Nothing brings us closer to nature quite like going for a hike. More and more people are looking to get out and at one with Mother Nature. If you want to lace up your hiking boots and get out with the rest of the world, you might want to take a look at the best long-distance hikes around the world in 2021.
Bibbulmun Track – Australia
The Bibbulmun Track is named in honor of the area’s indigenous people and covers a whopping 620 miles. In fact, it’s so long that the Bibbulmun Track is one of the longest hiking trails in Australia as it takes people down the western stretch of the nation. There are plenty of things to see along the way, as the long-distance hiking trail winds through forests and native bush. Keep an eye out for the local quokkas who call the place home.
Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail – Japan
This long-distance hike is a little different because it’s a circular trail – and that’s not the only reason people might want to add walking the Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail to their bucket list. The 870-mile track has been used since the 12th-century and passes all kinds of sacred sites, including 88 temples. Pilgrims typically use a staff and wear loose white shirts and conical sedge hats as they make their way through the trail.
Coast Paths – UK
The Wales Coast Path is a stunning long-distance hike that takes people 870 miles along the coast. In fact, this is the first hike to take someone along a country’s entire coastline. Of course, that means you’ll get to see plenty of sea and sand along the way and get to enjoy the sea breeze to cool down as you take it all in.
Paparoa Track – New Zealand
Believe it or not, but there are plenty of Great Walks found all over New Zealand. Paparoa Track is the newest to be added to the list – and the first long-distance hike to make the cut in 25 years. The hike is one of the shorter on the list as it covers just 34 miles, but it zig-zags through an area of terrain that was once inaccessible to anyone, regardless of their hiking level. All you need to do is head to the South Island’s wild west coast to enjoy it for yourself.
Camino de Santiago – Spain
The Camino de Santiago long-distance hike in Spain is so special that it’s been listed by UNESCO. The hike starts in the Pyrenees Mountains in France and travels 500 miles into Spain. The hike also has a lot of history as it’s been used since the Middle Ages as soul-searchers and pilgrims underwent the journey of a lifetime.
The best long-distance hikes around the world in 2021 are more than just trails. They are a way to get back in touch with Mother Nature, to forget about the stresses and worries from the rest of the world, and a chance to do something many of us spend a lifetime dreaming about.
