The Complete Guide to Thru-Hiking
Trail Guide
Master the terrain
More than 3,000 people attempt to walk the entire Appalachian Trail every year. Only about a quarter of them succeed. This intel from an AT thru-hiker provides key information to help you tackle and complete the 2,193-mile trek from Georgia to Maine.
The PCT traces the west coast of the U.S. over almost 2,700 miles. Our expert trail columnist reveals everything you need to know about what to pack, eat, and read, plus where to sleep and how to have the most fun on this scenic long trail.
Planning a backpacking trip? Join Pacific Crest Trail correspondent and thru-hiker David Gleisner live on March 25 for a Q&A.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy—the nonprofit that supports the United States’ most iconic footpath—turns 100 this year. To celebrate, AT thru-hikers Mary Beth "Mouse" Skylis and Grayson Haver Currin pick the 100 best miles of trail, spread out over 19 bite-size sections.
Staying in hiking shape during the off-season is a serious challenge, but it’s not impossible
Trail Life
Stay prepared
From meal planning to meeting the townies, every aspiring thru-hiker should hear this hard-won advice
Our trail columnist spent the summer hiking with novice backpackers to come up with this key advice for beginners
Our National Parks columnist took an ‘Alone’-inspired course. These are the four wildest National Parks where he's putting his survival skills to the test.
I wear pink so if I ever hit SOS, search and rescue won’t miss me. You might call it style. I call it a survival strategy.
A lot of what thru-hikers eat on the trail is far from good for you. But some nutrition-minded backpackers are trying to buck the trend.
My dad spent over two decades training tens of thousands of military warriors on how to survive. He shared his key takeaways with me.
Gear and Packing
Dial in your setup
We’re using STEM and custom-built machinery to find the breaking point of the most popular backpacking gear.
Scrutinizing what kind of tent, sleeping bag, and pack you need for a multiday trip can be difficult. Here’s a comprehensive overview of how to find exactly what you need and assess it with confidence.
We stopped seven trekkers passing through Oregon to find out what they couldn't live without on their 2,550-mile journeys
After finishing the Appalachian Trail, I experienced severe pain in my lower right leg. Little did I know, toe socks and spacers would be my saving grace.
Here's some key equipment and planning advice from a first-timer who just completed the Appalachian Trail