World Record Walk

Embarking on an unparalleled adventure that most of us can only dream of, Taina Liekari is setting out to accomplish what may be her most ambitious hike yet—an extraordinary journey around the globe. At 55, Taina, a vibrant mother of three grown children and a proud grandmother of two, is preparing to take on a feat of endurance and determination that spans over four years, covering approximately 37,000 kilometers. With a 20kg backpack, she will be navigating through about 25 countries across at least four continents, one step at a time.

Taina's life in Costa del Sol, Spain, where she lives with her husband, is deeply rooted in her passion for exercise and walking. Surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the mountains, she has made walking not just a hobby but a way of life. Her adventures have seen her walk 4,600 km from Spain to Finland, cycle 4,000 km around Spain, and embark on a remarkable 6,700 km cycling "bull hunt." Among her many accomplishments, she has also conquered the famous 850 km Camino de Santiago twice, and completed numerous other long-distance hikes.

This upcoming global hike, starting in Madrid this August, will be nothing short of a monumental challenge. Taina's journey will be Guinness World Records compliant, highlighting her commitment to pushing boundaries and achieving greatness. Most of her trek will be done solo, with Taina carrying her own equipment and occasionally relying on a support team or security in more perilous areas. Her accommodations will range from tents to hostels, hotels, Airbnb, and homestays, adapting as she moves from one country to another.

“My biggest source of inspiration is
my boundless curiosity and my
desire to learn to understand life. “

The trigger

My guardian angel was bored again. Once it urged me to walk from Spain to Finland. Now it whispered in my ear that I still had a lot of the world to see and that it was time to get to know it. Some might call it intuition, but I find the story about the angel more fun.

The itinerary

Europe

"I am Finnish, but right from the start I removed Finland from my route plans as too remote. My home in southern Spain has already been the starting point for my journey north, so I decided to head east this time. I chose Madrid, which is strategically located. My journey takes me through many fascinating countries and across many seas, offering unforgettable experiences and beautiful landscapes.

The journey begins in Madrid, the heart of Spain, where history meets modern urban life. Heading east, the route takes you through Spain's varied landscapes: lush vineyards, mountain ranges and historic cities. In small but stunning Andorra, mountains and beautiful valleys offer stunning views.

From Andorra, the journey continues to the charming villages and towns of France. France's varied landscapes, such as the lavender fields of Provence and the stunning beaches of the Riviera, will appeal to the traveler. In Italy, I travel from Genoa to the romantic canals of Venice.

Next, the route takes me through Slovenia and across Croatia, where the Adriatic coast and historic cities such as Dubrovnik and Split offer breathtaking views. In northern Macedonia, I explore Lake Ohrid and charming mountain villages.

Asia

Getting as far as Turkey is relatively easy. The bustling streets of Istanbul, Turkey's stunning beaches and historic sites, provide plenty to see. From Turkey, head towards safer routes, avoiding the Middle East and crossing the beautiful landscapes of Georgia and Azerbaijan before reaching the Caspian coast.

After crossing the Caspian Sea, arriving in Kazakhstan brings challenges, including the Kyzylkum desert. The desert is harsh and requires careful planning, especially in terms of water access. The Gobi Desert in China brings yet another desert challenge. After these, China's lush green landscapes and historic sites such as the Great Wall of China offer a welcome change.

The journey continues to South Korea and Japan, where modern technology meets ancient traditions. The beautiful gardens and temples of Japan and the culturally rich cities of South Korea create unforgettable experiences. In China, I will travel along the coast from the East China Sea to the South China Sea, enjoying seaside towns and beautiful beaches.

South East Asia and Australia

From Vietnam via Thailand to Singapore, tropical landscapes and bustling cities take you to a new continent. In Singapore, modern architecture and green parks blend harmoniously. After Singapore, I fly to Darwin, Australia, where I cycle along the coast to Sydney, avoiding the challenges of the Australian desert.

