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 you think should be introduced to the world.

Walkopedia Magazine:

the second edition of our beautiful and intriguing online magazine has been issued in June 09. Click here to see it
to view the first edition click here
Click here to receive free copies...it won't take long!

Our aims are:

To have as close to a complete collection of the world’s great walks and hikes as can be achieved, within the next 10 years. 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

303

NUMBER OF WALKS CURRENTLY IN WALKOPEDIA

THE WORLD'S 10 BEST WALKS

(Walkopedia's provisional rating)

WALK OF THE MONTH

The Arsenale to the Salute, Venice, Italy

Venice hits you with the most intense assault of man-made beauty anywhere on earth. Almost any walk here would be unforgettable.
Stroll along and behind the waterfront from the Arsenale, the underpinning of Venice's maritime strength, to the magnificent St Mark's Square, Europe's lagest drawing room, dominated by St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace and the famous Campanile.
Then cut through busy streets to the Accademia or Rialto bridges, where you can spend hours gazing on the sublime Grand Canal and its pullulating traffic.
Then enter dark passages to wind down to the Salute church, a magnificent landmark (although of questionable taste), near the canal's end: sit on its steps and contemplate.
Take your time: it would be negligent not to include lunch and jitter-inducing quantities of coffee.

Further information

WALKOPEDIA NEWS

January 2009: the first edition of our beautiful and intriguing Walkopedia Magazine has been issued.
December 2008: over 300 walks in Walkopedia
November 2008: first edition of Walkopedia magazine coming out in January 09.
We aim to make this the most beautiful and enjoyable mag around for fellow walk pervs. Log in your email address via our home page to receive your copy!
September 2008: over 270 walks in the site
August 08: over 14.000 page visits; over 250 walks in our site

Click to view more

LATEST WALK

Kong Lin (Confucian Forest), China

Fascinating walk in the cemetery-park where Confucius, his descendents and many of his disciples are buried.

Innumerable memorials, mounds, gates and pavilions.

20,000 trees in 200 hectares surrounded by 10km of wall.

The key sights can get crowded; strike off the main circular drag and stroll alone through this pretty woodland, amid endless grey stones. Contemplate gently.