Long-Distance Hiking
Multi-stage hikes can take many forms, from Alpine crossings with friends that take you from mountain hut to mountain hut to guided trips or solo adventures. These regional trails let you tackle your challenge one step at a time in multiple stages. Whether you're on the move for a week or several months, in the mountains or on the plains, a long-distance hike is always a unique and rewarding adventure to remember.
The best regions
The better way to spend your vacation
As a bunch of outdoor nuts, we believe the choice of a long-distance hike as a vacation option will always trump staying in a luxury resort. Long-distance hiking combines peace with adventure and lets you discover more about yourself, improve your fitness, and build your confidence.
For many, it is also an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in nature. You can marvel at awe-inspiring views along your journey while knowing that your decision to go long-distance hiking is usually a far more environmentally friendly way to spend your free time.
Whatever your reasons and no matter where you choose to go, good planning and a degree of flexibility are key to having a great time. This page aims to guide and inspire you before you set off. You can read about the experiences and insights of other long-distance hikers and discover options for routes.
Long-distance hiking? Treks? Pilgrim walks?
Anyone looking for long-distance hiking routes on Outdooractive might find themselves a bit confused by some of the terminology and definitions.
In some cases (especially within the German-speaking parts of the Alps), long-distance hikes are defined and grouped according to their length. For example, The Alpine Clubs define long-distance hiking routes as being at least 300 kilometers long, while other associations define them as being over 500 kilometers.
Distance aside, these routes invariably share the same qualities of being well-established and maintained, signposted, and providing a degree of accommodation infrastructure.
'Trekking' is for those looking to get out into the true wilderness, where tents stand in for mountain huts and attention needs to be more strictly paid to planning, equipment, and logistics.
If you are looking to add a more religious or spiritual significance to your hike, Outdooractive also offers the opportunity to find and download 'Pilgrim Walks'. Pilgrimages are arguably one of the oldest forms of organized hiking, which means that they also often carry added historical and cultural value.
Pilgrimages remain one of the oldest forms of organized hiking. Long before people spent their free time trekking ...
Choosing your route
It's our belief that careful planning and preparation are key to a successful, safe, and enjoyable trip. When selecting your route it's first essential to determine what best suits your fitness level, otherwise, you're going to struggle. There are also the questions of the time you have available and how much you want to escape other people - or be around them.
The choice available is truly vast and so in order to simplify things, here's a general overview of the sorts of routes that are available out there:
Long-distance hiking in Europe: The 'E' Trails
Europe is packed with an almost unending network of organized hiking trails and for long-distance hikers, the eleven 'E' Trails of the European Ramblers' Association are a great option. These trails run in different directions and pass through several European countries.
Long-distance hiking in the Alps
Straddling the heart of the continent, the Alps are arguably THE destination for hikers and long-distance walkers in Europe. If you're comfortable in alpine terrain and looking for a challenge, there's a huge number of routes to choose from.
Long-distance hiking elsewhere in the world
Needless to say, long-distance hiking isn't just confined to Europe. There's a wealth of other landscapes, cultures, and climates to discover. A quick look at our map and Route Finder provides a snapshot of the wonders the other continents of the world have to offer.
North America: The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the Appalachian Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) - These Triple Crown trails in the USA inspire long-distance hikers with their enormous distances and wildly diverse scenery. Each of these classic routes is unique and a fantastic way to discover the many faces of the United States.
South America: Whether as part of an organized group or as a solo explorer, the routes that travel through the gigantic national parks of Peru, Chile, and Argentina represent their own brand of trekking experience. In most cases, any shorter routes are offset by significant and challenging altitude gains that truly test your limits.
Asia: As the highest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas have long been a paradise for explorers and long-distance hikers. Some of the routes here are among the hardest in the world due to the often extreme climatic conditions and grueling climbs. Of course, the Himalayas do also offer more leisurely routes, such as Lo Manthang circuit. Stunning long-distance trails can also be found in the likes of India and Kyrgyzstan.
Africa: The island of Cape Verde and the Ngorongoro Highlands of Tanzania offer two epic route options characterized by their gorgeous waterfalls, forests, and volcanic landscapes.
Oceania: The Te Araroa Long Distance Trail connects the North and South Islands of New Zealand and with a distance of 3,500 km, you're guaranteed to experience the best of this fabulous country's wild landscape. If you only want to visit the South Island, the long-distance trail through Mount Aspiring National Park is yours to explore.
Long-distance hiking trails for beginners
To help you get started with long-distance hiking, we've put together a selection of beginner-friendly long-distance trails.
These routes cover a maximum distance of 500 km, have comparatively less elevation gain, and have been equipped with good infrastructure. In other words, the ideal conditions for gaining your first experience of long-distance hiking! You can even shorten these routes by doing fewer individual stages.
Off the beaten track
If you're looking for a long-distance hiking route that is a bit different, we also have some recommendations that are geared towards the especially adventurous traveler. They are characterized by their loneliness and seclusion, as well as their unique cultural and/or historical significance
For example, there is the Via Transilvanica, a long-distance hiking trail across Romania. You can read more about it in this interview.
Tips and tricks on long-distance hiking
Other things to consider
What should I look for when traveling alone? Can the dog come along? What provisions do I need? What about when night falls?
The questions you can ask about long-distance hiking are as varied as the routes themselves.
Gear and supplies for long-distance hiking
Once you have settled on your route and know about the conditions, you'll need to start thinking about what to pack for the trip. You need to factor in the time you'll be away and strike a balance between having everything you need while also remembering that whatever you decide to take with you will be on your back!
The benefits of using Outdooractive
Now you've packed, it's time to start your adventure, and we're there every step of the way with awesome features that have been designed with passion to guide and keep you safe.
Offers and discounts from our partners
Benefit from exclusive offers from our partners
As a Pro and Pro+ member not only do you have access to additional features and the best maps at your disposal, but you can also benefit from exclusive offers from our partners, ensuring you are always fully equipped for the outdoors!
Explore all benefits and discounts