Top 20 Walking Journeys

Transcription

1 Top 20 Walking Journeys 1 Camino de Santiago Spain 2 Everest Base Camp Nepal 3 Kilimanjaro Tanzania 4 Milford Track New Zealand 5 Overland Track Tasmania, Australia 6 Inca Trail Peru 7 Torres del Paine Patagonia, Chile 8 Larapinta Northern Territory, Australia 9 Kokoda Track Papua New Guinea 10 Coast to Coast United Kingdom 11 Annapurna Circuit Nepal 12 GR20 Corsica 13 Bibbulmun Track Western Australia, Australia 14 Great Ocean Walk Victoria, Australia 15 Chomolhari Trek Bhutan 16 Routeburn Trail New Zealand 17 Tour Mont Blanc France/Italy/Switzerland 18 John Muir Trail Colorado, USA 19 Hadrian s Wall United Kingdom 20 South Coast Track Tasmania, Australia

2 #1 Camino de Santiago, Spain Why walk The Camino: An age-old pilgrimage route, walking The Camino usually involves a personal journey, the camaraderie of fellow walkers, and plenty of wine, history & culture. Best time to walk: During the Spanish Autumn, September-October, or the Spanish Spring, March-April Distance covered: The most popular routes are the French Way 750km, The Le Puy Way 800km and the Via de la Plata 950km Days required: 25 to 45 days at approximately 25km per day Grade of walk: Moderate

3 #2 Everest Base Camp, Nepal Why trek to EBC: See the highest mountain in the world, test your ability to acclimatise to the high altitude and enjoy the culture and hospitality of the Sherpa people. Best time to walk: Pre-Monsoon, late April May, or Post-Monsoon, September- November Distance covered: 52km direct or 66km via the Gokyo Lakes Days required: 14 to 21 days (10 to 20km per day) Grade of walk: Challenging

4 #3 Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Why climb Kilimanjaro: Feel the immense satisfaction of summiting Africa s highest mountain & the world s tallest volcano, and finish off with a safari or beach lazing on Zanzibar. Best time to walk: After the Long Rains, June to September, is best but Kilimanjaro is open to trekkers all year round. Distance covered: 61km (Machame Route); 65km (Marangu Route); Others vary Days required: 7 days is recommended to ensure the best chance to acclimatize (5 to 10km per day, including a rest day) Grade of walk: Challenging

5 #4 Milford Track, NZ Why tramp The Milford Track: One of the world s best known wilderness trails and NZ s first Great Walk, the Milford Track was advertised as the Finest walk in the World over 100 years ago. Best time to walk: After the winter snows i.e. between November and April Distance covered: 54 km Days required: 4 days (mandatory, ~15 km per day) Grade of walk: Moderate to Challenging

6 #5 Overland Track, Tasmania Why walk the Overland Track: An iconic Australian walk through a true wilderness, dotted with jagged peaks and teeming with wildlife. Best time to walk: Official season: 1 st Oct till 31 st May (north to south with fees of $200 pp); Winter experience: from 1 st June till 30 th Sept (both directions and no fees) Distance covered: 65 km (or 82.5 km if you walk around Lake St Clair) Days required: Average of six days Grade of walk: Moderate

7 #6 Inca Trail, Peru Why walk the Inca Trail: Build your excitement at visiting one of the world s premier archaeological sites with this four-day walk through minor ruins and along winding rivers, culminating in the legendary Inca Sun Gate at dawn. Best time to walk: The Inca Trail is open all year round but the driest and busiest period is May to August. Distance covered: 43km Days required: 4 days (about 10 km per day) Grade of walk: Moderate

8 #7 Torres del Paine, Chile Why walk the Torres del Paine: Patagonia is home to the most rugged parts of the Andes, a wonderland of lakes, glaciers and spires of rock. Unforgettable. Best time to walk: October to April offers the best weather for trekking Distance covered: There are various routes; assume approx. 58 km for the W (the most popular) and 90 km for the O Circuit. Days required: 4 to 5 days for the W ; 9 days for the O (about 12 km per day) Grade of walk: Moderate

9 #8 Larapinta Trail, NT Why walk the Larapinta Trail: A walk with a difference, the Larapinta follows the humped West MacDonnell ranges through the scorching desert of Australia s Red Centre. A unique experience. Best time to walk: The Australian winter: June to August Distance covered: 223 km Days required: 12 to 16 days (10 to 30 km per day) Grade of walk: Challenging

10 #9 Kokoda Track, PNG Why walk the Kokoda Track: Not just a challenging trek but a journey through the pain and sacrifice of Australian diggers in WWII and the local Papuans who helped them. COURAGE - ENDURANCE - MATESHIP - SACRIFICE Best time to walk: July to September is the driest period although 25 th April ANZAC Day sees the biggest crowds. Track closed between November & March Distance covered: 98 km Days required: 9 days (8 to 12km per day) Grade of walk: Challenging

