Long-distance trail
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Long-distance trails (or long-distance tracks, paths, footpaths or greenways) are the longer recreational right-of-way routes mainly through rural areas, used for non-motorised recreational travelling (walking, backpacking, cycling or horse riding).
Any route named as a "trail" (or "way", in the UK) will probably be waymarked, or identified on a map, but it will usually only be described as "long-distance" if it takes the average user more than one day to travel from end to end. Typically, a "long distance" trail, way or path will be at least 50 kilometers (31 miles) long, but some in Britain are several hundred miles long, and many in the US are much longer.
In some countries, official "trails" will have the surface specially prepared to make the going easier.
In the UK long-distance paths are simply existing rights of way (over private land) "joined together" (perhaps with specially-negotiated linking sections) to make a named route. Generally the surface is not especially prepared (which can come as a surprise to pampered walkers from abroad, who find their distance-covering estimates need to be rethought to take rough ground into account) except in special places such as converted rail tracks, or some "busy" hilly areas where stone slabs are laid to prevent erosion.
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[edit] Types of long-distance trails
[edit] Bicycle trails
These are used by bicyclists. Some are restricted to use by only non-motorized bikes while others are multi-use recreational (hiking, horseback riding, jogging, rollerblading or walking). Bike trails can range in length from under a mile to hundreds of miles, such as the EuroVelo routes, Australia's Munda Biddi Trail or Bike Trails in North America.
[edit] Canal system trails
These follow canal systems. A good example is the 525-mile long New York State Canal System in New York.
[edit] Coastal trails
These follow coastlines of which good examples are the South West Coast Path in England and the Otter Trail in South Africa. A shorter example is the Gold Coast Oceanway in Australia.
[edit] Coast-to-coast trails
These may be cross-country paths, or may follow roadways, or other ways, and often intersect with many other trails in the process. A good example is the Coast-to-Coast path in northern England, which - despite being perhaps the most famous long-distance walking route in England - is not an official National Trail, simply a series of connected pre-existing rights of way.
The American Discovery Trail crosses the continental United States from east to west.
[edit] Mountain trails
Long distance mountain trails are of two broad kinds, linear trails and loop trails. Notable linear examples include the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail. Notable loop examples include the Tahoe Rim Trail, the Wonderland Trail, which encircles Mount Rainier, and the Tour du Mont Blanc, which passes through the Alps of France, Switzerland, and Italy.
[edit] National Trails
National Trails are a network of well-maintained and well-waymarked routes across England and Wales. Examples are the Pennine Way and the South West Coast Path. The equivalent routes in Scotland are Long Distance Routes such as the West Highland Way.
[edit] Peninsular trails
The Kerry Way in south-west Ireland circumnavigates the highest mountain range in Ireland. Along with the adjoining Dingle Way it is noted for its scenic views of the Atlantic, loughs and mountains.
[edit] Cross-country trails
Among the longest, the Trans-Canada Trail.
- Te Araroa Trail - New Zealand
- Continental Divide Trail - United States
- Countrywide Blue Tour in Hungary - Hungary
- Shvil Yisrael (Israel National Trail) - Israel
[edit] Cross-continent trails
Among the longest is European walking route E8.
[edit] Rail trails
Rail trails are trails on old railway rights of way. There are two major kinds, rails to trails and rails with trails. In the UK rail trails generally are rather short; an example is the Longdendale Trail. In the US rail trails generally are among the longer trails apart from the major cross-continent trails.
[edit] See also
- Trail
- List of long-distance footpaths
- Walking
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Long-distance trails in Australia
- Long-distance trails in the Republic of Ireland
- Long-distance footpaths in the United Kingdom
- Long-distance trails in the United States
- GR footpaths (long-distance trails in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain)
- New Zealand tramping tracks
- European long-distance paths
- EuroVelo
- Multiday race
- Ultramarathon
- Cavalcade
