Long Trails

Perfect for a day hike or longer out-and-back, this 6.1-miler rolls through mid-Atlantic woodlands then descends into Harpers Ferry, the merging point of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.

On this 11.8-mile stretch, you’ll climb a seven-foot stile (arguably the AT’s tallest), cruise cow-filled fields, pass a centuries-old cemetery, and briefly trace the North Fork Holston River.

Go from flat lowlands to high ridgetops--you'll gain more than 2,000 feet--on this 17.1-miler that traverses wildflower-laced Chestnut Ridge and the rocky backbone of Garden Mountain.

Bag four summits on a weekend Northwoods traverse.

This leg runs through wild pig country, up Tray Mountain, and past the site of an old cheese factory.

This 4.3-mile hike starts at Three Ridges Overlook, then contours wooded Blue Ridge slopes to Dripping Rock—a prime spot to watch the sun drop over pastoral landscapes.

This relocated section avoids frequent stream crossings along Little Wolf Creek. Instead, you’ll cruise an old road and railroad grade, then contour the slopes of Brushy Mountain (covered in seasonal mountain laurel blooms).

A fantastic four-season trek, this 5.5-mile hike near the Appalachian Trail roams around Hogback Mountain in Shenandoah National Park.

On this burly, 200-plus-mile traverse, which crosses 33 passes and barely touches established trails, you can find Alaska-size scenery, complete solitude, and just enough risk to keep things interesting.

Catch the Jefferson National Forest in peak wildflower bloom on this 27-miler in the Virginia mountains.

On the 24-mile shuttle hike up to the Moxie Bald summit, the Maine wilderness unfolds a dizzying array of flora and fauna, and panoramic lake, valley, and peak views.

Ascend to the second highest point east of the Mississippi on this 8-mile point-to-point that begins at Newfound Gap and winds through misty coniferous forest.

This 7.9-mile out-and-back in North Cascades National Park links massive old-growth cedars, a photogenic gorge, and waterfall overlooks.

Pick a sport: fish, bird watch, or hike. Next: tour parts or all of this 5.8-mile loop for a quick getaway from the noisy Capitol City.

No time for Pacific Crest thru-hiking? This 12-miler samples a section of the Pacific Crest Trail, passing mile-high peaks and desert vistas.

Follow this cascading stream to scenic Shenandoah vistas along this 12.1-mile loop.

The AT continues its rollercoaster ride across the Blue Ridge on this 7-mile ridge-to-hollow route that passes Bears Den Rocks overlook where classic views of Shenandoah Valley are revealed.

Pass Dartmouth College, hike over Smarts Mountain, and explore thick woodlands on this multi-day, 36-mile trip. Peakbaggers: Several side trails lead to nearby summits.

This 10.6-mile out-and-back in the Cascade Range negotiates a variety of climbing routes to a crumbling volcanic summit (and a dizzying view).

Trek deep into the Smokies on this 24.3-mile weekend trip that traces the North Carolina-Tennessee state line, passing two trail shelters and forests of mossy hardwoods.

After hiking past boulder fields, this 4.7-mile loop climbs up the spine of Hawk Mountain and stops at overlooks perfect for scoping hawk migrations.

Bag one of the Smokies' most thrilling peaks on this 12.6-mile shuttle hike that takes in ridgetop views before tackling a rocky, high exposure descent.

Hop on the Appalachian Trail at its halfway point and navigate creek crossings and a steep boulder scramble to above-the-trees vistas of Michaux State Forest.

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

Bag three peaks above 4,000 feet on this classic 8.2-mile Franconia Ridge Loop in the White Mountains.

The reward on this famous, 7.5-mile hike is a sweeping ridgeline view of the Catawba Valley framed by a striking rock ledge.

This rocky climb up Cove Mountain ends with a heart-pounding scramble to the top of the Dragon's Tooth, a 35-foot quartzite and sandstone tower.

Tackle two 4,000-foot White Mountain peaks (and 4,000 feet of climbing) on this 10.1-mile out-and-back to a tree-covered ridgeline with panoramic views.

A two-day peak-bagging trek in the White Mountains, this 15.4-mile shuttle traces the spines of the Carter and Wildcat Ranges, cresting five 4,000-foot peaks.

A peakbagger's dream, this 31-mile Smokies backpack loops across forested ridgelines, offering the opportunity to tag eight 6,000-foot summits along the way.

This well-trodden route passes fishermen, cyclists, and AT thru-hikers before ascending the quiet, sun-dappled slopes of southwest Virginia's Iron Mountain.

This *3.3-mile loop behind Big Meadows Lodge drops past rocks and ridgelines to Shenandoah's 4th highest falls.

Explore an 1890's mountain farm on this 4.3-mile lasso loop that tackles a 700-foot climb to craggy boulders for expansive parkway views.

Bag four scenic peaks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Have no time to thru-hike the entire Appalachian Trail? No worries. Tackle this 40.5-mile section hike through Maryland over the course of a long weekend.

Hike 24.8 miles around the source of the Nantahala River on the Appalachian Trail and camp atop Albert Mountain for night-sky views. On night two, pitch your tent on 5,498-foot Standing Indian, a treeless bald with front-row sunset vistas.

Meander through Civil War history on this 10.5-mile section hike of the Appalachian Trail.

Multiple peaks, steep climbs, and open meadows highlight this weeklong trip in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Appalachian Trail.

Hike cross-country through Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to a pocket of dreamy lakeside camps on the John Muir Trail.

This 18.5-mile point-to-point in the eastern fringes of the park follows the Pacific Crest Trail across Cascade ridgelines to picture-perfect views of Rainier.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Find spectacular views and deep solitude on this weekend hike.

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

Jump off into the North Woods' best wilderness

A downright goofy dome marks this highpoint.

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.

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.

Follow this BACKPACKER reader's tip to get the most out of your candles on the trail.

A double lung transplant slows, but doesn't stop, Pacific Crest Trail hiker Dennis Coffey.

Everything you'd want in a long trail.

The Appalachian Trail community lost a prominent supporter, volunteer, hiker, and maintainer.

Sometimes walking "backward" is the only way to go in New Hampshire's White Mountains.

Appalachian Trail (AT) advocate Edward Garvey, 84, recently died of congestive heart failure at Arlington Hospital in Virginia.

Hike this gorgeous, mountainous section of Virginia's Appalachian Trail.

Some say Goat Rocks Wilderness has the best scenery along the 2,600-mile Pacific Crest Trail. Decide for yourself.