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long-distance trail

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}

{{Short description|Long trail used for walking, backpacking, cycling, horse riding or cross-country skiing}}

{{More citations needed|date=May 2009}}

Image:West Coast Trail Beach Hiking 2007.JPG, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada]] File:Pemberton Karri forest 2.jpg forest along Bibbulmun Track south of Pemberton, Western Australia]]

Image:ErieCanalBushnellBasin.jpg near Rochester, New York]]

A long-distance trail (or long-distance footpath, track, way, greenway) is a longer recreational trail mainly through rural areas used for hiking, backpacking, cycling, horse riding or cross-country skiing.{{cite book |title= Long-Distance Hiking: Lessons from the Appalachian Trail |last= Mueser |first= Roland |year= 1997|publisher=McGraw-Hill Professional |isbn= 0-07-044458-7 |pages= 1–5|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=LgCIaZ2zn9QC|access-date=12 September 2009}} They exist on all continents except Antarctica.

Many trails are marked on maps. Typically, a long-distance route will be at least {{convert|50|km|mi|-1|abbr=on}} long, but many run for several hundred miles, or longer.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/gallery/2018/oct/02/the-man-who-hiked-30-us-national-trails|title=The man who hiked 30 US national trails – in pictures|date=2 October 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=30 June 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}

Many routes are waymarked and may cross public or private land and/or follow existing rights of way. Generally, the surface is not specially prepared, and the ground can be rough and uneven in areas, except in places such as converted rail tracks or popular walking routes where stone-pitching and slabs have been laid to prevent erosion.{{cite web|url=https://www.fixthefells.co.uk/what-we-do/path-repair-techniques/|title=Path Repair Techniques|website=www.fixthefells.co.uk|access-date=22 August 2018}} In some places, official trails will have the surface specially prepared to make the going easier.

Historically

Historically, and still nowadays in countries where most people move on foot or with pack animals, long-distance trails linked far away towns and regions. Such paths followed "logical" routes, that can be approximated to least-cost paths.Nyssen, J., Tesfaalem Ghebreyohannes, Hailemariam Meaza, Dondeyne, S., 2020. Exploration of a medieval African map (Aksum, Ethiopia) – How do historical maps fit with topography? In: De Ryck, M., Nyssen, J., Van Acker, K., Van Roy, W., Liber Amicorum: Philippe De Maeyer In Kaart. Wachtebeke (Belgium): University Press: 165–178.

Hiking trails

{{See also|List of long-distance trails}}

File:80km Karhunkierros Hiking Trail.jpg ("Bear's Round"), an {{convert|80|km|abbr=on}} long hiking trail through the Oulanka National Park in Kuusamo, Finland]]

=Europe=

GR footpaths are long-distance footpaths in Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal (the Alta Via (Italian), Grande Randonnée (French), Grote Routepaden or Lange-afstand-wandelpaden (Dutch), Grande Rota (Portuguese) or Gran Recorrido (Spanish)).

==United Kingdom==

{{See also|List of long-distance footpaths in the United Kingdom}}

National Trails are a network of officially sanctioned footpaths in the United Kingdom which are well maintained and well waymarked across England and Wales. Examples are the Pennine Way and the South West Coast Path.{{cite journal| url=http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/9027 | title=Out in the country|publisher=Natural England | date= 29 November 2007 | access-date=21 January 2019}} The equivalent routes in Scotland are styled as Scotland's Great Trails; they include the West Highland Way and the Speyside Way.

The success of the Welsh government's 870-mile Wales Coast Path prompted an ongoing project of create a similar route for England. When completed, the King Charles III England Coast Path will be around 2,700 miles long.{{Cite web |title=King Charles III England Coast Path |url=https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/england-coast-path/ |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=National Trails |language=en}}

There are many other recognised, sometimes waymarked, long-distance footpaths in the UK which do not have National Trail status. The Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA) has the most comprehensive online database of long-distance paths in the UK,{{Cite web |last=www.jameskirby.me.uk |first=MKH Computer Services Ltd-www mkh-computer-services co uk / James Kirby- |title=Long Distance Walkers Association |url=https://www.ldwa.org.uk/ |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=www.ldwa.org.uk |language=en-GB}} and members are able to download GPX files of routes. The association also maintains the LDWA National Trails Register,{{Cite web |last=www.jameskirby.me.uk |first=MKH Computer Services Ltd-www mkh-computer-services co uk / James Kirby- |title=Long Distance Walkers Association |url=https://www.ldwa.org.uk/ |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=www.ldwa.org.uk |language=en-GB}} with different levels of membership for people who have completed five, 10, 15 or all 19 of the National Trails and Great Trails. An annual report is published in April in the association's magazine, Strider.

