Epic Hikes of the World ( PDFDrive )

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CROSS-BORDER EUROPE
VIA EGNATIA
Paved between 146 and 120 BC, the Via Egnatia (VE) connected Rome to Istanbul
(then Byzantium), and thus the Western Roman and Eastern Roman Empires. ‘In its
long history, VE has been used intensely, decayed, was restored several times and
decayed again’, states Via Egnatia on Foot, a guidebook published by the Via
Egnatia Foundation. After centuries of relative dormancy, the trail – running
through Albania, Macedonia and Greece – has been resurrected with 301 miles
(485km) of the original 684 miles (1100km; to Turkey) described and marked with
GPS tracks. Once used for travel, trade and military movements, today the route
combines cities, ancient ruins, mountain views and rural expanses. If you prefer to
go guided, the Albania-based Our Own Expeditions takes walkers from Durres,
Albania, to Thessaloniki, Greece.
Start // Durres, Albania
End // Thessaloniki, Greece
Distance // 301 miles (485km)
More info // www.viaegnatiafoundation.eu; ourownexpeditions.com
NORDKALOTTLEDEN TRAIL
Also known as the Arctic Trail, the Nordkalottleden Trail runs 497 miles (800km)
and crosses borders 15 times as it snakes through Norway, Sweden and Finland.
Described as the most northerly long-distance hike in Europe, the entirety of the
route sits within the Arctic Circle. This is, not surprisingly, not a path for the winter
months. Trekking should be done from July to September, which will allow
expeditions sufficient time – around 45 days of moderate backpack walking – to
complete. The well-marked track, which also boasts a solid hut system from end to
end, was proposed in 1977 and supported by all three countries. The
Nordkalottleden was realised in 1993 and takes adventurers through wide-open
expanses and giant skies and along lakes, glaciers and gorges.
Start/End // There are three starting and ending points: Kautokeino, Norway (north); Sulitjelma,
Norway (south); Kvikkjokk, Sweden
Distance // 497 miles (800km)