Long-distance trail
Generally, the surface is not specially prepared, and the ground can be rough and uneven in areas, except in places such as converted rail tracks or popular walking routes where stone-pitching and slabs have been laid to prevent erosion.
Historically, and still nowadays in countries where most people move on foot or with pack animals, long-distance trails linked far away towns and regions.
National Trails are a network of officially sanctioned footpaths in the United Kingdom which are well maintained and well waymarked across England and Wales.
The success of the Welsh government's 870-mile Wales Coast Path prompted an ongoing project of create a similar route for England.
The Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA) has the most comprehensive online database of long-distance paths in the UK,[7] and members are able to download GPX files of routes.
Their creation is the result of a Ministry of Environment initiative to highlight the specific environmental, cultural or historic landscapes through which the trails pass.
They also aim to allow hikers a safe and easy hike in any season, as well as raising awareness of the importance of protecting natural spaces and adopting sustainable behaviors.
The aim is to create a national system of trails that are pleasant to hike, but that also generate employment and income and function as conservation tools by linking protected areas with natural corridors.
[25] The Iditarod Trail connects the coastal cities of Seward and Nome, Alaska: a distance of around 1,600 kilometres (990 mi).
In Europe the Via Alpina consists of five connected hiking trails across the alpine regions of Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, France and Monaco.
[29] Circular routes include the Tour du Mont Blanc, which passes through the Alps of France, Switzerland, and Italy.
It is 655 km (407 miles) long, starting at Walhalla, Victoria, and running through to Tharwa, Australian Capital Territory near Canberra.
Typical trekking regions in Nepal are Annapurna, Dolpo, Langtang, Manaslu, Kangchenjunga and Mount Everest.
Some are restricted to use by only non-motorized bikes while others are multi-use recreational (i.e. hiking, horseback riding, jogging, rollerblading or walking).
This non-motorised trail runs the length of the rugged Great Dividing Range through national parks and private property and alongside wilderness areas.
Apart from being great places to walk, cycle or horse ride, rail trails are linear conservation corridors protecting native plants and animals.
[38]In the US, the 43-kilometre (27 mi) Cheshire Rail Trail, in New Hampshire, can be used by hikers, horseback riders, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, cyclists, or even dog-sledders.
