Trek through time: 5 must-visit ancient hikes
What's the story
Hiking ancient trails is like stepping back in time. You get to experience history, culture, and nature all at once.
These age-old routes, trodden by countless feet before ours, not only offer a good workout but also a chance to connect with the past.
They take you on a journey through some of the world's most beautiful and diverse landscapes.
Peru
Inca Trail: A journey through history
The Inca Trail is one of the world's most renowned hikes. This iconic route winds through breathtaking Andean scenery and past ancient ruins before reaching its climax at the mystical Machu Picchu.
The trek covers a distance of around 43 kilometers and is usually completed over four days.
Hikers will face challenging steep ascents and descents, with altitudes reaching up to 4,200 meters at the ominously named Dead Woman's Pass.
Spain
Camino de Santiago: Pilgrimage path
The Camino de Santiago is a network of pilgrimage routes that all lead to the shrine of the apostle Saint James in Santiago de Compostela.
The most traveled path is the Camino Frances, spanning approximately 780 kilometers from St. Jean-Pied-de-Port in France, across northern Spain.
This route provides a diverse blend of rural scenery, historic towns, and cultural landmarks.
USA
Appalachian Trail: A long-distance challenge
At over 3,500 kilometers long, stretching from Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian Trail is one of the world's longest hiking-only footpaths.
It passes through 14 states in the eastern US, and boasts a variety of landscapes, including forests, mountains, and valleys.
Hiking the entire trail is a major commitment, often taking several months for thru-hikers.
China
Great Wall of China: Walk along history
Although not officially classified as a hiking trail due to its immense length of over 21,000 kilometers, the Great Wall offers some of the world's most extraordinary hiking experiences, with stunning views across China's diverse landscapes.
Jinshanling and Simatai sections are favorites among hikers, offering a balanced blend of restored areas for easier trekking and wild, unrestored segments that reveal glimpses of the Wall's ancient construction methods.
New Zealand
Milford Track: New Zealand's finest walk
Often called the finest walk in the world, the Milford Track spans 53 kilometers through New Zealand's Fiordland National Park.
Over four days, hikers traverse lush rainforests, pass roaring waterfalls cascading into emerald rivers, and walk beneath towering peaks, making for an awe-inspiring journey.