Madman Walking?
Warren Doyle has hiked the Appalachian Trail 16 times, and he has a no-fee plan guaranteed to help others complete the 2,180-mile trek. The hardest part? Hiking with Warren Doyle.
Displaying 641 - 720 of approximately 1712 results
Megahiking: The 12,500-mile All-in Trek
Sam Gardner plans to hike the North Country Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Appalachian Trail back-to-back-to-back-to-back.
Hike of the Day: PA's Delaware Water Gap
Trek to the border of New Jersey along PA's finest section of the Appalachian Trail.
Help The AT Win A Million Bucks
Febook users can vote for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to win a charitable contest from Chase Bank
Readers' Choice Northeast Hikes: Maine's 100-Mile Wilderness
Explore the Appalachian Trail's wildest stretch.
Hike of the Day: Maine's 100-Mile Wilderness
Explore the Appalachian Trail's wildest stretch.
Outdoor Retailer: Dollars for Socks
Darn Tough Vermont Socks donates cash to maintaining Appalachian Trail
Thru-Hiking Away The Recession
A bum economy and a dearth of jobs drives more hikers to tackle the Appalachian Trail
SC Gov in…Argentina?
South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford wasn't on the Appalachian Trailhe was in Argentina. Ooooookaaaay.
Governor Goes On AT Walkabout
South Carolina's governor scares staff, wife after disappearing on the Appalachian Trail for four days without contact.
BACKPACKING LIGHT editor missing on AT
Ken Knight, avid hiker and contributor to BACKPACKING LIGHT, goes missing near Punchbowl section of the Appalachian Trail.
Smarter Than the Average Bear
Six-mile stretch of Appalachian Trail closed due to clever and hungry bear
Hiking England's Pennine Way
Explore Great Britain's answer to the Appalachian Trail.
AT Shelter Photo Gallery
A few of the shelters and lean-tos found along the length of the Appalachian Trail © Jeff Chow
Save Your Feet: How to Prevent Foot Problems
You think thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail is a long walk?
Hiking The Mahoosuc Range
The short but stunning Mahoosuc Range has major-league attractions, like the toughest mile on the Appalachian Trail and conditions that discourage the faint of heart.
Bill Foot 1946-2000
The Appalachian Trail community lost a prominent supporter, volunteer, hiker, and maintainer.
Maine's Bigelow Preserve
Follow the Appalachian Trail to new heights in the rugged New England high country.
Virginia's Three Ridges
Hike this gorgeous, mountainous section of Virginia's Appalachian Trail.
Why So Many Thru-Hikes End in a Breakup (and How to Avoid the Same Fate)
A couples counselor explains why the trail can strain relationships—and how to keep it from happening to you.
This Hiker Has Trekked Between Canada and Mexico Not Once, Not Twice, But Three Times Since January
After walking for 293 days, Troy “Punisher” Croxdale touched the southern border of the Continental Divide Trail—his third long trail since the year began.
Nearly a Century Ago, American Chestnut Trees Died Off. Now, Hikers Can Walk Among Them Again.
Efforts to restore the American chestnut comprise "one of the most epic conservation stories ever told.”
Should You Quit Your Job for a Thru-Hike? Here’s How to Decide, According to Experts.
Are you in a temporary rut—or do you have a case of catastrophic burnout that only a long walk in the woods can cure? Two career coaches weigh in.
Hiking On Your Next Vacation? Here’s How to Pack For a Successful Trip.
What gear's worth the weight, what gear's TSA-approved for flights, and more.
Why You Always Get Constipated on Backpacking Trips (and How to Fix It)
Getting stopped up during a backpacking trip is a common—and uncomfortable—experience.
Thru-Hiking Probably Won’t Help You Lose Weight—and That’s a Good Thing
Even the longest hikes are too short to spend worrying about how you look.
With the “Minor League” Triple Crowns, Anyone Can Be a Thru-Hiker
No time to hike the Triple Crown? These trail trios are epic adventures for every type of backpacker.
5 Gourmet Backpacking Recipes You Can Make With Gas Station Ingredients
Why waste time pre-packaging trail food when you can purchase a feast along the way?
‘Can You Bring Trekking Poles on a Plane?’ and Answers to Other Common Air Travel Questions
Here's everything backpackers need to know about air travel with hiking gear.
Go Hiking by Train in These 4 Gorgeous Rail-Accessible Mountain Towns
No TSA fuss, no parking lot madness. Take the rail to these four hiking towns flush with beautiful trails.
What Happens When You Push Ultralight Backpacking Too Far?
Cutting your pack weight can make for a more fun experience on the trail—to a point. From backpacking with no backpack to trying the Triple Crown without a sleeping bag or tent, we share four stories of hikers who pushed ultralight to uncomfortable—and occasionally dangerous—places.
