1. The Trans Canada Trail
Total Distance: 14,912 Miles (24,000 Km).
Location: The Trans Canada Trail is a network of trails which stretches across Canada from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean with an offshoot up to the Arctic Ocean.
Significance: The Trans Canada Trail was started in 1992 as a commemoration of Canada’s 125th anniversary and is forecasted to be completed in 2017. When completed the trail will include a total of 24,000 Km making it the longest trail network in the world.
2. American Discovery Trail
Total Distance: 6,800 Miles (10,944 Km).
Location: The American Discovery Trail is a system of trails stretching across the United States. The trail starts in Delaware and makes its way through the District of Columbia, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and ending in California.
Significance: The American Discovery Trail is presently the longest trail network in the United States. The first people to complete the trail were Joyce and Pete Cottrell; they hiked the trail in sections over a two year period. The first successful continuous hikers of the trail were Marcia and Ken Powers who started their hike on February 27, 2005 and finished on October 15, 2005.
3. Great Western Loop
Total Distance: 6,875 Miles (11,064 Km).
Location: The Great Western Loop is a network of trails in the western United States with some small sections in Canada. It loops its way through California, Oregon, Washington, Canada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Significance: The Great Western Loop is created by linking together the Pacific Crest Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail and the Arizona Trail. This huge network makes its way through both the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, twelve National Parks, and seventy-five wilderness areas. Presently the only person to complete the entire hike is Andrew Skurka. He began his hike on April 9, 2007 and finished on November 7, 2007.
4. Eastern Continental Trail
Total Distance: 5,400 Miles (8,690 Km).
Location: The Eastern Continental Trail follows a network of trails along the continental divide of North America. The trail starts in Key West. Florida on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail and makes its way north via the Florida Trail, Alabama Roadwalk, Pinhoti Trail, Benton MacKaye Trail, Appalachian Trail, and ending in the Belle Isle Newfoundland and Labrador on the International Appalachian Trail.
Significance: The first successful thru-hike of the Eastern Continental Trail was done by John Brinda in 1997 though he ended his hike at Cap Gaspe, Quebec which was the final trailhead at the time of his hike.
5. North Country National Scenic Trail
Total Distance: 4,600 Miles (7,403 Km).
Location: The North Country National Scenic Trail stretches through seven states along the northern United States. The trail begins in eastern New York and continues through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota.
Significance: The North Country National Scenic Trail is the longest of eleven National Scenic Trails which have been approved by the congress. Originally established in 1980 the trail was designed to follow several existing trails. The trail makes its way through ten National Forest areas, four National Parks, two National Wildlife Refuges, two Bureau of Reclamation projects and six Army Corps of Engineers impoundments.
6. Great Western Trail
Total Distance: 4,455 Miles (7,170 Km).
Location: The Great Western Trail is a north-south trail stretching from Canada through the United States (Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and Arizona) and down Mexico.
Significance: The Great Western Trail has been designated a National Millennium Trail and is open for not just hiking but also for a variety of other non-motorized and motorized modes of transportation.
7. Grand Italian Trail
Total Distance: 3,700 Miles (6,166 Km).
Location: The Grand Italian Trail traverses the entire country of Italy. It begins in Trieste and then follows the Alpine Arc, Apennine mountain chain, Sicily and ending at Santa Teresa Gallura in Sardinia.
Significance: The Grand Italian trail was an idea formed by a group of ambitious hikers in 1983. The trail became a reality in 1995 when a group departed to hike the entire trail taking a total of eight months to complete. Another group trek took place in 1999 but since then usage of the trail has been in decline and blazing has yet to be completed.
8. Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
Total Distance: 3,100 Miles (4,989 Km).
Location: The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail runs through the United States from Canada into Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.
Significance: The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is one of the trails; along with the Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trails; which are known as the Triple Crown of long-distance hiking in the United States. Every year approximately two dozen people attempt to thru-hike the trail which takes an average of six months. In 2007 Francis Tapon completed the first “Yo-Yo” hike of the trail. He began in Mexico, hiked to Canada, turned around and hiked back to Mexico in an impressive seven months.
9. Hokkaidō Nature Trail
Total Distance: 2,849 Miles (4,585 Km).
Location: The Hokkaidō Nature Trail is located on the island of Hokkaidō in northern Japan.
Significance: The Hokkaidō Nature Trail was approved by the Japanese government in 2003 and is still under construction. Once completed it was be one of the longest hiking trails in the world. The trails shows off the interesting aspects of the island including flatlands, mountains and active volcanos.
10. Tōhoku Nature Trail
Total Distance: 2,718 Miles (4,374 Km).
Location: The Tōhoku Nature Trail is located on the northern part of the main island of Honshu in Japan.
Significance: The Tōhoku Nature Trail is located just south of the Hokkaidō Nature Trail. Tōhoku Nature Trail is actually a giant look trail with numerous branches off of it leading to a variety of mountain peaks, lakes and other natural scenic views.
11. Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
Total Distance: 2,663 Miles (4,286 Km).
Location: The Pacifict Crest National Scenic Trail travels from the United States border with Canada down to the border with Mexico. The whole trail is an average of 100-150 miles off the coast of the Pacific Ocean taking hikers through the states of California, Oregon and Washington.
