Ask a Thru-Hiker: What Do GAME, MEGA, NoBo, and SoBo Mean?
Like many other subcultures, long-distance hiking has its own language.
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Pack Big Adventures Into Short Trips On These 14 Perfect Overnights
Make the most of your precious weekend freedom. These hikes deliver epic views and fun to all types of time-crunched hikers.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: What Is a “Tramily” and Why Are They So Important?
Through thick and thin, health and injury, long slogs and zero days, your trail family will be there for you.
How to Toughen Up For a Thru-Hike
No workout can mimic the challenge of a thru-hike, but you can minimize initial soreness—and the risk of injury—by smart training. Start a fitness program at least eight weeks before your hike.
What’s it Like to Survive a Lightning Strike?
A heart-stopping bolt hits one hiker and levels a group of his friends who then fight to resuscitate him.
Could You Hike 8,000 Miles in a Year? These Two College Students Did.
Hear the story of the youngest adventurers ever to complete the Triple Crown in a calendar year, straight from the source.
The 5 Best New Thru-Hikes to Start Planning Now
Start planning to hike these in-progress U.S. trails in 2022.
The 50 Best Hikes in the U.S.
With the help of our friends and readers, we set out to find the best trail in all 50 states. From epic thru-hikes to short jaunts, these were the ones that rose to the top.
Impossible Odds Episode 8: One Last Hurrah
As they wrap up the PCT, Sammy shares how the trails changed him, and he reads his post-hike bucket list. Hint: Eating a lot of ice cream and donuts.
Explore Soaring Ridges and Deep Forest on the Northeast’s Best Dayhikes
From blueberry picking in New York and New Hampshire to pure solitude in New Hampshire and Maine, moose sitings in Vermont, and peaks in New York, these the hikes feature the best of the Northeast.
Stay Warm Longer With These Layering Tricks
It's like the old saying goes: there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Get ready for whatever nature throws at you with this guide to layering strategy.
These 7 Magnificent Mountains Are the Best Summit Hikes in America
No, they aren't Everest, but these soaring summit hikes will make you feel like you're standing on top of the world.
I Counted Every Bit of My Trash for One Month on the PCT
I tallied the waste I created for a month of my thru-hike. It was embarrassing. Now I know how to begin fixing it.
Impossible Odds Episode 5: Going it Alone
Sammy and Jackson decide to split up embark on 200 miles of solo hiking. Then, Sammy finds himself in the most dangerous situation yet on the Triple Crown.
Impossible Odds Episode 4: Chill Hiking Never Lasts Long
Sammy and Jackson complete their first trail, but not without solving logistical challenges, rehabbing injuries, and outrunning snowstorms.
The 12 Best Huts in America
Leave the tent at home: At these 12 perfect backcountry huts, you'll find an entirely new way to experience the trail
Episode 3: Desert Tribulations
Sammy and Jackson face their first medical problem on the trail after hiking in worn boots for too long, and they have to decide whether to push through or rest.
Episode 2: Hiking Toward Winter
Sammy Potter and Jackson Parell have to hike through multiple feet of snow on the AT. Are conditions bad enough to bail and transition to the CDT early?
Fail: We Ran Out of Food—Except for Mustard
Backpacking rule number one: Pack enough to eat.
Ticks Are Changing the Way We Hike
Thanks to the warming world, Lyme infections are on the rise in the Northeast—and hiking there might never be the same again.
The 10 Most Memorable 10-Mile Hikes in North America
Ten trails. Ten unmatched miles each. Get maximum bang for each boot step on hikes that our most-traveled contributors call their all-time favorites.
Episode 1: How Do You Prep to Walk 8,000 Miles in a Calendar Year?
Sammy Potter and Jackson Parell explain their thru-hike motives, check their packing lists, and say goodbye to their families on the first episode of Impossible Odds.
Weekly Obsession: This Compact Flask Could Save Your Life (and Not Just Metaphorically)
Because whiskey and safe hiking go hand-in-hand.
5 Rejected Leave No Trace Principles We Bet You’ve Never Heard Of
You only think you know Leave No Trace's guidelines. See the ones that didn't make the cut.
These 21-Year-Olds Just Became the Youngest Calendar-Year Triple Crowners
Sammy Potter and Jackson Parell finished their record-setting hike on October 22, 2021.