Midwesterners, Rejoice: These Are The 6 Best Multiday Backpacking Trips In The Heartland
These multiday trails offer scenic nature in a convenient package.
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The Beer Drinker’s Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Work up a thirst—and then toast the outdoors—on the Smokies’ top hikes, rides, and more
The Best Hikes in Vermont for Big Views and Quiet Moments
There are so many amazing hikes to choose from in the Green Mountain State. Here are our favorites—ranging from quick dayhikes to multi-week backpacking trips.
International Thru-Hikers Are Being Denied Entry to the U.S.: Here’s What Backpackers Should Know
Reports of thru-hikers facing rejection and even detention at the U.S. border have left some backpackers questioning whether to cancel their long-planned trips.
A Hiking Retreat Will Help You Reinvent Yourself—If You Can Afford It
A year ago, I flew to British Columbia for a week in the woods punctuated by scenic hikes, gourmet food, and treatments ranging from massages to sound baths. It fundamentally improved my life, but it's a shame we’ve let that kind of wellness become a luxury.
Let’s Bring Back the Hiking Boot
We get it: Trail runners are cool. But some rough terrain calls for a little more ankle support.
Shelter Etiquette Every Backpacker Should Know
Sharing a cramped sleeping space with a dozen stinky hikers can be a challenge. Here's how to make it more pleasant for everyone.
Want to Thru-Hike in Retirement? 3 Senior Trekkers Share Their Wisdom.
These three hikers achieved their long-trail dreams later in life. Here's how you can, too.
My Dad Made Me a Hiker—and His Generation Changed Hiking Forever
My dad carried me (kicking and screaming, mostly) up Mt. Washington at age four. It was just the intro I needed for a lifetime of high adventure.
Deal of the Week: Grab This 10-Ounce Ultralight Shelter for Less Than $100
The MSR Thru-Hiker Mesh House 1 is one of the lightest solutions for keeping out bugs, no-see-ums, and water seepage from the ground.
California’s “Golden Mountain” Features Forests, Coastal Bluffs—and Some of the Best Wildflowers You’ll Ever See
Montaña de Oro is one of California’s biggest state parks, but it receives a fraction of Yosemite National Park’s visitation.
The Best Summits Backpacker’s Editors Have Ever Hiked
Every hiker has a summit that they can't stop thinking about. In honor of National Trails Day, the Backpacker editors are sharing ours.
Meet the Educator Bringing Backpacking to Rural Virginia Students
Lisa Benish found her calling introducing kids in Virginia’s rural coal country to the joys of backpacking and nature.
7 Great Reasons to Quit Your Hike
When should you prioritize your safety over your desire to finish your hike? Always. Six hikers explain how they knew it was time to call it.
Explore Narnia or Walk With a Saint on These 5 Northern Ireland Treks
Hike alongside basalt cliffs, through lush meadows, and between tiny towns in this lesser-traveled region of Ireland.
The 13 Best Thru-Hiking Stories of All Time
From bold new long trails to incredible physical feats to the people who make our hikes possible, these are some of the best stories ever to come out of the world's longest trails.
Hear the Speech That Launched a Generation of Thru-Hikers
For over 17 years, trail angels Barney and Sandy Mann gave PCT thru-hikers an unofficial orientation before they set off from the southern terminus. This talk undoubtedly changed trail culture forever—and saved lives.
Cut Pounds Off Your Pack Weight With These 3 Easy Steps
Don't let the gram-counting around ultralight gear intimidate you. Slimming down your pack's weight is easier than many beginners think.
The 45 Best Backpacking Stories of All Time
From long-trail heroes to quirky characters to nail-biting tales of danger, these stories are some of the best pieces of hiking writing ever composed.
What’s the Best Underwear for Backpacking?
This basic piece of gear can make or break your hiking experience.
Dream of Thru-Hiking With Your Kids? These Rad Parents Will Show You How
Two thru-hiking moms share their top tips for backpacking with little ones.
The 10 Best National Parks for Hikers
Everyone has a favorite national park. But when it comes to hiking, some just do it better than others.
10 Questions Thru-Hikers Hate Answering
Whether you’re about to begin your first thru-hike or finish your tenth, these are the questions strangers will ask you. And these are some of the ways we’ve fantasized about answering them.
9 Epic Guided Hikes You Can Book This Year
Solitude is nice, but let's face it: Often the best part of a long trail is the company. Meet a new group of hiking pals and explore your new favorite landscapes on these guided hikes.
What It’s Like to Find, Lose, or Live with Love on a Long Hike
Lots of people say they hike to change their lives. For some, that starts by changing their love lives.
