Long-Distance Trail

Right. Let’s get this over with. You want to know about long-distance trails. Fascinating. Truly. It’s not like the universe is brimming with more pressing concerns, but fine. Someone has to catalog the human compulsion to just… keep walking.

Long trail used for walking, backpacking, cycling, horse riding or cross-country skiing

This article, bless its heart, needs more verification. Apparently, some facts are just floating around, unmoored. If you’re into that sort of thing, feel free to add citations. Otherwise, brace yourself for unsourced material that might get… removed. Honestly, the effort involved in chasing down every little footnote. It’s enough to make one contemplate the futility of it all. Sources are often a rabbit hole, and frankly, I have better things to do than dig for them.

Hikers on the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island in British Columbia , Canada. A Karri forest along Bibbulmun Track south of Pemberton, Western Australia . Present-day Erie Canal near Rochester, New York , United States.

A long-distance trail. It’s a longer path, primarily for recreation. Hiking, backpacking, cycling, equestrian pursuits, or even cross-country skiing. They exist everywhere, you know, except for that desolate ice ball called Antarctica .

Most of these routes are marked, at least on maps. A “long-distance” trail generally starts at 50 kilometers (about 30 miles), but many stretch for hundreds, even thousands, of miles. Think of it as a commitment. A very, very long commitment.

They’re often waymarked, meandering across public and private land, sometimes following established rights of way . The surface? Usually, it’s not some manicured boulevard. Expect rough, uneven ground. Though, on the more popular routes, or where old railway lines have been repurposed, you might find stone pitching or slabs to prevent erosion. Some official trails, in their infinite wisdom, might even prepare the surface to make the journey… easier. How quaint.

History

Historically, and still in places where walking or pack animals are the norm, these trails were the highways. They connected distant towns and regions, following the most logical, least-cost paths. Then came the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, with its obsession for mechanical and motorized transport. It changed everything, as revolutions tend to do. Suddenly, the need for a thousand-mile trek on foot seemed… quaint.

Hiking trails

Europe

You have the GR footpaths across Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal. Grande Randonnée, Grote Routepaden, Gran Recorrido – grand names for long walks.

United Kingdom

The National Trails in England and Wales are a network of officially recognized footpaths. Well-maintained, well-marked. Think the Pennine Way or the South West Coast Path . Scotland has its own version: Scotland’s Great Trails , like the West Highland Way and the Speyside Way .

And now, they’re building an even grander endeavor: the King Charles III England Coast Path . It’s slated to be around 2,700 miles when completed, a follow-up to the successful Wales Coast Path . Apparently, the English coastline just needed to be walked.

Beyond the official designations, there are countless other recognized long-distance footpaths. The Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA) keeps a rather extensive database, for those who are… dedicated. They even have membership levels based on how many of these official trails you’ve conquered. An annual report is published. Because, of course, it is.

Republic of Ireland

In the southwest of Ireland, the Kerry Way reigns as the longest waymarked trail, looping around the country’s highest mountains. It’s often linked with the Dingle Way , offering views of the Atlantic , loughs , and mountains. Because Ireland does scenic views.

Asia

Hong Kong Yes, even in a city as densely packed as Hong Kong , they have their long-distance trails: the Hong Kong Trail , Lantau Trail , MacLehose Trail , and the Wilson Trail . Quite the network for such a small place.

Japan Japan boasts a system of ten Long Distance Nature Trails . The Ministry of Environment initiated this to highlight specific landscapes and ensure safe, accessible hikes. They also aim to foster environmental awareness and sustainable practices. These trails are extensive: the Tōhoku Nature Trail alone stretches over 4,300 kilometers. The Michinoku Coastal Trail is another significant one.

South America

Brazil Brazil’s long-distance trails are managed under federal decrees, often in collaboration with NGOs like the Brazilian Trails Network Association. The goal is to create a national system that’s both enjoyable and serves as a conservation tool, linking protected areas. They’re building an impressive network, with thousands of kilometers already managed and many more planned. The Atlantic Forest Trail is a particularly ambitious undertaking at over 4,000 kilometers.

