Maren Horjus

Can a novice navigator make the leap to confident cross-country hiker?

Why go high? Because going down is so much fun.

Time to upgrade your trail outfit? Check out this season's best apparel to boost your backcountry comfort.

There’s no such thing as bad weather if you have good gear—and tequila.

Climb Wa‘ahila Ridge below Mt. Olympus for some of the island's best views.

Find fields of poppies on this spring-perfect hike in the Chino Hills outside Lake Elsinore.

Climb above Phoenix for an aerie-like view over the valley.

Score an aerie overlooking the Buffalo River Valley to yourself when you visit Whitaker Point in the offseason.

Walk among giants on this quiet hike past the Grove of Titans and other 300-foot-tall redwood trees.

Savor views of the Sierra Estrella and Mazatzal mountain ranges on this close-to-home leg-burner.

Visit Georgia's best section of the Appalachian Trail in winter for a crowd-free experience and Blue Ridge vistas frosted in white.

See arches and sea stacks—and no people—when you visit the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor in winter.

In winter, one of Sequoia National Park's most popular spots gets a much-needed dose of solitude

Get a new perspective on an iconic view when you look through Canyonlands National Park's famous Mesa Arch in winter.

You don’t have to go far away to get far away in the perfect national park for winter.

Trek deep into the heart of the mountains to find an ancient city.

This shoulder-season cruiser delivers you to some of the best views in West Texas.

Wander through the world's largest gypsum dune field in New Mexico.

Redefine “close to home” on these three trails within city limits.

Protect your peepers with the best sunglasses of the year.

On a four-day traverse through the spectacularly glaciated Coast Mountains, the BACKPACKER team learns—and embraces—the four steps of overcoming adversity.

Protect your eyes with these enlightened picks.

Destinations Editor Maren Horjus shares four spooky, Halloween-ready tales from her new book, Haunted Hikes.

Introduce your brood to some of America's greatest peaks and wildernesses.

Visit forests and rivers on these incredible hikes.

Trek through the country's heartland with your miniatures.

Explore the desert with your little ones.

Revel in high, snowy peaks and deserted coastlines on these youngster-friendly treks.

Introduce your little ones to the Rockies on these incredible treks.

Only have a few days? Sample the best of the Pacific Crest Trail on this bite-size trip.