Long-Distance Hiking Trails Around The World

There are countless hiking trails throughout the world, many with picturesque views and intense climbs, but these trails are some of the most impressive on the planet due to their sheer length.

Jordan Trail

Running the length of Jordan from north to south, the Jordan Trail is more than 400 miles long and takes approximately 40 days to traverse. The journey winds through 52 towns and villages, as well as many famous mesmerizing spots such as the ruins of Petra and martian-like landscape of Wadi Rum.

Grande Traversata delle Alpi

The Grande Traversata delle Alpi is a trail that winds through mountains for about 620 miles. The journey goes from the heart of the Italian Alps to the area's lovely shores, a nearly 200,000-foot height difference.

Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage Route

The route for the Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage — also known as the 88 Temple Pilgrimage — runs about 870 miles. On foot, the journey takes up to 60 days. However, buses and trains have been added along certain sections of the trail.

Great Himalaya Trails

A network of 10 trails that run the length of Nepal, which is more than 1,000 miles, the Great Himalaya Trails cover the entire Nepali Himalayas. There's no end to the impressive scenery on the trail, from the quiet charm of small villages to the jaw-dropping heights of Mount Everest, one of the most terrifying places on Earth.

Ice Age Trail

Located entirely within the state of Wisconsin, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail extends approximately 1,200 miles and was shaped by the retreat of glaciers from the last Ice Age. The trail is used for hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing and even cross-country skiing.

GR 34

The GR 34, referred to as the customs officers' path, is a long-distance footpath that runs for more than 1,240 miles along the coastline of Brittany, France. The trail starts at the enchanting castle of Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy and ends at the bridge of Saint-Nazaire.

Chugoku Nature Trail

The Chugoku Nature Trail spans about 1,370 miles through the Chugoku region in the western part of Japan's main island. In addition to views of mountain forests and stunning lakes, the trail also leads to awe-inspiring places of worship such as the famous Shinto shrine Izumo Taisha and the Buddhist Ichibata Temple.

Te Araroa

More than 1,800 miles long and stretching from the northern end of New Zealand at Cape Reinga to the southern end of South Island, Te Araroa winds through some of the island nation's best scenery. Mountains, volcanoes, rivers, lakes, valleys and beautiful waterfalls characterize this trail.

Pacific Crest Trail

Running north to south through Canada, Washington, Oregon and California, the Pacific Crest Trail is about 2,650 miles long and enjoyed by thousands of hikers and horseback riders every year. The trail runs through desert and mountains and by lakes, rivers and even active volcanoes.

Appalachian Trail

Running 2,193 miles through 14 states, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail is the longest hiking-only trail in the world. From Maine to Georgia, the footpath runs along the Appalachian Mountains and winds through eight national forests, which rank among the most stunning forests in the world.

Continental Divide Trail

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail stretches from Canada to Mexico, making up one-third of the Triple Crown of Hiking. The average thru-hike of the 3,100-mile Continental Divide Trail takes six months to finish, with a daily average of 17 miles. The trail takes hikers through five U.S. states and the majestic mountains and communities of the Rockies.

Via Alpina

Spanning eight countries, Europe's Via Alpina is more than 3,100 miles and consists of a network of five hiking trails. The trail is as much a tour of Alpine culture as it is of the region's native plants and animals.

Sentiero Italia

The Sentiero Italia takes hikers through many historic, cultural and natural attractions of Italy, spanning 4,275 miles and 20 regions. Instead of passing through some of Italy's more popular tourist destinations, it winds through some of the lovely, underrated small towns and countryside and takes eight to nine months to complete.

Great Western Trail

A fantastic tour of the natural wonders of the American West, the Great Western Trail extends 4,455 miles from north to south, through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Arizona. Paralleling and crisscrossing trails have segments for hikers as well as drivers, taking them through canyons, forests, alpine meadows, woodlands and plateaus.

North Country Trail

The longest official trail in America's National Trails System, the North Country National Scenic Trail takes hikers through eight states, from North Dakota to Vermont. The 4,600-mile-long journey runs along the beautiful waters of three of the Great Lakes and passes through more than 160 local, state and federal public lands as well as more than 100 state forests, parks and game areas.

Eastern Continental Trail

Stretching more than 5,400 miles, the Eastern Continental Trail takes nearly a year to hike from Canada's Cape Gaspe to Key West in Florida. The trail winds through some of the best scenery of the East Coast, as well as places that only its locals know.

American Discovery Trail

Stretching from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware to Point Reyes National Seashore in California, the American Discovery Trail is more than 6,800 miles long and is the first non-motorized, coast-to-coast trail. Unlike wilderness trails such as the Pacific Crest or Appalachian, this trail goes through cities, farmland, wild areas and charming small towns.

The Great Trail of Canada

Formerly known as the Trans Canada Trail, the Great Trail of Canada is the longest recreational trail in the world, spanning about 15,000 miles through 13 Canadian provinces and territories. Four out of five Canadians live within half an hour of the path. Breathtaking views of both urban and rural areas, as well as remote wilderness, characterize this super scenic hiking trail.