The Trekker's Guide to
Our Most scenic trails
Presented By
freedom to roam
To most American hikers, trekking is something that’s done overseas, in places like the Himalayas or Europe. In the States, we call it backpacking. While it’s roughly the same in practice, a certain state of mind sets trekking apart. To trek is to slow down—to thoroughly enjoy the journey, the beauty, the time spent in wild places. And you don’t have to travel halfway around the world to do it. So we teamed up with Fjällräven, the iconic Swedish gearmaker founded on the trekking mindset, to highlight 18 of this country’s most trekkable trails—from the Triple Crown thru-hikes to lesser-known gems. Now it’s up to you. Look for one that suits your schedule, skill level, and geography. Plan. Go for it. Enjoy!
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Sort Treks By Degree of Difficulty
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Traversing the most gradual, least technical terrain, these treks can generally be completed in just a few days by beginners and families alike.
easy
These treks are marked by steeper, more challenging segments and often span longer distances, requiring more time to complete.
moderate
Often traversing entire mountain chains or crossing uninterrupted stretches of wilderness, these treks demand the most planning, preparation, and physical fitness.
challenging
This circumnavigation of massive Mount Rainier is one of the true epic hikes in the national park system. You’ll pass through massive old-growth forests, climb into the high alpine zone to witness amazing wildflower shows, stare down a dozen or more glaciers, and cross the wild, foamy rivers they feed. All the while, you’ll sense the presence of the 14,411-foot behemoth—as impressive in girth as in height. You’ll behold its white-capped summit often as you undulate over its numerous ridges—total elevation gain (and loss) is more than 20,000 feet. Wonderland’s logistics are simpler than that of most thru-hikes. The trail can be accessed from any of nine trailheads, so it’s possible to break up the hike into shorter sections or to do it over the course of several seasons. Eighteen trail camps make life easier, plus you can stash caches at designated spots (accessible by car) in advance. And no small bonus: you end up where you started.
wonderland trail
washington
difficulty
distance
93 miles
time
10–14 days
1
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No two treks—or trekkers—are the same. Customize your ideal trekking kit or check out our curated arrangements below.
ESSENTIAL TREKKING GEAR
Men's
Women's
lightweight trekking kit
all-terrain trekking kit
long-haul trekking kit
accessories
headwear
layers
bottoms
outerwear
layers
headwear
bottoms
outerwear
KEB FLEECE HOODIE M
This midweight insulating layer is indispensable for treks when you’re likely to face chilly or damp weather. The wool/
polyester blend keeps you cozy, whether you wear it solo or slide it under a shell. The hood is tailored to fit nice and snug.
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From designing timeless durable products to organizing group treks around the globe, the Swedish brand’s mission is simple: to inspire the world to walk with nature
The FjÄllrÄven Way
In 1960, Åke Nordin founded Fjällräven in his basement in the Swedish town of Örnsköldsvik. Since then the brand has stayed true to its mission of developing timeless, functional, and durable outdoor equipment, acting responsibly toward people, animals, and the environment, and inspiring more people to discover outdoor life.
Every summer for the past 15 years, the Swedish outdoor brand Fjällräven has invited hikers above the Arctic Circle in Sweden for a multi-day trek among the glacier-covered peaks and sprawling tundra. Known as The Fjällräven Classic, the trek is a welcome opportunity to spend time in nature, especially for aspiring trekkers who dream of hiking and camping in the wilderness but aren’t yet ready to do it on their own.
Inspired by the Swedish tradition of allemansrätten, or “right to roam,” participants are encouraged to hike at their own pace and camp wherever they want to create unique and personal experiences outside.
Each year more than 2,000 people make the trip to Sweden. It’s so much fun that Fjällräven decided to go global, organizing Classic treks in Denmark, the U.S., Korea, Germany, China, and the United Kingdom. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of these events is how much they embody Fjällräven’s relaxed and inclusive approach to nature and the outdoors.
