Best Thru-Hiking and Long-Distance Trail Destinations Worldwide

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Best Thru-Hiking and Long-Distance Trail Destinations Worldwide

Thru-hiking - walking a long-distance trail in one continuous push - is one of the more demanding forms of outdoor travel. You commit months. You walk through rain, sun, snow, mosquito hatches, foot pain, and the kind of mental flatness that only sets in around day 38 when the novelty has worn off and the next 1,500 km still stretches ahead. About 75% of people who start the Appalachian Trail don't finish it. About 65% of Pacific Crest Trail starters don't finish either. Those numbers tell you something important.

I've not done a full thru-hike. I've done a 12-day section of the John Muir Trail (which overlaps the PCT) and three weeks on the GR20 in Corsica. Most of what's below comes from talking to people who've completed full thru-hikes - the wisdom of trail communities, hiker bloggers, and the steady stream of trail-name-using ex-thru-hikers I've shared evening fires with. Where I'm passing on someone else's experience, I'll say so.

This guide ranks the major long-distance hiking trails worth attempting, what each is actually like, and who they suit.

TL;DR - Quick Answer

The five most respected thru-hiking trails are: the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in the US - 4,265 km from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington, taking 4-6 months; the Appalachian Trail (AT) in the eastern US - 3,540 km from Georgia to Maine, taking 5-7 months and famous for its tougher-than-expected terrain; the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) - 4,990 km from Mexico to Canada through the Rockies, the most remote of the US Triple Crown trails; Te Araroa in New Zealand - 3,000 km from Cape Reinga in the north to Bluff in the south, 4-6 months; and the GR20 in Corsica - 180 km but considered Europe's hardest mainstream long-distance trail. Below those, the Tour du Mont Blanc (170 km), the Wales Coast Path (1,400 km), the Nakasendo in Japan, and Spain's various Caminos round out a strong second tier.

What "Thru-Hiking" Means

Thru-hiking is distinct from section-hiking (walking a trail in pieces over years) and from multi-day backpacking trips. The defining features:

Continuous push. You walk from one official terminus to the other in one season.
Self-supported. You carry your gear, resupply at trail towns or via mail-drops, and sleep in shelters or your tent.
Time commitment. The big US trails take 4-7 months. Te Araroa similar. European long-distance trails are typically shorter (1-6 weeks).
Trail community. Most popular trails have a culture - trail names (you don't keep your own name on trail), trail magic (random kindness from strangers), trail angels (volunteers who house and feed hikers), and a meaningful percentage of starters finishing together as a group.

For the broader cultural and historical context, Wikipedia's long-distance trail article covers the global network, and Wikipedia's thru-hiking article covers the modern movement specifically.

Tier 1: top-tier Thru-Hiking Trails

Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), USA

The PCT runs 4,265 km from the Mexican border at Campo, California, north along the spine of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges, through Yosemite and the high Sierras, across Oregon's volcanic plateau, into Washington's North Cascades, and up to the Canadian border in Manning Park. Cheryl Strayed's book Wild (and the Reese Witherspoon film) brought the PCT to mainstream attention in 2012-2014; permit numbers spiked, and the Pacific Crest Trail Association now caps northbound starts at about 50 per day.

Highlights. The Sierra Nevada section in California (especially the Mt. Whitney side-trip and the Forester Pass crossing - the trail's highest point at 4,009m), the Oregon section (relatively gentle, often called the "highway" because pace picks up), Washington's Goat Rocks and the Knife's Edge ridge, the final descent to Manning Park.

Logistics. Total budget $5,500-9,000 for a thru-hike including resupply, gear replacement, occasional hostel nights in trail towns, and the PCT permit (free but capped). Most hikers carry 4-7 days of food at a time. Resupply happens at towns like Idyllwild, Kennedy Meadows, Mammoth Lakes, Ashland, Cascade Locks, and Stehekin.

