Kelly Bastone

It takes a certain kind of trail to earn such a lofty title. But our top 10 deliver unrivaled scenery, challenge, local culture, and most of all–fun.

Circumnavigate Europe's most iconic peak.

Walk the World's Highest Trail.

Stand on the roof of Africa.

Explore Great Britain's answer to the Appalachian Trail.

Marvel at Middle Earth on this 33-mile, four-day Milford Track.

Weave through the Dolomite's limestone daggers.

Hike to South America's acropolis.

See azure seas from rocky peaks.

Trek through the earth's wildest mountain range.

Hike safely in avalanche terrain

Frostbite is bad news. Learn how to safely treat frozen feet.

In Colorado, wilderness hut managers recruit hikers to track an elusive wildcat.

Experts dissect the missteps in five recent hiking tragedies

Swallowed by Sierra scenery

Drowning in beauty

Gambling in the slots

Killer coastline

Fatten griz for winter

Where winter strikes year-round

It'll blow you away

A hair-raising hike

Baked or broiled?

How we rate risk, using a highly scientific formula

Lost in the labyrinth

We sent 209 readers out to GPS the Continental Divide Trail, the biggest, baddest long-distance path of them all. They brought back the makings of the first authoritative map of this American classic. These are their stories–and their favorite sections.

4 hook-and-cook dinners just waiting to be caught

Add fresh-caught trout to the menu with these 6 easy steps.

Give your camp dinner a tropical flair

This sweet-tasting dish is more fragrant than hot.

Chili peppers give this meal a pungent kick.

Add garlicky zing to classic southern Appalachian grits.

Lemongrass and peanuts accent this creamy Thai dish.

Maine's celebrated wild blueberries demand real New England maple syrup.

Go Italian—with a Pacific Northwest twist—by serving this seafood pasta.

Limed corn is the secret to this classic New Mexican comfort food. Flour tortillas and lime wedges are traditional accompaniments.

4 steamy drinks to spice up your after-dinner stargazing

Banish blah food with this 3-day guide to quick, delicious meals.

Whether you are after fishing holes or skinny-dipping, Backpacker tracked down the best campsites in the country

Waterproof maps pack in all the information you need for AT and JMT thru-hikers.

Learn to recognize, avoid and treat poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Start by scrolling through the photos below.

Get ready to feel puny--and profoundly grateful--on three hikes through ancient forests.

Explore burial effigies, seven-foot petroglyphs, and images etched in lava as you discover the ultimate mix of manmade and natural beauty.