In today’s world, where it’s common to go fast and replace things often, Fjällräven prefers to go slowly, tread carefully, and take proper care of clothing and equipment. While its products are designed specifically for trekking and hiking, they also suit a number of other outdoor activities and different lifestyles. Wherever possible, Fjällräven uses organic, renewable, and recycled materials. Its design strategy maintains a consistent focus on function, sustainability, and durability with a vision to create products that last generations and look better with age and use. That’s because Fjällräven celebrates the entire journey. Its products are designed to help make nature more inclusive—and to inspire everyone to enjoy trekking at their own pace.
In March of this year, as the world acknowledged the global reach of the COVID-19 pandemic, the thoughtful decision was made to postpone the 2020 Fjällräven Classic USA. Below is an overview of the 2019 course, which hints at what’s to come in 2021. For more info and to tune into each of Fjällräven’s virtual Classics, visit classic.fjallraven.com.
long-haul trekking kit
all-terrain trekking kit
lightweight trekking kit
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This midweight insulating layer is indispensable for treks when you’re likely to face chilly or damp weather. The wool/
polyester blend keeps you cozy, whether you wear it solo or slide it under a shell. The hood is tailored to fit nice and snug.
KEB FLEECE HOODIE W
x
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When the terrain and weather conditions are as harsh as they are unpredictable, the Vidda Pro is the jacket to pack. It’s wind and water-resistant G-1000 Eco is durable and naturally breathable. And with a slew of buttoned and zippered chest pockets, the necessities, from snacks to maps, are always at hand.
Vidda Pro Wool Padded Jacket M
x
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Is the Keb Padded Hoodie an outer- or mid-layer? The answer is "Yes." Downlike G-Loft insulation punches above its weight, even when wet, and the jacket's four-way stretch adapts to all layering scenarios. In the unlikely event that you shed the supremely comfy Keb, it packs to almost nothing.
Keb padded hoodie W
x
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Wear this svelte, lightly padded vest on one trek and it’ll become a life companion. It’s super smart as a lightweight insulating layering piece that stuffs away to nothing. But more likely, you’ll just wear it all day, every day.
Abiskio Padded vest M
x
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A packable puffy is a requisite piece of kit for cool-weather or high-terrain treks, and the Expedition Latt Hoodie has everything you need for either. Its 100% recycled outer, inner, and fill materials provide uncompromising warmth and weather protection, and all of it stuffs neatly into an inner chest pocket.
EXPEDITION LÄTT HOODIE W
x
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If you’re trekking in foul weather, you need
a serious shell. Serious, not bulky. The waterproof Keb is stretchy, and it’s cut to follow your body’s motion. It’s both breathable and ventilated (with side zippers) so that your hard work doesn’t leave you sweatsoaked.
Keb eco shell M
x
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If you’re trekking in foul weather, you need
a serious shell. Serious, not bulky. The waterproof Keb is stretchy, and it’s cut to follow your body’s motion. It’s both breathable and ventilated (with side zippers) so that your hard work doesn’t leave you sweatsoaked.
Keb eco shell W
x
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These trousers may be lightweight but that doesn’t make them light-duty. Tough, breathable G-1000 Eco fabric (doubled up over the knees) fends off bushes and squalls alike while hip-to-knee zippered vents allow you to dial in the right amount of airflow on warmer days.
Vidda Pro ventilated trouser M
x
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Tights on the trail just feel great. Stretchy? Of course. But these aren’t generic by any stretch. The Abisko comes with side leg pockets, ventilating panels, and a reinforced butt and knees. No need for a belt, so they’re super comfortable under a pack. They’ll become your forever trail pants.
Abisko Trail Tight W
x
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They may be lightweight, but these are heavy-duty trousers perfect for trekking or travel—stretchy but strong, loads of pockets where you need them, and cut to give you flex in all the right places. Side ventilation zips let heat escape. Bonus: cuffs that hook into your hiking boots.
Abisko lite trekking trouser M
x
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They may be lightweight, but these are heavy-duty trousers perfect for trekking or travel—stretchy but strong, loads of pockets where you need them, and cut to give you flex in all the right places. Side ventilation zips let heat escape. Bonus: cuffs that hook into your hiking boots.
Abisko lite trekking trouser W
x
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Stretchy, extremely durable, and tailored for freedom of movement, these trousers will see a serious hiker through long trail miles. Huge thigh pockets are big enough to hold maps. Though durable enough for bushwhacking, they’re also amply ventilated with side zippers, so you’ll never overheat.
