Trails Around the World

The GR5 (Grand Randonnee Cinq) is a 1400 mile/2300km trail in Europe from the North Sea to the Mediterranean, crossing The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and France. It is a part of the longer E2 European E-Route, and its most famous section is the Grandes Traversee des Alpes, which runs 400-500 miles/ 650-800km along French-Italian border on the spine of the Alps from Lake Geneva to the Med. It is one of the world’s greatest trails, combining dramatic scenery, wilderness, and history and culture, yet you can complete it without camping a single night and using reasonable accommodation. Thank you to the Zero To Travel podcast and Kathy Elkind for permitting this rebroadcast. The Trails Around the World podcast is available on most podcast platforms or at www.trailsaroundtheworld.com. #trailsaroundtheworld #skyking #gr5 #e2 #grandetraversee #kathyelkind #zerototravel #towalkitistoseeit #europe #france #hiking #thruhiking

The Michinoku Coastal Trail (MCT) is a newly-created long distance trail on Honshu’s northeast coast in Japan. It has immediately become one of Christine’s favorites among all of the trails she has ever hiked, and gave her many new experiences. The MCT’s 1000+ KM can be thru-hiked, but frequent access to train lines and towns also make logistics extremely easy, it is ideal for section-hiking. The coastline is spectacularly beautiful, but this trail’s cultural value is also very deep. Traveling through the region that was devastated by Japan’s 2011 tsunami, the MCT is simultaneously a memorial and an economic revival project. The lack of international tourism in the region amplifies the opportunities for true personal and cultural connections and experiences. At the beginning of this episode, Christine and I spend a good deal of time discussing the realities of hiking in Japan before we focus on the MCT. #michinokucoastaltrail #christinethuermer #christinethurmer #trailsaroundtheworld #skyking #japan #michinokutrail #michinoku #tohoku #hiking #thruhiking #tsunami #fukushima

In March 2023, Vladimir Eremeev accomplished a great feat: he was the first person to ever complete the Everglades Challenge in a Pacific Proa, which he designed and built himself. A Pacific Proa has no bow, and uses different concepts to sail than any other boat. Vlad has a history of accomplishing great things in unorthodox boats. Join us as he explains what led him to these boats and how he has done it. #evergladeschallenge #raid #adventurerace #trailsaroundtheworld #skyking #pacificproa #proa #catamaran #multihull

Japan’s Kumano Kodo is a 1300-year-old network of sacred pilgrimage routes through remote mountains and along a beautiful coastline. The Kumano Kodo’s sacred sites and pilgrimage routes in the Kii Mountain Range are registered with UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Kohechi is the second most remote and most difficult of the Kumano Kodo’s routes. Although it passes through remote, sacred mountains, the Kohechi is still accessible by public transportation and one can stay in pleasant lodges every night. The Kohechi takes 4 days or less to complete. All of the Kumano Kodo’s routes are extraordinary ways to travel deep into Japan’s traditions and history while experiencing it’s mysterious mountains and exotic geography. Sky King is joined by Matt Malcomson, with whom he hiked the route. Check it out on the latest podcast episode of Trails Around the World, available on most podcast platforms or at www.trailsaroundtheworld.com. #kumanokodo #kohechi #trailsaroundtheworld #skyking #thruhike #hiking #hikingjapan #thruhiking #hikejapan #japan #pilgrimage

The Trails Around the World podcast will be on hiatus this summer. I am already working on new episodes, and I will return in the Fall.

