Rankings
Why the Camino de Santiago Didn’t Make Our Top 100
The classic Camino Francés scores 79, but that number misses much of what makes the Camino matter so deeply to pilgrims.
7 June 2026 7 min read
Learning Centre
Long-distance hiking, explained
Honest, experience-led guides to walking far — how to read difficulty and elevation, the words every long-distance hiker should know, and the thinking behind our rankings.
Understanding HikeList
The HikeList Difficulty Scale: Easy, Moderate, Hard, Strenuous & Expert Explained
HikeList difficulty is about ascent, terrain and remoteness more than distance — here’s how to choose the right level for you.
7 June 2026 8 min read
Hiking Skills
How Much Elevation Gain Is Hard? A Hiker's Guide to Ascent & Descent
A practical guide to how much elevation gain is hard, how to read ascent per day, and why descents can wreck your legs.
7 June 2026 8 min read
Reference
The Complete Long-Distance Hiking Glossary: 60+ Terms Explained
A plain-English guide to 60+ long-distance hiking terms, from NoBo and zero days to bothies, cols, GR routes and base weight.
7 June 2026 9 min read
Hiking Basics
What Is a Long-Distance Hike?
A long-distance hike is a multi-day walk on a named route — learn what counts, how it feels, and how to start without overdoing it.
7 June 2026 7 min read
Hiking Basics
Long-Distance Hiking vs Thru-Hiking vs Trekking: What’s the Difference?
Long-distance hiking, thru-hiking and trekking overlap more than people admit. Here’s the plain-English difference, with real examples.
7 June 2026 7 min read
Getting Started
How to Choose Your First Long-Distance Hike
Choose a shorter, well-waymarked first long-distance hike with easy logistics, good support and plenty of places to step off.
7 June 2026 8 min read
Hiking Skills
How Many Kilometres Should You Walk Per Day on a Long-Distance Hike?
Plan honest daily hiking distances: real km and mile ranges for beginners, regular walkers and experienced long-distance hikers.
7 June 2026 7 min read
Hiking Skills
How Much Food to Carry on a Long-Distance Hike
Pack enough to walk strongly without hauling dead weight: here is the simple food maths for multi-day and long-distance hikes.
7 June 2026 7 min read
Getting Started
The Biggest Long-Distance Hiking Mistakes Beginners Make
Most beginner hiking mistakes come from doing too much, too soon. Here is what usually goes wrong, and how to avoid the worst of it.
7 June 2026 10 min read
Trail Comparisons
Pennine Way vs Coast to Coast: Which Should You Walk?
Choosing between the Pennine Way and Coast to Coast? Here is the honest head-to-head on distance, difficulty, scenery and logistics.
7 June 2026 8 min read