The Longest Walking Distance in the World is 14,000 miles. Imagine embarking on a journey that spans over 14,000 miles, equivalent to circling the Earth more than half a dozen times. Welcome to the longest walking distance in the world, a staggering route that pushes human endurance to the limit.
This epic trek takes you across continents, through diverse landscapes, and over varied terrain, testing your physical and mental resolve like never before. From scorching deserts to lush forests, and bustling cities to quaint villages, this incredible journey on foot offers an unparalleled adventure for those willing to take the challenge. But where does this incredible route take you, and what wonders await along the way?
Within a short period of time, the longest walk in the world took the internet by storm, being shared across sites like Nerdist, Explorersweb, and Skratch, among dozens of others. The consensus was if you were to walk eight hours a day with no rest days, it would take 562 days to complete. And with an elevation change of 123,000 meters, it’d be like climbing up and down Everest 13 times.
Still, despite the path’s online popularity, there have yet to be any known takers of this traverse.
“It’s not that walking this distance is impossible,” said Jeffrey Weinstein, a medical operations supervisor at Global Rescue. “But there’s a big difference between something being doable and something being accomplishable. There are just so many complicating factors to this trek, it would be extremely unlikely anyone would be able to accomplish it.”
The post (pictured above) that took the internet by storm garnered close to 900 comments on Reddit — some praising cbz3000 for this impressive mapped-out feat, others calling it “suicide with extra steps…a lot of extra steps.”
Global Rescue’s Perspective
Global Rescue is a company all about providing support to those who want to travel the world to accomplish the tough and challenging. It’s why we’re the preferred travel protection provider for adventure types, from mountaineers seeking to bag their next big summit to paragliders, cave divers, heli-skiers, and beyond. But when it comes to the longest road in the world to walk, Weinstein elaborates on why it’s outright outlandish.
Planning Would Be Next To Impossible
You would be walking through 16 different countries, which means you need to apply for visas or entry permits for all. “Not all countries are going to be visa on arrival, and vaccination requirements for all are going to be different,” Weinstein said.
Google Maps created this route, but authorities don’t recognize it as an official border crossing. “You can’t just stroll into a new country,” Weinstein noted. “You need to go to a border crossing and you’ll likely have to go off route.”
How about the survival equipment you plan to pack, say a hatchet, knife, fire starter, or satellite phone? Due to fluctuating temperatures, terrains, and changes in food availability on the way, these would be essential items. But which countries are going to allow you to actually possess them? That’s another level of research.
Planning and logistics require an enormous amount of effort for this.,” Weinstein added. “It’s an absolute logistical nightmare.”
Realistic Long-Distance Hikes
The views are enough to give anyone pause while hiking in the Alps.
There are, of course, more realistic long-distance walks and thru-hikes to make around the world. While they still require a precise level of planning, preparation and training. Unlike the longest walkable road in the world, the following are actually accomplishable.
The Appalachian Trail, United States – Ranked as one of the best U.S. thru-hikes along with the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. The Appalachian Trail (better known as just the A.T.) is a 2,180-mile (3,500-kilometer) footpath that traverses scenic, wooded and pastoral land across 14 states from Maine to Georgia.
The Inca Trail, Peru – Situated among a network of 25,000 miles (40,000 kilometers) of Inca trails. This 28-mile (45-kilometer) section is certainly the most famous. It is undulating through high passes, stone staircases and ruins before culminating in the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu.
The Arctic Trail, Scandinavia – Located right above the Arctic Circle. This 500-mile (800-kilometer) trail passes through Finland, Sweden and Norway through river valleys, open arctic tundra and mountainous terrain. Hikers rank this trail as one of Europe’s least crowded backpacking routes.
Rim of Africa, South Africa – Linking existing trails across the Cape Mountains at the southern edge of Africa. This 400-mile (650-kilometer) traverse follows rugged crests and valleys from the Cederberg to the Outeniqua mountains.
Lebanon Mountain Trail, Lebanon – Running down the backbone of the country from the Syrian border in the north to the Israeli border in the south, this 293-mile (470-kilometer) highland corridor connects more than 70 mountain villages, UNESCO World Heritage sites and four nature reserves.