Best season. Northbound starts in late April through early May; southbound starts in late June. Snow conditions in the Sierra and the North Cascades drive the season window - late snow years (like 2017 and 2023) have forced massive route alterations.

Finish rate. About 30-35% of permit-holders complete the full thru-hike, depending on the year. Snow conditions in the Sierra are the primary variable. The 2023 Sierra snowpack - 240% of normal - caused most NOBO (northbound) hikers to skip large sections.

Who it suits. Hikers who want sustained beauty and the most-storied US long trail. Permit availability has tightened - apply through the PCTA permit system immediately when applications open in November.

Appalachian Trail (AT), USA

The AT runs 3,540 km from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine through the eastern Appalachian range. It's the oldest of the US Triple Crown trails, conceived by Benton MacKaye in 1921 and completed in 1937. Famously full of rain, mud, roots, and steep climbs that don't add up to high altitude but do add up to remarkable cumulative ascent - about 142,000m of climbing across the full trail.

Highlights. The Smoky Mountains, Roan Mountain, the Shenandoahs (often the most pleasant section), the Whites in New Hampshire (the hardest 160 km on the trail - Mount Washington alone is one of the world's most weather-violent peaks), the Hundred Mile Wilderness in Maine, the climb up Katahdin.

Logistics. Budget $5,000-8,500. Resupply happens roughly every 4-7 days at trail towns. The trail goes through 14 states.

Best season. Northbound starts in mid-March through mid-April; southbound starts in early June.

Finish rate. About 25% of starters complete the full trail in one push. The rate is lower than the PCT primarily because the AT's terrain is more punishing per kilometre - more roots, more mud, more sustained climbs without payoff views.

Who it suits. Hikers who want the strongest trail community on any major trail. The AT has the largest hostel network and the most established trail culture. Many AT thru-hikers describe the social experience as more memorable than the hiking itself.

Continental Divide Trail (CDT), USA

The CDT runs about 4,990 km from the Mexican border in New Mexico north through Colorado's Rockies, Wyoming's Wind River Range and Yellowstone, Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness, and into Glacier National Park at the Canadian border. It's the youngest, longest, and most remote of the US Triple Crown.

Logistics. Budget $6,500-10,000. Resupply intervals are longer than the PCT - 7-12 days in some sections.

Best season. Northbound starts mid-April through early May; southbound starts late June through July.

Finish rate. Around 10-15% in any given year. The CDT is significantly less travelled than the PCT or AT - you might walk 4 days seeing only one or two other thru-hikers.

Who it suits. Experienced thru-hikers who want solitude and route-finding challenge. The CDT has multiple "alternate" sections where the official trail is incomplete and hikers choose between options.

Te Araroa, New Zealand

Te Araroa ("The Long Pathway") runs 3,000 km from Cape Reinga at New Zealand's northernmost point to Bluff at the southern tip of the South Island. Officially opened in 2011, it's the youngest of the major long-distance trails on this list. The route mixes coastal beach walking, North Island farmland, alpine sections in the South Island, and challenging river crossings.

Highlights. Ninety Mile Beach (actually 88 km) at the start, Tongariro National Park (UNESCO), the Tararua Range, the Richmond Range, Lake Sumner, the Mackenzie Country, and Stewart Island as an optional extension.

Logistics. Budget NZD 8,000-13,000 ($4,800-7,800) for the full thru-hike. Resupply is via small towns and trail-angel postal drops.

Best season. Northbound (start in October), arriving in the South Island during the southern summer and finishing by late March or April. Southbound is also done but timing is tighter.

Finish rate. Estimated at 20-30%. River crossings cause real attrition - flash flooding in the South Island streams has stranded hikers for days at a time.

GR20 in Corsica, France

GR20 is Europe's hardest mainstream long-distance trail. 180 km, but with 17,500m of total ascent across 15-16 stages. It runs north-south across the Corsican mountains from Calenzana to Conca. Most hikers take 14-16 days. Some take 18-20.

