Get Wild And Trek Along The World’s Longest Hiking Trails
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Ready to walk until your feet give out? Of the longest hiking trails in existence, these are our 10 favorites around the world. Each of them is a through-hike with a clear beginning and end (although, we are 100 percent in favor of tackling a shorter segment to break in your hiking boots). These hikes are also more than 1,000 miles in length and go through some seriously beautiful natural wonders. Get ready to hit the trails!
1. Trans Canada Trail, Canada
The brand-new Canadian masterpiece is the longest trail in the world and crosses the length of the entire gigantic country. Expect mountains, lakes, rivers and wildlife.
Length: 14,900 miles
Starts: St. John’s, Newfoundland
Ends: Vancouver, Canada
2. Grand Italian Trail, Italy
The Sentiero Italia (Grand Italian Trail) traverses the entire country of Italia. Yes, you go through vineyards, villas and villages.
Length: 3,700 miles
Starts: Trieste, Italy
Ends: Sardinia, Italy
3. Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, United States
Thanks to Wild, the PCT might be the world’s most famous long-term hike, but it’s definitely not overrated due the sheer amount of biodiversity it has to offer.
Length: 2,600 miles
Starts: Campo, California
Ends: Boundary Monument 78, border of U.S. and Canada
4. Via Dinarica, Balkans
This mountainous route is still being polished, but it goes through seven Balkan countries: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Serbia and Albania.
Length: 1,200 miles
Starts: Postonja, Slovenia
Ends: Valbona Pass, Albania
5. Appalachian National Scenic Trail, United States
The East Coast king of trails, the A.T. passes through 14 states, from Northern New England to Southern Appalachia.
Length: 2,190 miles
Starts: Springer Mountain, Georgia
Ends: Mount Katahdin, Maine
6. Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand
You’re walking along the Rim of Fire on the Te Araroa Trail, past volcanoes and coastal vistas. Expect some suspension bridges along the way.
Length: 1,890 miles
Starts: Cape Reinga, New Zealand
Ends: Bluff, New Zealand
7. Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, United States
The CDT follows the continental divide bisecting the U.S. along the Rocky Mountains through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.
Length: 3,100 miles
Starts: Glacier National Park, Montana
Ends: Crazy Cook Monument, New Mexico
8. Via Francigena, Central Europe
This medieval pilgrimage tracks through Italy, France and into Britain through rustic wineries and quaint fortresses set on towering hills.
Length: 1,056 miles
Starts: Rome, Italy
Ends: Canterbury, U.K
9. The Sultans Trail, Balkans
The Sultan’s Trail dates back to 1500 A.D. when trade routes followed this path through Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria to bring spices and goods to Central Europe.
Length: 1,400 miles
Starts: Istanbul, Turkey
Ends: Vienna, Austria
10. Great Himalayan Trail, Nepal
This is the Everest of long-distance hiking. (Get it? Because you literally will pass Everest treking through the Himalayas.)
Length: 1,050 miles
Starts: Kanchenjunga Base Camp, Nepal
Ends: Hilsa, border of Nepal and Tibet
Honorable mentions:
- American Discovery Trail: At more than 5,000 miles, the American Discovery Trail is the only non-motorized path across the U.S. that blazes through the country’s wilderness and small towns alike.
- Tōhoku Nature Trail: This Japanese island loop trail is technically one of the world’s longest hikes (2,700 miles) if you follow all the branches to little overlooks and waterfalls.
- Trans-Panama Trail: The 700-mile path of the Trans-Panama winds through jungles and past volcanic mountain peaks.
- South West Coast Path National Trail: The longest hike in the U.K. hugs the country’s rugged coast through Cornwall.
- Camino de Santiago de Compostella: El Camino is a centuries-old Christian pilgrimage across 500 miles of France and Spain.
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