Local Hikes: Rochester, NY
The best hikes near Rochester.
All Content
Local Hikes: Burlington, VT
The best hikes near Burlington.
Local Hikes: Philadelphia, PA
The best hikes near Philly.
Local Hikes: Washington, DC
The best hikes near Washington, DC.
Seattle Hikes
The best hikes near Seattle, WA.
Local Hikes: Manchester, NH
The best hikes near Manchester.
Local Hikes: Boston, MA
The best hikes near Boston.
Local Hikes: Pittsburgh, PA
The best hikes near Pittsburgh.
Local Hikes: Albany, NY
The best hikes near Albany.
Local Hikes: New York City, NY
The best hikes near New York, as selected by the Big Apple's best hiking clubs.
Local Hikes: Bozeman, MT
The best hikes near Bozeman, MT.
Local Hikes: Laramie, WY
The best hikes near Laramie, WY.
Salt Lake City Hiking
The best hikes near Salt Lake City, UT.
Albuquerque Hiking
The best hikes near Albuquerque, NM.
Local Hikes: Aspen, CO
The best hikes near Aspen, CO.
Local Hikes: Flagstaff, AZ
The best hikes near Flagstaff, AZ.
Phoenix Hikes
The best hikes near Phoenix, AZ.
Local Hikes: Moab, UT
The best hikes near Moab, Utah.
Local Hikes: Grand Junction, CO
The best hikes near Grand Junction, CO.
Local Hikes: Denver/Boulder, CO
The best hikes near Denver/Boulder.
Local Hikes: Santa Barbara/Ventura
The best local hikes near Santa Barbara/Ventura.
Local Hikes: San Francisco
The best hikes near San Francisco.
Local Hikes: Las Vegas, NV
The best hikes near Las Vegas.
San Diego Hikes
The best hikes near San Diego.
Sacramento Hiking
The best local hikes near Sacramento.
Local Hikes: Los Angeles
The best local hikes in LA.
Local Hikes: Midwest
The best hikes in the Midwest, as recommended by the region's best hiking clubs.
Local Hikes: Southeast
The best local hikes in the southeast, as chosen by the area's best hiking clubs.
Local Hikes: Northwest
The best hikes in Northwest, as suggested by the best local hiking clubs.
Local Hikes: Northeast
The best hikes, as recommended by the best hiking clubs in the Northeast.
Local Hikes: Mountain West
The best local hikes in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana.
Local Hikes: California
The best hikes within two hours of California's major cities.
The Best Hikes Near You
Clear the schedule for next Saturday (and the rest of the year). We partnered with regional hiking clubs in 50 cities to bring you the country's top 121 local trails.
Rip & Go: Horse Mountain to Traveler Mountain – Baxter State Park, ME
Reach great granite heights on Katahdin's next-door neighbor.
The Peak: Triple Divide Peak, Glacier NP
In Glacier National Park, summit a mountain that feeds three oceans.
September Reader Photos
10 more great photos from Backpacker's September 2010 Reader Photo Contest
Rip & Go: Watchtower to Sheephead Loop – Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, MT/ID
Have rocky ridges and sparkling alpine lakes all to yourself.
Natural Wonders: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Watch 10,000 birds take wing daily.
Natural Wonders: Devil's Tower, WY
Marvel at America's first national monument.
Natural Wonders: Pando Aspen Colony, UT
Meander through a sprawling forest of clones.
Natural Wonders: Giant Aspens, Devil's Tower, and Hawk Heaven
Visit the world's largest aspen colony, the Plains' highest skyscraper, and a raptor super-flyaway.
Rip & Go: Stuart Fork to Alpine Lake -Trinity Alps, CA
Discover the inner sanctum of California's second largest wilderness.
Top 3 Waterslide Hikes: Meadow Run, PA
Pass between waterfalls and mossy boulders for this long, gentle slide.
Top 3 Waterslide Hikes: West Clear Creek, AZ
Hike through a winding canyon, then cool off in a whitewater spa.
Top 3 Waterslide Hikes: Eaton Canyon, CA
Climb high and then plunge deep on this hike in Southern California.
Hikes to Natural Waterslides
Slip and slide into refreshing pools at these backcountry swimming holes.
Backpacker Photo School: September Contest Finalists
Why does a certain photo win Backpacker's Photo Contest? Check out the winner and the almost-winners to find out why we liked them. Bonus: Watch a slideshow of the competition.
September 2010
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Gear Review: Petzl Meteor III Helmet
Helmets are like any good protection; you'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Trail Chef: Send Us Your Backcountry Cooking Secrets
Plus: 10 time-saving tips from the pros
Backcountry Ski Setups
Skiing in the backcountry generally requires different skis, boots, and bindings than skiing at a resort. Tracy Ross walks you through the basics.
Layering Sunscreen and Bug Spray
What goes on first, sunscreen or bug repellent?
Great Easy-to-Difficult Boundary Waters Paddling Trips
Want to test the waters before attempting a Primitive Management Area? Get some experience on these traditional Boundary Waters trips first.
Disappearing Act: Paddling the Boundary Waters
Want to vanish into the quietest, wildest corners of the Boundary Waters? Say these magic words: Primitive Management Area.
Skeeter-Evasion Tactics
Will eating sulfur keep mosquitoes away?
The Shocking Truth
Are titanium trekking poles dangerous in a lightning storm?
The Big Parade: Hiking Los Angeles
My hike, like a million other trips each day in Los Angeles, starts with a ride on a rumbling bus.In the heart of Los Angeles, a band of hikers starts a local-trails revolution--one step at a time.
Double Up on Socks to Prevent Blisters?
I was wondering if wearing two pairs of socks really helps prevent blisters/toe damage? If so, what do you recommend for the second sock?
Ask A Bear: Never Look A Bear In the Eyes?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Pandra LS Henley
Check out Kristin Hostetter's author page.
Gear Review: Craft Big Logo Cap
For those times when a little skull cap just want do, but you still want a hat that wicks and breathes.
Gear Review: Pistil Clover
A stylish hat that packs small and combats camp hair.
Gear Review: Patagonia Das Boot
Shockingly light, impressively warm, fabulously supportive...need we say more?
Gear Review: Polarmax Acclimate Merino Wool Pants
Three-season wool and polyester pants.
Gear Review: Obermeyer UG Pro-75 Tight
Warm, light fleece pants.
Way to Go!
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Question 13
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Question 16
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Question 15
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Question 11
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Question 10
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Question 8
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Question 7
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Question 6
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Question 5
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Question 4
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Question 3
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Survival Quiz: Hazards
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
The Benefits of Venting
Don't waste time peeling layers on and off. Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter shows you how to maximize the venting power of what you're already wearing.
Trail Chef: America's Next Titanium Chef
Last call for submissions for the 2011 Readers' Choice Contest! Plus: Three easy recipes for flat trail bread, tortilla sunrise, and a fruit smoothie