Blaze a trail

Jan 14, 2012 3:52:53 AM

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We take to the classic trails that still inspire travel novices and grizzled veterans to hit the road.

1. Istanbul to Cairo, Middle East

İstanbul has a foot on two continents, making it an ideal launch pad for the Middle East. This route works its way down through Turkey and into Syria, with an evocative bazaar at Aleppo and the spectacular city of Damascus. Head down to Jordan, pausing to admire the ruins of Petra and to float in the Dead Sea. Regardless of your faith, detouring to Jerusalem makes for a religious experience, then chill out with some Red Sea snorkelling. You’ll need the relaxation to prepare for crowded Cairo, where a trip out to the pyramids is a requirement.

2. East Coast Australia

Many backpackers kick this trip off in Sydney, with its glammed up beaches and iconic bridge drawing their attention. Some might meander as far south as Melbourne, the so-called Paris of the Southern Hemisphere, with its cosmopolitan culture and European weather (its grey winter is infamous). But the more beaten-track trips north of Sydney, through hippy haven Byron Bay, which has awesome surf breaks. If you’re collecting capitals stop off at Brisbane, but most continue to tropical Cairns, a jumping-off point for cruising the Great Barrier Reef, the coral-jewelled necklace that makes the most stunning adornment to this coast.

3. Banana Pancake Trail

Most Southeast Asia trips start in Bangkok’s backpacker epicentre, Khao Sanh Rd, but hordes wander to the beaches of Ko Pha-Ngan or up-market Phuket. Many young travellers head to Cambodia’s Siem Reap to gape at the ancient civilisations of Angkor Wat, before heading to Ho Chi Minh City and working their way north along Vietnam’s coast to the majestic rock formations of Halong Bay. To get off the trail a little more head inland to Laos’ capital, Vientiane, or elephant trek in Khao Yai National Park. Bangkok and Singapore are both hubs for airlines so there are often cheap flights out of these cities to many other places in Asia.

4. North Island to South Island, New Zealand

The trail begins in Auckland, where plenty of backpackers enjoy the party life, then heads down to Rotorua for the volcanic sights and hangi (traditional Maori feasting and performance). The route winds on through Lake Taupo, a good spot for skydiving and water sports. Then make for windy Wellington with its cafe culture and kooky Beehive (national parliament). From here you can hop across to the South Island for whale-watching in Kaikoura before heading for Queenstown, the base for exploring spectacular Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, or tearing up the scenic waterways in a jet-boat.

5. Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia

Once the route of the tsars, this 9289km stretch of track is becoming a backpacker must-do. The classic route starts on the coast in Vladivostok, rattling along to Moscow by way of the world’s deepest lake, Baikal, or stopping at Yekaterinburg, where the Romanov line of tsars came to a bloody end. The railway ends at magnificent Moscow with its gold-domed churches and austere Red Square, though it’s possible to go on to St Petersburg. For an alternative route, take the Trans-Mongolian from Beijing and explore the steppes of Mongolia before meeting the mainline just near Lake Baikal – in fact many Western travellers use this route given the awkwardness of reaching Vladivostok from most points. Or, if you’re looking for a slightly quieter route to Beijing, there’s the Trans-Manchurian line, which turns south east of Mongolia.

6. Route 66, USA

Few roads say Americana like this legendary gravel. While the name ceased to be used in 1985, young adventurers still pick up its path to see the best of the USA. It begins in Chicago, where you can catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field; further on, see legendary blues in St Louis. Put your foot on the gas to hit Kansas, in the heartland of long flat plains. The road cuts through the Lone Star State of Texas, marking the halfway point with an epic junkyard sculpture. There’s more cow poking in New Mexico then it’s on to Arizona, boasting the longest uninterrupted stretch of the original route. California builds to the oasis of Los Angeles, with Hollywood and Rodeo Drive the climax of the trip.

7. Cape Town to Cairo

Ewan McGregor rode a motorbike north to south over most of this course to discover it was a Long Way Down, but this intrepid journey can begin or end in Cape Town. If starting at the bottom, head north into Botswana, where you can cruise the rivers to spot elephants in the Chobe National Park. Bear up into Tanzania, known for catch-it-while-you-can snowcapped Mt Kilimanjaro, or listen to the thundering of wildebeest across Serengeti National Park. Enjoy the serenity now – some of Africa’s most difficult country lies ahead: Kenya, Ethiopia and Sudan are all struggling with conflict. At the journey’s end, Cairo promises the pyramids and a bustling city.

8. Gringo Trail, Peru

This popular loop links the country’s biggest attractions. From upbeat capital Lima the trail traces the coast south to Paracas, where an excursion out to Islas Ballestas to spot penguins and sea lions is ideal. Toast Ica, Peru’s wine and pisco (grape liquor) capital, then move on to Nazca to fly over the enigmatic Nazca lines. You can ascend to Arequipa, the ‘white city’ of colonial architecture, and continue to Puno, Peru’s port on Lake Titicaca. Hop on a bus to Cuzco for the archaeological mecca of South America, then walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – or cheat and catch a train from Cuzco. From late May until early September, Machu Picchu’s high season, 2500 people arrive at the site per day – the maximum number allowed.

