In April 2010 Greenland became the seventh chapter of the International Appalachian Trail. The route is on the Nussuaq Peninsula near Uummannaq Fjord.
Greenland was followed by Scotland in June, when the West Highland Way became the first IAT trail in Europe.
In October 2010 the IAT expanded further into Europe when nine new chapters joined … The new chapters include Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, England, Ireland, Wales, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland.
In 2011 the IAT plans to expand to Germany, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
The Irish leg begins at the Slieve League cliffs in Co Donegal and proceeds eastwards along the Bluestacks Way and then the Ulster Way and finally the Causeway Coast Way terminating in Ballycastle, Co Antrim.
Click PLAY or watch the first Irish thru-hike on YouTube.
I’m thinking it would be easier simply to name ALL hikes in the world part of the IAT. 🙂
besthike.com 
I see your point.
The AT has a great name brand, so other locations that would benefit from tourism want on board. Thus, I don’t think France and Germany are going to be interested.
I’m not that interested – I tried running part of the Florida Trail once – would have been great if I’d brought my canoe – it was mostly under water.
I do however, very much support the proliferation of all these “compilation” trails – why not? Some will be contrived and worthless (except to the person who notches being “first” ;-), and some will be good (the California Coastal Trail?) – they give us something to dream about.
route is it??
hehe …
I do not understand
Is it possible that INA to include the 3,000 km Te Araroa long path of New Zealand as a new chapter in 2012? The significant scenic long walks in Southern Hemisphere shouldn’t be missed out in compiling a real international trail.
I think the real benefit is the sense of afiliation between the hiking and trailrunning communities in different parts of the world, which will hopefully lead to better stewardship and protection – if a trail is threatened in one place, then word gets out faster and people in different regions are more likely to share resources and knowledge to help each other. Plus, it’s kind of fun. Yes, you could just set up the International Wilderness Trail Committee or something with just the volunteer administrators involved, but that wouldn’t be as inspiring or effective. Meanwhile I’m waiting (with a smile) for the first European smartass to tell me that s/he already hiked the AT but not the “old fashioned” part back in the States.
Ha. Thanks Michael. You have some good points there that I’d never considered.