adventure.
  • Reply
    Ramkitten Ramkitten Oct 14, 2009 @ 9:56 am | in reply to ChrysH
    Thank you for the link. I'd missed that website! I've now added it to the section about the Great North Walk. It's on my bucket list.
  • Reply
    ChrysH ChrysH Oct 14, 2009 @ 12:58 am
    I'd like to endorse the Great North Walk as an exhilirating experience in Australian bushwalking - it's one of the best. An additional great site for information I found is at www.thegreatnorthwalk.com. Just wanted to share that with all bushwalking friends
    ChrysH
  • Load More

About Ramkitten, The Hiking Writer 

My Bio



I'm glad you've stopped by! So what's with the Ramkitten thing, you ask? Well, that's my trail name in the long-distance backpacking community (and now just about everywhere else), but you can call me Deb if you'd like.

Hiking the Appalachian Trail was the greatest experience of my life, and I have plans for more long-distance treks in the future. That's me in the photo, celebrating at the official end of the A.T., excited about the accomplishment, looking forward to being home again, but a little sad inside, too, because an amazing journey has come to an end. That was in 2000 but feels like yesterday, as I remember everything in such detail. That's often how it is when you're moving through life at no more than 3 miles per hour along the simplicity of a trail.

Anyhow, I'm originally from Rhode Island but now live in Flagstaff, Arizona with my mustached man, Steve, and beloved pooch, Sassafrass Tea (or Sassy, for short). I'm a Search & Rescue volunteer (love it!) and a writer of both fiction and non-. In late 2008, I began working on my own internet-based business, selling pre-equipped 24-hour packs for hikers and other outdoorsy folks. And, as a 40th birthday gift to myself, am quitting my "real job" on 1/31/09 in favor of doing things I truly enjoy on a full-time basis.

I'm interested to know more about you as well. So leave some hint that you've been here, so I can visit you back. Have a happy day!

**In 2009, I launched my first e-business, selling gear for hikers and Search & Rescue personnel. If interested, you can take a look at what I'm doing at 24HourPack.com.

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