Dominica Tips & articles

Jul 18, 2011 7:18:24 AM

Stepping out: the world’s best long walks

Note: Javascript is disabled in your browser.
To see the gallery in all its glory, you'll need to enable Javascript.

Image_22381-44
View gallery

Forget planes, trains and automobiles – the greenest and greatest way to travel is to use your own two feet. It immerses you in a country like nothing else. and, with time and a bit of fitness, you can traverse whole counties, countries – even continents. Here are a few trails to get your feet itching…

Waitukubuli National Trail, Dominica

Start/finish: Scotts Head to Cabrits

Length: 184km

The Caribbean’s first long-distance hike tip-to-toes the rugged, rainforested isle of Dominica – the alternative Caribbean, where nature still rules and you’re more likely to pass parrots than people. The trail is divided into 14 sections: pick a couple – the Boiling Lake bit, or bird-rich Morne Diablotin – or do the lot, using homestays en route.

St Paul’s Trail, Turkey

Start/finish: Perge to Yalvac

Length: 500km

Heard of Turkey’s coast-tracing Lycian Way? This is its offbeat brother – a wilder, inland ramble dotted with Roman ruins and mooching tortoises. Beginning near Antalya, it wends north, following St Paul’s first missionary foray into Asia Minor. Waymarking is complete, signposts non-existent – bring a compass and a sense of adventure.

Baekdu-Daegan Trail, South Korea

Start/finish: North Korea border to Cheonwang-bong

Length: 735km

This hike should be twice as long: it follows the Baekdu-Daegan ridge, which dragon-backs the Korean Peninsula for 1,400km. Only North Korea’s not keen on hikers… so stick to South Korea’s stretch. Here, the ridge is deeply spiritual – a symbol of nationhood – and small shrines dot the mountainscapes: to walk this path is to tread on Korea’s soul.

Bibbulmun Track, Western Australia

Start/finish: Kalamunda to Albany

Length: 964km

Waugal lead the way on this epic Aussie tramp: a rainbow serpent from the Aboriginal Dreaming, it’s depicted on the Bibbulmun’s waymarkers, ever-present amid the granite peaks, tingle forest and Southern Ocean beaches. Good but basic campsites are handily spaced every 20km – just watch out for the snakes…

South West Coast Path, UK

Start/finish: Minehead to Poole

Length: 1,008km

It started because of smuggling: in the 19th century banditry was so rife that guards had to patrol England‘s entire south coast. Today, those old patrol paths are the UK’s longest National Trail, tracing every cove, cranny and cute fishing village in Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset. It takes eight weeks, non-stop, including 35,000m of climbing: a good excuse for fuelling on a pasty or two.

Via Francigena, Europe

Start/finish: Canterbury, UK to Rome, Italy

Length: 1,700km

The Via Francigena is the ‘other Camino’. While many medieval pilgrims embarked for Spain‘s Santiago de Compostela, some set off to worship saints Peter and Paul in Rome. Few use this way now, but it can still be walked – across England, France, Switzerland and Italy: an 80-day hike back in history.

Great Himalaya Trail, Nepal

Start/finish: Kanchenjunga to Humla

Length: 1,700km

Mountain walking doesn’t get much better: a traverse of the world’s highest range. Launched in 2010, the GHT spans the Nepalese Himalaya, passing rhododendron forests, high-altitude lakes, 8,000m peaks and the remote communities that call them home – providing vital income and support. Do the lot in 160 days, or choose one of ten tantalising sections.

Continental Divide Trail, USA

Start/finish: Antelope Wells, New Mexico to Glacier NP, Montana

Length: 4,960km

Connect Canada and Mexico via 5,000km of backcountry walking along the north-south spine of the USA. The Continental Divide follows the Rocky Mountains, dissecting New Mexican badlands, the gold ghost-towns of Colorado, the geyser-spews of Wyoming and the granite massifs of Montana. The trail is only 70% usable (though some have walked its entirety); dip in – at Yellowstone National Park or the San Juan Mountains – for a fine taster.