Keb Trouser M
x
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Stretchy, extremely durable, and tailored for freedom of movement, these trousers will see a serious hiker through long trail miles. Huge thigh pockets are big enough to hold maps. Though durable enough for bushwhacking, they’re also amply ventilated with side zippers, so you’ll never overheat.
Keb Trouser W
x
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Don’t mistake the Fjallglim’s laid-back looks for overly casual trekking performance. This versatile flannel can be worn next-to-skin or as a lightweight midlayer, its polyester weave wicking moisture and drying quickly in either instance.
Fjällglim Shirt M
x
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This thin merino wool base layer features a jersey knit, meaning it’s soft and airy, but it still insulates when the day is cool or wet. Bonus for longer treks: it’s naturally odor-resistant.
BERGTAGEN THINWOOL Long Sleeve W
x
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This thin polyester/merino wool base layer features a jersey knit, meaning it’s soft on the skin and airy, but it still insulates when the day is cool or wet.
Abisko Wool Long Sleeve M
x
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This thin polyester/merino wool base layer features a jersey knit, meaning it’s soft on the skin and airy, but it still insulates when the day is cool or wet.
Abisko Wool Long Sleeve W
x
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Fleece doesn’t mean hot and heavy. The Abisko Trail Fleece is a technical hoodie that’s perfect by itself on a chilly day or as a midlayer on a cold day. The chest and side pockets all have zippers.
Abisko Trail fleece hoodie M
x
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Fleece doesn’t mean hot and heavy. The Abisko Trail Fleece is a technical hoodie that’s perfect by itself on a chilly day or as a midlayer on a cold day. The chest and side pockets all have zippers.
Abisko Trail Fleece Hoodie W
x
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The Byron’s lightweight 100% wool construction means it’s ideal for cool days on the trail or chilly nights at camp.
Byron Hat Thin
x
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A classic trucker (in Swedish that’s långtradar) with perforated sides, sporting Fjällräven’s throwback 1960 emblem and a G-1000 Eco front, the Långtradarkeps is equal parts sun protection, style points, and bad-hair concealment.
Långtradarkeps hat
x
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Merino wool is the perfect material for a knit hat for almost any weather. It keeps you warm when it’s damp and chilly but wicks away moisture when you’re working hard.
Merino structure hat
x
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Though perfect for lightweight trekking, there’s nothing skimpy about the Keb. Its 30-liter capacity is just right for quick overnights or long day hikes. Hardwearing, G-1000 Eco fabric provides ample protection, natural breathability, and renewable weatherproofing (it’s waxable!).
Keb 30
x
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This two-person, three-season, self-supported tent is superbly ventilated for muggy-night comfort, and it’s a virtual observatory for stargazing. Of course, it all seals up nicely in foul weather. Tandem trekkers greatly appreciate having two doors, each with its own vestibule.
abisko view 2 tent
x
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The Keb 52 is big enough to carry everything you need for long stretches between resupply stops and durable enough to survive all weather and multiple thru-hikes. Its birch frame and simple adjustment system handle heavy loads with exceptional comfort.
keb 52
x
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A classic trucker (in Swedish that’s långtradar) with perforated sides, sporting Fjällräven’s throwback 1960 emblem and a G-1000 Eco front, the Långtradarkeps is equal parts sun protection, style points, and bad-hair concealment.
Långtradarkeps hat
x
learn more >
Merino wool is the perfect material for a knit hat for almost any weather. It keeps you warm when it’s damp and chilly but wicks away moisture when you’re working hard.
Merino structure hat
x
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Made from 100% traceable merino wool, this knit hat is as adaptable as it is comfortable. Its supple fibers warm when damp, dump heat when warm, and will never itch your forehead.
Classic Knit Hat
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2
The reason most PCT thru-hikers start their journey at the Mexican border in spring is simple: the trail’s desert stretches, while beautiful, are wicked hot in summer. That, and the Sierra Nevada, whose passes can be snowbound into July, need time to melt out. Timing is everything. Planning is paramount. Section hiking is perfectly acceptable. And virtually every section is awesomely gorgeous. A stellar mini thru-hike of seven to ten days starts at Elk Lake Resort in the central Oregon Cascades and ends 93 miles north at Olallie Lake. It passes through 40 miles of the majestic Three Sisters Wilderness, a rugged landscape with lush forests of Ponderosa Pine and Douglas fir, all in the shadow of the three volcanic summits known as the Sisters. Want more? It’s only another 607 miles to Canada.
