The Pacific Crest Trail can be considered a part of eco-tourism as it promotes sustainable travel and helps preserve natural areas. The Pacific Crest Trail is a long-distance hiking trail that stretches 2,650 miles from the border of Mexico to Canada, passing through California, Oregon, and Washington. It is a popular destination for hikers who want to experience the beauty of the natural environment.
The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) works to maintain and preserve the trail by organizing volunteer work parties and promoting sustainable hiking practices. The PCTA also works with local communities to promote sustainable tourism in the areas surrounding the trail.
Hikers who hike the Pacific Crest Trail are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles, which promote responsible hiking practices such as carrying out all trash, using designated campsites, and avoiding damaging vegetation. The PCTA also provides resources for hikers on how to plan a sustainable hike, such as minimizing waste, conserving water, and respecting wildlife.
In addition to the Pacific Crest Trail, there are other examples of eco-tourism initiatives in the Pacific Northwest. For example, in Washington, the San Juan Islands are a popular destination for eco-tourists who want to experience the beauty of the natural environment. The islands are home to a variety of wildlife, including orcas, bald eagles, and sea lions. Visitors can go kayaking, hiking, and whale watching while learning about the local ecosystem and how to preserve it.
In Oregon, the Oregon Coast Trail is another example of eco-tourism. The trail is a long-distance hiking trail that stretches 382 miles along the Oregon coast. It passes through a variety of natural areas, including forests, beaches, and wetlands. Hikers can experience the beauty of the natural environment while also learning about the local ecosystems and how to preserve them.
Overall, eco-tourism initiatives such as the Pacific Crest Trail, the San Juan Islands, and the Oregon Coast Trail promote sustainable travel and help preserve natural areas. These initiatives also provide economic benefits to local communities by promoting sustainable tourism and supporting local businesses. For travelers who want to make more sustainable choices, following Leave No Trace principles, using public transportation, and supporting local businesses are just a few ways to make a positive impact while enjoying the beauty of the natural environment.
What if I can’t take four months off?
Section Hiking: Many trails can be done in sections - hiking a week or two at a time. Start out at a certain point and hike as far as you can in the time you have allotted. Mark your finished point as the start for next years trip. This can take a while but could allow you to see the whole trail over several years.
Volunteering: Many trails have organization built around maintaining them. You can spent a week of two in the summer doing trail maintenance which involves a range of activities, including clearing fallen trees, repairing damaged sections of the trail, and constructing new trail sections. They have trips for all skill levels and most will feed you while you are volunteering.
More Trails:
There are many long-distance hikes and trails around the United States and the world. Here are a few examples:
United States:
Appalachian Trail: A 2,200-mile trail that stretches from Georgia to Maine and passes through 14 states. It is one of the most famous long-distance trails in the world.
Continental Divide Trail: A 3,100-mile trail that follows the Continental Divide through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Florida Trail: A 1,300-mile trail that runs from the Big Cypress National Preserve in southern Florida to Fort Pickens at Gulf Islands National Seashore in the Florida panhandle.
Arizona Trail: A 800-mile trail that runs from the Mexico border to the Utah border, passing through the Grand Canyon and other iconic Arizona landscapes.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail: This trail stretches 1,200 miles across the state of Wisconsin and follows the path of the last glacier in the region. It was established in 1980 and features diverse terrain including forests, prairies, and wetlands.
Mountains-to-Sea Trail: This trail runs 1,175 miles across the state of North Carolina, from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks. It was established in 1977 and features a variety of landscapes, including mountains, forests, rivers, and coastal regions.
North Country Trail: The North Country Trail is the longest of the National Scenic Trails, spanning 4,600 miles across seven states, from North Dakota to New York. It passes through a diverse range of landscapes including forests, lakes, and rolling hills.
Pacific Northwest Trail: The Pacific Northwest Trail covers 1,200 miles from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, passing through Montana, Idaho, and Washington. It was established in 2009 and features rugged terrain and diverse ecosystems.
The Oregon Desert Trail: The Oregon Desert Trail is a 750-mile route located on public land and public rights-of-way that stitches existing hiking trails, old Jeep tracks, and historical wagon roads together with long stretches of cross-country travel.
World:
Camino de Santiago: A network of pilgrimage routes that lead to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The most popular route is the Camino Francés, which is 500 miles long.
Te Araroa Trail: A 1,864-mile trail that runs the length of New Zealand, from Cape Reinga in the north to Bluff in the south.
West Highland Way: This 154 km (96-mile) trail takes hikers from Milngavie, just outside Glasgow, to Fort William, passing through the Scottish Highlands and alongside Loch Lomond.
Bibbulmun Track: A 620-mile trail in Western Australia that runs from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany on the south coast.
The Great Himalaya Trail: This 1,700 km trail runs through the Nepalese Himalayas, taking hikers through remote villages, over high mountain passes, and offering breathtaking views of Mount Everest and other peaks.
The Haute Route, France and Switzerland: This 180 km trail takes hikers through the Alps, from Chamonix in France to Zermatt in Switzerland, offering stunning views of snow-capped peaks and glaciers.
The Larapinta Trail, Australia: This 223 km trail runs through the West MacDonnell Ranges in central Australia, offering hikers the chance to explore ancient Aboriginal culture, rugged terrain, and stunning desert landscapes.
The Inca Trail, Peru: This 43 km trail leads to the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu, taking hikers through lush forests, over high mountain passes, and offering stunning views of the Andes.
The Israel National Trail, Israel: This 1,100 km trail runs from the Lebanese border in the north to the Red Sea in the south, taking hikers through a diverse range of landscapes, from mountains to deserts to coastal plains.
The Kumano Kodo, Japan: This network of trails leads to the Kumano Sanzan, a group of three Shinto shrines on the Kii Peninsula in southern Japan. The trails offer hikers the chance to explore ancient Japanese culture, stunning natural landscapes, and rural villages.
Drakensberg Grand Traverse, South Africa: This 220 km trail is located in the Drakensberg Mountains and takes hikers through spectacular mountain landscapes, including steep escarpments, valleys, and waterfalls.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: Although not technically a hiking trail, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a popular long-distance trek that takes hikers through five distinct ecological zones, including rainforest, alpine desert, and glacial zones.
Simien Mountains Trek, Ethiopia: This 60 km trail is located in the Simien Mountains National Park and takes hikers through stunning mountain landscapes, including high peaks and deep valleys.
Fish River Canyon Hike, Namibia: This 90 km trail follows the Fish River Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the world, and takes hikers through rugged terrain and stunning desert landscapes.
Otter Trail, South Africa: This 42 km trail is located in the Tsitsikamma National Park and takes hikers through coastal forests, rocky beaches, and rugged cliffs.
The Sahara Trail, Morocco: This 1000 km trail is one of the longest treks in the world and takes hikers through the Sahara desert, offering a unique opportunity to experience the culture, history, and natural beauty of the region.
Mount Toubkal, Morocco: Located in the High Atlas Mountains, this trek takes hikers to the summit of Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
These are just a few examples of the many long-distance trails around the world. Each trail offers unique experiences and challenges for hikers, as well as opportunities to explore and appreciate the natural and cultural beauty of the regions they pass through. The list in not exhaustive and you don’t have to do such a long hike to find the joy in nature while protecting it. Go down the street to your local park. Be Outside More.