Trans Canada Trail, Canada

Start/finish: St John’s, Newfoundland to Victoria, British Columbia

Length: 22,000km

Got a spare few years and a very sturdy pair of boots? The grand dame of grand rambles is an east-west traverse that also shoots north to take in Canada‘s Arctic reaches. It’s a work in progress, currently comprising 400 mini trails in every province: chose from blueberry walks in Nova Scotia, gold-rush history in the Yukon – or do the whole lot…

Further reading: If you’re not a serious walker, check out these easy trails, or whet your appetite with our range of walking and hiking guides.

Comments

  1. 23 July 2011 8:53PM kathmanduo Report this comment

    If the 160-day Great Himalaya Trail is too much for you to take on, consider the 10- to 20-day Annapurna Circuit trek. Did it this spring and it was an amazing experience: http://thekathmanduo.blogspot.com/2011/05/guide-to-annapurna-circuit-trek-part.html

  2. 30 August 2011 2:32PM keenny Report this comment

    number one on this should be Cordillera Huayhuash, Ancash, Peru. Unsurpassed.

  3. 30 August 2011 6:19PM jcchoong Report this comment

    Australia is blessed with many long walks. Try the Great Southern Walk which is 250 km in length http://www.greatsouthwestwalk.com/intro/ or the Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair 65 km 6 day track through the world heritage listed Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7771. To top it off, try the Australian Bicentennial National Trail 5330 km from the top end of Australia in Queensland. It follows the Australia Great Dividing Ranges down to Victoria. Some have taken 2 years to complete the track. http://www.nationaltrail.com.au/

  4. 30 August 2011 6:53PM rogermurdoch Report this comment

    What about the Te Araroa in New Zealand? From the tip of the North Island all the way to the most southerly point of the South Island. http://www.teararoa.org.nz/index.cfm That has to be in the list.

  5. 30 August 2011 8:48PM stevecracknell Report this comment

    Or how about the GR10 in France, 850km zigzagging along the Pyrenees? It begins on the shores of the Atlantic to finish with its feet in the Mediterranean, 45 to 60 days later. At the end of each day it makes a detour to sniff out a meal and a bed in a hostel. The countryside is sometimes rugged, sometimes pastoral, but rarely dull. See http://www.pyreneanway.com/

  6. 30 August 2011 9:29PM hansjakobli Report this comment

    Switzerland offers 7 national hiking routes up to 33 stages long (some including lots of meters up and down). There all signed-out, dotted by cabins and small hotels and have their own website: http://www.wanderland.ch/en/routen_list.cfm?tour=route&art=national Now that's very Swiss, isn't it?

  7. 31 August 2011 12:10AM annemartis Report this comment

    When it comes to the Himalayas, Ladakh is a magical country and easily accessible. There are well known treks such as the trail through Marka Valley but many other less well known challenging (and easier) routes through awesome scenery. http://www.discover-ladakh.net

  8. 31 August 2011 12:29AM mariedragon Report this comment

    The Cordillera Huayhuash trek in Peru should definitely be top of the list.

  9. 31 August 2011 2:38AM jamesgaston Report this comment

    If you like to hike in the mountains and having a great place to stay each night, consider hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland), the Haute Route (France, Switzerland), and the Dolomites (Italy).

  10. 31 August 2011 6:18AM alexaaander Report this comment

    I must say the Choquequirao's walk is totally amazing! Its a two day walking (38km )till you get to the Choquequirao temple.. There you'll find the whole mountain is build with Andenes and temples with such a fine beauty! .. oh woow it's so amazing...also the whole setting its breathtaking! definitely a must-see. I think the mountain still hides most of it's beauty. The place it's partially discovered and it's so exiting to feel like you're discovering the temple by yourself. I must say I'm totally in love with Cuzco and the entire Perú : )

  11. 31 August 2011 7:36AM jakay11 Report this comment

    Some interesting picks. I'm surprised the "Grand-Daddy's" like the AT (Appalachian Trail) or PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) aren't included.

