The Great American Trails
The Appalachian Trail: Approximately 3,500 kilometers
The course of the trail mostly follows along the ridges of the Appalachian Mountains, encompassing mountain ranges such as the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as national parks like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee) and Shenandoah National Park (Virginia). (Excerpted from Wikipedia)
The Pacific Crest Trail: Over 4,000 kilometers
Stretching from the United States-Mexico border to the United States-Canada border, this trail traverses the North-South length of the American West Coast. It crosses mountain ranges within California – the Laguna Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, Liebre Mountains, Tehachapi Mountains – and extends over the Cascade Range in Oregon and Washington. (Excerpted from Wikipedia)
The Continental Divide Trail: Approximately 5,000 kilometers
The Continental Divide Trail is a United States National Scenic Trail connecting Mexico and Canada, with a length of 5,000 kilometers. This route follows along the Rocky Mountains, spanning five states: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. Trail-specific paths and footpaths cover 70% of the route, while parts require navigating rugged and paved roads. (Excerpted from Wikipedia)
American Longest Trail
The Great Western Loop: 11,060 kilometers
The story of this incredibly long course can be found on the website of the renowned adventurer Andrew Skurka, who completed this beast of a trail. This admirable man walked an average of 53 kilometers per day for 208 consecutive days, conquering the Great Western Loop.
The American Discovery Trail: 10,940 kilometers
Stretching from coast to coast, this American Discovery Trail covers 10,940 kilometers, although this figure may be somewhat misleading. The trail is divided into Ohio and Colorado routes, offering a choice between northern and southern routes. The southern route spans 8138 kilometers, while the northern route is 7780 kilometers long. As this route sometimes incorporates urban roads or runs alongside urban areas, it may not be suitable for trekkers seeking a perfectly solitary path.
The Eastern Continental Trail: 8,690 kilometers
The Eastern Continental Trail resembles a composite system similar to the Great Western Loop. This course connects Florida’s Key West to the Appalachian Trail, extending to Canada in the north, with Belle Isle as its terminus. According to Wikipedia, the elevation gain on this route is 2,025 meters, with relatively few fluctuations. However, transitioning from tropical beaches to mountainous regions, eventually reaching northern islands, suggests progressively cooler weather. The route offers a diverse climate experience.
The North Country National Scenic Trail: 7,403 kilometers
This course spans five states from New York to North Dakota. As it lies in the northern states of America, travelers must navigate safely to avoid inclement weather.
The Great Western Trail: 7,170 kilometers
This course traverses Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. You can experience everything from deserts to mountain lakes. Among the 16 designed courses of the Great Western Trail, the National Millennium Trail, which traverses on horseback, is particularly popular.
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail: 4,989 kilometers
Starting from New Mexico and passing through Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, this trail is considered one of America’s Big Three Trails. Completing the Big Three Trails holds great honor, akin to achieving the Triple Crown. While the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through the magnificent Rockies, featuring towering mountains and challenging terrain, its landscape evokes scenes reminiscent of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The History of Middle-earth” series, as compiled by his son, Christopher.
The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail: 4,245 kilometers
Beginning in Mexico and ending in Canada, this Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail is as popular as the Appalachian Trail.
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail: 3499 kilometers
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is one of the three famous long trails and unofficially falls under the Triple Crown Trails (alongside the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide). While it may lack the wilderness appeal of the Pacific Crest Trail, it offers occasional respites with meals and rests in towns, which might soothe you occasionally. It’s famously referred to as a “hike to find yourself.”
The Buckeye Trail: 2,324 kilometers
You’ve probably never heard of the Buckeye Trail unless you’re from Ohio. Its history is intriguing, starting from a mere 32 kilometers in 1959 and extending to an impressive 2,324 kilometers by 1980 within a relatively short span of 21 years.
The Florida National Scenic Trail: 2,253 kilometers
This course runs through the peninsula of North Florida, offering an ample experience of Florida’s sun.
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail: 1,931 kilometers
The Ice Age Trail zigzags through Wisconsin, from the Western Interstate Park to Potawatomi State Park.
The California Coastal Trail: 1,931 kilometers
Officially incomplete, this trail route spans from Oregon to the border area of Mexico. Upon completion, it promises a diverse array of people, from beach walkers to equestrians.
The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail: 1,931 kilometers
This course starts from the Penninsula of Washington, crosses through the narrow area of Idaho, and enters Glacier National Park. This beautiful trail surpasses 1,900 kilometers, passing through three national parks and seven forest parks. Would you prefer to start from Montana or Washington?
The Iditarod Trail: 1,650 kilometers
This trail embodies all of Alaska’s wilderness, offering rugged and adventurous terrain. The Iditarod Trail is an ancient route stretching from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska.
The Mountains to Sea Trail: 1,609 kilometers
The Mountains to Sea Trail takes you on a course from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks, allowing you to enjoy North California to the fullest. According to a local FM station, in October 2012, the largest number of hikers ever visited this trail.
More American Long Trails
The Arizona National Scenic Trail: 1,299 kilometers
The Arizona Trail forms a small loop near Flagstaff and runs through the middle of the state, from the border with Mexico to the border with Utah.
The Potomac National Scenic Trail: 1,127 kilometers
This trail course extends from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail: 724 kilometers
This is not a single trail course but rather a combination of trails traversing Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi.
The New England National Scenic Trail: 354 kilometers
This course runs through Connecticut and Massachusetts in the Northeast.