What’s the Difference Between AT and PCT Hikers? A Lot, According to These Surveys.
We compared trekkers' pack weights, ages, total spend, and more.
The 21 Best Hikes in America for Kids
No matter your kids' age or experience level, we've got the perfect trail for your family.
Deal of the Week: The Hoka One One Speedgoats Are One of Thru-Hiking’s Most Popular Shoes
Testers compared the Hoka One One Speedgoat to a full-suspension 29er mountain bike.
Enrich Your Thru-Hike With Our 7 Favorite Side Quests
From an ostrich farm on the Pacific Crest to a lakeside oasis on the Colorado Trail, these off-trail adventures, chosen by thru-hikers, are well worth an extra hitch or a few more miles.
These 9 National Parks Will Require Reservations in 2025
Timed-entry reservations are back. Our national parks columnist reveals how to get into these popular parks.
The Best Hiking Destinations for Every Month in 2025
Here’s to a new year of adventure. Fill your 2025 calendar with day trips and thru-hikes to summit peaks, remote forests, and urban escapes with our picks for the best destinations of the year.
17 New Year’s Resolutions Every Backpacker and Thru-Hiker Should Consider
From dropping egos to taking a first-ever overnight trip, experienced hikers share their hopes and dreams for the new year ahead.
The Best Feature Stories Backpacker Published in 2024
From exclusive interviews to heartwarming adventure tales, here are the most popular features we published this year.
The 8 Biggest Hiking Controversies Backpacker Covered in 2024
From extreme ultralight tactics to the fate of a decades-old, Instagram-famous trail, these were the biggest controversies we wrote about this year.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: A Natural Disaster Interrupted Your Hike. What Now?
Fires, floods, and other extreme weather events are increasingly part of life on America's long trails. What should you do when they strike?
The Humble Poncho Is the Perfect Ultralight Backpacking Layer
Oversized and decidedly uncool, the poncho is still one of my top choices for rainy hikes.
At 75, Soren West Completed the Thru-Hike He Dreamed of Since Age 12
As a child, Soren West dreamed of hiking the AT. Sixty three years later, he and his golden retriever made it a reality.
Is America’s Next Great Thru-Hike in Texas?
The xTx trail will cover 1,500 miles in the Lone Star State.
Ray Jardine Revolutionized Two Outdoor Sports. Then He Disappeared.
In the ’70s, Ray Jardine changed rock climbing forever when he invented Friends. In the ’90s, he teamed up with his wife Jenny to do the same for backpacking, kickstarting the ultralight movement with their innovative gear designs. In a rare interview, they explain why they left the industry they helped create.
Inside the Ultralight Cult of Durston
The X-Mid trekking pole tent and other groundbreaking ultralight designs have earned Durston an unmatched fanbase, with a 14,000-person Facebook group and in-jokes about stickers and sage at the center of it. M. John Fayhee dives into lightweight backpacking's most devoted "cult."
Lyla Harrod’s 3,000-Mile Divide to Crest Route Might Be the Wildest New Thru-Hike in America
Harrod's route offers a fresh perspective on the American West. Now she wants you to hike it, too.
This Mom Thru-Hiked 2,000 Miles With Her 13 Children. It Wasn’t Easy.
When Nikki Bettis and 13 of her kids set out on the AT, they had no idea how transformative the experience would be.
Deal of the Week: Snag Thru-Hiking’s Favorite Shoes for Up to 50 Percent Off
Snag a pair of Altra Lone Peak 7s or another zero-drop, lightweight hiker at a steep discount.
Trying to Go Ultralight? Stop Packing So Much Clothing
A stuff sack full of clothes is often the last obstacle holding back new ultralighters.
Mt. Katahdin is a Logistical Nightmare. Is it Time to Move the AT’s Northern Terminus?
For years, tensions have run high between AT thru-hikers and rangers in Baxter State Park. One hiker wonders, could moving the terminus solve the problem?
Does Your Thru-Hike Still Count if You Miss a Few Miles? Two Hikers Debate.
Walking from terminus to terminus is a thru-hiker’s dream, but what about when circumstances—or a really cool side trail—lead you on a detour?
Camp Shoes Are Essential, According To Podiatrists. Here’s Why.
Diversifying your footwear keeps your feet dry, comfortable, and healthy. What else could you want?
Thru-Hiking Changes You—And Not Always For the Best
From showering less to sleeping on the floor, thru-hikers confess to the unusual habits they brought home from the trail.
Tim Kaine Hiked, Paddled, and Biked Across Virginia—All During Senate Recesses
The new book Walk, Ride, Paddle documents Senator Tim Kaine's years-long triathlon through his home state.