  12. 31 August 2011 8:54AM sarahjaneski Report this comment

    Don't forget about the beautiful Appalachian Trail!

  13. 1 September 2011 4:43AM belbelita Report this comment

    I can not understand why you have not included The Camino to Santiago de Compostela. It is an amazing long walk, still really popular and for a reason! amazing experience to anyone that has done it!

  14. 2 September 2011 10:17PM bobanakos Report this comment

    Trekking is an amazing experience indeed but nothing (or almost nothing)can be compared to the Pindos GR 10 trail from north of Greece all the way to Crete through different altitudes, smells, sounds and tastes. Check the various sites of the mountaineering clubs in Greece for more details. Alpine lakes, forests, footprints of wolves, bears, wild goats and teh best light to get some amazing pictures, the light of Greece. If in any doubt find out yourselves! or send me a message to convince you.

  15. 2 September 2011 10:18PM bobanakos Report this comment

    Just as to let you know we just came back from Tibet which was a truly amazing experience altogether not just the treking.

  16. 16 September 2011 2:01AM pyrocat Report this comment

    The European walking trails are a real challenge. All we did was hike the southwestern portion of the E4 path and almost fell off a few cliffs near Sweetwater, trying not to compete with the goats! When I recover from this year's injury, I'd like to walk some of the paths in Spain from Grenada.

    BTW, I hiked the Appalachian Trail many years ago. Shenandoah is easy. The paths in Maine and New Hampshire can be treacherous. It was the first time I had to learn how to bear-proof our campsite. Did you know that raccoons can open bags of marshmallows...and close the twist-tie so it looks untouched?

  17. 17 September 2011 1:20AM peatravelwriter Report this comment

    GR10 through the Pyrenees overlaps the Camino de Santiago in the west and traces the paths of the Cathars in the east. A memorable walk served by gites, lodges, farm-stays and village inns. I hiked it alone in 2001. Louisa Peat O'Neil http://pyreneespilgrimage.wordpress.com

  18. 28 November 2011 5:19AM stevegb Report this comment

    The Mountains In The Sea Trail in Cape Town is 5-days long and has been rated as the most spectacular trail in the world. Five glorious days in the Table Mountain National Park. Nights accommodated in hotels and luggage transported for you. Incredible views, challenging walking and wildlife. Whale watching at some times of the year too. It is fantastic. www.walkinafrica.com

  19. 27 December 2011 8:53PM jeremyintheczechrep Report this comment

    I'm surprised the Tour de Mont Blanc isn't on the list. It is an incredible hike. http://www.jeremytaylor.eu/Tour_de_Mont_Blanc.htm

  20. 7 February 2012 4:21AM etc4ca Report this comment

    For serious trekkers, check out the Torres del Paine curcuit. Unbelieveable scenary with vertical granite spires, glaciers and Pisco Sours on 40,000 year old ice...

  21. 7 February 2012 5:54AM anitamac Report this comment

    Have cycled sections of the TransCanada Trail - it is gorgous. Highly recommendable. I am surprised that the Camino de Santiago did not make the list - looking forward to tackling that one soon.

  22. 8 March 2012 8:21PM greenhiker Report this comment

    Among listed world`s best long walk trips,I have completed Great Himalaya Trail on my 20th birthday early 2011.I walked almost 2000km and took me 128days.I adventure enthusiast and environment undergrad student currently based in Nepal.My major aim to traverse Nepal along Great Himalaya Trail was to inspire Nepali youth to go outdoor with spirit of adventure because it is found that Nepali youth don`t tend to travel lot.But travelling is great source of energy and its just awesome in different aspects.Next thing is for firsthand witness climate change influences on Himalaya community and their adaptation to changing environment. If you are interested to follow my trip detail visit my travelblog www.suniltamang.com and www.thenomadicnepali.com The sites are not commercial so you can get unbiased information about Great Himalaya Trail. Keep travelling.

Add a comment

Sign in or register to add your comment.

More about Dominica

Tips & articles

Dominica

Things to do

Make it happen