New Zealand and Pacific Islands

After crossing the Tasman Sea, I arrive in New Zealand, where lush landscapes and majestic mountains offer spectacular hiking trails. According to the official rules, the circumnavigation of the globe must be completed from the same coordinates on both sides of the world. My points are in Whanganui and near Madrid.

North America

From the South Pacific, head to North America, possibly by boat or plane. From Los Angeles, I'll cross the American continent all the way to Florida. The journey across the United States offers a variety of landscapes, from big cities to rural tranquility.

Final leg 

From Florida I fly back to Europe, to Lisbon. Portugal's beautiful landscapes and historic sites prepare me for the final leg, a walk back to Madrid, passing through the important point that corresponds to the other side of the globe.

Lesson Learnt 

In the summer of 2023, while cycling across Spain, I experienced a dangerous situation. I was in the mountains of northern Spain when an unexpected rainstorm struck. It was quite late, but I thought I could make it to my accommodation if I took a shortcut through a disused seven-kilometer-long train tunnel. When I reached the mouth of the tunnel, I saw water crawling down the tunnel walls. It didn't look safe at all. The ground was so muddy that riding a bike was out of the question, so I set off pushing it through the pitch-black tunnel, the only source of light being a dimly lit bike lamp - I had forgotten to charge it.

The tunnel rumbled, rumbled and rumbled. I was perhaps halfway down the tunnel when I noticed a car-sized pebble had fallen from the roof. I hoped there wouldn't be any more of those. When I got to the point where half the tunnel had collapsed, I got really worried. It was less distance forward than it was back, so I decided to keep going. But there was no light, and the light bulb on the bike dimmed as it dimmed.

Finally I arrived, but there was another obstacle ahead: the tunnel had collapsed completely. Panic set in. I had to go back seven kilometers with almost no lights. Fortunately, my mobile phone still had some power left, so I used its flashlight. I feared the whole tunnel would collapse on me and wondered when I would be found. The noise of the water got louder. No longer wary of water puddles or pieces of cement falling from the roof, I half ran towards a small glimmer of light that told me that the mouth of the tunnel had at least not yet collapsed.

Eventually I made it to the open air, my toes bleeding. The rain felt like a relief. Almost 14 kilometers through the dangerous tunnel were over. I didn't have time to get to the hotel. It was raining outside, so I couldn't get a suspension fence between the trees. I stayed on the staircase of an abandoned train station, as I figured it was the sturdiest part of the building. What did I learn from this? If a place seems dangerous even before you get there, don't go."

A Cause to Support

On these long walks, I have learned that happiness is found in more than a full wardrobe or a pile of dusty belongings. Material abundance does not bring lasting satisfaction, and often less is more.

My challenge to you all is to try for a month not to buy new clothes or things. If you succeed, you can go on for longer. In this way we save not only money, but also nature, which is vital for all of us.

In my own experience, simplifying my life and cutting back on unnecessary consumption has helped me to focus on the essentials. Throughout my journey, I have come to understand that the real sources of joy and happiness are found in nature, in encounters with people and in new experiences, not in goods.

Changing our consumption habits is an important step towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Fast fashion and the constant buying of goods are a huge burden on the environment. Together, we can make a meaningful difference."

Words of Wisdom

Speed up slowly! Allow enough time. If you have a limited amount of time, only walk the distance you can without stress and constant checking your watch.

Taina's Mindset

"Why don't I feel lonely, even though I mostly walk alone?

We all live under the same sky. The Earth is my home and its people my family. There are different interesting places and cultures, and although not all people are always nice, most of them are friendly and helpful. Even the boring people are part of life. The saying ""the forest answers the call"" is a good description of my attitude: I face the world with an open mind and often get positive energy in return.

I also have people close to me who I can always contact by phone, and followers who send me messages of encouragement. So I'm never really alone."

Thank you Taina for sharing your adventure and photos with us.

Follow and support her on : https://hikertaina.com/