The Haute Route Pyrenees (HRP) runs along the spine of the less-crowded of Western Europe’s two major mountain ranges, between France and Spain. Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, the HRP is one of three long distance trails traversing this range, with the GR10 and GR11 providing less challenging alternatives with their own charms. With spectacular vistas, deep history, and ancient villages along the whole route, this is a trail that speaks to my soul. #trailsaroundtheworld #skyking #thruhiking #enigma #pyrenees #hauteroutepyrenees #GR10 #GR11 #dill.on.dice

Southern islands have long distance trails that can be hiked during the winter. Christine Thuermer describes hiking on Crete and the Canary Islands during the winter season. Both have stunning scenery as well as beautiful beaches. #christinethuermer #christinethurmer #trailsaroundtheworld #skyking #crete #hiking #canaryislands #winterhiking #thruhiking #wintervacation

The Northwest Territories’ Canol Heritage Trail has spectacular scenery and wildlife, as well as interesting historical significance. 220 miles/350 kilometers long, it takes about 3 weeks to hike, and is the most remote and challenging long distance hiking trail that this podcast has ever discussed. It is normally accessed by bush plane. J. Robert Harris hiked this trail in 1997, and wrote about it in his book “Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker”. Check it out on the latest podcast episode of Trails Around the World, available on most podcast platforms or at www.trailsaroundtheworld.com. #jrinthewilderness #jrharris #brokenboexpeditions #wayoutthere #trailsaroundtheworld #skyking #canolheritagetrail #hiking #northwestterritories #thruhiking

Greg Stamer circumnavigated Iceland and Newfoundland by Kayak, and has succeeded expeditions and adventures in his life. We discuss his expeditions, how he fits adventure into his life, and how one prepares for such expeditions and adventures. #GregStamer #Kayaking#trailsaroundtheworld #skyking #Iceland #Newfoundland #paddling #circumnavigation

Steve and Ginny set off on an adventure, and kept going for five years. In a small boat, they went from the United States down the entire coast of Central America. Then they penetrated the rivers of South America, crossed the equator, and crossed the majority of the South American continent’s interior river system north to south, then again south to north. Encountering many varied places and cultures, they even had a baby along the way. Stephen Ladd, known for his earlier book “Three Years in a 12 Foot Boat” about an epic voyage in the 1990s, has just published his latest book: “The Five-Year Voyage: Exploring Latin American Coasts and Rivers” Check it out on the latest podcast episode of Trails Around the World, available on most podcast platforms or at www.trailsaroundtheworld.com. #stephenladd #thefiveyearvoyage #trailsaroundtheworld #skyking #smallcraftadvisor #threeyearsina12footboat #sailing #amazon #orinoco #rionegro #adventure #seapearl21 #southamerica

Japan’s Kumano Kodo is a 1300-year-old network of sacred pilgrimage routes through remote mountains and along a beautiful coastline. The Kumano Kodo’s sacred sites and pilgrimage routes in the Kii Mountain Range are registered with UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Omine Okugake is the most remote and most difficult of the Kumano Kodo’s routes. Traversing the region’s highest peaks, the Omine Okugake’s difficulty is such that it takes 6-10 days to walk it’s 100 km (60 miles). There are no resupply-points-- one must carry enough food to last the entire route. All of the Kumano Kodo’s routes are extraordinary ways to travel deep into Japan’s traditions and history while experiencing it’s mysterious mountains and exotic geography. Our guest, David Gilbert, has written a guide to hiking the Omine Okugake and posted it at Randomwire.com, along with a GPX track for the route. #kumanokodo #randomwire #trailsaroundtheworld #skyking #thruhike #hikingjapan #thruhiking #pilgrimage #hikejapan #japan #hiking

The Via Transylvanica is exotic, yet affordable and convenient. The trail crosses Transylvania and the Carpathian mountains on it’s 1400 km/ 900 mile route across the heart of Romania. Conceived and built over just the past six years, this trail offers a complete package of both outdoor and cultural adventure. Old european castles, wild forests and mountains, daily cultural adventures, farmers that still use horse-drawn carts, vineyards with little-known wines for you to discover, and the option for warm meals and a roof over your head every night, but also extensive signposting, a well-developed support network of guidebook, smartphone app, and social media. I am inspired and excited by this brand new trail, and I am confident that many of you will be, also. #viatransylvanica #Tasuleasasocial#trailsaroundtheworld #skyking #thruhike #hiking #hikingeurope #thruhiking #hikingromania