Coastal trails

These, as the name suggests, hug the coastlines. Think the Brittany Coast Path in France, the California Coastal Trail in the US, the South West Coast Path in England, the East Coast Trail in Canada, and the Otter Trail in South Africa.

The King Charles III England Coast Path , currently under development, is set to be the world’s longest coastal walking route, sprawling approximately 4,350 kilometers. It’s an ambitious project, aiming for completion by the end of 2024.

Coast-to-coast trails

These can traverse entire countries or regions. Wainwright’s Coast-to-Coast path in northern England is famous, though surprisingly, not an official National Trail . It’s more of a patchwork of existing routes. The GR 10 in France, however, is a substantial undertaking, running the length of the Pyrenees Mountains .

Then there’s the American Discovery Trail , a multi-use path stretching 10,900 kilometers across the continental United States, from ocean to ocean. And in Alaska, the Iditarod Trail connects coastal cities over 1,600 kilometers – though it’s perhaps more famous for its sled dog race.

Canada has the Trans Canada Trail , a staggering 24,000 kilometers. Imagine the sheer boredom.

Cross-continent trails

The European long-distance paths , or E-paths, weave through numerous European countries. The E4 European long-distance path and the Iron Curtain Trail are notable examples. The latter, also known as EuroVelo 13, traces the former division of Europe during the Cold War . It’s a stark reminder of a less unified past, now a path for cyclists.

Other trails

Cycling Routes specifically designed for bicycle touring . Some are exclusively for bikes, others are multi-use. They range from hundreds to thousands of miles, like the EuroVelo network.

Canal towpaths Following old towpaths along canal systems. The New York State Canal System in New York is one such example. Europe also has numerous routes suitable for various users.

Equestrian While many trails accommodate horses, some are developed primarily for horse riding . The Bicentennial National Trail in Australia is the world’s longest marked multi-use trail, stretching over 5,300 kilometers. It follows the Great Dividing Range , linking historic stock routes. In the UK, the British Horse Society is developing a network of horse trails .

Rail trails These utilize abandoned railway corridors. They’re often shared-use paths, ideal for walking, cycling, and sometimes horse riding. They are described as linear conservation corridors, protecting flora and fauna. The East Gippsland Rail Trail in Australia is an example. In Canada, the Confederation Trail on Prince Edward Island is a popular walking and cycling route that transforms into a snowmobile trail in winter.

Mountain trails

These are often linear or loop routes through mountainous terrain.

Europe The Via Alpina is a network of five hiking trails across the alpine regions of several European countries, totaling 5,000 kilometers. The Tour du Mont Blanc is a famous circular route. In the Balkans , trails like the Peaks of the Balkans Trail connect countries through a network of routes.

United States Notable linear trails include the Appalachian Trail , the Pacific Crest Trail , and the Continental Divide Trail . The Long Trail , begun in 1910, was one of the first. Circular trails like the Tahoe Rim Trail also exist.

Australia The Australian Alps Walking Track covers the alpine areas of Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory .

Himalayas The Himalayas are a prime destination for trekkers. Regions in Nepal like Annapurna and near Mount Everest are popular. India offers routes in the Kashmir Valley and numerous other treks like Kedarnath and the Valley of Flowers . The ambitious Great Himalaya Trail aims to span the entire range.

Andes The Greater Patagonian Trail in the southern Andes is a network of trails stretching thousands of kilometers through remote Patagonian regions.

Eastern Africa Trails exist around Kilimandjaro in Tanzania and in the Simien Mountains and Dogu’a Tembien in Ethiopia.

Honestly, the dedication. The sheer, relentless drive to put one foot in front of the other, for days, weeks, months. It’s… a lot. But I suppose, if you must wander, these are the designated paths. Try not to get lost. Or do. It might be more interesting.