Highlights. The Cirque de la Solitude (rebuilt as a less-dangerous variant after a 2015 fatality), the Refuge de Tighjettu, the Aiguilles de Bavella towers, the daily mountain refuges where you eat communally and sleep in 8-bunk dorms.

Logistics. Budget €1,400-2,400 for 16 days. Refuge bunks book up in summer - reserve as early as possible. Food in the refuges is hearty mountain fare.

Best season. Mid-June through early September. Outside that window, snow on the high passes is common.

Why it's exceptional. The GR20 packs alpine difficulty into a length most hikers can fit into a single annual leave allocation. Real exposure on chains and cables in the Cirque sections, real stamina demands, real reward.

Honest difficulty note. This is not a long walk. It's mountain hiking that happens to be 180 km long. Strong navigation, scrambling skills, and altitude tolerance up to 2,500m are required.

Tier 2: Strong Long-Distance Trail Destinations

Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), France/Italy/Switzerland

170 km circular trail around the Mont Blanc massif, crossing three countries. Most hikers take 10-12 days. Refuges every 15-25 km. Spectacular alpine scenery throughout. Budget €1,500-2,200 for 12 days. Best season July-early September.

Wales Coast Path

A 1,400-km path around the entire Welsh coast - completed in 2012 as the world's first national-coast walking route. Most hikers do it as a series of section walks; full thru-hikes take 6-10 weeks. Budget £2,500-4,200.

Nakasendo, Japan

The historic 534 km Edo-period road between Kyoto and Tokyo, with restored sections walkable today. Most hikers do specific multi-day segments rather than the full route - the Magome-to-Tsumago section through the Kiso Valley is the most popular 3-5 day walk.

Lycian Way, Turkey

500 km along Turkey's southwestern Mediterranean coast from Fethiye to Antalya. Mixed mountain and coastal terrain with archaeological sites along the route. Best season April-June and September-November. Budget €1,200-1,800 for 25-30 days.

Israel National Trail

About 1,000 km from Israel's northern border with Lebanon to the Red Sea at Eilat. Crosses radically varied terrain. Limited international thru-hiker traffic but a strong domestic thru-hiking culture.

Cost Comparison

Trail	Distance (km)	Months	Budget approx.	Finish rate
GR20 (Corsica)	180	0.5	€1,800	~70%
Tour du Mont Blanc	170	0.4	€1,800	~85%
Nakasendo (sections)	534	0.5-1	$1,400	n/a (sections)
Wales Coast Path	1,400	2-3	£3,200	n/a (rare full)
Te Araroa	3,000	4-5	$6,000	20-30%
Appalachian Trail	3,540	5-7	$7,000	~25%
Pacific Crest Trail	4,265	4-6	$7,500	~30%
Continental Divide Trail	4,990	5-7	$8,500	~12%

The shorter European trails offer the highest completion rates - they're long-walk holidays you can fit into vacation time. The big US and NZ trails are months-long commitments with substantial dropout rates. Budget includes flights, gear (assuming you start with most of it), trail life, occasional hostel/hotel stops, and trail towns.

Gear and Skill Notes

The thru-hiking community has converged on a "ultralight" gear philosophy over the last 15 years. The aim is a base weight (everything except food, water, and fuel) of under 5 kg. Common base setups in 2024-2025:

Shelter. A non-freestanding tent (Zpacks Duplex, Tarptent Notch, Six Moon Designs Lunar) at ~600-900g, or a tarp-and-bivy combo at ~400-600g.
Sleep system. A 7°C-rated quilt (Enlightened Equipment, Hammock Gear) at ~600g and an inflatable pad at ~300-450g.
Pack. A 50-litre frameless pack at ~600-900g (Pa'lante, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Six Moon Designs).
Cooking. A 250ml titanium pot, an alcohol or canister stove, and a long spoon at ~150-300g total.
Clothing. Wear hiking clothes; carry one warm layer, rain jacket, and a sleep base layer.

