How many steps do you aim for each day? The popularised 10,000-step goal doesn’t need to fall by the wayside while you’re abroad, especially with Lonely’ Planet’s latest guide.
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In Where to Go When: Hiking, the travel platform maps out more than 90 trails across the globe for those looking to explore the world on foot. Self-styled as the “ultimate companion for planning unforgettable walking adventures throughout the year”, the guide coincides with the rise of walking holidays.
According to UN Tourism, walking tourism has become one of the most popular ways to explore a destination. By walking, visitors are able to experience nature and culture, while connecting first-hand with local communities.
The UN’s tourism arm also said that if properly developed and well managed, it can offer sustainable social and economic benefits to locals and businesses – hikers, trekkers, backpackers, mountaineers and so on all need lodging, some form of entertainment along the way and fuel to keep them going, right?
Lonely Planet’s latest title is in collaboration with Ramble Worldwide, a British walking holiday specialist, whose Outdoor Trust is backed with the company’s surplus profits to support access to the outdoors for all.
The partnership means travellers not only read about the world’s best trails, but also walk the routes, too, with guided tours led by Ramble Worldwide’s experts.
This comes as the Netherlands' CBI estimates that as much as 50% of all European tour operators are active in the walking tourism sector.
Where are the best hikes?
At the top of Lonely Planet’s selection is the GR132 Circular, located on La Gomera in the Canary Islands.
Otherwise known as Isla Mágica for what Lonely Planet describes as its “lush valleys, awe-inspiring cliffs, glittering black-pebble beaches and bold rock formations sculpted by volcanic activity and erosion”, La Gomera offers striking views for hikers.
The circular trail begins at San Sebastián de La Gomera, which is the island’s capital. This historical quarter is adorned with protected landscapes, including the Benchijigua Integral Nature Reserve, which is home to endemic and endangered species.
All in all, the challenging circular route unfolds roughly 49 hours of walking and engulfs the island's perimeter, taking in terraced slopes, small hamlets, natural viewpoints, and striking coastal stretches. On clear days, the views from north and northeastern parts overlook Tenerife and Mount Teide, an active volcano on the Canary Islands.
The route also journeys through time with traditional paths and village squares. For instance, San Sebastián is the last place in Europe Christopher Columbus went to before crossing the Atlantic on his voyage to the New World. The home he stayed in has been transformed into the Columbus House Museum.
La Gomera also places a strong emphasis on sustainability, urging hikers to respect the environment by avoiding littering, not uprooting plants or removing stones. An emergency hotline was also created for visitors who encounter injured animals along the route.
Lonely Planet’s top hikes
Here are the top nine picks from Where to Go When: Hiking and the best times to visit:
- GR132 Circular, La Gomera, Canary Islands (challenging) – when to go: January
- Pekoe Trail, Central Highlands, Sri Lanka (moderate) – when to go: January
- Island Trails of Madeira, Portugal (leisurely) – when to go: January
- W Trek, Patagonia, Chile (moderate) – when to go: February
- South West Coast Path, England (moderate) – when to go: April
- Toubkal Circuit, Morocco (leisurely) – when to go: May
- Markha Valley Trek, Ladakh, India (challenging) – when to go: July
- Via Francigena, Swiss Alps and Northern Italy (moderate) – when to go: October
- Coast to Coast, England (moderate - challenging) – when to go: October