Pacific Crest Trail
oregon
Camp, California, one hour east of San Diego.
start
tip
info
The Pacific Crest Trail Association runs an annual webinar in February that delves into deep detail for thru or section hikers.
pcta.org
difficulty
distance
2,650 miles
time
5 months
x
Longmire is the most accessible trailhead, 2.5 hours from Seattle or Portland.
start
tip
info
Permits are in high demand. Apply between March 15 and April 1 and hope for the best.
nps.gov/mora
3
This remote stretch of California coast is so wild and rugged that it defied the Highway 1 road builders. The fabled Coast Highway had to veer inland between Fort Bragg and Eureka, leaving a pristine Lost Coast of 80 miles, 25 of which are blissfully hikeable. As you trek south to north, the ocean puts on a show to your left, while oceanfront cliffs and the rugged King Range rise dramatically to your right. You’ll see whales, river otters, sea lions, and wild surf. Mostly it’s an experience of wave-washed solitude, with one man-made highlight along the way: the 1912 Punta Gorda Lighthouse. Elevation gain is negligible, but the terrain is no cakewalk—bring trekking poles. And a few stretches are impassible at high tide—bring a tide table. Other logistics are simple: water sources and campsites are plentiful, and local shuttle services can help you stash a car at trail’s end.
lost coast trail
california
Shelter Cove, 4.5 hours north of San Francisco.
start
tip
info
Surfside bears? You bet. Bring a bear canister.
blm.gov
difficulty
distance
25 miles
time
4 days
x
4
Thanks to a 50-mile circuit of six perfectly spaced High Sierra Camps in the Yosemite high country—each with tent cabins and a chuck wagon doling out fresh and plentiful food—you can hike this High Sierra loop without being saddled with a bulging backpack. You’re freed up to tread daypack-lightly on some of the park’s most glorious trails. Most hikers start with an overnight at (drive-to) Tuolumne Meadows Lodge (8,500 feet) to acclimate, then proceed counterclockwise on the loop. The first day’s hike traces the Tuolumne River through wildflower-strewn meadows to Glen Aulin, within earshot of the White Cascade waterfall and swimming hole. The camps are all wondrously situated, and you’ll pass through serene meadows beneath exposed granite peaks en route.
High Sierra Loop
california
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, three hours northeast of Merced.
start
tip
info
Add a couple of layover days to explore the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne from Glen Aulin Camp, and to bag Vogelsang Peak (11,444 feet) from Vogelsang Camp.
nps.gov/yose
x
difficulty
distance
50 miles
time
7 days
5
The soaring, fluted palisades of the Na Pali Coast appear inaccessibly rugged when viewed from a kayak, helicopter, or coffee- table book. For hikers, they’re merely tough, occasionally slippery (read: trekking poles), and wildly rewarding. The Kalalau Trail negotiates those hairy ramparts in 11 steep, winding, narrow miles, plunging into river valleys and to beaches and always back up again until it deposits hikers on Kalalau Beach. Your views of the Pacific are likely to be electrified by the breaching of humpback whales. A layover at Hanakoa Valley (six miles from the trailhead) allows a leisurely pace, and a side trip to Hanakapi’ai Falls, an hour up a river valley from Hanakapi’ai Beach, is more than worth the detour. Kalalau, at the trail’s terminus, is an expansive valley with a lovely beach and convenient beachside waterfall for a post-hike shower. Plan to spend the free day exploring the valley, swimming in pools, and hiking through terraces overgrown with java plums, guava, and mango trees.