Skill-wise: navigation (use of paper maps + GPS), stream/river crossing technique, route-condition assessment (snow, weather), foot care (treating blisters before they become trip-enders), and the mental skill of accepting bad weather without quitting are all essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should my first thru-hike be the GR20 or a US trail?

The GR20 is the better introduction if you only have a few weeks, want a defined challenge, and want to test whether thru-hiking suits you. If you have 5-6 months and want the full thru-hiker experience, the Pacific Crest Trail or Appalachian Trail are both excellent first choices. Don't make the CDT your first.

How much do I really need to walk before starting a thru-hike?

In the year before a major thru-hike, most successful hikers report at least 800-1,500 km of training hiking, including multiple multi-day backpacking trips of 5+ days. Building this slowly matters - a sudden jump from gym fitness to 35-km days for weeks on end almost always causes injury.

What's the actual pain of a long thru-hike?

In the first 200 km: blisters, sore feet, sore shoulders, leg muscle soreness. In weeks 3-5: the "hiker hunger" arrives - you'll eat 4,500-6,000 calories daily and still lose weight. Long-term: knee strain (especially descents), Achilles tendinitis, hip belt rashes. Mentally: a sustained low around day 30-40 when novelty wears off and the remaining distance feels overwhelming. Most successful thru-hikers describe pushing through that mental low as the hardest part - harder than the physical demands.

Can I bring a dog?

Yes on most trails (PCT, CDT, AT) but not all (Te Araroa has restrictions through certain national parks and protected areas). Dogs need substantial conditioning before a thru-hike, plus paw protection, more water than you expect, and a plan for mid-trail vet care. Most experienced thru-hiking dogs do 4-6 hour days, much shorter than typical human days.

Are these trails safe for solo female thru-hikers?

The thru-hiking community is one of the safer outdoor communities I know. Reports of serious incidents from solo female hikers on the major trails are rare. Standard outdoor safety applies - share your itinerary, carry a satellite communicator, trust your gut about people you meet on trail. The PCTA, AT Conservancy, and Te Araroa Trust all publish current safety advisories.

What's a "trail name"?

A nickname given to you by other hikers based on something distinctive - your gear, a habit, an early-trail mishap. Most thru-hikers receive trail names within the first 200 km. You don't get to pick your own. Once given, you go by it for the rest of the trail and often forever after in the hiking community.

How do I deal with the social isolation if I prefer solitude?

You don't have to walk in groups. Most thru-hikers naturally fall into informal "trail families" of 4-8 people walking similar paces, but they spread out during the day and reunite at camp. If you prefer solitude, hike at slightly different hours (early start, late finish) or pause for an extended town zero day to "let the bubble pass."

Putting It All Together - Recommended Trips

For first-time long-distance hikers with 2-3 weeks: GR20 in Corsica, late June. 16 days. Budget €1,800. Will tell you everything you need to know about whether thru-hiking suits you.

For experienced backpackers wanting a real expedition: PCT or AT thru-hike, starting in April. 4-6 months. Budget $7,500-9,000 plus opportunity cost of taking the time off.

For a shorter European long-distance walk with cultural depth: Camino Francés (covered in our Camino guide) or the Tour du Mont Blanc. Both fit a 2-4 week window and offer real long-trail experience without months of commitment.

For truly remote thru-hiking: Continental Divide Trail or Te Araroa. Both demand experience and self-sufficiency. Te Araroa specifically opens up the South Pacific summer to Northern Hemisphere hikers between October and April.

Related guides on this site

For more on the trails specifically: Wikipedia's Pacific Crest Trail article covers the route's history; Wikipedia's Appalachian Trail article covers the AT; Wikivoyage's GR20 page is a solid practical primer; the Pacific Crest Trail Association and Appalachian Trail Conservancy publish current condition reports, permit applications, and trail-angel directories. Trail-specific blogs (search "PCT thru-hiker blog 2024" or similar) give the most honest day-to-day picture of what life on these trails actually looks like.

Light pack. Strong feet. Patience for the day you don't want to walk. The trail teaches the rest.

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