1. Camino de Santiago, Spain
The Camino de Santiago, or St James Way, is the
pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia,
Northwestern Spain,
where tradition has it that the remains of the apostle Saint James are
buried. With over a thousand years of history, this is one of the most
important Christian pilgrimage routes in the world. Today, it draws
walkers from around the world – not just for religious purpose. There
are a few routes to choose from, with the most popular being the
800km-long Northern Trail: starting from Paris and crossing from east to west of Spain.
2. Great Ocean Road, Australia
The Great Ocean Walk stretches 104-km along the southeastern coast of Australia
in the Victoria region. From trekking through dense forests to
traipsing the edge of coastal cliffs, the walk traverses a wide variety
of coastal landscapes. Some of the highlights of the walk include the
iconic 12 Apostles, the beautiful and serene Johanna Beach, picnic
heaven of Apollo Bay and Cape Otway where koala bears are plentiful. The
walk can be done independently – before setting off, it’s best to stock
up on camping gear and Australian travel insurance.
3. Bruce Trail, Canada
As the oldest and longest trail in Canada, the Bruce
Trail follows the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World
Biosphere Reserve. It runs for 850km from Niagara to Tobermory, with
side trails extending out to 250km. There are many waterfalls, streams
and rivers along the Bruce trail, expect to see a myriad of plant and
wildlife. Niagara Falls, by far the most famous watercourse in the area,
can be reached by a side trail of the Bruce Trail.
4. John Muir Trail, USA
Running 358km through the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the John Muir Trail reveals the wild and primeval nature of North America.
The trail starts from the Yosemite National Park and ends at the summit
of Mount Whitney. Along the way, you’ll pass through the Kings Canyon
National Park and Sequoia National Park. The trail was named for
naturalist John Muir, who founded the Sierra Club. The best time to
visit is from July to September, though snow may still linger on the
higher passes.
5. Shikoku Pilgrimage, Japan
With 1,200 years of history, the Shikoku Pilgrimage (or Shikoku O-Henro) runs through 88 temples and 200 bangais along
the coast of Shikoku. The trail not only puts your determination to the
test, but also gives a peek into Japan’s history and tradition. As one
of the longest trails in this list, it runs for over 1,400km and can
take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete. There are a number of
shorter imitative trails in Japan, such as the 150km circuit on the island of Shōdoshima, a 3km course in Ninna-ji, Kyoto and a route on the Chita Peninsula.
6. Jeju Olle Trail, South Korea
As a newly-developed trekking course on the Jeju island, the Jeju Olle
is made up of 22 courses covering a total of 347km in length. The
beautiful isle’s craggy coastline is lined with emerald bays and lapping
beaches, while further inland hills are studded with oreums (dormant
volcanoes), ensconced waterfalls and green prairies. On average, each
Jeju Olle Trail is 10-18 kilometers in length and each offers a
different side of Jeju.
These quick shifts in topography allow walkers to enjoy farmland and
forests, grasses and palm trees, fresh water ponds and ocean vistas,
waterfalls and cliffs, often all on a single journey.
7. Cotswolds Way, UK
Cotswolds Way is the most famous trail in the United Kingdom,
running from Chipping Campden in the north to the city of Bath, a
UNESCO World Heritage site. The course is 162-km long, passing through
picturesque villages and scenic views, such as those at the meanders of
the River Severn and the Forest of Dean. The distinctive shape of May
Hill and the long spine of Malvern Hills can also be seen during much of
the route. Some of the higlights of the trail include the Somerset
Monument, the majestic Broadway Tower and the site of the Battle of
Lansdowne.
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