| Paul Scott Mower once said, "There is nothing | | | | (at altitudes up to 14,000 feet), especially |
| like walking to get the feel of a country..." | | | | during the first half of the trail, and takes |
| If you've ever contemplated going abroad to | | | | about 4 days. |
| find your next trail, here are 3 classic | | | | |
| hikes to consider. | | | | Most trips start at the 88km mark (also known |
| | | | as (Qoriwayrachina) on the Cuzco to Machu |
| New Zealand's Milford Track: The best known | | | | Picchu rail line. Due to over-use (and |
| "track" through New Zealand's beautiful | | | | abuse), the Peru's government no longer |
| fjords, this 32.9 miles (53 km) easy 4-day | | | | allows independent hikers on the trail. You |
| hike, starts at Glade Wharf (Lake Te Anau), | | | | are now required to go with a licensed tour |
| winds over Mackinnon Pass and ends at Sandfly | | | | operator and reservations need to be filed |
| Point (Milford Sound). The scenery includes | | | | with the government 30 days before your |
| rainforests, alpine meadows and waterfalls at | | | | arrival. |
| every turn, including the worlds third | | | | |
| highest, the 3-leap Sutherland Falls. With | | | | China's Great Wall: Hiking sections of |
| its ethereal, dream-like scenery, some have | | | | China's Great Wall is a fantastic way to see |
| described this hike akin to "walking through | | | | and experience some of China's most |
| a Lord of the Rings movie." | | | | significant and best-known sites. For |
| | | | centuries, the 4,163 mile long wall served |
| Milford track is highly regulated for tourism | | | | several dynasties as an efficient military |
| and restricted to a one-way route during | | | | defense. Now, with a history spanning over |
| summer season. All hikers (independent or | | | | 2,000 years, many of the Great Wall's |
| guided) are required complete the track in 3 | | | | sections are in ruins or have completely |
| nights/ 4 days and stay in the designated | | | | disappeared. Still, depending on where you |
| commune-styled huts along the way. | | | | start your trek, you'll pass through rugged |
| Day-specific reservations and trail permits | | | | mountain scenery, areas of unforgiving desert |
| are required | | | | and glimpse traditional Chinese culture in a |
| | | | way most tourists will never experience. |
| Peru's Inca Trail: This 30 mile trail attract | | | | |
| hikers from all over the world seeking to | | | | Unless you have a friend in China that can |
| walk the ancient, ruin-studded path to the | | | | round up all the difficult to obtain, but |
| sacred site of Machu Picchu. The trail | | | | necessary permits, you'll need to hire a |
| meanders over high passes, offering | | | | guide or tour company that specializes in |
| breathtaking views of glaciated mountains and | | | | hiking sections of the wall. Many Chinese |
| lush green valleys of cloud forest. Along the | | | | tour companies include wall hiking in |
| trail, you'll pass early Inca stonework and | | | | combination with other sightseeing tours or |
| abandoned outposts and villages until you | | | | offer the opportunity to hike several |
| reach the trail's end at Machu Picchu. There | | | | sections over the course of a few days or |
| you'll pass into the sacred site through the | | | | weeks. In any case, each step along this |
| Sun Gate, just as the Incas did centuries | | | | ancient monument will be a hike back through |
| ago. This walk involves considerable climbing | | | | China's history. |