Japan’s Rokko Traverse Trail, or Rokko Zenzan Jyusouro, traverses the ridge that lies just north of Kobe, Japan. It is extremely easy to access, can be thruhiked in three days, and allows one to take public transportation to comfortable accommodation every night. Along the route are beautiful and wild mountain ridges, a number of shrines and temples, and several other tourist attractions. #trailsaroundtheworld #rokko #skyking #japan #thruhike #hikingadventures #hiking #adventure #longdistancetrail #rokkotraversetrail #hikingjapan

Hungary’s Kektura is Europe’s oldest long-distance trail. The Kektura is full of adventure and interesting experiences, and it is 1100 km/700 miles long, but it has relatively easy terrain, easy logistics, and is easy on the bank account. In other words, this may be the perfect first long-distance trail to hike in Europe. #trailsaroundtheworld #kektura #christinethuermer #christinethurmer #hungary #thruhike #hikingadventures #hiking #adventure #longdistancetrail

The GR34 is a coastal trail in France’s most western region. Running along the Atlantic coast, this trail is wild and beautiful, but also close to towns and facilities, visits many sites of cultural interest, is less physically challenging than many mountain trails, and has less-complicated logistics than many other long distance trails. James and Amy, who told us about Japan’s Tokai Shizen Hodou in episodes 5 and 6, rejoin us to describe this trail and how to hike it. #DoingMiles #trailsaroundtheworld #GR34 #HikingFrance #thruhike #hikingadventures #hiking #adventure #longdistancetrail

The Sentiero Italia may be the “sexiest” trail in Europe! 7000 kilometers (4300+ miles) of trail through wild country, high in the mountains. It is one of the world’s longest ridge trails, walking a watershed-divide like the United States’ Continental Divide Trail. Christine Thuermer (or Thurmer) rejoins us to tell us about this fantastic new trail and how to go and hike it. #ChristineThuermer #trailsaroundtheworld #SentieroItalia #vaSentiero #thruhike #hikingadventures #hiking #adventure #longdistancetrail #PCT #CDT

The Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) is an 800 mile (1300 km) trail across Arizona. Passing through desert and mountains, it is famous for it's diversity and beauty. Rocks, who told us about the Pacific Northwest Trail in episode 002, returns and is joined by his buddy Hopeful. The AZT is not a beginner's trail-- it is not only long, but also remote and challenging. #trailsaroundtheworld #arizonanationalscenictrail #arizonatrail #AZT #thruhike #hikingadventures #hiking #adventure #longdistancetrail

Vermont's Long Trail is the oldest long trail in the United States. It was the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail. Stretching 272 rugged miles along the ridge of the Green Mountains, it runs from Vermont's northern border with Canada down to it's southern border with Massachusetts, and is contiguous with the Appalachian Trail for it's southern 100 miles. #trailsaroundtheworld #mountainsoflearning #LT #vermontlongtrail #longtrail #thruhike #hikingadventures #hiking #adventure #longdistancetrail

In Episodes Eight and Nine, we speak with Christine Thurmer about long distance trails in Europe. Christine has written three bestselling books about hiking (in German). She has hiked 53,000 km/33,000 miles. As far as we know, that is more than any other woman alive, today, and quite possibly more than any woman in history. She has also bicycled 30,000 km and paddled 6,500 km. We discuss what makesEuropean trailsdifferent, what makes them special, how to handle the planning and logistics and language barriers and to go and hike them.

In Episodes Eight and Nine, we speak with Christine Thurmer, aka German Tourist. Christine has written three bestselling books about hiking (in German). She has hiked 53,000 km/33,000 miles. As far as we know, that is more than any other woman alive, today, and quite possibly more than any woman in history. She has also bicycled 30,000 km and paddled 6,500 km. We discuss long distance trails in Europe. What makes them different, what makes them special, how to handle the planning and logistics and language barriers and go hike them.