Welcome to Walkopedia, our interactive directory of the world’s best walks and hikes.

We are in the process of developing information on a huge selection of worldwide walks, so bear with us until this site reaches its full glory....but, in the meantime, do let us know of any favourite walk or trek that you think should be introduced to the world.

Walkopedia Magazine:

To view the Christmas edition, which features Alta Via No 1 in Italy's much-loved Dolomites, Torajaland in lndonesia's Sulawesi, and a lot more, click here.
To view our Autumn 09 edition, featuring Mt Kailash (the world's best walk?), Sweden's Kungsleden, Annapurna in winter, and much more, click here.
To view the second edition, which featured the amazing Drakensberg, Jomolhati Trek in Bhutan and much more, click here to see it
To view the first edition, which covered Tanzania's fabulous Mt Meru and the outstanding Tongariro Crossing in New Zealand, click here.

The Spring 2010 edition is next. Click here to receive a free copy...it won't take long!

Charity Walks

We are planning to feature good charity walks from around the world.

Let us know of any charity walks you would like us to feature!

Our aims are:

To have as close to a complete collection of the world’s great walks and hikes as can be achieved, by 2020. This requires daunting levels of research - and walking - and help from walk lovers like you. So, please give us your suggestions and comments.
To give you good travel writing about, and pictures of, the best walks and hikes and some walk-related fun and competitions.
To give you good information and links, to help you plan an expedition.

THE WORLD'S 100 BEST WALKS: as walked and selected by William Mackesy

William Mackesy is on a long quest to identify the world’s 100 best walks. He is tackling and assessing all the walks himself, and has so far done more than a third of the likely best walks (listed on our about page). His descriptions of these walks will be appearing on this website.

Identifying the best walks requires a system as well as stamina: but what are the essential ingredients of a great walk? Outstanding beauty is not sufficient on its own (there are thousands of beautiful walks). It is some special charisma, often combined with a natural wonder or historical or artistic association, which propels a walk into the highest ranks. Adjustments are needed for miseries such as crowding and altitude. See our walks assessment system, which we have developed to balance between these varied factors.

See our provisional list of the world’s 100 best walks, with ratings. These preliminary rankings will be revised for further candidates and adjusted markings. You can help to develop the final, definitive, list. Your suggestions for candidates, and comments on walks on the list, will be very welcome.

Click here to see William’s personal favourites walks.

Responsible Travel...

... matters, a lot. How you travel will make a real difference – for better or worse. PLEASE consider this when making plans. Read more

CONTRIBUTE

You can join our community and help to develop the final, definitive, Top 100 list and a full collection of the world’s best walks and hikes. Your suggestions for candidates, and comments on walks on this website, will be very welcome. You can:

recommend a walk, or submit your own description of a favourite walk;
suggest additions or changes to an existing walk description and our walks assessments, including your tips, tales and photos; and
give us other feedback or comments.

Go to our community page to see more on the Walkopedia project, including the ideas of other walk lovers.

FUN AND COMPETITIONS

Walking and hiking websites can be a bit earnest; see our fun page for the antidote!

And see our competitions, with prizes on offer for the best writing and contributions.

Planning an expedition

What you will need to do and take with you, including an extensive check and packing list.

Links to useful websites

We are developing useful information (on travel, equipment, books, maps and so on) to help you plan your own expedition. Let us know about further useful websites and we’ll add them.
(Walk-specific information can be found on the individual walk pages.)

Walkopedia Magazine

The first edition of our beautiful and intriguing online magazine appears in January 09. Click here to receive free copies... it won't take long!

Tell a friend about Walkopedia

Enter details to tell a friend:

Countries with highest concentration of the world's best walks

Country

No. in Top 100

% of all walks

China

Nepal

France

India

USA

Peru

Spain

Italy

Norway

343

NUMBER OF WALKS CURRENTLY IN WALKOPEDIA

THE WORLD'S 10 BEST WALKS

(Walkopedia's provisional rating)

WALK OF THE MONTH

Emei Shan, China

One of China's sacred mountains, and the first bastion of the mountainous Tibetan fringe. A magical, historic place of forests, cliffs and chasms dotted with temples, pagodas and other sites, where people have been walking and contemplating for more than a millennium.
Walk up ancient stone paths and steps, past temples and tea plantations, then through cloud and bamboo forest. Pass ancient buildings; stay in an ox-blood Buddhist monastery. Catch glimpses of mist-wreathed cliffs as you get higher.
At the Golden Summit, explore the temples, glimpse the vast chasm beneath the peak through swirling cloud or occasionally get a magnificent view toward the mountains and over the hazy plain of Sichuan plain.
You gain altitude fast, climbing endless flights of hewn steps. Pace yourself.

Further information

WALKOPEDIA NEWS

Dec 09: 105,000 page visits in 09. Walkopedia magazine features Alta Via 1 in Italy's Dolomites and Torajaland in Sulawesi, Indonesia
Nov 09: coming up: World Cup walking: best walks for those who need to clear their heads....
Give us your ideas and suggestions!
Oct 09: Autumn edition of Walkopedia magazine
Mt Kailash, Tibet (world's best walk??), Kungsleden , Annapurna
Sept 09: amazing Alta Via 1 in the Dolomites
June 09: second edition of our online magazine released

Click to view more

LATEST WALK

Mont Joly, Alps,France

A fine day walk to Mt Joly, the high point of the first ridge to the west of Mont Blanc.
An interesting ascent through natural forest, flower-filled meadows, past old farmsteads, takes you to the high ridge, with its astounding views of the Mont blanc massif. A demanding scramble gets you to the peak, which enjoys glorious 360˚ views.