The 4 Best First Aid Kits for Every Adventure
There's no substitute for safety in the outdoors.
How to Find the Perfect Hiking Partner
Companions can make or break a trip. Here’s how to choose one wisely.
The Case for Section Hiking
Thru-hiking is a wonderful experience, but it’s not the only way to see a long trail. And for a lot of people, it might not even be the best.
Sometimes You’ll Hate Your Hike—and That’s OK
It doesn’t matter how beautiful the scenery is, or how lucky you are to be out there: Hike for long enough, and you’ll have bad days. And guess what? There’s nothing wrong with that.
Introducing Impossible Odds
Two friends, 8,000 trail miles, one year. This is Impossible Odds.
Preview: Here’s What It’s Like to Hike the Triple Crown In One Year
Two-thirds of the way through a monumental hiking challenge, there's still so much left to learn.
Our Goal Was to Hike the Entire Triple Crown in One Year. We’re Almost Done.
Two-thirds of the way through a monumental hiking challenge, there's still so much left to learn.
Here’s What’s in a Calendar-Year Triple Crowner’s Pack
When you’re hiking 8,000 miles in a single year, your gear needs to work. This is what Sammy Potter and Jackson Parell, the youngest hikers ever to finish the Triple Crown in a calendar year, brought.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: What to Do When You Want to Quit Your Thru-Hike
Is your motivation running dry? Try one of these strategies to recharge it.
Going on Your First Backpacking Trip? Don’t Make These 5 Common Mistakes.
If first trips have something in common, it’s that they go sideways pretty often. Here are a few important lessons readers and editors have learned along the way.
Meet 11 Heroes Who Are Saving Hiking’s Future
Without a healthy world, there's no backpacking. These 11 backpackers and advocates are fighting for a better Earth.
Timothy Olson (Probably) Just Nabbed the FKT on the PCT
After 2,652 miles, 400,000 feet in elevation gain, and more than 51 days, the ultrarunner finished his PCT thru-hike.
Is It Legal to Hike Naked?
Whether you're participating in Naked Hiking Day or just want to feel the breeze on your skin, there are a few things you need to know about nude hiking if you want to make sure you don’t end up ticketed or in cuffs.
These BIPOC And LGBTQ+ Ultralighters Are Pushing Hiking Further
The thru-hiking community is getting a much-needed diversity boost.
Where to Hike with your Dad for Father’s Day
These ten hikes are the perfect Father's Day getaways.
Aggressive Bears Wreak Havoc on Hikers’ Plans for Parts of the AT
Forest Service shutters campsites and shelters over a 13-mile stretch after receiving reports of multiple aggressive bruins.
The Internet-Age Struggle: How Can We Protect the Outdoors Without Gatekeeping?
With information about “secret” trails and campsites all over the internet, finding a balance between conserving the wilderness and welcoming people to it has never been more important—or more challenging.
Your Next Thru-Hike Could Be in Alaska
The Alaska Senate just passed a budget to start construction on a 500-mile segment of the Alaska Long Trail.
Hiking in the Rain? This Gear will Help Salvage Your Trip.
Seven products that will help keep you and your gear dry
Rediscover Adventure on These 4 Classic Hiking Road Trips
With America reopening, it’s high time to hit the road. See some of the country’s greatest parks, grasslands, and trails on these handpicked routes.
Pack Some Backcountry Relaxation With These Lightweight Wilderness Reads
There's nothing quite like kicking back at camp with a good book. These eight are light both literally and figuratively, making for perfect campfire companions.
Get Creative With Our Favorite Ultralight Hacks and Mods
From growing your own food on the trail (really) to cutting down your headlamp’s weight, these are some of our favorite ultralight hacks.
What’s the Buzz About Cicadas? Here’s Where Hikers Can See This Spring’s Insect Horde
Periodical cicada hatches like this year’s are an underrated wildlife experience. See the swarm up close—and maybe eat a few of them—on these hikes.
How to Face Your Fear of Backpacking Alone
A solo hiking or backpacking trip can either be a freeing or terrifying experience. Learn how to prepare and tame your imagination in the backcountry.
Best Hiking Boots of 2021
Nobody knows hiking boots like Backpacker. We sent testers around the world with the latest boots and shoes to see how they perform in varied conditions. These 10 rose to the top.
