Oldest Hiking Trails in the World
Hiking has picked up popularity within the past decade due to gear advancements and the allure of cheap travel. However, hiking has been a hobby for years, and these old hiking trails are proof of that. Here is a list of some of the most popular and oldest hiking trails in the world that are still used today.
Many of these trails do require backpacking experience while others have a hut/hostel system where you can sleep in a bed every night. This list of the oldest hiking trails is sure to satisfy whatever hiking/walking adventure you seek.
The Long Trail
Location: Vermont, USA
Length: 273 miles (439 km)
Time Expectancy: 2-4 weeks
The Long Trail was completed in 1930, making it the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the U.S. It runs through the Green Mountains. Work began on the trail in 1910 at the Massachusetts and Vermont state line. It traverses the entire state of Vermont up to Canada. This hiking trail is a physically strenuous trail and follows the Appalachian Trail for 100 miles.
View from the Long Trail / Photo Credit: Ben Salthouse via Flickr
Camino de Santiago
Location: Spain
Length: Depends on the route
Time Expectancy: Varies on route
The Camino de Santiago, also commonly known as St. James’ Way or the Way of St. James, is a popular walking/biking trail to the shrine of St. James the Great in northwestern Spain. Many do see it as a spiritual pilgrimage. The Way of St. James was a popular Christian pilgrimage in the Middle Ages. However, nowadays, it is an extremely popular destination. There are a variety of starting places to reach the shrine in Santiago de Compostela.
Yellow blaze marking the path on the Camino de Santiago / Photo Credit: Jesús Pérez Pacheco via Flickr
Via Francigena
Location: Europe (England, France, Switzerland, Italy)
Length: 1,243 miles (2,000 km)
Time Expectancy: approximately 100 days of walking/44 days of cycling
This popular Christian pilgrimage route runs from France to Rome, Italy. It is Europe’s oldest trail, dating back to a trade route approximately 2,000 years ago. Via Francigena literally translates to the ‘road that comes from France.’ It traverses through parts of England, France, and Switzerland to reach Italy. This trail begins in Canterbury in the United Kingdom and then makes its way southeast to Rome. You will have to cross the English channel. You may choose to walk or bike this trail.
View from the Via Francigena / Photo Credit: Alain Rouiller via Flickr
Bruce Trail
Location: Ontario, Canada
Length: 550 mi (885 km)
Time Expectancy: 30-60 days depending on pace
The Bruce Trail is Canada’s oldest and longest hiking trail. The trail was created in the 1960’s. It runs through southern and central Ontario. The famous Niagara Falls is reached from a short side trail off the Bruce Trail. The Bruce Trail boasts many views of waterfalls as it runs along the edge of the Niagara Escarpment.
Waterfall seen from the Bruce Trail / Photo Credit: Jackman Chiu via Flickr
Shikoku Pilgrimage
Location: Shikoku, Japan
Length: 750 mi (1,200 km)
Time Expectancy: 30-60 days depending on pace
Located in the Japanese island of Shikoku, this old trail features 88 temples associated with a Buddhist monk. It has been said that, by visiting the 88 temples, you will find your true self and your worries and frustrations will dissipate. There are many theories on when the first pilgrimage took place but it has been accepted that it was centuries ago.
Coast of Shikoku / Photo Credit: John Cant via Flickr
Rennsteig Trail
Location: Germany
Length: 105.19 miles (169.29 km)
Time Expectancy: 6-15 days
This old trail is a historical boundary path in Germany. The trail traverses through the Thuringian Forest. The Rennsteig was first mentioned as a border in 1330 but it wasn’t until 1832 when a map was created of the trail. This is said to be Germany’s oldest long-distance trail. However, some also claim that the Westweg Trail could also be Germany’s oldest.
View from Rennsteig Trail / Photo Credit: Armin S Kowalski via Flickr
E11
Location: Europe (Netherlands, Germany, Poland)
Length: 1,286 mi (2,070 km)
Time Expectancy: about 100 days
The E11 trail is the oldest footpath in the Eurpean Ramblers Association that traverses through the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland to reach the Lithuanian border. After the Middle Ages, the route was roughly used by peddlers, traders, and travelers. However, a designated footpath didn’t surface until 1980.
Mountain view from E11 trail / Photo Credit: Basszje via Flickr
National Blue Trail
Location: Hungary
Length: 701 mi (1128.2 km)
Time Expectancy: 7-10 weeks
The National Blue Trail was created in 1938. The footpath starts at the Austrian-Hungarian border and ends at the Hungarian-Slovakian border. Hikers can ‘validate’ their hike by receiving a stamp at the 147 checkpoints along the trail.
National Blue Trail / Photo Credit: Ken Owen via Flickr
Milford Track
Location: New Zealand
Length: 33.25 mi (53.5 km)
Time Expectancy: Four days
This stunningly beautiful trail traverses through wetland, alpine, and rain forest. Milford Track has been a hiking path for 150 years now but was predominately used by the Māori people early on as a transporting path for greenstone. It is located in Fiordland National Park.
Hiking the Milford Track / Photo Credit: TRAILSOURCE.COM via Flickr
Source:
http://www.wildjunket.com/2011/05/27/7-of-the-most-famous-walking-trails-in-the-world/
http://www.frankwalks.com/walks-in-germany/walking-the-westweg-most-famous-hiking-trail-of-germany
http://www.germany.travel/en/leisure-and-recreation/walking/rennsteig-trail.html
New Zealand, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milford_Track
http://www.kektura.click.hu/frame002.htm
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