9. Europe by music festival

Don’t see Europe, hear it. Backpackers soak up the summer sun and sounds by driving a Kombi between their favourite gigs. The granddaddy of them all is the UK’s Glastonbury, which has hosted big name rock acts plus comedy, circus and theatre since 1971. Another old-timer is Denmark’s Roskilde, with a heavy-rocking slant, or get folked-up at Baltica, the international folk festival held in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Finland’s World Air Guitar Championships always stuns. The sweet End of the Road Festival, also in the UK, is a low-key wind down with country-folk featuring strongly.

10. Silk Road

For centuries merchants have woven roads back and forth between China and Europe, each with their own secret path to transport silk, spices and other goods to markets faster. The modern road usually starts in China’s Xi’an, home to the Terracotta Army of the Qin dynasty. It heads on to Urumqi, in China’s wild west Xinjiang province, before splitting in two: one branch heading west into Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and another heading south to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. In northwestern China, Dunhuang is an essential stop on the Silk Road and is known for the Mogao Caves, which hold religious artefacts from all along the ancient trading route.

This article was updated in Jan 2012.

For more inspiration from around the globe, check out Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Experiences.

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Comments

16 August 2010 3:02PM wix99 Report this comment
I thought the banana pancake trail was said to run from Bali to Bangkok. There also used to be a saying about the three Ks, Kuta Beach (Bali), Khao San Road (Bangkok) and Kathmandu.
23 August 2010 5:42PM sigmakay Report this comment
"Bangkok and Singapore are both hubs for airlines..." You missed out Kuala Lumpur, home of budget airline Air Asia where flights take off from KL to South Korea, India, China, Laos, Australia, the UK...
23 August 2010 7:08PM otranto Report this comment
I just got back from a backpacking trip of 10 months. We did Mexico City to Buenos Aires overland, traveling through 15 Latin American countries. I agree with Peru being included on the list, even though you meet lots of other tourists, it is still worth the visit (go in low season!). But if you have the time, visit Northern Peru as well for a week or two!
Of course I'm a bit biassed, but other places I would definitly recommend for backpacking are a roundtrip through Yucatan (great variety), Belize (too odd to skip) and Guatemala (great busconnections), a month stay in Colombia (anything you do there is gonna be fun) or if you slightly more experienced head for Bolivia, Nicaragua or El Salvador. The biggest no no for any backpacker ... Costa Rica ... still get shivers thinking back about that place.
23 August 2010 9:32PM arher Report this comment
if you consider Middle East, you cannot miss the wanderful island of Socotra... a MUST for backpackers who love nature, sea and warm weather and wellcoming people
23 August 2010 9:41PM walkertexasranger Report this comment
otranto...Im planning on doin the same trip. Do you have a blog or any advice on your trip?
24 August 2010 12:20AM mrrotterdam Report this comment
9. Europe by music festival:
Wicked festivals in the Netherlands: -Pinkpop (may/june, since 1970! Older than Glastonbury) -Lowlands (august) And in Belgium: -Rock Werchter (july) -Pukkelpop (august)
24 August 2010 12:37AM beanman Report this comment
7. Cape Town to Cairo - to say that Kenya and Ethiopia are struggling with conflict does both of these wonderful countries a huge disservice. We spent a month in Ethiopia last year. We saw absolutely no conflict, plenty of tourists, stunning sights, and friendly people. The country is a must-see for anyone in the region.
24 August 2010 12:44AM johnmcga Report this comment
"For a less-travelled alternative, take the Trans-Mongolian from Beijing"
Really? When I travelled through Russia in 2006, every single backpacker I met was doing the Moscow - Beijing or Beijing - Moscow route.
I didn't meet anyone else other than locals who was taking the train to Vladivostok, so I'd say it's definitely the less-popular of the two routes.
(Incidentally, I would wholeheartedly recommend Vladivostok. Fantastic city!)
24 August 2010 1:05AM hidden_bug Report this comment
Uh, I'd be thinking pretty seriously before considering these routes to be suitable for backpacking, you know - considering they're completely unsafe.
24 August 2010 2:12AM euridice Report this comment
"some of Africa’s most difficult country lies ahead: Kenya, Ethiopia and Sudan"
Are you kidding me? If these are Africa's most dangerous countries what are Chad, DRC and CAR to name but a few? I never comment on these articles but I find it highly irresponsible of Lonely Planet to write such a thing about countries that are perfectly safe to visit, receive many tourists every year and depend on tourism for their livelihoods. Even the parts of Sudan that are visited on a Cape Town to Cairo trip are safer than many other countries in the world.