Kalalau trail
hawaii
Haena State Park, about an hour north of Lihue Airport.
start
tip
info
Ocean rip currents mean you should favor river swimming over playing in the surf.
dlnr.hawaii.gov
difficulty
distance
11 miles
time
3 days
x
6
Remote, wild, and relentlessly challenging, the CDT closely follows the backbone of the continent from Mexico to Canada. In between are the desert and volcanic landscapes of New Mexico, a high point of 14,270 feet in the Colorado Rockies, the spectacular western flank of Wyoming’s Wind River Range, Old Faithful in Yellowstone, the Idaho-Montana Bitterroot Range, and the alpine glories of Glacier National Park. The CDT is at times deeply remote, but it does intersect dozens of trail towns, making segmenting and resupply feasible. A classic segment is a six-day, 65-mile Montana stretch from Benchmark to the Headquarters Pass trailhead. It leads through lush forests over high passes to campsites on alpine lakes. Highlight: views of the ten-mile-long limestone cliff known as the Chinese Wall, in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
continental divide trail
Montana
The Crazy Cook Monument near Hachita, New Mexico.
start
tip
info
The Continental Divide Trail Coalition recommends using the soft-sided, bear-resistant Ursack (ursack.com) for food storage.
continentaldividetrail.org
difficulty
distance
3,100 miles
time
5–6 months
x
7
The park’s signature backcountry hike threads along the interior spine of the Teton Range beneath the familiar craggy summits, linking high divides and passes, alpine lakes, and top-of-the-world views. Mid-July to mid-September is the usual window of opportunity. Camp anywhere in large zones within indicated sites. Once you reach Marion Lake (9,250 feet and a perfect first-night campsite), you’ll stay above 9,000 feet as you proceed north along the crest. Two miles later, at Fox Creek Pass, is the first of those sweeping views, and from there it’s nonstop alpine glory for 11 miles. At Hurricane Pass, you feel you can reach out and touch the three Tetons: South, Middle, and the 13,776-foot Grand. Savor carpets of lupine and streamsides choked with mountain bluebells as you carry on to Paintbrush Divide, named for the flowers that flourish there.
The hike ends at the Leigh Lake trailhead.
Teton crest trail
Wyoming
Granite Canyon Trail, just a mile north of Teton Village.
start
tip
info
Don’t miss the side trip into Alaska Basin, a glacially carved cirque sprinkled with lakes.
nps.gov/grte
x
difficulty
distance
37 miles
time
6 days
8
The 2019 U.S. entry in the Fjällräven Classic lineup—a stunning loop through the heart of the Colorado Rockies, connecting two of the region’s classic ski areas, Copper Mountain and Breckenridge—is classic no matter the year. This group trek is defined nearly as much by altitude as by beauty—it starts at 9,500 feet, and up you go from there as you cross the Tenmile Range and top out well above 12,000 feet. In between is spectacular mountain scenery with long views across the peaks of the Continental Divide as you traverse meadows spangled with wildflowers on the way to two communal campsites deep in the mountains. It’s a wilderness experience, but checkpoints and campsites aren’t far from civilization—meaning they’re nicely stocked with replenishing treats. After an ascent of Breckenridge’s Peak 6 (12,300 feet) on the final day, savor views of several fourteeners in the Holy Cross Wilderness as you drop back down to the relatively rich oxygen of Copper Mountain.
FjÄllrÄven Classic USA
Colorado
Copper Mountain, about 90 minutes west of Denver.
start
tip
info
Allow for a day or two at Copper to acclimate before you head into the high country.
classic.fjallraven.com
difficulty
distance
28 miles
time
3 days
x
9
Epic and challenging, the Rim-to-Rim sends you down the Grand Canyon’s North Kaibab Trail and up the Bright Angel Trail: 14.3 knee-thumping miles, dropping 6,000 feet from the North Rim to the Colorado River—and then another 9.6 miles and 4,500 steep feet of climbing to the South Rim. But that doesn’t at all describe the wonder of hiking through two billion years of geological history and multiple layers of the earth’s oldest rock. You’ll switchback and corkscrew down steep faces of the Supai Sandstone and the Redwall Limestone, every twist revealing new views of buttes, hoodoos, and red-rock temples. It’s tricky going all the way; trekking poles are virtually obligatory. Plan on two hiking days, and treat yourself to a layover day at Bright Angel Campground (you’ll need a permit) to recover amid some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet.
