The Equator

The Equator

• Location: Zero degrees latitude. For L.A. area hikers, a good starting point is the Colegia Nacional La Concordia, located almost exactly on the equator in the town of La Concordia, Ecuador.
• Agency: All bordering countries including Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Sao Tome & Principe, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, the Maldives, Indonesia and Kiribati; international waters
• Distance: 24,901 miles
• Best season: Year-round (it’s the Equator)
• Recommended gear: A boat; Google Translate app (see list of countries above)
• Difficulty rating: G

The Equator is best known as the dividing point between the Northern and Southern hemispheres of Earth. It’s also a popular hiking destination, particularly among those who also enjoy boating (78% of the route is over water).

The loop is best hiked eastbound, going with the tail wind created by Earth’s rotation. From La Concordia, head east into the Andes Mountains, just missing the north point of Peru, and make your way through Colombia and Brazil. After crossing the Atlantic, make landfall in the small island nation of Sao Tome, continuing onto mainland Africa.

The trail then makes its way through several sub-Saharan nations and Lake Victoria before reaching the Indian Ocean. After crossing through the islands of the Maldives and Indonesia, continue across the Pacific back to your starting point.

If you enjoyed the Equator, make sure to check out the Prime Meridian and the International Date Line.