Go Gluten-Free and Eat Like Royalty With These 5 Backpacking Recipes
Gluten-free backpacking doesn’t have to be hard. Do it right with these tips and recipes.
Displaying 721 - 800 of approximately 1712 results
Is it Ethical to Crowdfund a Thru-Hike?
Financing a thru-hike can be expensive. But is it OK to ask others for help?
Quiz: Which Thru-Hike is Right for You?
Itching to thru-hike, but not sure where to go? We’ll help you decide.
Want to Hike Full-Time? Here’s How These 3 Hikers Make it Work
Yes, you can hold down a stable career and hike six months out of the year. Three enterprising thru-hikers share their secrets.
This Hiker Just Bagged 487 Miles in a Week. It Left Him in the Hospital
Kyle Curtin only slept about 12 hours total over the course of his Colorado Trail thru-hike. When he finished, he could barely walk.
It’s Norovirus Season. Here’s How to Avoid Infection
Stomach flus are on the rise in national parks and on long trails. A wilderness EMT and WFR instructor shares how to cope.
Tick Bites Are On the Rise—But New Vaccines Offer Hope
Lyme disease is one of the most debilitating tickborne illnesses. But a cure could be on its way.
The Best Hikes in the Midwest
The midwestern states are some of the most geographically diverse landscapes in America. Shaped by ancient glaciers, rivers and lakes are abundant among deep forests and rolling hills. Here are some of the best hikes to explore this diverse region.
Dozens of Hikers Airlifted from Havasu Falls after Mysterious Illness
Check out Corey Buhay's author page.
Is the Smartphone-Free Thru-Hike Dead? Some Hikers Are Bringing It Back
Unplugged thru-hikes are increasingly rare—but not extinct. Here's how to thru-hike without a smart phone.
Lyla “Sugar” Harrod Wants To See More Trans Hikers. So She Became Their Mentor.
Trail QTs is a mentorship program for LGBTQ+ hikers and backpackers. Here are the organization's three leaders.
The 10 Most Beautiful Hikes in the World
Our trails columnist has hiked thousands of miles. These are the routes at the top of his bucket list. Thrill yourself with a trip to an amazing trail this year.
This Ultralight Icon’s Book is a Masterclass in Minimalism
Glen Van Peski’s new memoir dishes out life advice and takes readers behind the scenes at Gossamer Gear.
12 Best Day Hikes in New England
The country's northeast corner offers an impressive, diverse landscape that will challenge even the most experienced hikers.
The 50 Best Hiking, Trekking, and Walking Books of All Time
The next best thing to hitting the trail? Hitting these books.
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Discover the Best of Asheville with Advice from Local Experts
This adventurous North Carolina community has incubated scores of outdoor gear makers. Here’s what they recommend for fun in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
How to Be the Absolute Worst Backpacker at the Campsite
Follow these steps to give your camp neighbors an unforgettable experience. (Note that we said “unforgettable,” not “good.”)
I’m a Hillbilly. Here’s How I (Forest) Bathe in the Woods
This Appalachian’s spin on Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of forest bathing, is proving to be potent medicine in the mountains of North Carolina.
Mount Washington Is a Beautiful—But Deadly—Hike. Here’s How to Do it Safely.
At a modest 6,288 feet, Mount Washington seems like an unlikely candidate for one of America’s deadliest mountains. But with more than 150 known fatalities, it can be a hazardous hike. Here’s what beginners need to know before hitting the trail.
The 10 Hardest Dayhikes in America
From a 41-mile day to thigh-busting climbs to exposed, high-mountain ridges, hiking doesn't get harder than this.
You Can Order Pizza to Your Campsite. But Should You?
A viral video showed a group of thru-hikers ordering food delivery to the trail. Is there any harm in a little self-indulgence?
This Hiker Attempted the Triple Crown With Less Than 3 Pounds of Gear. Impressive or Dangerous?
In 2023, Sam “Shade” Carter tried to hike the Calendar Year Triple Crown with a $19 Amazon daypack, an emergency bivvy, and no tent, sleeping bag, or sleeping pad. Is that too ultralight?
5 Mini Thru-Hikes You Can Do in a Long Weekend
Dreaming of doing a thru-hike? You can get a taste of the experience on these three-day treks that travel an entire trail, terminus to terminus.
He Wrote the Book on LNT. Here’s What He Says About Pooping Outside
Everybody does it. But pooping in the wrong place could make a mess of someone else's hike. An expert shares how to make the best of a sh*tty situation on the trail.
Can’t Wait Until Spring? Do These 3 Short Thru-Hikes This Winter
Complete an entire thru-hike before fair-weather hikers lace up for their first trip of the year.
Is it Ever OK to Pitch a Tent Inside a Hiking Shelter?
Putting up your own tent inside a communal shelter may sound cozy, but it takes up room and can be frustrating to weary hikers who just want to get some rest. Is there ever a situation where it’s all right to do?
The Ten-Pound Ultralight Baseweight Needs to Die
As gear has gotten lighter, the traditional ten-pound baseweight limit for ultralighters has become a thing of the past. It's time to take a more expansive view of what it means to go light.
