We write about the famous U.S. thru-hikes all the time, from the Appalachian Trail to the Pacific Crest. But there are聽a whole host of international options, too. Here are four of the best ones, each either recently聽completed or still under construction.聽
The Sinai Trail
Completed in 2015; 140 miles聽
Route: , Egypt鈥檚 8,625-foot high point.
Difficulty: 4/10. A through-hike can be completed in less than two weeks.聽
Payoff: Biblical. You climb Mount Sinai, where many believe Moses received the Ten Commandments.聽
Logistics: Water is scarce, and you won鈥檛 come upon any towns, so hire a trained , who will bring pack camels and everything else you need.聽
Ramble On
Inspired by iconic American long trails, a new generation of pioneers are creating paths for hikers and bikers the world over.The Baja Divide
Completed in 2015; 1,700 miles
Route: From San Diego to San Jos茅 del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico.聽
Difficulty: 7/10. The trail鈥檚 vehicle-width tracks are roomy, sure, but the terrain can be sandy, rocky, and slow going. The longest stretch without food and water is 126 miles. takes an average bikepacker about six weeks.
Payoff: The Gulf of California all to yourself.聽
Logistics: You鈥檒l pass busy highway towns, remote fishing villages, roadhouses, and missions鈥攎ost of which allow for efficient resupplying and resting.聽
The Transcaucasian Trail
About 25 percent 颅complete; currently about 400 miles聽
Route: in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.
Difficulty: 5/10. Hikers climb up聽to 10,000 feet and聽descend into medieval villages.聽
Payoff: Broad green meadows and narrow alpine passes.
Logistics: Speculative at this point, but the hope is that the finished trail will 颅cater to through-hikers with homestays and easy purchase of simple foods like bread, cheese, and fruit.聽
The Greater Patagonian Trail
Perpetually incomplete; currently more than 7,500 miles
Route: From San颅tiago, Chile, to Tierra聽del Fuego.
Difficulty: 10/10. The creator of the GPT isn鈥檛 sure that 鈥渇inishing it鈥 is聽possible, because is always changing and expanding. No one monitors or maintains the trail, which involves trekking聽over private property.
Payoff: A stunning range of environments, from deserts and glaciers to forests and volcanoes.
Logistics: You鈥檙e on your own.聽