==Republic of Ireland==

{{main|Long-distance trails in the Republic of Ireland}}

The Kerry Way, in south-west Ireland, is the longest of the Irish waymarked trails and circumnavigates the highest mountain range in Ireland.{{Cite web|title=Kerry Way|url=https://www.sportireland.ie/outdoors/walking/trails/kerry-way|access-date=23 March 2021|website=Sport Ireland|language=en}} Along with the adjoining Dingle Way it is noted for its scenic views of the Atlantic, loughs and mountains.

Image:Map of the European Long Distance Paths.png

=Asia=

==Hong Kong==

Long-distance trails in Hong Kong:

== Japan ==

Japan has a network of ten long-distance trails called Long Distance Nature Trails. Their creation is the result of a Ministry of Environment initiative to highlight the specific environmental, cultural or historic landscapes through which the trails pass. They also aim to allow hikers a safe and easy hike in any season, as well as raising awareness of the importance of protecting natural spaces and adopting sustainable behaviors.{{Cite web|last=Michinoku Trail Club|title=About Long Distance Nature Trail|date=28 August 2020 |url=https://m-tc.org/explore/about/trail/|access-date=4 July 2021}}

Long Distance Nature Trails in Japan:

  • Tokai Nature Trail: 1697 kilometers
  • Kyūshū Nature Trail (nicknamed Yamabikosan): 2932 kilometers
  • Chūkoku Nature Trail: 2295 kilometers
  • Shikoku Nature Trail (nicknamed Shikoku no Michi): 1637 kilometers
  • Shutoken Nature Trail (nicknamed Kanto Fureai no Michi): 1800 kilometers
  • Tōhoku Nature Trail (nicknamed Shin Oku no Hosomichi): 4374 kilometers
  • Chūbu Hokuriku Nature Trail: 4085 kilometers
  • Kinki Nature Trail: 3296 kilometers
  • Hokkaidō Nature Trail: 4600 kilometers
  • Tōhoku Pacific Coast Nature Trail (nicknamed Michinoku Coastal Trail): 1000 kilometers

=South America=

== Brazil ==

In Brazil, long-distance trails are regulated by two Federal Government decrees, and implemented and managed by government agencies in partnership with many NGOs, such as the Brazilian Trails Network Association{{cite web |url=https://worldtrailsnetwork.org/portfolio-item/brasilian-trails-network/ |title=Brasilian Network of Long Distance Trails Description |publisher=World Trails Network |access-date=31 January 2022}} (Associação Rede Brasileira de Trilhas in Portuguese) and the Atlantic Forest Trail Institute. The aim is to create a national system of trails that are pleasant to hike, but that also generate employment and income and function as conservation tools by linking protected areas with natural corridors.

There are more than 120 trails in different stages of implementation in 25 of the 27 Brazilian states, connecting all Brazilian biomes. As of January 2022, Brazil has more than 5,500 km of managed trails and another 20,500 km planned.{{cite web |url=http://www.redetrilhas.org.br |title=Home page |publisher=Brazilian Trails Network Association |access-date=31 January 2022}}

Long-distance trails in Brazil:

