One Couple. 12 Miles. Zero Trails.
Can a novice navigator make the leap to confident cross-country hiker?
Author
Maren Horjus
My Stories
Want to Explore the Wilderness in Winter? Ski It.
Why go high? Because going down is so much fun.
The Best Women's Hiking and Backpacking Apparel of 2019
Time to upgrade your trail outfit? Check out this season's best apparel to boost your backcountry comfort.
Marmot Women’s Trail Bender Tights
Best leggings
Columbia Northern Comfort Midlayer Shirt
Most versatile top
Title Nine Grace Long Sleeve Top
Best long sleeve
Conner Hats Bird and Feather Wool Hat
Best sun hat
Kari Traa Sol Bra
Best bra
Foehn Women’s Brise Jogger
Best trousers
Smartwool Women’s Merino Sport 150 Short Sleeve
Best t-shirt
The Best Gear for Camping in a Storm
There’s no such thing as bad weather if you have good gear—and tequila.
Hike of the Week: Wa‘ahila Ridge Trail, O‘ahu, HI
Climb Wa‘ahila Ridge below Mt. Olympus for some of the island's best views.
Smith Basecamp
Best for small faces
Costa Pescador
Greenest
Sunski Treeline
Best deal
Vaurnet 03
Best all-around
Hike of the Week: Bane Canyon, Chino Hills State Park, CA
Find fields of poppies on this spring-perfect hike in the Chino Hills outside Lake Elsinore.
Hike of the Week: Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, AZ
Climb above Phoenix for an aerie-like view over the valley.
Rab Kinetic Alpine Pant
Finally, a pair of rainpants you won't be afraid to wear all day.
Ombraz Sunglasses
The best parts about these new-school shades are what they don't have.
Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Long-Sleeve Hoody
This sun shirt is a soft alternative to wearing sunscreen.
Hike of the Week: Hawksbill Crag, Upper Buffalo Wilderness, AR
Score an aerie overlooking the Buffalo River Valley to yourself when you visit Whitaker Point in the offseason.
Hike of the Week: Mill Creek Trail, Jedediah Smith State Park, CA
Walk among giants on this quiet hike past the Grove of Titans and other 300-foot-tall redwood trees.
Hike of the Week: Sunrise Peak, Scottsdale, AZ
Savor views of the Sierra Estrella and Mazatzal mountain ranges on this close-to-home leg-burner.
Hike of the Week: Hogpen Gap to Low Gap, Appalachian Trail, Atlanta, GA
Visit Georgia's best section of the Appalachian Trail in winter for a crowd-free experience and Blue Ridge vistas frosted in white.
Hike of the Week: Oregon Coast Trail to China Beach
See arches and sea stacks—and no people—when you visit the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor in winter.
Get the Giant Forest to Yourself on the Big Trees Trail
In winter, one of Sequoia National Park's most popular spots gets a much-needed dose of solitude
Hike of the Week: Mesa Arch Trail, Moab, UT
Get a new perspective on an iconic view when you look through Canyonlands National Park's famous Mesa Arch in winter.
Explore Sandstone Cathedrals in Death Valley National Park, California
You don’t have to go far away to get far away in the perfect national park for winter.
Hike a Forgotten Incan Refuge in Peru
Trek deep into the heart of the mountains to find an ancient city.
DPS Phantom Permanent Base Glide Treatment
Editors' choice for infinite smoothness while skiing from the 2018 Fall/Winter Gear Guide.
Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Storm
Editors' choice for sun coverage from the 2018 Fall/Winter Gear Guide.
Dynafit Hoji Pro Tour
Editors' choice for a fast-transition boot from the 2018 Fall/Winter Gear Guide.
G3 Zed
Editors' choice for a featherweight ski binding from the 2018 Fall/Winter Gear Guide.
Hike of the Week: Lost Mine Trail, Big Bend National Park, TX
This shoulder-season cruiser delivers you to some of the best views in West Texas.
Hike of the Week: White Sands National Monument, NM
Wander through the world's largest gypsum dune field in New Mexico.
3 Urban Hiking Trails for City Dwellers
Redefine “close to home” on these three trails within city limits.
The 4 Best Sunglasses of 2018
Protect your peepers with the best sunglasses of the year.
British Columbia's Spearhead Traverse: The Best Worst Ski Trip Ever
On a four-day traverse through the spectacularly glaciated Coast Mountains, the BACKPACKER team learns—and embraces—the four steps of overcoming adversity.
The Best Sunglasses and Goggles of Winter 2017
Protect your eyes with these enlightened picks.
La Sportiva Sytron
Mileage monster
Dynafit TLT SpeedFit
Best value
Salomon S/Lab X-Alp
Best all-around
Giro Facet
Women’s pick
Julbo Explorer 2.0
Best protection
ZEAL Portal//RLs
Easiest lens swap
ABOM HEET
Best anti-fogging tech
Sven Can See Anti-Fog Gel
Anti-fogging potion
Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 / w’s XTD 110
Best freerider
Are You Brave Enough for These 4 Haunted Hikes?
Destinations Editor Maren Horjus shares four spooky, Halloween-ready tales from her new book, Haunted Hikes.
Columbia Shimmering Light Short Sleeve Shirt
Technical T-shirt
Club Ride Two Timer
Midlayer
Black Diamond Alpine Light Softshell Pants
Most breathable
Arc’teryx Sabria Pant
Best Mobility
Columbia Silver Ridge Pull-On Pant
Bargain pick
tasc TTFN Studio Bra
Most comfortable
Patagonia Active Mesh Bra
Quick-dry
The Best Hikes For Kids: Northeast
Introduce your brood to some of America's greatest peaks and wildernesses.
The Best Hikes For Kids: Southeast
Visit forests and rivers on these incredible hikes.
The Best Hikes For Kids: Midwest
Trek through the country's heartland with your miniatures.
The Best Hikes For Kids: Southwest
Explore the desert with your little ones.
The Best Hikes For Kids: Northwest
Revel in high, snowy peaks and deserted coastlines on these youngster-friendly treks.
The Best Hikes For Kids: Mountain West
Introduce your little ones to the Rockies on these incredible treks.
Smith ChromaPop Performance
Best lens
ZEAL Optics Capitol
Eco Pick
Sunski Olema
Bargain
Electric Stacker
Most versatile
Dragon Alliance SeafarerX
Best for water
Nike Tailwind
Trail runner’s pick
The Best Weekend on the PCT: Old Snowy to White Pass, Washington
Only have a few days? Sample the best of the Pacific Crest Trail on this bite-size trip.
Nike Khyber
These goggles fit seamlessly with all helmets.
Native Upslope
They offer the best field of vision.
Dragon Alliance X1
One lens to rule them all.
Hobie Polarized Cruz-R
Get the best bang for your buck.
Revo Traverse
These shades transform into glacier goggles.
Vuarnet 02
These lenses offered the best clarity.
Dynafit TLT 7 Performance
Walking is effortless with these futuristic boots.