In need of a fun walking vacation to get in shape? Here’s a test for you. This journey, which spans 14,000 miles (22,387 km) from Cape Town, South Africa, to Magadan, Russia, may be the longest walk in the world, and it certainly seems arduous.
The Reddit user cbz3000 who created this extensive route on Google Maps in 2019 deserves credit. They claimed to have discovered the longest walking path on the property, one that only used open roads and bridges and didn’t involve any aircraft, ferries, or other water crossings. In order to reach Magadan, the daring traveler must ascend across Africa, pass over the Suez Canal, journey through Turkey, Central Asia, and through Siberia.
BrilliantMaps estimates that it would take 187 days or 4,492 hours to walk the distance. This, however, assumes that you were constantly moving forward. The trip would actually take 562 days if we assumed an 8-hour walking pace (no rest days!).
Let’s take a closer look at some of the locations you’d have the pleasure of crossing on your 16-country tour if you still think this would be something you’d like to accomplish and have two years free to start traveling:
African continent: Table Mountain
Warm up by taking a visit to Table Mountain in Cape Town before beginning your walk. The mountain, which is part of Table Mountain National Park, is easily recognized by its recognizable table shape and the “table-cloth” cloud formations that encircle its peak. It takes two to three hours to trek to the summit, but it is worth it for the breathtaking views of Cape Town and the southern coastline. You can even follow one of the several hiking trails that take trekkers only across the summit, some of which take many hours to finish, thanks to its flat nature. You can drive along South Africa’s famous Garden Route if you have the time.
Safari Tour in Botswana
Why not take a safari tour while you’re in Botswana to see some of the amazing animals of Africa? Two of the best national parks in Botswana are Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta, which are home to elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalo, and zebra. After your first six weeks of walking, there are lots of opportunities to decompress and relax, from luxury timber lodges to spa resorts!
Victoria Falls, Zambia
With a breadth of 1,708 meters, this waterfall on the Zambezi River at the borders of Zimbabwe and Zambia is the biggest in the entire world. The natural pools at the top are open for swimming, however they are not for the timid due to their proximity to the edge. This 22-day trip from Botswana’s Gaborone to Victoria Falls is pleasant and uncomplicated.
Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt
How embarrassing would it be to complete a 14,000-mile walk and neglect to see the world’s greatest wonder? The pyramids are a must-see for everyone at some time in their lives since they are the final surviving example of a classic marvel of the world. What is there to say about them? The sheer mathematical prowess of the pyramids and the numerous riddles surrounding its interior chambers are the stuff of folklore, regardless of whether they were built by aliens or merely by an indescribable amount of slave labor. It will take you a whopping 181 days (6 months) to complete this stretch, so I hope you bought enough snacks for the journey.
The Jordan-Petra
After the voyage, just a little stretch is required. You can’t go from one wonder to another without stopping in Petra in Jordan. This ancient site, which is in the south of the nation, is surprisingly well-preserved and is home to the famed Al-Khazneh (The Treasury) Temple, an elaborate structure carved straight into the sandstone rock. It is the most well-known tourist destination in Jordan and is recognizable from such films as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and the Adventures of Tintin. It is thought to have been the mausoleum of the Nabatean King Aretas IV. You’ll travel for just two weeks from the Pyramids to Petra.
Lake Van, Turkey
Why not stop at the off-the-beaten-path natural splendor of Turkey’s Lake Van next? This is the ideal location to unwind and take in some intriguing history because it has lovely walking routes around the lake and a wide selection of secluded hotels to stay in. The Lake served as the center of some of the largest empires in history, from the conquest of the Mongols through the Armenian Kingdoms. Keep a watch out since it even has its own version of the Loch Ness Monster, the Lake Van Monster, with sighting tales dating all the way back to the 1800s. You have five weeks to complete this stretch.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Georgia is your last stop before reaching Russia, so take advantage of a brief urban break in the lovely capital city of Tbilisi, which is a favorite destination for digital nomads. The city is incredibly lovely with its cobblestoned old town and red-roofed homes, and it is nestled beneath the commanding presence of Narikala, a castle from the fourth century. Explore the area and observe the antique cathedrals, art nouveau structures, and brutalist Soviet complexes. The architecture of the city reflects the city’s chaotic mix of architectural styles and the complicated history of this little-known nation. The distance from Van takes 16 days.
Russia
You’ve arrived in Russia, but the voyage is still far from over. The temperature drops, the environment becomes drier, and the welcome communities where you may stop and rest go farther and farther away as you travel further north-east. With 253 days of your 8-month journey spent in Russia, you’re sure to gain a great sense of the traditions, eccentricities, and diversity of this large country. Good luck, and stock up on vodka for the journey—you might need it as payment if you get lost in the Siberian steppe.
