the Travel Enthusiast
- 02 Dec
papillon in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTSThe most picturesque walking paths in the world
Camino de Santiago, photo bycompostelavirtual.com on Flickr
Before the time of cars, trains or planes, budget travelers who wanted to see the world didn’t have many options besides walking. And walk they did, so much and for so long that the paths forged by these early travelers still exist today.
And while the traveler of the 21st century can travel thousands of miles in a matter of hours, there are still plenty of people who still enjoy the simpler pleasures of seeing beautiful scenery at a leisurely pace, while walking.
Whatever your reasons for walking are (healthy exercise, a love of nature), there are plenty of walking trails that can awaken the love of walking even in the laziest person. Here’s a list of the most picturesque walking paths in the world.
Camino de Santiago, Spain
If you are a walker who wants a confirmation of their stamina and willpower, the 800 kilometers of the Camino de Santiago are the best possible test for that. Camino de Santiago, or St James’s Way, used to be one of the most important pilgrimage routes in Europe, but today many people make their way from Paris to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia without any religious motivation. This scenic route takes you to some of the most beautiful areas of the Spanish countryside.
Bruce Trail, Canada
Bruce Trail, photo by Explore the Bruce on Flickr
Canada has an abundance of exquisite scenery, and thus countless walking trails that will lead you to wonderful places. Bruce Trail is thought to be the oldest walking path in Canada, running along the Niagara escarpment.
The whopping 850 kilometers of the trail are no piece of cake to traverse, but many people choose to walk only parts of it. Niagara Falls is not on Bruce Trail, but only on a side trail, but there are many other smaller waterfalls and landscapes to see.
Lower road of the Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yunnan, China
Tiger Leaping Gorge is a magnificent canyon on the Yangtze River, inscribed on the list of Unesco World Heritage Sites. The gorge has some of the most beautiful scenery in China, and it is possible to hike along the length of it, but if you want a less exerting walk you can take the lower road, a paved stretch of about 20 kilometers dotted with waterfalls and great views of the canyon.
Shikoku Pilgrimage, Japan
Inca Trail, photo by Emmanuel Dyan on Flickr
The Shikoku Pilgrimage path will put even the most determined walkers to the test, seeing how it covers about 1400 kilometers, which can take more than a month of walking. However, the Shikoku Pilgrimage can offer you a walking experience rich in both natural beauty and Japanese culture.
There are 88 ‘official’ temples on the pilgrimage route, as well as more than 200 bangais, temples which are not recognized as part of the route but which are still worth seeing.
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travel search by Travelgrove (get this widget)Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu, Peru
The Inca road system was the most extensive and intricate in South America, and large portions of it survive. Perhaps the most famous of the old Inca footpaths is the Inca Trail leading to Macchu Picchu.
The classic trail takes about four days to complete, but the number of people who can walk it is limited by the Peruvian government in order to preserve the path, so if you want to take the Inca Trail you will have to book several months in advance.
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