Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan

Step off the subway and into a wilderness sparkling with lacy waterfalls and craggy summits—all thanks to the Long Path, a 358-mile work in progress.

We dug into the numbers from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) database of medical incidents to figure out what you really need to worry about out there.

Maximize fun and minimize hassle with these essential tips on comfort, safety, cooking, and finding solitude during the high season.

Avoid common mistakes with these tips and tricks for planning, hiking, and camping, and make your first—or next—trek problem-free.

A good shell protects you from rain, snow, wind, and more. Grab one of these to keep the weather out.

The hardwood forests, scalped cliffs, and sandstone caves of northern Alabama are good any time of year.

Find the best wildflowers, dayhike, and more that this corner of Montana has to offer.

When the going gets truly miserable, the only thing better than camping is not camping.

Sacred paths the world over help hikers discover deeper truths about the world and themselves. But what truly makes a path transformative? Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan treks a new 170-mile loop in Montana in search of the pilgrimage she needs.

You don't need snow (or a trust fund) to enjoy this legendary ski town.

Feast on a smorgasbord of mountains in this chill California outpost.

Bald eagles, skiing, and mountain biking galore: It doesn't get much better than this outdoor paradise.

In Homer, playing outside is a way of life.

With two national parks and endless wilderness nearby, this may be America's best-situated adventure town.

Explore Arizona's red rock country.

Hike to a giant stone wall, and take a dip afterward.

Why Crested Butte? Because it's crowded with wildflowers, not people.

Get a tour of the best that the Adirondacks have to offer in this upstate destination.

Sneak in the side door to Great Smoky Mountains.

West Virginia's coolest trail town is a great place to refuel on pancakes—and a great place to earn them.

This gateway to the Apostle Islands is a haven for paddlers.

It’s not all sunsets and s’mores. If the parks are going to last another century, we need to renew our effort to protect and preserve them. From garbage to global warming, here are the challenges—and solutions—ahead.

Looking for a multisport trip? You couldn't do better than this stretch of wilderness on the east coast.

Like spice? Then you'll love this hot-sweet trail snack.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this fiber-packed power-up.

Save money and eat better with these DIY trail snacks.

Passing around the flask makes you a good friend. Whipping up one of these wilderness-ready cocktails from top bartenders? That makes you a legend.

After losing the trail, can this wayward hiker find her way back?

Sweetwater Bay chickee-Rabbit Key loop, Everglades NP, FL

Garden Key, Dry Tortugas NP, FL

Mt. ‘Alava, National Park of American Samoa

Manning Camp Loop, Saguaro NP, AZ

Backcountry Loop, White Sands National Monument, NM

Reef Bay & Brown Bay, Virgin Islands NP

Upper Neches River, Big Thicket National Preserve, TX

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Sequoia National Park, California

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Acadia National Park, Maine

Yosemite National Park, California

Olympic National Park, Washington

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Lava Beds National Monument, California

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

These six long-distance divas have no problem hitting the trail alone—and often prefer it. We rounded up their best tips for female solo hikers.

Guys, we're sure your intentions are good. But the women you run into on the trail need to know that. Here's how to help solo female hikers feel safer.

Many people fear that women hiking alone are particularly vulnerable to getting lost, hurt, assaulted, or raped in the wilderness. They're wrong.