Build an Ultralight Backpacking Setup for Less Than $700 (Updated for 2024)
You’re getting ready to hit the trail but you don’t want to spend a year’s salary on gear. Fear not: It’s possible to find a system that’s both high-performance and affordable. Get equipped and ready to go with this 3 pound, 12 ounce ultralight setup.
Inside Billy “Wahoo” Meredith’s Record-Crushing, 234-Day Hike of the Triple Crown
Billy "Wahoo" Meredith had one thru-hike and exactly zero FKTs under his belt when he decided to try to finish the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails in record time. The next 234 days and 7,500 miles would test him in more ways than one.
The Best Hiking Destinations for Every Month in 2024
Every day is a good day for hiking. But where to do it? Chase the best weather, dodge crowds, see superblooms, and more with our month-by-month hiking guide to 2024.
5 Dayhikes You Need To Add To Your Bucket List
Not interested in thru-hiking? You can still have goal trails. These dayhikes have everything worthy of a spot on your bucket list.
5 Epic Hiking Quests to Go on in 2024
Looking for a heroic adventure? Hike across an island, seek a rare beast, or complete three more quests on these life-list treks.
The 6 Biggest Bear Stories Backpacker Published in 2023
Years come and years go, but hikers' fascination with bears is eternal.
The Gear That Backpacker’s Editors Loved in 2023
Over a year of backpacking, dayhiking, basecamping, paddling, ski touring, and more, these 11 pieces of gear were our personal MVPs.
The Government Has a New Plan for One of America’s Roughest Long-Distance Hikes
The Pacific Northwest Trail Is the US’s least-developed National Scenic Trail. But a new comprehensive plan could give a boost to efforts to change that.
4 American Hut-to-Hut Hikes You Can Do Without a Passport
Think hut-to-hut hikes only exist in the mountains of Europe? These four trails in the states will prove you wrong.
I Took My New Husband on His First Backpacking Trip—and Discovered a Different Side of Him
Hitting the trail with someone may be the best way to get to know them. But what if that "someone" is your new hubby?
Vargo Outdoors Is the Most Influential Gear Brand You’ve Never Heard Of
The iconoclast has become a staple in the ultralight community by refusing to follow trends.
Her Thru-Hike Went Viral. Then She Quit.
The rise of social media has created a new breed of influencers who tackle the world's longest trails with their audiences in tow. But success isn't guaranteed on a thru-hike—and bailing with thousands of eyes on you is more complicated than it looks.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: Can I Thru-Hike Without Camping?
Hike a long trail without spending a night in a tent or lean-to? It may sound silly. But a veteran thru-hiker says it’s more than doable—if you know where to look.
The Hardest Part of a Thru-Hike: the Midpoint
Veteran hikers call it the “Middle Blues.” You have already hiked an impossibly long distance, and somehow still have an impossibly long distance to go.
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How to Start Planning Your Next Thru-Hike
From choosing the right water filter to evaluating your gear list, AT hiker Michael Perry shares his advice for getting trail-ready
I Hiked Across the Ozarks Looking for Adventure—and Got More Than I Bargained For
On a winter thru-hike of the Ozark Highlands Trail, Jeff Garmire contended with snowstorms, swam a river, and bushwhacked paths overgrown with bramble—and discovered the rugged heart of one of America’s lesser-known long trails.
Literally Tired of Hiking Uphill? Do This.
Call him crazy, but our hiking columnist loves climbing hills. A fifth of the way into the epic Continental Divide Trail, he’s got some ways to improve your form, function, and mental performance on the ascents.
The Midwest Is Full of Good Backpacking. Yes, Really.
If you think the Midwest is flat and boring, you'll think again after taking these trails for a spin.
Here’s What Thru-Hikers Actually Eat in a Day
Four hikers reveal every morsel that's fueling them for thousands of miles.
One of America’s Wildest Thru-Hikes Is Disappearing
The Idaho Centennial Trail is a long trail experience that takes hikers through some of the most remote, beautiful terrain in the lower 48. But years of deferred maintenance mean that it’s in danger of vanishing into the wilderness.
Hiking On the Summer Solstice? Do it Naked.
For hikers around the world, today isn't just the first day of summer: It's Hike Naked Day. Here's what you need to know before joining in the festivities.
All Hail Folgers Instant Coffee, a Thru-Hiker's Jet Fuel
Over 7,000 miles on trail, our hiking columnist has tried coffee and caffeine in most every form imaginable. But the humblest one of all taught him something about himself.
No, Seriously—Go Hiking in Oklahoma
With both "eastern-style" and "western-style" mountains, Oklahoma is a little-known hiker paradise.
How to Reach Flow State While Hiking
Follow these tips to help you get into the zone and unlock your true potential.
34 Awesome—and Awesomely Bad—Outdoor Movies You Can Stream Right Now
From painfully beautiful to just plain painful, these outdoor movies are worth a watch.
Granite Gear’s Size-Inclusive Ultralight Pack Is a Step in the Right Direction
In an industry dominated by a single body-type, the Virga 3 is making waves.
