Hiking the world's greatest long distance footpaths

by Jess Spate
(Cardiff, UK)

Hiking the world's greatest long distance footpaths

A hiking vacation isn't everyone's idea of a good time, but if you love the outdoors,walking a long distance footpath can be incredibly rewarding. Not only does it mean you'll go home a whole lot fitter (and usually lighter) than you left, there is a strong sense of achievement waiting for you at the end. Depending on which path you choose, you might get to see incredible mountain views, encounter rare wildlife, or just go somewhere you've never been before.

Hiking also makes for a very cheap holiday. If you're willing to camp it means carrying a heavier pack but not spending so much on accommodation. Self-sufficiency also makes a hike a more challenging in other ways but with the challenge comes a corresponding reward.

So, once you've decided to tackle a long distance footpath on your next vacation, the next step is to find the one that inspires you most. Here are four of the world's best:

1. The Appalachian Trail, USA. One of the longest, oldest, and most famous hiking trails in the world, the Appalachian runs for more than 2100 miles. It takes in no less than 14 states and most people who actually complete the whole thing take about 6 months to get from Georgia to Maine. Don't worry if you've only got a week or two- the Appalachian Trail can be walked in sections lasting anything from a day to a week or more. You can pick and choose where to get on or off.

Highlights include gorgeous trails in the Smoky Mountains (Clingman's Dome is the highest point on the trail), Virginia's Blue Ridge, and Maine's Hundred Mile Wilderness. Just watch out for hungry bears!

2. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path, UK. At 186 miles, it would be easy to dismiss the Pembrokeshire Coast Path as a lengthy but easy ramble by the sea, but this is not really the case at all. It might be dotted with tea rooms, cosy pubs, and friendly bed and breakfasts, but doing the whole path involves a colossal 6.6 vertical miles of ascent and descent. Refreshment is easy to find but it's not a pushover.


The rewards are plentiful. Along with seabirds like puffins, shearwaters, little auks, and razorbills, several species of whale and dolphin are often seen from Pembrokeshire sea-cliffs. The cliffs themselves (and the waves crashing underneath them) are stunning. There are caves, arches, tall offshore stacks, all broken up by beautiful golden sandy beaches.

3. The Inca Trail, Peru. Most hikers spend between 4 days and a week on the trail. It takes you from lush rainforest to the high mountains. You'll get sensational views, and the wildlife in the lower sections is incredible. If you love birds or butterflies this is the walk to pick! As you climb higher, the trail visits several significant archaeological sites before finally ending up at the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu.

4. The Haute Route, France and Switzerland. This can be done either walking or ski-touring, and it takes in some of the most spectacular and famous peaks in the European Alps. The start point is the French resort town of Chamonix, just under Mont Blanc, and the Haute Route (sometimes called the High Route or Mountaineer's Route) finishes in Zermatt very close to the Matterhorn.

There are mountain huts and villages along the way but the Haute Route is still technically difficult. Guided hikes and ski tours are available and the full length usually takes about a week to complete.

About the author: Jess Spate is a dedicated walker and climber. She works for Appalachian Outdoors (a good place to find everything from casual Life is Good clothing to mountain tents) and edits British camping equipment and rock climbing websites.