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.
Subscribe now: register as a new member and confirm that you do want to receive a Walkopedia magazine/newsletter, and you will be automatically entered for our cash prize draw.
We are planning to give information on upcoming charity walks. Let us know of any you want publicized.
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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.
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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.
If you enjoy and value our site, please help us (at no cost to you) by buying your books, maps and other needs through our Amazon link.
And by telling friends about our site.
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 40% of the likely Top 100 (listed on our about page). His descriptions of these walks will be appearing on this website.
His planned book on these walks is provisionally titled "Fat Man Walking: a Good Wheeze". But, as he is 50 and his knees are in decline, he suspects the project will involve lowered sights at some point.
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 suggestionsfor candidates, and comments on walks on this website, will be very welcome. You can:
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recommend a walk, or submit your own description of a favourite walk;
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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
We expect to announce the winners in March 2012. We will publish the winning pieces and photographs on the Walkopedia website.
Lake Manasarovar,Tibet
See the rules of the competition
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! Subscribe for our Walkopedia online Magazine and enter our £500 draw
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 | ||
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| China | 11 |
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| Nepal | 7 |
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| France | 6 |
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| India | 6 |
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| USA | 6 |
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| Peru | 6 |
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| Spain | 6 |
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| Italy | 5 |
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| UK | 5 |
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| Norway | 4 |
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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!
THE WORLD'S 10 BEST WALKS
- Mount Kailash Kora, China
- Inca Trails, Peru
- Petra Area, Jordan
- Torajaland, Indonesia
- Q'adisha Valley, Lebanon
- Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
- Lunana Valley, Bhutan
- The Dolomites, Italy
- Huangshan, China
- Annapurna Massif, Nepal
WALKOPEDIA NEWS
- Dec 2011: see our winter magazine, featuring wierd and wonderful Tenerife and the infamous GR20
- Nov 2011: over 450 walks in Walkopedia, ahead of schedule.
- August 2011: our Autumn magazine is out, featuring Tibet's sacred circumambulations.
We're particularly proud of this one. - July 2011: visits to Walkopedia rising
We are expecting over 180,000 unique visitors to Walkopedia in 2011, a 100% increase over 2010 - June 2011: over 400 walks in Walkopedia
LATEST WALK
Lycian Way, Turkey
- The magnificent Lycian Way winds some 510km along Turkeys south-western coast.
- The ruins of Lycian, Greek and Roman cities litter the area. Enjoy spectacular views over the Mediterranean coast and the rugged, mountainous scenery.
- The path avoids the main tourist areas, and allows you to experience the natural beauty and welcoming locals of the Tekke Peninsula.
- Some dull sections, but they can be hopped across using local transport.
SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU
- Anyone walked the Lebanon Mountain Trail? Wew would love to get thoughts and pictures!
- The Amalfi Coast in Italy, and the Lebanon Trail: got any good pictures we can show?
- Charity walks: we are planning to have a focus on good charity walks (it will take a while to change the site)... in the meantime let us know of great upcoming walks around the world - the longer the notice, the better!
- What is your favourite walk, and why? How would it rate using our system?
- Anyone have photos of the Diamond Mountains in North Korea?