PSA: You Don’t Need to Replace Your Old Backpacking Gear
Gear companies are constantly upgrading their products and pulling old ones off the market. But there are some advantages to being a few seasons behind.
The Ultimate Durability Test: This Gear Lasted 8,500 Miles in One Year
Thru-hiker Carl "Professor" Stanfield had a big goal: Break the record for most miles ever walked in a single year. Here's what he packed.
A Letter to the Thru-Hikers of the Future
Personal air conditioning, new trails, a dozen new Leave No Trace principles: For Backpacker's 50th anniversary, we asked Triple Crowner and columnist Liz "Snorkel" Thomas to speculate about what thru-hiking could look like a half-century from now.
These Urban Hikes Are Wild Adventures Inside City Limits
Think you need to head deep into the wild to have an outdoor adventure? Think again. Explore urban nature in these six cities, each home to outdoor community organizations, diverse history and culture, and wildlife.
My Thru-Hiking Community Showed Me Just How Lonely My Real Life Was
Americans live in one of the most individualistic nations on Earth—and it can be one of the most isolating, too. Could hiking be a way for us to find our way back to community?
In Praise of the Humble Pop-Tart, the Ultimate Backpacking Breakfast
Our hiking columnist has spent more than a quarter of the past four years on trail. Every morning out there, without fail, he eats another perfect packet of Pop-Tarts.
I’ve Received Some Terrible Backpacking Advice Over the Years. Here’s What You Can Learn From It.
Hikers love to share their opinions. That doesn’t mean it’s always useful.
Learning to Assess Risk Could Save Your Hike— and Your Life
Don't let your own ambitions put you in danger: Knowing when to take a risk and when to run away is an essential skill for every hiker.
Planning a One-Way Hike? Master the Art of the Car Shuttle.
One-way hiking means never seeing the same spot twice, but you need to have your car shuttle logistics dialed. Follow these 10 tips to shuttle like a pro.
With Public Lands More Crowded Than Ever, We Need to Make Peace With Permits
No one likes having to jump through a bunch of hoops just to hike a popular trail or visit a national park. But with more and more areas reaching their carrying capacity, it’s time to consider our options.
Want To Hike In Middle-Earth? Go To Hocking Hills, Ohio
Explore mossy gorge trails, ancient sandstone caves, and morel-filled forests in this unexpected hiking paradise.
What the Professor Learned by Trying to Hike the Most Miles Ever
Last January, Carl Stanfield set out to break the world record for the most miles ever hiked in a year. In failing, he found his temporary limit—and, he hopes, a renewed version of himself.
It’s Time to Start Packing Out Your Toilet Paper
With trail use booming, burying your toilet paper just doesn’t cut it anymore. It’s time to get over the ick and start carrying it out, says our writer—or ditch it altogether.
How One Thru-Hiker Turned Ultralighting into a YouTube Career
Hint: He never stopped hiking.
47 Hiking Terms Every New Backpacker Should Know
You don’t need to be fluent in hiker lingo to hit the trail—but it does help to understand guidebooks, trip reports, and your fellow trekkers around camp.
The Best Hikes for Every Month in 2023
New year, new adventures: Add these long trails and dayhikes to your 2023 bucket list.
Does Thru-Hiking Have a Drinking Problem?
Long-distance hikers love to reach towns and binge. I temporarily gave up the cycle, and maybe it changed my life.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: Should I Flip-Flop?
Travelling a long trail end to end isn't the only way to thru-hike.
Meet the High School Teacher Who Finished the Entire Triple Crown in a Calendar Year
Only a handful of other thru-hikers have completed the big three in one year.
Going to the Smokies? We Made You a Playlist.
Want a national park to visit this winter? Great Smoky Mountains is your place. Download this playlist for maximum vibes.
The Cost of a Smokies Permit Is About to Double for Thru-Hikers
The increase is part of a larger program of fee hikes aimed at covering costs as visitors soar.
These 20 Pieces Of Gear Changed Backpacking Forever
Through the past five decades, there have been a lot of trend-setters and trailblazers. These are the best of backpacking.
Want a Backpack? How About a Sandwich? This Combo Gear Store-Deli Will Sell You Both.
We appreciate a good post-hike (or pre-hike, or mid-hike) sandwich. Soon you'll be able to find one—plus a pair of hiking boots, a stove, or whatever else you need—at The Happy Goat.
The Best Hikes in the Berkshires
Explore the natural side of New England with year-round dayhikes, waterfall treks, and backpacking trips in the scenic Berkshires.
Hike the State Parks: 14 Fantastic Destinations Backpackers Need to Know
Let the crowds stampede the national parks—in the U.S., you’re never far from state lands that boast sublime beauty, natural seclusion, and endless adventure. These 14 just scratch the surface.
Solo Hiking Will Change Your Life. Are You Brave Enough to Let It?
Backpacking by yourself unlocks a powerful wilderness experience. If you’re scared to solo, you’re on the right track.
Hate Hiking in a Group? Here’s Why You Should Do it More Often.
Some backpackers are just dedicated soloists. But as our writer discovered on her first big group trip, sometimes there's magic to hitting the trail with some new friends.