  • Atlantic Forest Trail: 4270 km{{Cite web |title=Caminho da Mata Atlântica |url=http://caminhodamataatlantica.org.br/en/home/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Caminho da Mata Atlântica |language=en-US}}{{Citation |last1=Viveiros de Castro |first1=Ernesto B. |title=The Atlantic Forest Trail: Reconnecting People, Biodiversity, and Protected Areas |date=2021 |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55322-7_19 |work=The Atlantic Forest: History, Biodiversity, Threats and Opportunities of the Mega-diverse Forest |pages=403–419 |editor-last=Marques |editor-first=Marcia C. M. |access-date=2023-05-15 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-55322-7_19 |isbn=978-3-030-55322-7 |last2=Lanna |first2=Andre Monnerat |last3=Lobo |first3=Anna Carolina |last4=Feliciani |first4=Felipe |last5=Bradford |first5=Renata B. |last6=do Nascimento |first6=Jorge Luis |last7=Grelle |first7=Carlos E. V. |editor2-last=Grelle |editor2-first=Carlos E. V.}}{{Cite journal |last1=Grelle |first1=Carlos E. V. |last2=Niemeyer |first2=Julia |last3=Viveiros de Castro |first3=Ernesto B. |last4=Lanna |first4=André M. |last5=Uzeda |first5=Mariella |last6=Vieira |first6=Marcus Vinicius |date=March 2021 |title=Sustainability issues in a tropical mega trail |journal=Royal Society Open Science |language=en |volume=8 |issue=3 |pages=rsos.201840, 201840 |doi=10.1098/rsos.201840 |pmid=33959344 |issn=2054-5703|pmc=8074932 |bibcode=2021RSOS....801840G }}
  • Transmantiqueira National Trail: 1200 km{{cite web |url=https://worldtrailsnetwork.org/portfolio-item/trilha-transmantiqueira-brasil/ |title=Trilha Transmantiqueira Trail Description |date= |website= |publisher=Transmantiqueira Trail Association |access-date=31 January 2022}}{{cite web |url=http://www.trilhatransmantiqueira.org.br/w3/ |title=Olá, somos a Trilha Transmantiqueira |date= |website= |publisher=Associação Trilha Transmantiqueira |language=Portuguese |access-date=31 January 2022}}
  • Transcarioca Trail: 180 km{{cite web |url=https://worldtrailsnetwork.org/portfolio-item/transcarioca-trail/ |title=Transcarioca Trail Description |publisher=World Trails Network |access-date=31 January 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/trekking-rio-on-the-transcarioca-trail |title=Trekking Rio on the Transcarioca Trail |publisher=Lonely Planet |first=Tom |last=Le Mesurier |date=2 November 2017 |access-date=31 January 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://trilhatranscarioca.com.br/ |title=Home page |website=Trilha Transcarioca |language=Portuguese |access-date=31 January 2022}}
  • Atlantic Amazon Trail: 350 km
  • Pioneers Route: 390 km
  • Serra do Mar Trail: 300 km

Coastal trails

{{main|Coastal path}}

File:Okt trail marking.JPG National Blue Trail, incorporated into the European Long-Distance Walking Route E4]]

These follow coastlines; examples are the Brittany Coast Path in France,{{cite web |url=https://ilovewalkinginfrance.com/coast-of-brittany/ |first=Melinda |last=Lusmore |title=Walking the coast of Brittany |publisher=I Love Walking in France |access-date=21 January 2019}} the California Coastal Trail in the US,{{cite web |url=http://www.californiacoastaltrail.info/cms/pages/main/index.html |title=Official site |publisher=California Coastal Trail |access-date=15 February 2017}} the South West Coast Path in England, the East Coast Trail in Canada, and the Otter Trail in South Africa.

The King Charles III England Coast Path, in development by Natural England, will be around {{convert|2700|mi|-1|order=flip}} long. It is expected to open by the end of 2024 as the longest coastal walking route in the world and Britain's longest National Trail.{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/worlds-longest-coastal-footpath-one-step-closer |title=World's longest coastal footpath one step closer |publisher=Natural England and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs |date=1 September 2017 |website=Gov.uk}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-improving-public-access-to-the-coast#overview-of-progress|title=King Charles III England Coast Path: improving public access to the coast|publisher=Natural England|website=Gov.uk|date=9 August 2023|access-date=19 October 2023}}

Coast-to-coast trails

These may be cross-country paths, or may follow roads or other ways, and often intersect with many other trails. Examples are Wainwright's Coast-to-Coast path in northern England, and the GR 10 in France. The English Coast to Coast route, despite being amongst the best-known long-distance walking routes in England, is not an official National Trail, but simply a series of connected pre-existing rights of way, roads and open country with some informal links between them. There is also a coast-to-coast mountain-bike route in northern England that has the same trailheads as the walkers' path. GR 10 is a French GR footpath that runs the length of the Pyrenees Mountains, roughly paralleling the French–Spanish border on the French side. It runs west to east, from Hendaye on the Bay of Biscay to Banyuls-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean Sea.

The American Discovery Trail is a hiking and biking trail that crosses the continental United States from east to west, across the mid-tier of the United States {{convert|10,900|km}}. Horses can also be ridden on most of this trail. The eastern terminus is the Delmarva Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean and the western terminus is Point Reyes, on the northern California coast at the Pacific Ocean.{{Cite web|url=https://discoverytrail.org/|title=American Discovery Trail ™|website=American Discovery Trail ™|language=en-US|access-date=30 June 2019}} The Iditarod Trail connects the coastal cities of Seward and Nome, Alaska: a distance of around {{convert|1600|km}}.

