“Hike the XXX Trail!”

Many countries in the world, especially developing countries, are in the process of developing trails across their countries to attract hikers and tourism. Even though hikers are almost certainly already making their way across the landscape (as the local inhabitants have throughout the history of the country), by making it an official ‘Trail’ it adds certain feelings of security and provides a platform onto which hikers can attach their motivations.

There are opportunities for keen hikers to help develop and/or publicise these trails. Route suggestions, publicity, trail trials, trip reports, GPS data… you might, indeed, be a trailblazer. A few examples are listed below:

Georgia and Armenia:   Trans Caucasian Trail and Facebook page and blog

East Timor: this is an interest of mine, I’ve made a few noises, as have others, but if anyone knows anything happening or has an interest in ‘trail’ building, let us know.

Iraqi Kurdistan: A trail, Zagros Mountain Trail, is being developed across part of the region by Leon McCarron. You could maybe be extend a walk to border to border, I have been through some of this country and it might be possible. Also, article. 

The Balkans: help maintain the Via Dinarica, a trail running from Croatia to Albania, to benefit local communities

Mediterranean: Via Egnatia, across Albania and Greece to Turkey

This one is not across a country, but it’s interesting nevertheless: Cebu Highlands Trail and Facebook page

This trail, the Great Plains Trail, is being planned through the grasslands of the USA from border to border, a landscape that fascinates me and that I would love to hike! Also Article and Blog

Bhutan: The Trans-Bhutan Trail and article

Here’s another idea: plan a new route across a country! It can be fun researching routes, looking at maps.

In a survey of obstacles, people mentioned money, time, family/partner commitment, fear and society pressure. I found it fascinating that nobody at all mentioned the worry of falling down a crevasse or getting eaten by a tiger. In other words, getting to the start line is the hardest part of all! Dodging snakes, tying a bowline, pitching a tent in a gale: all this stuff is so much easier than getting off the sofa, committing to action, and beginning.

-Alistair Humphreys, adventurer.