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'Long-distance trails' (or long-distance tracks, paths, footpaths or greenways) are the longer recreational right-of-way routes mainly through rural areas, used for non-motorised recreational travelling (rambling (United Kingdom), hiking (United States), backpacking, cycling or horse riding).
Any route named as a "trail" (or "way", in the UK) will probably be waymarked, or identified on a map, but it will usually only be described as "long-distance" if it takes the typical recreational traveller more than one day to travel from end to end. Typically, a "long distance" trail, way or path will be at least 50 kilometers (31 miles) long, but some in Britain are several hundred miles long, and many in the US are much longer.
In some countries, official "trails" will have the surface specially prepared to make the going easier.
In the UK long-distance paths are simply existing rights of way (over private land) "joined together" (perhaps with specially-negotiated linking sections) to make a named route. Generally the surface is not especially prepared (which can come as a surprise to pampered walkers from abroad, who find their distance-covering estimates need to be rethought to take rough ground into account) except in special places such as converted rail tracks, or some "busy" hilly areas where stone slabs are laid to prevent erosion.

Contents

Types of long-distance trails

Bicycle trails

Canal system trails

Coastal trails

Coast-to-coast trails

Mountain trails

National Trails

Peninsular trails

Cross-country trails

Cross-continent trails

See also

Types of long-distance trails

Bicycle trails

These are used by bicyclists. Some are restricted to use by only non-motorized bikes while others are multi-use recreational (hiking, horseback riding, jogging, rollerblading or walking). Bike trails can range in length from under a mile to hundreds of miles, such as the EuroVelo routes, Australia's Munda Biddi Trail or Bike Trails in North America.

Canal system trails

These follow canal systems. A good example is the 525-mile long New_York_State_Canal_System in New York

Coastal trails

These follow coast lines. A good example is the South West Coast Path in England.

Coast-to-coast trails

These may be cross-country paths, or may follow roadways, or other ways, and often intersect with many other trails in the process. A good example is the Coast-to-Coast path in northern England, which - despite being perhaps the most famous long-distance walking route in England - is not an official National Trail, simply a series of connected pre-existing rights of way.
Another example is the American Discovery Trail which despite its name only covers one American country - it crosses the continental United States.

Mountain trails

Two good examples of mountain trails are the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. The Tour du Mont Blanc, through the Alps of France, Switzerland and Italy, comprises about 170 kilometers (105 miles) of high-altitude hiking and usually takes 8-10 days.

National Trails

A network of well-maintained and well-waymarked routes across England and Wales. Examples are the Pennine Way and the South West Coast Path.

Peninsular trails

The Kerry Way in south-west Ireland circumnavigates the highest mountain range in Ireland. Along with the adjoining Dingle Way it is noted for its scenic views of the Atlantic, loughs and mountains.

Cross-country trails

Among the longest, the Trans-Canada Trail.

★ Te Araroa Trail - New Zealand

★ Continental Divide Trail - United States

★ Countrywide Blue Tour in Hungary - Hungary

Cross-continent trails

Among the longest is European walking route E8.
===Rail trails===
'Rail trails' are trails on old railway formations, generally rather short; an example is the Longdendale Trail.

See also

★ Trail

★ List of long-distance footpaths

★ Walking

★ Hiking

★ Backpacking

★ Long-distance trails in Australia

★ Long-distance trails in the Republic of Ireland

★ Long-distance footpaths in the United Kingdom

★ Long-distance trails in the United States

★ GR footpaths (long-distance trails in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain)

★ New Zealand tramping tracks

★ European long-distance paths

★ EuroVelo