Cross-continent trails

The European long-distance paths (E-paths) traverse Europe, passing through many countries.

Among the longest are European walking route E8 and the Iron Curtain Trail (also known as EuroVelo 13). The latter is a partially complete long-distance cycling route which will run along the entire length of the former Iron Curtain. During the period of the Cold War (c. 1947–1991), the Iron Curtain delineated the border between the Communist East and the capitalist West.{{cite web|title=The Iron Curtain Trail – experiencing the history of Europe's division|url=http://www.ironcurtaintrail.eu/en/der_iron_curtain_trail/index.html|work=Iron Curtain Trail website|access-date=11 December 2013}}{{cite web|title=EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail|url=http://www.eurovelo.com/en/eurovelos/eurovelo-13|work=EuroVelo.com|publisher=European Cyclists' Federation|access-date=12 December 2013}}

Other trails

Some of the longest walking routes worldwide:

Mountain trails

Long-distance mountain trails are of two broad kinds: linear trails and loop trails.

=Europe=

In Europe the Via Alpina consists of five connected hiking trails across the alpine regions of Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, France and Monaco. It is {{convert|5000|km|mi|-2|abbr=in}} long, with 342 day stages.{{cite web|url=http://www.via-alpina.org|title=Wandern auf der Via Alpina – Wilkommen|website=via-alpina.org|access-date=3 April 2018}} Circular routes include the Tour du Mont Blanc, which passes through the Alps of France, Switzerland, and Italy. In the Balkans region, the Peaks of the Balkans Trail and High Scardus Trail connect Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro or North Macedonia respectively through a network of combined almost {{convert|700|km}}.

=United States=

{{See also|Long-distance trails in the United States}}

In the United States, notable linear trails include the Appalachian Trail, {{convert|3500|km}}, the Pacific Crest Trail, {{convert|4,300|km}}

and the Continental Divide Trail, {{convert|5,000|km}}.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/oct/02/us-national-trails-wilderness-walking-scenic-favourites-hiking|title=Six of the best US national trails – chosen by experts|author=Guardian Staff|date=2 October 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=30 June 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} The first long-distance hiking trail in the US was begun in 1910 and named The Long Trail. Notable circular trails include the Tahoe Rim Trail and the Wonderland Trail (which encircles Mount Rainier).

=Australia=

The Australian Alps Walking Track traverses the alpine areas of Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. It is {{convert|655|km|mi|0|abbr=in}} long, starting at Walhalla, Victoria, and running through to Tharwa, Australian Capital Territory near Canberra.

=Himalayas=

The Himalayan routes are famous for attracting a large number of trekkers (backpackers). Typical trekking regions in Nepal are Annapurna, Dolpo, Langtang, Manaslu, Kangchenjunga and Mount Everest. In India, the Kashmir Valley is home to several trekking routes that traverse western sections of the Himalayas.{{cite book|title=Illustrated Atlas of the Himalaya|author=Zurick, Pacheco, J.Shrestha, Bajracharya, B.|isbn=9788183860376|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S20hk99x_-MC|year=2006|publisher=India Research Press}} Vishansar Lake, Gangabal Lake and Tarsar Lakes are accessible only through different trekking routes.{{cite web|url=https://www.kashmirtreks.com/long-treks/|title=KashmirTreks|publisher=KashmirTreks.com|access-date=15 May 2014}} Other popular trekking routes in India include Chandra Taal, Dzongri, Goechala, Gomukh, Hemkund, Kafni Glacier, Kailash-Manasarovar, Kedarnath, Kedartal, Milam Glacier, Nanda Devi Sanctuary, Pindari Glacier, Richenpong, Roopkund, Sar Pass, Satopanth Tal, Saurkundi Pass and the Valley of Flowers.

The Great Himalaya Trail is proposed to follow the Greater Himalaya Range from Namche Barwa in Tibet to Nanga Parbat in Pakistan, forming the world's highest mountain trail.

=Andes=

A long-distance trail network in the southern Andes, the {{convert|3000|km|mi|-2|adj=on}} Greater Patagonian Trail, was first described in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.wikiexplora.com/index.php/Greater_Patagonian_Trail|title=Greater Patagonian Trail – Wikiexplora|website=www.wikiexplora.com|access-date=3 April 2018}} It currently connects Santiago de Chile with the Southern Patagonian Icefield and explores the remote areas of the Patagonian Andes in the border region between Chile and Argentina. The entire network currently incorporates more than {{convert|16000|km|mi|-2|adj=on}} of routes and provides many packrafting options.

