What Is Thru-Hiking?

At Backpacker, we throw the term “thru-hiking” around a lot. But if you’re just dipping your toe into the world  and been afraid to ask, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a primer on this special corner of the hiking world, from the concept to the culture and how you can begin planning a thru-hike of your own. 

Thru-Hiking Explained

To thru-hike a trail, one must hike along its entire length from end to end in a single trip. Thru-hiking can take anywhere from days to weeks to months. On long trails, thru-hikers might occasionally leave the trail to rest in town, restock on food and supplies, or see the sights along their route. Hiking trail sections out of order—e.g., starting at the halfway point of the Appalachian Trail and hiking to the northern terminus, then flying back to the middle and hiking the southern half—still counts, as long as you finish it in one trip. While any trail can technically be thru-hiked, certain long trails in the United States are popular for trekkers. Vermont’s Long Trail and the Pinhoti Trail in the southern Appalachians are common shorter thru-hikes, great for beginners or hikers who can’t take months away from home and work. When most people think of and talk about thru-hikes, they’re referring to a set of iconic long-distance trails known as the Triple Crown. 

Long Trails of the United States

Learn about some of the nation’s best-loved long trails below.

The Triple Crown

The Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail make up the “big three” of thru-hiking. Each of these trails stretch over 2,000 miles long and traverse multiple states through some of the most scenic terrain in the country. For most hikers, thru-hiking just one of the big three is a lifelong dream. Some die-hard thru-hikers might achieve them all in a lifetime—we call these superstar backpackers “triple crowners.” A small handful of people have even managed to hike all three in a calendar year.

The Appalachian Trail

Perhaps the most iconic thru-hiking trail is the Appalachian Trail (AT); at over 2,000 miles long, it runs from Georgia to Maine, crossing through 14 states in the easternmost major mountain range in the country. The AT has a long history of thru-hiking, and is a common first thru-hike due to its popularity and abundant resources for hikers such as shuttles and trail towns offering lodging and food. It takes the average thru-hiker four to six months to complete the AT. Most hikers begin in spring and hike until fall. 

The Pacific Crest Trail

Often considered the AT’s west coast equivalent, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) connects the Mexico and Canada borders through California, Oregon, and Washington. At 2,650 miles, the PCT is slightly longer than the AT, and crosses some of the west’s most iconic mountain ranges. With desert and high alpine sections, the PCT can be considered more rugged than the AT, but it still offers ample resources for thru-hikers along the way; outside of those occasionally hazardous mountain sections, the path itself is often smoother. Most thru-hikers tackle the PCT northbound, heading from Mexico to Canada (the same is true on the AT). 

The Continental Divide Trail 

The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) stretches from Mexico to Canada through the Rocky Mountains in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana over 3,100 miles. The CDT is the least-commonly thru-hiked of the Triple Crown trails because it’s newer, more rugged, and has fewer resources than its eastern and western counterparts. Sections of the CDT tend to be more remote than on the AT, and the route itself is more ambiguous due to a lack of marking (the AT, on the other hand, has obvious white blazes along its entire length). 

Other Common Thru-Hikes

Not everyone can take off work for six months to thru-hike the AT, CDT, or PCT. There are plenty of other shorter trails that are still big on adventure for backpackers looking to experience the thru-hiking lifestyle. Here are just a few. 

The Colorado Trail

At just under 500 miles, the CT (which overlaps with the Colorado section of the CDT) can be completed in a summer season, and offers all of the wild alpine challenge of a longer trail. It’s a good taste for backpackers who might want to thru-hike the CDT or another long trail, but aren’t sure yet about making a multi-month commitment. 

The Long Trail

Traversing the Green Mountains throughout Vermont, the 272-mile Long Trail is doable even for hikers with a busy work schedule. Hiking the length of an entire state on one continuous trail encapsulates the allure of thru-hiking in a manageable distance. 

The John Muir Trail

Just over 200 miles long, the John Muir Trail winds through the stunning Sierra Nevada, and takes average hikers only a couple of weeks. Just like the CT and CDT, the JMT overlaps with sections of the PCT, giving backpackers a sampling of the famous long trail. 

