Year One on the World’s Longest Hike

Taina Reaches 6,800 km

Taina’s hike around the world has now reached a major milestone: one full year on foot. Since stepping out of Madrid, Spain, she has walked approximately 6,800 kilometers (4,200 miles), reaching Baku, Azerbaijan.

The first part of the journey, through Europe, was relatively manageable. As Taina reports, “Europe is easy, as it is more united and things like vaccinations, insurances and phone operators work all the way.” But beyond Europe, things became more complicated. Preparing for a totally new country became almost impossible in advance.

Discovering the Unexpected in Turkey

Turkey, often known for its tourist destinations, presented unfamiliar territory once outside the main cities. Taina encountered challenges reading signs and navigating language barriers. Security, cultural norms, and crime levels were open questions.

However, the experience turned out to be unexpectedly positive. According to Taina, “All people are very friendly and helpful, many speak English, they stop to offer food and drinks, even a place to stay overnight, etc.”

At one point, after a route mistake led her into a restricted area, the local police not only offered assistance—they posted selfies with her on their Instagram. The tourist office, embassy, and even the military also extended help. Taina describes Turkey as the best “country experience” so far.

A Complex Border: Entering Azerbaijan

Crossing into Azerbaijan presented a different kind of problem. The land border was closed (except for flights), and despite significant help in gathering official documents, no approval was granted to cross the border on foot.

Taina’s solution was to walk to the border, then take a taxi or bus back to a city with flights to Baku. After flying into Baku, she returned to the same border from the Azerbaijan side and continued walking from there—avoiding a gap in her route.

Route Tracking Challenges

Taina’s journey is being tracked to meet the strict requirements of both Guinness World Records (GWR) and the World Hikers Association (WRA). These organizations require detailed, step-by-step GPS tracking with coordinates and timestamps to verify the continuous walk.

However, technical issues have emerged. The app used for tracking began to malfunction—possibly due to memory issues caused by too many route points. Troubleshooting took several days. In addition to the app, a Suunto watch and a tracker in her backpack are also recording her route.

According to Taina,  WRA “has been a big help with clear rules and continuous help when run into problems to follow the rules.”

Equipment and Wear Over Time

Over the course of the year, some important insights have emerged. The phone—used for communication, photography, and video—is under near-constant use, often close to 24/7. This level of strain has already resulted in one battery failure, caused by internal and external heat.

Shoes wear out between 700 and 1,000 kilometers, depending on quality, but it remains impossible to determine the ideal shoe—since “all legs are different.” One backpack has also been used to the point of retirement.

Fortunately, Taina has not experienced major health or physical problems.

Financial Realities and Limited Support

Struggles with money remain a constant concern. No major sponsors have come forward. Life on the road continues “day by day.” Social media offers some small financial returns, and support from followers plays a crucial role in keeping the journey going.

Taina continues to document and share the entire hike across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and her website hikertaina.com.

After reaching Azerbaijan, a local official took notice and drove 500 kilometers to meet Taina before she arrived in Baku. That same official instructed the tourist office to assist her and show her around the capital city—though only for one day. This mirrors the supportive treatment she received in Turkey.

Next Steps and New Obstacles

As the second year of the journey begins on August 15, 2025, new logistical challenges arise. From Baku, there are only two overland options: Russia or Iran. Continuing requires special permissions.

A potential solution is to take a boat or flight across the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan. This would require invoking a force majeure exemption—allowed under WRA rules—to preserve the continuity of the route.

Despite these ongoing hurdles, the walk continues.

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

Follow her on : hikertaina.com