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7 Places to Experience the Thrill of Long-Distance Trekking

Yes, we said the thrill. And we mean it.

By: The Outbound Collective + Save to a List

There's a movement afoot across the globe, a movement focused on being present and taking things a little slower. When it comes to adventure travel, there's no better way to experience a destination deeply, and with intention, than by exploring it with your own two feet (hey, we never said slow means easy!). 

Enter long-distance trekking. Long-distance trekking involves picking a route, strapping your favorite pair of walking shoes, and traveling at the pace your legs can take you. We may have glossed over a few steps there, but you can rest assured that our friends at MT Sobek have not. Book a trekking trip with MT Sobek, and they'll think of everything so that you don't have to.

With the logistics taken care of, you can focus on the soaring peaks in the Himalayas, the gentle hills of England's Lake District, or the unearthly green terraces of Machu Picchu. 

Completing one long-distance trek tends to lead to a second, and a third, and a fourth. Don't say we didn't warn you.


The Haute Route

The Haute Route (High Road) through the Alps traverses ten high passes in ten days. While it's not for the faint of heart, it's worth whatever training it takes to get you ready. Warm hospitality awaits at night at alpine towns and villages...you'll need the rest!


England Coast to Coast

How many people can say they've walked across an entire country? Trek across England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, and traverse three national parks along the way: the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North Yorkshire Moors. 


The Chomolhari Trek

Think of the Chomolhari Trek as a journey through the Himalayas, remixed. This 14-day trek spends seven days experiencing Bhutan's rich and vibrant cultural history and then concludes with a seven-day trek through remote and pristine Himalayan forests and mountains.


El Camino de Santiago

Northern Spain's El Camino de Santiago trek is a pilgrimage that has been followed for over a thousand years. For some, it's a spiritual journey, for others, it's a beautiful route across a vibrant country. Like all MT Sobek treks, comfortable accommodations set the stage for a good night's rest.


The John Muir Trail to Yosemite

Beginning at Lake Florence and ending in the Tuolumne Meadows of Yosemite National Park, a trek on the northern section of the John Muir Trail wanders through the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, and the quiet solitude of the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness areas.


Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is easily Peru's most famous destination, and MT Sobek's inn-to-inn trek follows a lightly traveled route through the Cordillera Vilcabamba. This off-the-beaten-path approach delivers spectacular views, relaxing inn accommodations, and of course, plenty of time to explore mist-covered Machu Picchu.


The Paine Circuit

No discussion about trekking routes would be complete without mention of Patagonia's famous Paine Circuit. Named after Chile's Torres del Paine (and not the feeling your legs may experience), this journey weaves through craggy peaks, across glaciers, and through alpine meadows.

Photos by MT Sobek

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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