There are so many potential long-distance trails. How do you choose?
It starts by choosing trails that suit your interest and level of experience. Novices should choose shorter trails or ones that offer additional amenities, services, and support. Well established trails may have clubs, books, and guides to help you gain experience. An inexperienced hiker can join other more skilled hikers on a trek.
More adventurous and experienced trekkers can challenge themselves with longer trails and difficult or strenuous environments such as deserts, remote environments, or high altitude.
It starts by choosing trails that suit your interest and level of experience. Novices should choose shorter trails or ones that offer additional amenities, services, and support. Well established trails may have clubs, books, and guides to help you gain experience. An inexperienced hiker can join other more skilled hikers on a trek.
More adventurous and experienced trekkers can challenge themselves with longer trails and difficult or strenuous environments such as deserts, remote environments, or high altitude.
The current state of E-Paths (from the European Ramblers Association)
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There are thousands of trails to chose from. Some walks in Europe, offer well travelled paths, with lodging options every night, villages with many food options and historical interests along the way. These trails include the ‘Grande Randonnée’ (GR) in France, and Euro (E) Trails in Europe.
Religious or spiritual walks offer the added focus on spirituality. Such as Camino de Santiago in Spain, Kumano Kudo in Japan, Pilgrim’s Way in England, etc. North American thru hikes are generally in wilder settings and may even require food drops or caching, orienteering, and wilderness camping skills. Understanding concepts of meal planning, food caching, wildlife encounters, and how to handle the extreme weather on such trails is important to consider. |
Examples of these include the Appalachian Trail (AT) in eastern USA, the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) in Arizona, the Bruce Trail in Ontario CAN, the Great Divide Trail (GDT) in Alberta and BC CAN, etc.
Ultra long thru hikes such as the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), The Continental Divide Trail (CDT), or Canada’s Trans Canada Trail (TCT), the Te Araroa of New Zealand, and the Euro Trails (E Trails) in Europe may take six months, or more, to accomplish. Here health, time commitment and financial planning will be critical factors to consider.
Ultra long thru hikes such as the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), The Continental Divide Trail (CDT), or Canada’s Trans Canada Trail (TCT), the Te Araroa of New Zealand, and the Euro Trails (E Trails) in Europe may take six months, or more, to accomplish. Here health, time commitment and financial planning will be critical factors to consider.
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We consider Exploration Factors (fig 1) to help us understand what specific requirements and challenges our next trek should provide:
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Fig.1 - Exploratory Factors
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We generally separate trails into wilderness thru-hikes, hostel-style treks, five-star walks, and guided tours. These styles are described in an upcoming 'pdf' document (tbd).
Once you have selected a trail, the next step is the gathering of knowledge (Trail Knowledge)
Once you have selected a trail, the next step is the gathering of knowledge (Trail Knowledge)