11 #10 Coast to Coast, UK Why walk the Coast to Coast: Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of three contrasting National Parks, plus the pleasures of walking the cobbled streets of charming hamlets and staying in traditional English Bed & Breakfasts. Best time to walk: May to September as the days are longer and warmer. The C2C is usually walked east to west so the prevailing winds are at your back. Distance covered: 293km Days required: Between days (15 to 20km per day) Grade of walk: Moderate - Challenging

12 #11 Annapurna Circuit, Nepal Why walk the Annapurna Circuit: Often voted as one of the best walks in the world, if the Annapurna Circuit is on your bucket list it ought to be near the top. Construction of a major road around the massif is slowly reducing the wow-factor. Best time to walk: As in all the Himalaya, the two trekking seasons are postmonsoon (September to December) and pre-monsoon (April to May). Distance covered: Between 160 and 230km, depending on beginning and end points and your acclimatisation schedule. Days required: 17 to 21 days Grade of walk: Challenging

13 #12 GR20, Corsica Why walk the GR20: Traverse the spine of this enchanting yet jagged granite Mediterranean island, through high pastures and passes inhabited only by shepherds and their flocks. Best time to walk: Late June to early September. The GR20 is usually walked north to south. Distance covered: 180km Days required: 15 days (10 to 15km per day) Grade of walk: Challenging

14 #13 Bibbulmun Track, WA Why walk the Bibbulmun Track: Challenge yourself with a really long walk. Forget the real world for a couple of months and lose yourself in nature and isolation on one of the world s great long-distance hikes. Best time to walk: April to November Distance covered: 1003km Days required: Approximately 8 weeks, or 56 days (15 to 20 km per day) Grade of walk: Challenging

15 #14 Great Ocean Walk, Vic Why walk the Great Ocean Walk: Victoria s premier long-distance walk, the GOW hugs the coastline between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles, treating the walker to remote beaches, off-shore rock stacks, historical points of interest and gorgeous wildlife. Best time to walk: The GOW can be walked all year round but the most comfortable months are Sept to Nov and March to May. The GOW is usually walked east to west. Distance covered: 104km Days required: 6 to 8 days Grade of walk: Moderate

16 #15 Chomolhari Trek, Bhutan Why walk the Chomolhari Trek: Visiting Bhutan is an experience in itself the clothes, the dzongs, the phallic symbols but trekking through the mountains, past some of the highest unclimbed peaks in the world, is an experience you ll never forget. Best time to walk: As in all the Himalaya, the two trekking seasons are postmonsoon (September to December) and pre-monsoon (April to May). Guides are mandatory in Bhutan. Distance covered: 120km Days required: The set itinerary is 10 days, which includes 2 acclimatisation days and 1 travel day. Grade of walk: Challenging

17 #16 Routeburn Track, NZ Why walk the Routeburn Trail: Although a relatively short walk, the Routeburn is packed with beauty. Peaks, lakes, waterfalls and abundant birdlife will ensure you leave Fjordland determined to return. Best time to walk: The Southern Hemisphere summer, November to March, is best although high wind and rain can occur at any time. Distance covered: 40km Days required: 3 days Grade of walk: Moderate

18 #17 Tour de Mont Blanc, France Why walk the Tour Mont Blanc: One of the most popular walks in Europe, and deservedly so, the TMB encompasses three countries on a circuit of the Mont Blanc Massif, one of the highest mountains in Europe. Stunning. Best time to walk: June to September is recommended; after that the high passes become blocked by snow and alpine equipment is necessary. Distance covered: 169 to 176km Days required: 10 to 11 days, depending on speed and side trips Grade of walk: Moderate Challenging

19 #18 John Muir Trail, USA Why walk the John Muir Trail: Of all the long-distance trails on the USA the JMT is perhaps the most iconic thanks to the legendary naturalist after which it is named. The JMT passes through three stupendous national parks Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Think wide open spaces, alpine lakes, granite cliffs, giant trees and snowy passes. Best time to walk: July to September to avoid snowfall in the high country. Distance covered: 338km Days required: Up to 3 weeks Grade of walk: Challenging

20 #19 Hadrian s Wall, UK Why walk Hadrian s Wall: Follow the route of the Roman Empire s most impressive fortification, strolling through beautiful farm land and immersing yourself in history and culture. Best time to walk: May to September is your best chance of avoiding too much wet weather. Hadrian s Wall is usually walked east to west so the prevailing winds are at your back. Distance covered: 134km Days required: 10 days (10 to 15km per day) Grade of walk: Moderate

21 #20 South Coast Track, Tasmania Why walk the South Coast Track: One of the most challenging walks in Australia, the south coast of Tasmania is truly a wilderness area with the weather to match. Groups should be fit, experienced and well-prepared, and even then - it s tough. Best time to walk: November to April is best, although you should be prepared for rain and deep mud any time of year. Distance covered: 84km Days required: 7 to 10 days, mostly dependant on the weather and the depth of the mud. Grade of walk: Challenging