all hikes

Portland, ME: Bradbury Mountain State Park Loop

This 3-ring loop circles through forest and alongside stone walls to the park's namesake summit, offering lots of Kodak moments-especially in autumn.

Portland, ME: Casco Bay Paddle

Paddle to an old military fort and visit several quaint Down East islands on this 6.8-mile trip around the rocky fingers of Maine's coast.

Portland, ME: Pleasant Mountain Loop

Cascading brooks, seasonal wildflowers, and picturesque ponds highlight this 5.1-mile loop through the thick forests of Maine to two summits.

Portland, ME: Presumpscot River Paddle

This 5.4-mile paddle runs two rivers past stretches of undeveloped land, ending just short of a steep rapid. Bonus: Explore side trails from the riverbank.

Portland, ME: Saco River Dip

Beat the heat with a ride to the Salmon Falls, one the best swimming holes on the Saco River.

Portland, ME: Southport Island Water Trail

See ospreys, harbor seals, and great blue herons on this 11.3-mile paddle past coves, sheltered islands, rocky coast, sandy beach, and a lobster/ice cream shack.

Portland, ME: Speckled Mountain

Gather blueberries along a vista-packed loop in the state's largest wilderness.

Portland, ME: Speckled Mountain Loop

Big summit views, cascading waterfalls, and rocky overlooks highlight this 8.4-mile loop through the lesser-traveled forests of Maine s White Mountains.

Portland, ME: Twin Summit Loop

On this 7.8-mile hike-and-scramble in Camden Hills State Park, you'll bag two peaks and earn million-dollar views of Penobscot Bay's craggy coastline.

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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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