all hikes

Ithaca, NY: Buttermilk Falls

A moderate 1.5-mile loop outside Ithaca, this Finger Lake waterfall trek ambles past swimming holes, sedimentary rock, and sunbathers.

Penn Yan, NY: Keuka Lake Loop

This Finger Lake classic loops 57 miles around Keuka Lake, tracing vineyard-lined bluffs under the canopy of brilliant upstate New York foliage.

Syracuse, NY: Oneida Lake Loop

This flat to rolling loop around the northern most Finger Lake is perfect for a Sunday morning spin in the fall.

Syracuse, NY: Preble to Marcellus

This 55-mile loop in upstate New York kicks off with a 10-mile climb then strings through rolling farmlands and past the breezy shores of Otisco Lake.

Syracuse, NY: Skaneateles Lake Ride

This 40-mile scenic ride rolls around Skaneateles Lake, one of upstate New York's Finger Lakes.

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Photos + Videos

Packing for a Backcountry Ski Day Kristin Hostetter shows you the essential gear, and how to pack it, for a day of backcountry skiing.	Adjust Your Pack Straps on the Trail Maximize your pack's comfort with a few easy, on-trail strap adjustments.

What makes a backpacker a backpacker? It's not the garage full of gear or piles of guidebooks--it's the experiences, from thru-hiking a long trail to pushing your personal envelope to inspiring a child's love of wilderness. Here we present BACKPACKER's new Life List: 10 experiences to add to your tick-listnow--and the key skills you need to nail them.

Secret Hikes: Appalachian Trail

The last lonely stretch of the AT beckons from the mountains of western Maine.

Secret Hikes: Glacier National Park

Score wildlife sightings daily, choice views hourly--and at least one juicy burger--on this weeklong circuit.

Secret Hikes: Grand Canyon National Park

Surprise: This park's busy corridor trails offer a fast track to a private slice of heaven.

Secret Hikes: Grand Teton National Park

Rise above the crowds and earn solo views of elk, wildflowers, and summit sunsets.

International Travel

From Nepal to New Zealand, we have stories and tips to help you plan the perfect 'life list' trek abroad.

Navigation Center

Learn how to orient a map, navigate any terrain, and the ins-and-outs of GPS devices.

BACKPACKER's Free Smartphone GPS App

Record and share you adventures with our new, free navigation app. Plus, discover thousands of GPS-enabled hikes in national parks and major cities.

Green Guide

A backpacker's guide to environmental issues and "green" gear.

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