Why 2023 is the Year of the Long Walk (NYT article)

[jungleboy]

Here is a gift link for free access to the article for non-subscribers to the New York Times:

Why 2023 is the Year of the Long Walk

The 500-mile Camino de Santiago has inspired a host of new treks in places from Canada to Bhutan that let travelers take the slow route. Here, a guide to the new trails.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Interesting article ... though I'd take issue with :

The idea of a walking holiday — a long-distance journey on foot, during which you lodge overnight and carry just enough clothing, food and water for each day’s stretch — has long been popular in Europe. But within the last few years, these pilgrimage-style walks have sprung up all over the world.

Sure there are many on the Camino who are on "walking holidays", but the pilgrimage transcends that triviality.

I'd say there are three styles of long-distance hiking.

1) Yes, the walking holiday.

2) Backpacking in the US thru-hike manner -- a very different beast, and more sports discipline than holiday.

3) Pilgrimage (including the numerous varying traditions of it).

The three styles have their specifics and share some commonalities with each other, but each has a unique perspective in approaches to it and goals.

 

[Former member 108241]

Here is a gift link for free access to the article for non-subscribers to the New York Times:

Why 2023 is the Year of the Long Walk

Thank you!

 

[PeregrinoSteven]

Thanks for taking the time to share the article.

 

[jungleboy]

The Transcaucasian Trail (Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan) is the most intriguing one on the list for me as we would like to travel in that region anyway within the next couple of years.

 

[MesaWalker]

The Transcaucasian Trail (Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan) is the most intriguing one on the list for me as we would like to travel in that region anyway within the next couple of years.

Agreed. That looks fascinating.

 

[david g]

A little more work than the Camino to lay out places to stay but well worth it. I walked the European Peace Walk in 2017 which, I think, has now become two separate walks, the latter half being the Walk of Peace. Beautiful countryside with a lot of history.

 

[alansykes]

Interesting article, thank you. I've just done a week or so on the Via Transilvanica, a new trail covering 1400km of Romania from the Ukrainian to Bulgarian borders. I won't be able to do it all this time, as the heat is getting too much for my cold northern blood. Some beautiful sections, some quite hard work.

 

[DBC]

Here is a gift link for free access to the article for non-subscribers to the New York Times:

Why 2023 is the Year of the Long Walk

A new route is also open in South Africa - The Cape Camino. Cape Town is the point of entry.