Trails Around the World

In Episode 19, Greg Stamer advised me to gain more experience and skills in small boats before joining the Everglades Challenge with my own boat. As I have said to many people: my skills as a hiker are advanced, but my skills in small boats-- especially when it came to cruising or voyaging-- were better characterized as intermediate. Having moved back to the U.S. in 2023, I set out to take Greg's advice. This episode is about my efforts to acquire more skills and experience, and I hope it can provide good food for thought for those who are interested in long distance trails-- whether on water or on the land-- and are setting out to increase their own skills and experience. #trailsaroundtheworld #skyking #evergladeschallenge #watertribe #dinghy #cruising #sailing #dinghycruising

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

I've had a short hiatus, but I will publish new episodes soon.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Everglades Challenge is one of several events that are annually organized by the “Watertribe” organization. This challenge is held during the first week of March, each year, and involves a 300-mile (500 km) trip by boat down the coast of Florida, within one week. This event is a great adventure in it’s own right, but it is also a great way to learn about and prepare for other small-boat voyages. Watertribe events do have a registration fee, and the registration deadline for the Everglades Challenge is January 31. This episode’s guest has many extraordinary stories to tell, from sailing in this event to wrestling rattlesnakes and bicycling the length of Baja at the same time as the first Baja 1000, and shares how he has arranged his life to make room for adventure while simultaneously pursuing a career.

This is Part 2 of my interview with James and Amy, of DoingMiles.com, about Japan's Tokai Shizen Hodou, or Tokai Nature Trail. This trail is little-known despite being 50 years old. It encompasses 1054 miles/1697 km, including all of it's alternate routes, but is about 600 miles/1000 km from end-to-end. Although it can be thru-hiked in about 5 weeks, this trail is perfect for section-hiking because it is so accessible along most of it's length by public transportation. If you truly want a deep experience of Japan, this trail is one of the best ways to access it. Running through lower mountains at about 300m-1300m altitude (1000-4000 feet), this trail is best to hike in March-April or September-November.

Japan's Tokai Shizen Hodou, or Tokai Nature Trail, is little-known despite being 50 years old. This trail encompasses 1054 miles/1697 km, including all of it's alternate routes, but is about 600 miles/1000 km from end-to-end. Although it can be thru-hiked in about 5 weeks, this trail is perfect for section-hiking because it is so accessible along most of it's length by public transportation. If you truly want a deep experience of Japan, this trail is one of the best ways to access it. Running through lower mountains at about 300m-1300m altitude (1000-4000 feet), this trail is best to hike in March-April or September-November.

The Maine Island Trail is the original "water trail", which can be followed using a boat or watercraft of any type. It runs the length of the U.S. state of Maine's famously and stupendously beautiful coastline, from New Hampshire to Canada. This episode's guest is Joe Guglielmetti, a professional Guide and kayak instructor in Maine.

Whispers joins us to teach us about the Cohos Trail, which crosses the Appalachian Trail as it traverses New Hampshire's White Mountains and runs north to the Canadian border. The Cohos Trail is a 170 mile trail which has been built over 20+ years in cooperation with the communities through which it passes.

The Pacific Northwest Trail runs south of the US-Canadian border from Glacier National Park and the Continental Divide Trail for a distance of 1200 miles (~2000 kilometers) to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park.

The TransCaucasian Trail is a spectacular long distance trail which is under construction in the exotic countries of Armenia and Georgia.  Many segments of the trail are already complete, and are available for you to experience and enjoy.  Armenia and Georgia are in the Caucasus mountains, which tower above the Alps as Europe’s highest mountain range and form the border between Europe and Asia.

This is the introductory episode for my podcast, which will explore long distance trails in countries around the world.  Please check back every month for descriptions of trails and how to start planning one of these personal expeditions.