The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail: 281 kilometers
Ala Kahakai creates a circular course covering two-thirds of Hawaii’s Big Island, with some paths remaining unconnected.
The Wonderland Trail: 149 kilometers
A very famous trail around Mount Rainier in Washington State.
The Timberline Trail: 65 kilometers
A trail circumnavigating Mount Hood in Oregon.
The World’s Top 10 Trails
(Excluding the United States)
Trans Canada Trail: 24,000 Kilometers
Completing all 24,000 kilometers of the Trans Canada Trail entails embarking on a journey from coast to coast, or even venturing all the way to the Arctic Ocean, reveling in the trail itself.
Grand Italian Trail: 5,954 Kilometers
The Grand Italian Trail, also known as Sentiero Italia, traces the entirety of Italy, famous for resembling the shape of a boot.
Hokkaido Nature Trail: 4,585 Kilometers
Crafted to encompass the entirety of Hokkaido, this trail guides us to hot springs overlooking the sea and volcanoes.
Tohoku Nature Trail: 4,374 Kilometers
Spanning the northern region of Honshu, the Tohoku Nature Trail boasts undulating paths forming large loops with numerous branching routes.
Chubu Hokuriku Nature Trail: 4,029 Kilometers
Positioned centrally in Japan, the Chubu Hokuriku Nature Trail extends westward from the country’s heartland to the northwest of Tokyo, promising coastal vistas and mountainous terrain.
Kinki Nature Trail: 3,291 Kilometers
The southern portion of the Chubu Hokuriku Nature Trail connects to the Kinki Nature Trail, meandering around Osaka and Kyoto, and linking coastal regions to the north and south.
Te Araroa Trail (New Zealand): 3,054 Kilometers
This cross-country trek pleasantly traverses from the northern tip to the southern tip of the island.
Kyushu Nature Trail: 2,587 Kilometers
The terminus of this trail, offering views of Kyushu’s coastlines and mountains, remains unconnected. Nevertheless, most routes intertwine, circling the tip of the branches.
Camino de Santiago (France, Spain, Way of St. James): 2,526 Kilometers
The commencement of this trail stems from three different locations, yet all converge at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in northern Spain. It’s not just about trekking; it carries a noble significance of traditional pilgrimage. For those keen on delving deeper into history, this is where you can truly feel the essence of Spain.
Sultans Trail (Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey): 2,253 Kilometers
Venturing through nine countries offers diverse cultural encounters. This trail connects Vienna, Austria, to Istanbul, Turkey.
Many more Long Trails around the World
Chugoku Nature Trail: 2,211 Kilometers
This trail winds through serene regions, including Hiroshima.
Great Himalayan Trail – High Route (Nepal): 1,700 Kilometers
Covering most of the mountainous routes, this high-altitude trail takes about 156 days to complete. With altitudes surpassing 6,000 meters, it serves as a rigorous training ground for mountain climbers.
Via Francigena (England, France, Italy): 1,700 Kilometers
Similar to the Camino de Santiago, this route traces the ancient pilgrimage from Canterbury, England, to Rome, Italy.
Great Himalayan Trail – Low Route (Nepal): 1,500 Kilometers
The lower elevation route can be completed in about 90 days. With altitudes just above 4,000 meters, the risk is lower compared to trekking at high altitudes.
Trans Panama Trail (Panama): 1,126 Kilometers
Stretching from border to border, this trail beckons toward volcanoes and dense forests.
South West Coast Path National Trail (UK): 1,013 Kilometers
This trail marks the longest of the UK’s national trails, perfect for those who love the coastal wilderness.
Bibbulmun Track (Australia): 999 Kilometers
Running from Kalamunda through forests to Albany, this course along the southern coast features rugged cliffs.
Israel National Trail: 997 Kilometers
Transversing the entirety of Israel, this course presents a unique cross-country experience.
Baekdu Daegan Trail (South Korea): 756 Kilometers
Covering most of the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea, though access to certain areas is obviously restricted. You can start near the Demilitarized Zone. Most trails offer stunning views, like those around Sobaeksan Mountain and the endpoint at Cheomseongdae in the Jirisan National Park.
Kom–Emine (Bulgaria): 700 Kilometers
Bulgaria’s Kom–Emine Traverse follows the ridge of the Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains). Some of its peaks exceed 2,000 meters.
Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker Trail (South Sudan to Uganda): 579 Kilometers
Following the historical path traversed by Samuel and Florence Baker in the late 1800s, this trail is open to both mountain bikers and hikers. Unfortunately, it seems that some areas will eventually be accessible to four-wheel-drive vehicles as well. Officially, this trail should have opened in 2014.
Lycian Way (Turkey): 509 Kilometers
The Lycian Way is one of several 500-kilometer trails in Turkey.
Snowman Trek (Bhutan): 347 Kilometers
Among the toughest trails devised by humans, the Snowman Trek encompasses 11 high passes, some exceeding 4,800 meters, offering a challenge and breathtaking scenery.
Tour du Mont Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland): 167 Kilometers
Passing through France, Italy, and Switzerland, this course circumnavigates Mont Blanc.
Embark on a journey through the world’s most majestic trails, where every step is a testament to the human spirit’s boundless thirst for adventure. From the rugged coastlines of Italy to the towering peaks of the Himalayas, these paths offer not just a physical challenge, but a profound immersion into the diverse cultures and stunning landscapes that define our planet. So lace up your boots, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and let the trail guide you to new heights of exploration and self-discovery. The world awaits, beckoning you to traverse its most iconic routes and forge unforgettable memories along the way.