A cheat’s guide to hiking: 10 of the world’s best shortcuts

While hardcore hikers delight in spending weeks or even months on trails, the rest of us – short on time, light on knee cartilage – are equally happy with an abridged version, or a well planned shortcut. Either way, you still get the joy of spending quality time in nature and an adrenaline shot of adventure.

Larapinta Trail, NT

Test your mettle on an abridged version of the Larapinta Trail.Credit: Great Walks Of Australia

Actual length
223 kilometres/16 days from Alice Springs to Mt Sonder

The shortcut
The complete Larapinta Trail is all about the gaps and gorges of Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges). It’s also about the long, strenuous sections, which are known to keep orthopaedic surgeons smiling. Thankfully, it is possible to cherry-pick the most rewarding sections, while still testing your mettle. Great Walks of Australia offers a six-day itinerary, staying in semi-permanent wilderness camps. See greatwalksofaustralia.com.au

Camino de Santiago, Spain

The Camino de Santiago trail promises beautiful countryside and charming villages.Credit: G Adventures

Actual length
800 kilometres/35 days

The shortcut
There are as many trails leading to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela as there are apostles. Whether you wish to pay your respects to the tomb of St James or simply enjoy collecting stamps, the trail promises beautiful countryside, charming villages … and blisters. For pilgrims of the tender-footed kind, the last 100 kilometres is easy on the heels, while delivering big rewards. And you’ll still receive the coveted ‘Compostela’ certificate. G Adventures offers an eight-day walk from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. See gadventures.com

Torres del Paine, Chilean Patagonia

All the gains without the pain along Chile’s most famous trek.Credit: Intrepid Travel

Actual length
130 kilometres/9 days

The shortcut
There’s an alphabet soup of hikes within the Torres de Paine National Park, with the ‘O’ circuit delivering a full lap around the widely recognisable Cordillera del Paine. For those short on time, the 80 kilometre ‘W’ trek offers all the gain with significantly less pain. Intrepid Travel offers a six-day Classic W trek with four nights on the trail. See intrepidtravel.com

The Nakasendo Way, Japan

Visit castles and stay in traditional inns along the Nakasendo Way.Credit: Walk Japan

Actual length
534 kilometres/15 days from Kyoto to Tokyo

The shortcut
While the samurai of old would prance along the complete path, modern-day ninjas can skip the less exciting bits and focus on the central section of the Kiso Valley. Visit castles, stay in traditional inns and have someone transfer your luggage – a more stealth move than a cheat. Walk Japan offers a four-night, self-guided Kiso Wayfarer tour. See walkjapan.com

West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, BC

Fast-forward your hike along Vancouver Island’s West Coast Trail.Credit: Ben Giesbrecht

Actual length
75 kilometres/8 days from Pachena Bay to Gordon River

The shortcut
For some, the West Coast Trail is a bucket list challenge; to the First Nations Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht people the trail forms part of their ancestral grounds; to those searching for a fast-forward button, the mid-point entrance at Nitinaht Narrows (sneakily accessible by water from Nitinaht village) offers cheats the chance to skip half the legwork. Hiking season runs May 1 to September 30 and reservations are mandatory See parks.canada.ca

Tongariro Northern Circuit, New Zealand

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is regarded as one of the top ten single-day treks in the world.Credit: Graeme Murray

Actual length
45 kilometres/ 3-4 days

The shortcut
A four-day tramp around Mount Ngauruhoe delivers lakes, craters and lava flows. But it doesn’t take a Sherlock to realise the 19-kilometre Tongariro Alpine Crossing – regarded as one of the top 10 single-day treks in the world – is a challenging, yet rewarding alternative. Start early at Mangatepopo Valley and you’ll be back in time for sundowners. See doc.govt.nz or download the Plan my Walk – Tongariro Alpine Crossing app.

Pacific Crest Trail, USA

The John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park offers plenty of highlights without the Cheryl Strayed commitment.Credit: Chris Migeon

Actual length
4270 kilometres/5 months from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada.

The shortcut
Of the trail’s 29 sections, the three-week/340-kilometre John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park is considered the most beautiful. With its canyons, cliffs and lakes this challenging section through the Sierra Nevada Mountain range offers plenty of highlights without the Cheryl Strayed commitment. Prime hiking season is July to September. Permit reservations are obtained through a lottery system. See nps.gov

K’gari (Fraser Island) Great Walk, Queensland, Australia

Cheats prosper on K’Gari.Credit: Sean Scott

Actual length
90 kilometres/6-8 days from Happy Valley to Dilli Village.

The shortcut
Whoever said cheats never prosper clearly haven’t done the two-day version of the full track. You’ll still see the Valley of the Giants, Lake McKenzie, Central Station and Pile Valley, but you’ll also have someone transporting your pack and setting up camp. Sometimes, a highlight reel is more than enough. K’gari Walking Tours (formerly Fraser Island Hiking) offers a two-day/one-night eco-walk. See fraserislandhiking.com

The Great Glen Way, Scottish Highlands

A nifty shortcut along Scotland’s mammoth coast-to-coast walk, the Great Glen Way. Break up the walk by cycling sections.Credit: Luigi Di Pasquale

Actual length
120 kilometres/5-7 days from Fort William to Inverness

The shortcut
Pull down a map of Scotland and you’ll see the Great Glen Way, a hiking trail stretching from one coast to the other. But look closely and you’ll see the thin blue line of the Caledonian Canal – a nifty shortcut if ever there was one. Spend your days hiking the trail and your nights sleeping on a comfy barge. Break up the walking by completing sections of the route by kayak or bicycle. UTracks runs a seven-day, Great Glen barge multi-activity week. See utracks.com

Everest Base Camp, Nepal

Trekking to Everest Base Camp is the ultimate Himalayan adventure, but there are alternatives. Credit: World Expeditions

Actual length
130-kilometre round trip/12 days

The shortcut
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is seen by many as the ultimate Himalayan adventure, with epic mountain scenery and Sherpa culture. But there are alternative treks (private eco-camps anyone?) and other peaks, such as the Annapurna Ranges. Not cheating, more a chance to delight in the journey as much as the destination. World Expeditions offers an 8-day Annapurna Trek in Comfort guided tour. See worldexpeditions.com