10 roads you should take at least once in your life

Many have long managed to enjoy comfortable travel, with convenient flights, hotels and other all-inclusive options. But the true spirit of adventure appears only when traveling with a backpack on your back. This is how you can truly get to know another country, test your strength and feel like a part of our beautiful Earth.

We have collected for you the most amazing walking routes around the world.

1. Stairway to Heaven, Hawaii (© pinterest, thejoltjoker, laszlofromhalifax˜)

The Haiku Trail, or the so-called Stairway to Heaven, is an iconic extreme route of 4,000 steps on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. It was made by the US military during World War II to reach antennas located on hills. Local authorities close the dangerous staircase from time to time, but there are no fewer people wanting to climb it. Yes, if you are going there, remember - it’s better not to look down.

2. Pilgrimage Route of Shikoku, Japan (© pinterest, altr.livejournal, japanblog˜)

On the island of Shikoku, all the charm of ancient Japan has been preserved intact. Therefore, not only Buddhist pilgrims in conical hats, but also crowds of tourists walk along the road leading across the entire island. The route takes two whole months, and during this long walk you can see 88 ancient Buddhist temples with the most beautiful Japanese gardens and find peace in your soul.

3. Inca Trail, Peru (© ˜blogspot, Beto Santillán, Michael Doolittle)

The ancient road, built by the Incas, has survived almost 6 centuries, and today local guides take tourists along it. The road either dives into the jungle, then climbs high into the mountains, and at the end a real revelation awaits - the “city in the sky,” the sacred city of the Inca Empire, Machu Picchu.

4. Sarek National Park, Sweden (© ˜Fabian Schmidt, Marco Milani, Rob Orthern)

Lapland, the land of the Snow Queen, is not a fairy tale, but the landscapes here are of fabulous beauty. You can get a closer look at its wild northern nature in Sarek National Park. Here, travelers will find Sweden's highest mountains, rivers, glaciers, northern lights and an indescribable sense of freedom.

5. Lycian Way, Türkiye (© turkey.com, antenario.livejournal, cultureroutesinturkey˜)

All-inclusive holidays are not all that Türkiye has to offer. She's cooler than we used to think. The Lycian Trail will reveal the wonders of this country: from azure deserted bays to tombs in the rocks, which were left almost 3 thousand years ago by the inhabitants of ancient Lycia.

6. Bay of Fires, Australia (© ˜extendcreative, Hugh Stewart, bayoffires)

The Bay of Fires got its name because of the unusual color of the coastal rocks, covered with bright orange lichen. The four-day route goes along the coast with its incredibly beautiful views that cannot be found anywhere else in the world: white sand, huge orange boulders and the azure ocean.

7. Overland Trail, Australia (© Cradlehuts˜)

The famous Australian route passes through the most beautiful places of Tasmania, past high mountain peaks, lakes with crystal clear waters, waterfalls and heather fields. Wombats, echidnas, kangaroos and other funny local animals are included.

8. Way of St. James, Spain (© ˜pinterest, viajejet, anotherbagmoretravel)

In the Middle Ages, pilgrims walked along this road to venerate the tomb of the patron saint of Spain, the Apostle James. Nowadays, the route has become popular again, and Paolo Coelho’s “The Diary of a Magician” played a significant role in this. Today, not only pilgrims walk along it, but also all those who strive for self-knowledge - this is a kind of symbolic road to themselves. At the end, many people get a tattoo in the form of a shell - a symbol of the Way of St. James.

9. Zion National Park, USA (© ovidiu ifrim, Rick Goldwasser, zionnationalpark˜)

Zion is a heap of rocks and stone plateaus, cut by deep canyons and bizarre tunnels. And all this is painted in different colors: pink, orange, red, emerald and blue. In this fantastic place, it’s hard to believe that you are on planet Earth.

10. Walking trek around Annapurna, Nepal (© pinterest, Sonam Sherpa, reddit˜)

No one has ever returned from this journey around the Annapurna mountain range the same. Nepal is home to the most majestic mountains in the world, the deepest gorges in the world, Buddhist temples and places of power lost in the mountains.