Long Trail

Snag a taste of some of the country's darkest skies on this 14.6 miles overnight shuttle hike in the Gila National Forest.

Hike 42.9 miles on the AT in 24 hours, in the process traveling across the borders of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Gobble the PCT's tastiest morsel.

Splash in swimming holes.

Can you walk off a war? A veteran who served in Iraq embarks on a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail to find out.

These men and women were photographed as they thru-hiked the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail, from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin, Maine. They each walked more than 2,000 miles—enduring the Smokies, the Shenandoahs, and the White Mountains—to get

This tireless trail angel is firing up a new generation of backcountry stewards.

More than 150 of you entered our contest to become a BACKPACKER field scout. Meet the winners.

Tackle the Northeast's most remote wilds for bears, moose, and berries.

Hike cross-country to a pocket of dreamy lakeside camps on the John Muir Trail.

Our prolific map contributor has thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and notched more than 90 bag nights while scouting routes for BACKPACKER.

Five must-do hikes from our top field correspondent, who's notched more than 1,800 trail miles throughout the West and mapped 116 trips.

The region's best picks from our top field correspondent, who's notched more than 1,800 trail miles throughout the West and mapped 116 trips.

Having just broken the speed record for thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Jennifer Pharr Davis sits down to discuss gear, preparation, and the joy of a stellar hike.

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.

Head out on one of these trails in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

Hike these long trails in North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida, and paddle three days in the Everglades backcountry.

Watch your step on Utah' Highline Trail. The nonstop views and rampant wildlife are distractingly spectacular. Plus: Gaze away on 9 more elevated hikes.

Hike these long trails in Montana, Idaho, Arizona, and Colorado, and raft an eight-mile section of the Arkansas River.

Ascend Rocky Top in Tennessee; spot herons and Pelicans in a Florida bayou.

Check out Michael Lanza's author page.

Relax in a hiker-friendly lodge at the Appalachian Trail's southern tip.

Thru-hike America's most revered long trail: the Appalachian Trail.

Step for scenery-packed step, nothing else compares to the John Muir Trail.

The best hikes near Roanoke, VA.

The best hikes near Asheville, NC.

Need instant inspiration? Download these BACKPACKER destination photos–Switzerland, Grand Canyon, & John Muir Wilderness–and get lost.

The last lonely stretch of the AT beckons from the mountains of western Maine.

Our resident trip planning expert shares where to camp, how to plan, and other tips for the John Muir Trail.

We know. You've always wanted to hike a long trail. Lucky for you, we've got the comprehensive guides to make your dreams a reality. Check out the best sections and dayhikes along the AT, PCT and CDT. PLUS: See how four hikers beat the recession...by hiking through it.

The upside to being downsized? Having time to hit the nation's long trails.

The world's prettiest shoreline, giant pines, and Yosemite's premier view.

Trek 211 miles through hiker heaven.

Take a lightly trafficked trail into the word's biggest grove.

Explore the Appalachian Trail's wildest stretch.

The Dartmouth Outing Club targets an Appalachian Trail hiking record.

Trek to the New Jersey border along PA's finest section of the AT.

Undeterred by injuries that would cripple most men, a Colorado hiker nears the halfway point in a pioneering attempt to thru-hike the true crest of the Continental Divide.

This iconic summit shouldn't be rushed. Save the experience on this 33-mile trek.

Undeterred by injuries that would cripple most men, a Colorado hiker nears the halfway point in a pioneering attempt to thru-hike the true crest of the Continental Divide. In this extended online interview, Dunmire talks about his gear essentials, near misses, and the challenges that lay ahead as he continues to trace North America's spine.

Discover the best hike in every state, as voted by BACKPACKER readers. Plus: your essential gear, most desirable tentmate, worst-ever adventure movie, and our picks for the best reader-submitted photos.

Thirty miles up the trail from Springer Mountain, Winton Porter shelters and feeds thru-hikers–and works tirelessly to slash their pack weight.

Check off the most remote miles in California's Range of Light.

Dodge high wattage on the newest stretch of the Colorado Trail.

Is he a pilgrim, a victim, or a thief? The Appalachian Trail provides a path and refuge to all sorts of seekers. Few are as baffling as the man they called Saved.

Wildflowers, bugs, and other nature photographs shot by our map correspondent on the AT © Jeff Chow

A few of the shelters and lean-tos found along the length of the Appalachian Trail © Jeff Chow

Some of the faces and places our map contributor saw on the AT © Jeff Chow

We've got your Appalachian Trail packing list dialed. Here, take stock of what you'll need to thru-hike the trail. Just print it out and get packing.

On your mark, get set ... hike. Inside a 5,600-mile footrace on the country's hardest trail.

Hike this burly wonder to find out what inspired the Appalachian and Long Trail's founders.

We sent 209 readers out to GPS the Continental Divide Trail, the biggest, baddest long-distance path of them all. They brought back the makings of the first authoritative map of this American classic. These are their stories–and their favorite sections.

Want to boost your backcountry karma? Here are three places to hike–and give back.

We sent 209 readers out to GPS the Continental Divide Trail, the biggest, baddest, long-distance path of them all. They brought back the makings of the first authoritative map of this American classic. Here, read the Backpacker Blog on the project, and vi

What happens when a couple's vows are tested by hard miles and hunger pains on the John Muir Trail? A sore-footed bride tells all.

One writer ditches his S.U.V. for a vegetable oil-powered Volkswagon Beetle and drives into the Sierras to hike the Pacific Crest Trail and test his environmentalist platitudes

America's 100 Best Hikes–chosen by you.

This wilderness area houses a classic section of the CDT but is a little off the beaten path.

Find out what happens when four people hike the 221-mile John Muir Trail in just a week. Then learn how to bag the classic in more sensible lightweight fashion.

No, it's not an oxymoron. You, too, can say buh-bye to endless energy bars and instant rice glop--and eat like royalty for less than two pounds a day.

A 10-step ultralight backpacking plan that keeps pack weight under 15 pounds

In 10 days, carrying just 25 pounds, you can pound through the John Muir Trail...happily. Get the plan.

Shave pounds from your whole packing list.

Some things are so inevitable there's no sense disputing them: death, taxes, and the unrivaled beauty of the Sierra.

Don't miss your chance to take the best dayhike on the CDT.

The best overall weekend hike you'll find on the CDT.

You won't want to miss this breathtaking 8-mile dayhike.

Find spectacular views and deep solitude on this weekend hike.

Hike this trail to find peace, stress relief and a tonic to cure your daily routine.

To hike from Mexico to Canada and back, a man needs strength and speed and luck. He needs something else, too. If only he knew what it was.

Jump off into the North Woods' best wilderness

Hike and climb-and then kick back-in a High Sierra sweet spot.

A downright goofy dome marks this highpoint.

A seldom-visited peak on the Continental Divide Trail

A backpacker's go light heaven: thru-hiking California's High Sierra

Allow the plants to color the landscape as you make your way along the trail.

You'll find numerous surprises as you explore the lakes, rivers and forests of this highpoint.

Use your backpacking skills at the best surfing, climbing, trail running, and even paragliding spots

A night in Yosemite's most famous hotel

It's lean, it's mean, and it can last forever.