The Life of a Thru-Hiker

What’s it like to actually spend months at a time on the trail? Thru-hikers face all sorts of challenges, from the physical toll of walking thousands of miles to the mental aspect of staying motivated. Thru-hikers tend to cover tens of miles in a day, week after week, all the while carrying everything they need on their backs.

Hiking with Others 

Some thru-hikers set out solo, while many hit the trail with hiking partners. Either way, thru-hikers can be sure they’ll link up with other backpackers over the course of their journey. The thru-hiker community thrives on long trails like the big three. Many backpackers develop a trail family, or “tramily” with whom to hike, camp, and offer support.

A Day in the Life 

A thru-hiker has one main goal each day: to make miles. While weekend backpackers might linger in camp enjoying a hot breakfast in the morning, many thru-hikers rise with the sun and hit the trail early to make the most of daylight hours. On-the-go meals like energy bars and protein shakes are popular amongst thru-hikers.

Thru-hikers near the start of their trip or traveling at a casual pace my walk around ten miles in a day. But for those whose hiker legs have developed over week or months of thru-hiking, 20- to 25-mile days are the norm. What’s the rush? Thru-hikers who begin their treks in spring are often racing to reach the end of the trail by the onset of winter. Covering such distances day after day requires mental and physical stamina, and it often takes a toll on the body. Every week or so, most thru-hikers will take a rest day—known as a “zero day,” often in a town with access to groceries, restaurants, and a hotel or hostel for a hot shower and comfortable place to rest.

A thru-hiker’s day ends in camp—often with their tramily or other hikers. After a nourishing meal, most thru-hikers will tuck in early, prepared to do it all again tomorrow.

Tips for Aspiring Thru-Hikers

Intrigued by the idea of thru-hiking? Do your research, plan accordingly, and accomplish the hike of your dreams with this advice. 

1) Plan your food strategy ahead of time. When it comes to staying fueled over many months, thru-hikers have a number of options. The first is to buy as you go, stopping to resupply in trail towns as needed. This works well on trails where towns are accessible and located at convenient spots along the trail, and it allows you to adapt your menu as your calorie needs and cravings change. This method can be more expensive; it can be difficult to curb your impulses in town, and your options for budget shopping might be limited in some areas.

The second option is to prepare all of your food before hitting the trail—either dehydrating your own meals, or packaging pre-portioned food—and mail it to yourself at stopping points along the trail. This option can be more affordable and eliminates the need to shop in town. However, it can be hard to predict what you’ll want to eat a few weeks or months into a thru-hike.

The third option is a combination of these first two strategies, which allows you to reap the benefits of both. Remember that your caloric needs will increase the longer you stay on the trail, so be prepared to eat bigger meals later in your hike.

2) Be flexible. Yes, you should prepare for any scenario before hitting the trail. But can you predict every obstacle you’ll face? Of course not. Be prepared for plans to change, things to go wrong, and surprises to occur. It’s all part of the fun of thru-hiking, and learning to adapt and take one day at a time is a valuable tool. 

3) Use a “bounce box”. Your gear needs will change as you move through geographic areas and different seasons. A “bounce box” serves as a moving cache that you can mail from town to town so you don’t have to carry items you don’t need all the time. Bounce boxes allow you to swap out layers, footwear, reading materials, or anything else in your kit that needs to be added or retired. Timing your shipments can be tricky, but most post offices will hold your boxes up to two weeks or forward them on request.

4) Be patient. Wildfires or other natural disasters might result in trail closures, reroutes, or schedule changes. Land managers will often set up official detours for thru-hikers when necessary, but it can take some time. If you’re forced off trail, enjoy the rest time and wait for guidance on staying safe before continuing on your hike. 

5) Hike your own hike. This is a popular saying amongst thru-hikers, many of whom have their own philosophies and motivations behind completing a long trail. Trust your instincts, and make choices based on what’s best for you. 

Thru-Hiking Resources

Now that you know what thru-hiking is, you might be inspired to plan one of your own. Check out our Ask a Thru-Hiker column or sign up for our Thru-Hiking 101 online course to learn more.