Inspiration

10 Awesome Winter Day Hikes

10 Awesome Winter Day Hikes

When winter arrives, it doesn't have to mean hiking season's over. Snow and ice can transform trails into new adventures with different kinds of dramatic scenery. Bare tree branches reveal...

Dec 20, 2023 : Diane Duffard
Excerpt From “My Girl Vaida”: Part Hiking Adventure, Part Puppy Love Story

Excerpt From “My Girl Vaida”: Part Hiking Adventure, Part Puppy Love Story

My Girl Vaida, written by Caitlin Quinn, is the story of Caitlin and her dog Vaida, the bright-eyed lab mix puppy she adopts and takes along on her adventures. Moving...

Dec 18, 2023 : Kendra Slagter
Stunning Documentary Sequel “Why Do I Hike 2” Shows the True Hardships of Thru-Hiking

Stunning Documentary Sequel “Why Do I Hike 2” Shows the True Hardships of Thru-Hiking

"Why Do I Hike 2: Hardships of a Thru-Hike" is a 1.5-hour documentary by Croatian filmmaker and thru-hiker, Nikola Horvat, aka "Tesla" about his 2022 CDT thru-hike attempt. It is...

Dec 14, 2023 : Penina Crocker
Learning From a Successfully Failed Thru-Hike of the PCT

Learning From a Successfully Failed Thru-Hike of the PCT

In 2019, I almost thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. My intention was to hike the entire PCT, Northbound, in a single season. Five years in the making, it was cut...

Dec 13, 2023 : Fire Breather
How Fast is too Fast? 6 Lessons from a Sub-80 Day Thru-Hike

How Fast is too Fast? 6 Lessons from a Sub-80 Day Thru-Hike

I summited Mount Katahdin on September 4, 2023, and started heading south. On November 21, 78 days and ~2200 miles later, I reached Springer Mountain in Georgia. I think in...

Dec 8, 2023 : Isabel Koran
Excerpt From “Nomadic Notebook — Norway”: Boots, Backpacks, and a New Life

Excerpt From “Nomadic Notebook — Norway”: Boots, Backpacks, and a New Life

This story is an excerpt from Dan’s recent book, The Nomadic Notebook – Norway, and a deeper dive into a previous story he shared with The Trek – Engineer to...

Dec 6, 2023 : Dan Purdy
10 Awesome Snow-Free Winter Thru-Hikes

10 Awesome Snow-Free Winter Thru-Hikes

Snow really isn't my thing. Does it turn trails into absolutely breathtaking wonderlands? Definitely. Do I enjoy hiking through it? Nope. If you're like me and love cold-weather hiking without...

Dec 5, 2023 : Diane Duffard
7 Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite and Most Challenging Sections

7 Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite and Most Challenging Sections

As the 2023 thru-hiking season draws to a close, we’ve asked our Pacific Crest Trail finishers to share their thoughts on which parts of the trail were their favorites and...

Dec 4, 2023 : Diane Duffard
Trail Profile: Te Araroa, Your Guide to the Best Way of Experiencing New Zealand

Trail Profile: Te Araroa, Your Guide to the Best Way of Experiencing New Zealand

Considering a hike on New Zealand's long trail? This trail guide for Te Araroa will get you started on the right foot.

Nov 30, 2023 : Matthew Kok
8 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite and Most Challenging Sections

8 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite and Most Challenging Sections

As the 2023 thru-hiking season draws to a close, we’ve asked our Appalachian Trail finishers to share their thoughts on which parts of the trail were their favorites and which...

Nov 27, 2023 : Diane Duffard