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5 Oldest Roads in the World You'd Like to Walk

Kazi Nasir | Sep 26, 2025, 19:13 IST
Oldest Roads That still Alive
( Image credit : Freepik )

Highlight of the story: Roads are not just paths for travel, they are silent witnesses of human history. Some of the oldest roads in the world still exist today, reminding us of the creativity and wisdom of ancient civilizations. From the Sweet Track in England built in 3800 BC to the Via Appia in Rome, the Silk Road in Asia, the Ridgeway in England, and the King’s Highway in the Middle East, these roads carry stories of trade, travel, wars, culture and human connection. Walking on them is like stepping back in time and feeling the footsteps of countless generations. This article explores the five oldest roads in the world and how they shaped history.

While walking on road, have you ever thought about how many people for how many years have used it before you? Just think if the road could speak, how many stories it could tell us. Roads are not only ways that connect one place to another, they are silently witnessing human history - the rise and fall of civilisation, wars, golden ages, famine and who knows how many more things. And an interesting thing is, there are still few of the oldest roads around the world, lying there humbling us by showing that even in ancient times people had the wisdom to design creative paths and that would even last for centuries to come. So let's take you on a journey of 5 oldest roads in the world which will leave you in awe.

The Sweet Track, England

Stories of Roads
( Image credit : Freepik )
The Sweet Track which is situated in England is believed to be one of the oldest roads in the world. It was built around 3800 BC and was made by using wooden planks which laid across marshy land. This ancient track connected people who lived in small villages and made travel easier in wetlands and even today parts of the Sweet Track are preserved and it still amazes historians because it shows how early humans were skilled in building. Walking on this track would feel like stepping into a time machine that takes you back to prehistoric life.

The Via Appia, Italy

Ancient Roads
( Image credit : Freepik )
The Via Appia is one of the most famous roads built by the Romans and it was constructed in 312 BC it was known as the “Queen of Roads.” so the story of this road is that it stretched from Rome to southern Italy and was used for trade, travel and even for moving Roman armies. The road was built with layers of stone and was so strong that parts of it still survive today so if you are walking on the Via Appia you can almost imagine with vivid visuals that Roman soldiers marching and merchants carrying goods on carts. It is a perfect example of Roman engineering that continues to inspire modern road builders.

The Silk Road, Asia

Ancient Indian Route
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The Silk Road is quite famous among Indians becasue it was not a single road but it was a network of trade routes that connected China with Europe and the Middle East. It has been in use since around 130 BC and played a huge role in world history so traders carried silk, spices, gold and many other goods across deserts and mountains but the Silk Road was not only about trade because it also carried ideas, cultures and religions from one part of the world to another so walking on this road was like walking through a living marketplace that is filled with history and culture.

The Ridgeway, England

The Ridgeway in southern England is Britain’s oldest road so you can just take that people have been using it for at least 5000 years. This path follows a natural high ridge means it gave travellers safety from floods and better views which is a bonus to avoid danger. The Ridgeway was used by farmers, traders and even warriors so today it is one of the popular walking trail and people still love to hike on it to feel the touch of ancient footsteps that once walked the same path.

The King’s Highway, Middle East

Middle Eastern Road
( Image credit : Freepik )
When it comes to old roads and civilisation, how come Middle East left behind so here is the King’s Highway which is one of the oldest trade routes in the Middle East. It dates back to biblical times and was connected between Egypt and Mesopotamia. Travellers, traders and even pilgrims used this road to move across deserts and valleys and the astonishing thing is that it is mentioned in the Bible and still holds great cultural and historical value. So you get the chance to walk here you can feel the history of kings, traders and common people who passed through this path for thousands of years.


So these were the five oldest roads from all around the world that still show us humans ability to build strong and smart pathways for them that could last thousands of years. Sometimes many of us think that roads are the path only for travel from one place to another but aren't they connecting culture? Aren't they sharing stories or shaping history? So next time when you are on a journey and walking on road just think about the above ancient paths which are still alive as a symbol of human creativity and strength.


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