Significance: The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail is one of the three trails which comprise the Triple Crown of Hiking in the United States. The trail was originally conceived in 1932, received National Scenic Trail designation in 1968 and was officially completed in 1993. The first completed thru-hike from the border of Canada to the border of Mexico along the Pacific Crest was done by Martin Papendick over a five month span in 1952.
There is some contention for this title however as Papendick did not necessarily follow the exact present day trail. Eric Ryback completed the trail in 1970 though it has been suggested that he accepted rides through parts of the trail. Many people suggest the first true thru-hike was done by Richard Watson who did the trail from south to north in 1972. At present day it is estimated that 300 people set out to thru-hike the trail each year with approximately 180 completing their goal.
12. Chubu Hokuriku Nature Trail
Total Distance: 2,504 Miles (4,029 Km).
Location: The Chubu Hokuriku Nature Trail is located in the central Japan known as the Chubu region.
Significance: The Chubu Hokuriku Nature Trail offers its patrons a variety of pleasures including amazing views of the Japanese Sea as well as challenging treks through the Japanese Alps.
13. Appalachian Trail
Total Distance: 2,200 Miles (3,500 Km).
Location: The Appalachian Trail stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia through North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and ends at Mount Katahdin in Maine.
Significance: The Appalachian Trail is probably the most well-known long distance hiking trail in the world with approximately 2-3 million people visiting different sections and 1800-2000 people attempting a thru-hike each and every year. Only about 25% of those who try a thru-hike end up being successful. A thru-hike typically takes 5-7 months though the fast recorded completion was done by Matthew Kirk in only 58 days.
14. Kinki Nature Trail
Total Distance: 2,045 Miles (3,291 Km).
Location: The Kinki Nature Trail is located in the central region of Japan.
Significance: One of several long-distance trails found in Japan, the Kinki Nature Trail explores a variety of mountains and forests. A complete thru-hike of the trail takes approximately 165 days.
15. Te Araroa Trail
Total Distance: 1,894 Miles (3,048 Km).
Location: The Te Araroa Trail is located in New Zealand and stretches from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
Significance: The Te Araroa Trail is the newest long-distance trail in New Zealand. Hundreds of volunteers complete after ten years of construction in December 2011. The trail is broken up into 300 sections; each of which can take from 1 hour to 9 days to complete. A thru-hike on the trail can be done in as little as 100 days though most hikers spend an average of 150 giving themselves extra time to truly enjoy the scenery and experience.
16. Kyushu Nature Trail
Total Distance: 1,607 Miles (2,586 Km).
Location: The Kyushu Nature Trail is located on the island of Kyushu in Japan.
Significance: The Kyushu Nature Trail loops in and around the whole island of Kyushu which hosts Mt Aso; an active volcano; at its center. Being a subtropical island, you are able to hike the trail almost year round, though it is prone to heavy rain and typhoons. The trail meanders through the mountains, passes several hot springs and makes its way through a variety of national parks.
17. Camino de Santiago
Total Distance: 1,570+ Miles (2,526+ Km).
Location: The Camino de Santiago starts virtually anywhere in Europe and even North Africa with its final destination being the Santiago de Compostela; a Catholic Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Significance: The Camino de Santiago is a trail which cannot truly be measured as it can be started practically anywhere in Europe with the purpose of ending at the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great. The trail is actually an ancient pilgrimage which has its roots in medieval times though there exists evidence that it may originally have been a Roman trade route. Today people still undertake the pilgrimage from all walks of life for a variety of reasons including religious and to simply get an escape from modern life.
18. Buckeye Trail
Total Distance: 1,444 Miles (2,324 Km).
Location: The Buckeye Trail is a loop trail in the United States which loops around the state of Ohio.
Significance: The trail begins in the north on the shore of Lake Eerie; from here you have the option of heading south along the eastern edge of the state or west towards Toledo. The branches meet up in the southwestern city of Milford where a single branch leads down to Eden Park in Cincinnati which is the trails terminus. Patrons of the trail are afforded access to many of the most scenic areas in the state including Hocking Hills and Cuyahoga Valley National Park as well as many small towns and villages.
19. The Sultans Trail
Total Distance: 1,400 Miles (2,200 Km).
Location: The Sultans Trail stretches from Vienna to Istanbul passing through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, East Macedonia and Thrace in Greece, and Turkey.
Significance: The trail follows the path of Suleiman and Ottoman armies followed on their quest to conquer Belgrade and Hungary. The final goal of the effort was conquer Vienna which he was never able to accomplish.
20. Florida National Scenic Trail
Total Distance: 1,300 Miles (1,600 Km).
Location: The Florida National Scenic Trail begins in the Big Cypress National Preserve and concludes in Pensacola Beach.
Significance: The trail was originated on October 29, 1966 and received its National Scenic Trail Designation in 1983. Currently the trail spans 1,000 miles with a total of 1,300 miles planned. The future of the trail however is unknown as in 2012 the Forest Service proposed reducing the total length and making the trail more accessible for biking and equestrian activities.