America's Newest Long Trail
Don't have time to hike all 1,200 miles of the Pacific Northwest Trail? No worries: Our scout pinpointed the finest two-week stretch.
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Hiking Switzerland: Around the Alps in 80 DaysWell, maybe 105. But who's counting? Contributing editor John Harlin defies conventional wisdom with a 1,400-mile circumnavigation of this mountainous kingdom.
Don't have time to hike all 1,200 miles of the Pacific Northwest Trail? No worries: Our scout pinpointed the finest two-week stretch. 
Died and Gone to New ZealandHiker heaven, redefined, is a month-long hike/paddle/camp in Adventureland. |
International Adventure TravelFrom Nepal to New Zealand, we have stories and tips to help you plan the perfect 'life list' backpacking trek abroad. 
Ansel Adams's Lost Photos?David Howard investigates the mystery of 61 black-and-white negatives that are stirring up a hornet's nest of accusations, threats, and lawsuits. 
Readers' Choice 2012: Reader Leader Contest WinnersMore than 150 of you entered our contest to become a BACKPACKER field scout. Meet the winners. |
Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.
Life's Short, Hike More!
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.
MASTER YOUR OUTDOOR EXPERTISE WITH OUR TIPS
Go Higher with Tips from Senior Editor and Professional Mountain Guide Shannon Davis
Tackle that big mountain with tips from our in-house mountain guide
Skills 101: Bushwhacking
Navigate through unruly terrain with these helpful tips
Packing for a Backcountry Ski Day
Kristin Hostetter shows you the essential gear, and how to pack it, for a day of backcountry skiing.
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.
