View Full Version : Long Hikes in Japan or Europe?
Anyone ever heard of some long hikes, perhaps equivalent to the AT, in either Japan or Europe? I'm having some trouble finding anything on this, and it seems like there ought to be something out there. Especially Japan, which seems like it should have a lot of pilgrimage routes and so on. Thanks!
terrapin_too
02-11-2007, 22:07
Lots of long hikes, though none as long as the AT. Walking is a big tradition in Europe. There's the Coastal Path in southwestern England, which is around 300 miles long -- but you can do it more as an "inn to inn" walk; no need for heavy backpacks. (I've done small sections of it and have some photos.) I've heard of at least a couple of folks walking the length of Japan -- I don't know if that's an official "trail" but I know it's been done.
You might want to check out the alps. There are numerous thru possibilities in some spectacularly beautiful surroundings. Due to the elevation, the hiking season is pretty short - like June to late September in a lot of places. But you can't go wrong with the friendly people, gorgeous scenery, well-marked trails and lots of little towns for limited resupply.
Good luck!
Laura
Pyrenees - Walk the Pyrenees end-to-end, slipping down into France when French cooking appeals to you, or into Spain when Spanish cooking seems more appropriate. It is fairly remote(for Europe, anyway), mostly above tree line. You can even walk through the tiny little country of Andorra, along the way, just to say you had.
Camino de Santiago - Start anywhere along it, usually in Spain or France. But if you start in France, you get to walk up and over the Pyrenees first. Then, follow the setting sun by day and the streak of the Milky Way by night-over the craggy hills of the Spanish Basque territory, into the wine valleys of Rioja, across the plains of Castille, through the wheat fields of León, over the alpine mountains of Galicia, and finally into the comfort of the valley of Santiago and on to Finisterre, the end of the earth. I did like the idea of searching out adventure in the unlikely place of a well-trod road, as so many had done before me. This was the finest trek I have ever done.
Scotland. There is a hike I have heard of but am unfamiliar with, something like, walking across it, atop their rough mountains. Perhaps someone else more familiar might be more descriptive here.
Dang! These are some good responses, everyone! Thanks!
If I'm not mistaken, this guy has posted on WB before. Aside from being a tremendous photographer, if I were planning a hike in Scotland, I'd definitely write him and ask for info.
Seems like the guy has hiked just about everywhere in northern Europe.
Good luck.
http://www.lowefoto.com/
superflatz
03-16-2007, 22:55
There are many, many excellent long distance trails in Europe. They are called "epaths". Here's a link you may enjoy: http://goeurope.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=goeurope&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.era-ewv-ferp.org%2Findex.php%3Fwho
Most are well over 1000 miles.
bob