=Eastern Africa=

File:Rubaksa footbridge2.jpg]]

Other types

=Cycling=

{{main|Long-distance cycling route}}

These routes have been constructed mainly for bicycle touring. Some are restricted to use by only non-motorized bikes while others are multi-use recreational (i.e. hiking, horseback riding, jogging, rollerblading or walking). Some long-distance cycling routes are hundreds of miles long, such as Australia's mainly off-road Munda Biddi Trail, or even thousands of miles, such as the EuroVelo routes.

=Canal towpaths=

Some trails follow the towpaths of canal systems. A good example is the {{convert|525|mi|km|adj=on|order=flip}} New York State Canal System in New York. There also numerous routes that can be followed in Europe, which may be suitable for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and canoeists.

=Equestrian=

File:High Peak Trail - geograph.org.uk - 106306.jpg, part of the Pennine Bridleway in northern England]]

{{See also|Category:Horse trails}}

Many long-distance trails have sections suitable for equestrians, and a few are suitable for horse riding throughout their length, or have been developed primarily for horse riding. The Bicentennial National Trail (BNT) in Australia is the longest marked multi-use trail in the world, stretching {{convert|5330|km}} from Cooktown, Queensland, through New South Wales to Healesville, Victoria. This non-motorised trail runs the length of the rugged Great Dividing Range through national parks and private property and alongside wilderness areas. One of the objectives was to develop a trail that linked up the brumby tracks,The Bicentennial National Trail, Welcome to One of the World's Great Natural Adventures mustering and stock routes along the Great Dividing Range, thus allowing one legally to ride the routes of stockmen and drovers who once traveled these areas with pack horses. The Bicentennial National Trail is suitable for self-reliant horse riders, fit walkers and mountain bike riders.{{cite web|url=http://www.john.chapman.name/bicent.html|title=Bushwalking – Bicentennial National Trail|website=www.john.chapman.name|access-date=3 April 2018}}

In the United Kingdom, the British Horse Society is developing a network of horse trails known as the National Bridleroute Network.{{cite web|url=http://www.ride-uk.org.uk/intro.htm|title=Home – British Horse Society|website=www.ride-uk.org.uk|access-date=3 April 2018}} A number of long-distance multi-use trails have been created in England, including three National Trails: the Pennine Bridleway, {{convert|192|km|mi|0|abbr=in}}, The Ridgeway, {{convert|139|km|mi|0|abbr=in}}, and the South Downs Way, {{convert|160|km|mi|0|abbr=in}}.{{Cite web|title=Home | The British Horse Society|url=https://www.bhs.org.uk/|access-date=2023-01-02|website=www.bhs.org.uk|language=en}}

=Rail trails=

Rail trails (or rail paths) are shared-use paths that make use of abandoned railway corridors. There are also rails with trails in the US that follow working rail tracks. Most rail trails have a gravel or dirt surface and can be used for walking, cycling, and often horse riding as well. The following description comes from Australia, but is applicable to other rail trails that exist throughout the world:

{{quote|Following the route of the railways, they cut through hills, under roads, over embankments and across gullies and creeks. Apart from being great places to walk, cycle or horse ride, rail trails are linear conservation corridors protecting native plants and animals. They often link remnant vegetation in farming areas and contain valuable flora and fauna habitat. Wineries and other attractions are near many trails as well as B&B's and other great places to stay.Railtrails Australia: <[http://www.railtrails.org.au/what-are-rail-trails/introduction>]}}

Image:East-Gippsland-Rail-Trail-Sign-2,-near-Bruthen,-30.08.2008.jpg signage in Victoria, Australia indicating the shared trail usage]]

In the US, the {{convert|27|mi|km|adj=on|order=flip}} Cheshire Rail Trail, in New Hampshire, can be used by hikers, horseback riders, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, cyclists, or even dog-sledders. In Canada, following the abandonment of the Prince Edward Island Railway in 1989, the government of Prince Edward Island purchased the right-of-way to the entire railway system. The Confederation Trail was developed as a tip-to-tip walking and cycling gravel rail trail which doubles as a monitored and groomed snowmobile trail during the winter months, operated by the PEI Snowmobile Association.

See also

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Bibliography

References

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Category:Hiking

Category:Footpaths

Category:Long-distance trails