Why This Active Pass Member Packs a Sponge on Every Hike
These products help keep him safe and comfortable in the white mountains.
Could Thru-Hiking Be Bad For Your Health? A New Study Makes a Troubling Find.
Exercise may not be enough to make up for thru-hikers’ bad diets, a new paper suggests.
This Load-Eating Pack Helped Me Thru-Hike in Comfort
It may not be the lightest pack on the market, but the Gregory Baltoro 65 kept me pain-free and making miles even on the longest hikes of my life.
Speed Hiking for Science
What does hiking 800 miles in less than two weeks do to your body? Ultrarunner and FKT holder Joe McConaughy hit the Arizona Trail to find out.
Experience Every Season in a Day in the White Mountains
An abrupt shift in the weather turns into the best kind of White Mountains experience.
My Ultralight Backpacking Setup Weighed Almost Nothing—and it Was Miserable to Use
Is lighter really always better?
Sea to Summit Cool Grip X-Mug
The best multi-use mug of 2021.
Gerber Suspension-NXT
The best value multitool of 2021.
Being a Solo Female Backpacker Can Seem Scary. But it Doesn’t Have to Be.
For almost a decade, I avoided camping alone. Now, I wish I had tried it sooner.
5 National Park Campsites for an Epic Night Out
There are campsites—and then there are campsites. Settle in for one fantastic night at one of these prime spots, from mountain views to a beach getaway in the middle of Yosemite.
Have the Best Night of Your Life at These 10 National Park Campsites
The national parks are our national treasure, and these 10 campsites are the best they have to offer. Hike in, pick up your jaw, and post up in paradise.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: Should I Thru-Hike This Year?
Nearly a year into the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us are ready to say goodbye to stay-at-home orders, shoulder our packs, and head out on a multi-month hiking adventure. But with transmission rates still high and vaccination efforts stretching into late summer, should we hold off?
7 Essential Ultralight Brands You Need to Know
Pack feeling too weighty? Start slimming it down with these 7 killer brands.
This Instagram Live Series Is Letting Black Adventurers Write Their Own History
Run by the St. Louis-based organization Black People Who Hike, the #OurStory series will air three times a week through Black History Month.
Deal of the Week: Altra Lone Peak 4.5
Stay light on your feet with these cushiony, comfy trail runners.
Thoughts Before a Calendar Year Triple Crown
A backpacker contemplates the challenges of Calendar Year Triple Crown on the eve of his 8,000-mile hike.
You’re Still a Backpacker Even if You’re Not Thru-Hiking
Backpackers have a habit of glorifying the big adventures. But the little ones can be just as sweet.
A Hero’s Journey
Rue McKenrick would hike the perimeter of the country to demonstrate our nation’s unity—if only he and the country could hold together long enough for him finish.
Need a New Year’s Resolution? Try the 52 Hike Challenge
A hike a week can change your life.
Thru-Hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis Joins President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition
Outdoor recreation is getting a little more representation in government.
Firetower Hikes: Rooms With a View
Hike to one of these nine fire lookouts for unbeatable views and a unique backcountry experience.
Easy Epics: 15 Drive-Up Campsites Even Backpackers Will Love
Combine the best of car camping (spacious tents, comfy chairs, frosty margaritas!) and the best of backpacking (deep solitude, outrageous scenery, swimming holes!) with these 15 accessible hideaways.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: What Are “White-Blazers” and “Blue-Blazers”?
Thru-hiking lingo isn’t just code, it’s a window into how people backpack.
Document Your Hikes in Paint
Making art on the trail helps you appreciate the landscape in a new way.
10 Times Gear Rescued Us
In tough situations, this gear had our keisters covered.
The Perfect Weekend Backpacking Trip: 21 Tips for a Better Hike
Work! Altitude! Traffic! Sometimes it seems like the universe is conspiring against your hiking plans. Here's how to subdue those hazards and 18 other trip killers to keep your weekends sacred.
Alleged AT Murderer to Stand Trial
A judge ruled today that James Jordan is mentally competent to stand trial.
Our Biggest Gear Fails
Sometimes, products just don't perform as planned.
Loneliest Campsites in the Lower 48
Escape the headlines—and the rest of the population—at one of these seven sites.
See Fossils on These 3 Impressive Hikes
Discover forgotten worlds on these three fossil-rich dayhikes.