24 August 2010 2:20AM luisdafoss Report this comment
I´m missing here the backpacker trail "par execellance" The hippy trail, the Istanbul to Kathmandu thing or rather the "anywhere in Europe to India and then on to Kathmandu..." Balkans,Turkey,Iran,Pakistan,India,Nepal... Then, the ones who don´t come back either stay long in India or fly to Bangkok...
24 August 2010 2:24AM luisdafoss Report this comment
Euridice, which safe Sudan route (preferibly coming from Egipt) would you recommend?
24 August 2010 5:42AM timbakero Report this comment
@ Otranto: I did a similar trip to you a few years ago. I think you're being a bit harsh on Costa Rica. Of course San Jose and the pacific coast beaches are best avoided but there's plenty more to see. Tortuguero national park is fantastic, as is most of the Caribbean coast (Cahuita's awesome- white sand beaches, rainforest, reggae, Caribbean food).
@ hidden_bug Where do you recommend for backpacking? Tundbridge Wells? Idiot ;)
24 August 2010 6:28AM senorpescado Report this comment
nope the gringo trail is Central America and yes, Costa Rica sux now 20 years ago it was OK? still fasted thieves I have encountered I live El Salvador and Guatemala for 15 years, been surfing all over Mexico etc since 70'sEl Sal is best www.tropicooltours.com
24 August 2010 6:36AM thein Report this comment
The path in Peru is but one portion of the entire Gringo trail... which extends from northern CA down to Patagonia.
24 August 2010 6:39AM lindsey8008 Report this comment
Our favourite place so far has been Honduras - get away from the islands and Copan and you'll discover a country of fantastic people, rich heritage and fantastic nature. And we rarely ran into other travellers!
Btw, I would have liked to see at least one proper "backpacking trail" (ie. in the wilderness, camping, hauling all your own gear etc.) on your list.
24 August 2010 9:40AM meggy1987 Report this comment
I m going to have my banana pancake in a week! I m starting from Bali and I m going to Bangkok,Chiang Mai,Phuket,ending in Kuala Lumpur!!! Can t wait for it!
24 August 2010 11:37PM euridice Report this comment
luisdafoss- Pretty much anywhere in North Sudan outside of Darfur you can't go wrong. The route most people follow is from Wadi Halfa through Dongola/Meroe to Khartoum then on to the Ethiopian border by Gedaref, possibly visiting Kassala on the way. Port Sudan is also completely safe and has some great snorkeling/diving. You will have absolutely no safety problems on this route, in fact people will go out of their way to help you and make you feel welcome.
29 August 2010 8:30PM gwong Report this comment
this is so cool! we're about to reach Istanbul after 2 months traveling south from Riga, Latvia. Gonna kick start the Istanbul to Cairo trail but skipping Egypt as we've been there before and instead loop back to Turkey and head into Iran. Ideally would like to get from Iran overland back to Hong Kong via the Silk Road route but recent floods in Pakistan may prove as challenging as getting a visa to enter.. :(
if interested, join us for the ride! http://www.facebook.com/vagabondcouple
31 August 2010 4:12PM jules5168 Report this comment
@ hidden_bug: Yeah you're right... east Coast Australia, NZ, USA... think seriously all ye backpackers! ;-)
1 September 2010 12:41AM otranto Report this comment
@walkertexasranger We got a blog but it's in Dutch... check www.everlater.com/nielruth/. The little map should give ya a good idea of our pace and where we went. Feel free to leave contact info if you want more details :)
21 January 2011 12:05AM leahmaria Report this comment
hidden_bug: what, unsafe? Europe? Seriously? The East Coast of Australia?? New Zealand? Even if, for some crazy reason, you thought South East Asia, Russia/China etc were dangerous, what on earth would make you think that about Australia, NZ, Europe or the US? Where do you backpack? Paris to London and back? Actually, I think those cities are probably more 'dangerous' than anywhere on Australia's eastern coast. Is there anywhere in the world you deem safe to backpack?
25 January 2011 8:32PM fenneke Report this comment
When travelling the Trans-Siberian Railway, with either route (Vladivostok or Beijing) you should always *start* in Moscow instead of ending there. When you start there the route will become more and more pretty along the way, instead of less and less pretty, which can be quite a deception.
17 September 2011 4:48PM gtarriba Report this comment
When I did the Trans-Mongolian rail journey last summer I was always the only foreigner (or rather the only Westerner since there were a handful of Central Asian workers onboard)on the carriage so I guess it's not a very busy backpacker trail after all. Also, consider that there are so few hostels in cities along the Tran-Sib: Kazan, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Ulan Ude don't have hostels at all, whilst Irkutsk and Ekaterinburg have one or two each. If it were so busy, the cities on the Trans-Sib would be teeming with hostels (like in SE Asia). I would bet that the total number of Westerners who go Moscow to either Beijing or Vladivostok (or vice-versa) by train every year is below 5,000, or just below 100 people per week.