Looking for a fun walking vacation to get in shape? Here’s a test for you. This path may be the world’s longest walk, stretching 14,000 miles (22,387 kilometers) from Cape Town in South Africa to Magadan in Russia.
This long route was created in 2019 by Reddit user cbz3000 using Google Maps. They claimed to have identified the greatest walking distance feasible on the site, requiring no aircraft, ferries, or other boat crossings: only open roads and bridges. The adventurous adventurer will pass across Africa, past the Suez Canal, Turkey, Central Asia, and across Siberia to Magadan.
According to brilliantmaps, the walk would take 4,492 hours, or 187 days. However, this assumes you were walking continuously. The trek would take 562 days if we assumed an 8-hour per day walking pace (no rest days!).
If this still seems like something you’d like to accomplish and you have two years to travel, let’s take a closer look at some of the places you’d have the pleasure of seeing on your 16-country tour:
Table Mountain, South Africa
Begin your trek with a revitalizing stroll to Cape Town’s famed Table Mountain. The mountain, which is located inside Table Mountain National Park, is easily recognizable for its unusual table shape and “table-cloth” cloud patterns that surround the top. The trek to the summit takes around 2-3 hours and rewards you with breathtaking views of Cape Town and the southern coastline. Because of its flat nature, you may even follow one of numerous hiking paths that take trekkers just across the summit, some of which take several hours. If you have the time, you may travel through South Africa’s famous Garden Route.
Safari in Botswana
While in Botswana, why not take a Safari Tour to see some of Africa’s wonderful wildlife? Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta are two of Botswana’s greatest national parks, including elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalo, and zebras. There are many of places to relax and decompress after your first 6 weeks of walking, from luxury timber cabins to spa resorts!
Victoria Falls, Zambia
With a breadth of 1,708 meters, this waterfall on the Zambezi River at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe is the world’s biggest. Visitors can swim in the natural pools near the top, albeit they are not for the faint of heart owing to their closeness to the edge! This 22-day trip from Gaborone, Botswana, to Victoria Falls is a beautiful and simple one.
Giza Pyramid, Egypt
How awful would it be to trek 14,000 miles and fail to see the world’s ultimate wonder? The pyramids, being the world’s only remaining classic marvel, are a must-see for everyone at some time in their life. What is there to say about them? The sheer mathematical genius of the pyramids and the myriad riddles surrounding its interior chambers are the stuff of folklore, whether it was aliens or just an incalculable amount of slave labor. I hope you packed enough food for the journey, because this stretch will take you 181 days (6 months).
Petra, Jordan
After the travel, all that remains is a gentle stretch. From one wonder to the next, you must see Petra if you are going through Jordan. This ancient site, located in the country’s south, is extremely well maintained and houses the world-famous Al-Khazneh (The Treasury) Temple, an exquisite edifice carved straight into the sandstone rock. It is the most prominent tourist destination in Jordan and can be seen in films such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and the Adventures of Tintin. It is said to be the mausoleum of the Nabatean King Aretas IV. You’ll be on the road for only two weeks, from the Pyramids to Petra.
Lake Van, Turkey
Next, why not visit the off-the-beaten-path natural splendor of Lake Van in Turkey? With lovely walking trails surrounding the lake and plenty of secluded hotels to stay in, this is an ideal spot to unwind and learn about the region’s rich history. The Lake has been at the core of some of the world’s most powerful empires, from Armenian kingdoms to Mongol invasion. It also has its own Loch Ness Monster, the Lake Van Monster, with claims of its presence dating back to the 1800s, so keep your eyes peeled. This stretch will take you 5 weeks to complete.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Georgia is your penultimate stop before Russia, so spend some time in the gorgeous capital city of Tbilisi (a famous digital nomad destination). The city is extraordinarily lovely, with its cobblestoned old town and red-roofed cottages, and it nestles beneath the towering presence of Narikala, a 4th-century stronghold. Explore the city’s antique cathedrals, art nouveau architecture, and brutalist Soviet blocks. The intricate history of this little-visited country is woven into the city’s architecture, which is a jumble of styles. The travel from Van takes 16 days.
Russia
You’ve finally arrived in Russia, but the adventure is far from done. As you go farther north, the temperatures decrease, the environment becomes more bleak, and the inviting communities to stop and relax become increasingly isolated. With 253 days of your travel (8 months) in Russia, you’re sure to acquire a good sense of the country’s cultures, eccentricities, and variety. Stock up on vodka for the road (you might need it as payment if you get lost in the Siberian steppe), and best of luck.