Grand Canyon Rim-to-rim
Arizona
North Kaibab trailhead at the canyon’s North Rim, three hours and 45 minutes north of Flagstaff.
start
tip
info
Try to score the country’s most coveted reservation—a lottery win for a night at Phantom Ranch on Bright Angel Creek at the bottom of the canyon, via grandcanyonlodges.com.
nps.gov/grca
difficulty
distance
23.9 miles
time
3 days
x
10
The Arizona Trail snakes 800 gloriously varied miles border to border from Mexico to Utah. Over the course of 43 segments, called “passages,” the AZT runs through rolling grassland and stands of saguaro cacti, ascends several of the state’s “sky island” mountain ranges, reaches the dramatic Mogollon Rim, traverses forested terrain near Flagstaff, and serves up a crux plunge into and out of the Grand Canyon. Combine passages 11 and 12 near Tucson for a 34-mile, five-to-six-day journey through the Santa Catalina Mountains, where a welcome swimming hole called Hutch’s Pool greets you midway. Farther along you’ll skirt the Mount Lemmon ski area and pass through mining country near Oracle.
Arizona Trail
Arizona
Montezuma Pass near Coronado National Memorial, about 2.5 hours southeast of Tucson.
start
tip
info
The fierce desert heat makes full-on AZT thru-hiking a rarity. Think in terms of segments, and always get the latest word on water availability.
aztrail.org
x
difficulty
distance
800 miles
time
6–8 weeks
11
As you hike the ponderosa pine forests of the Black Hills and continue across the rolling prairies that lead to the Centennial Trail’s terminus at Wind Cave National Park, you’re never far from the Mount Rushmore–bound tourist crush. But you might as well be on a different planet. That’s how beautifully designed this trail is. It starts at Bear Butte, a dramatic monolith sacred to the Northern Plains Indians, then proceeds into the deeply wooded Black Hills, passing numerous lakes and granite-schist formations. As you ply Custer State Park’s rolling grassy hills, give the bison a wide berth and enjoy the prairie-dog show. The trail’s scenic highlight is a 23.3-mile northern stretch between the Alkali Creek trailhead and Dalton Lake. Between pine stands, you’ll hike through tallgrass meadows and plunge into deep shade beneath the towering granite walls of Little Elk Creek Canyon.
centennial Trail
South Dakota
Bear Butte State Park, 40 minutes north of Rapid City.
start
tip
info
Hiking southbound puts the more challenging segments first.
blackhillstrails.org
difficulty
distance
111 miles
time
7–10 days
x
12
The 300-mile Superior Hiking Trail feels utterly remote as it plunges into dark groves of birch, aspen, and balsam, climbs ridges blanketed by maple, and emerges to look dizzyingly down onto the wild northern shores of Lake Superior 1,000 feet below. Thru-hikes are simple to supply, and section hikes are easy to fashion, given 50 trailheads near roads and towns and the availability of shuttle service (superiorshuttle.com). A stellar three-day stint starts in Silver Bay near the south end of the trail and emerges at Finland Recreation Center, 25.4 miles north. En route you’ll follow the spine of the ancient Sawtooth Mountains. Sightings of moose, bears, beavers, wolves, coyotes, or migrating hawks are possible. The trail opens onto exposed ridges that reveal sweeping views, passes by several lakes, reaches a band of cliffs called Section 13 (haunted by local rock climbers), and crosses a 400-foot boardwalk over the Hoover of beaver dams before you take out in the valley of the Baptism River.
superior hiking Trail
Minnesota
Jay Cooke State Park, 20 minutes west of Duluth.
start
tip
info
Fall is brilliant here: fewer bugs, cool days and nights, and multiple waves of color.
superiorhiking.org
difficulty
distance
300 miles
time
2–4 weeks
x
13
The IAT is not like most thru-hikes. For starters, much of it is incomplete. And it’s not really a remote wilderness experience; most of the state’s population lives within a short drive of the trail. But it’s a gorgeous plunge back in time—drumlins, eskers, kettles, and moraines harken back to the last ice age. Add in old-growth forests, rolling hills, and the odd wolf pack and you have a great hike, no matter which sections you choose to ply. The seven-mile Chippewa Moraine segment, which threads around 20 kettle lakes with campsites galore, makes for a perfect long weekend. Heading east, add the five-mile Harwood Lakes segment—camp on an isthmus between lakes—and then the 6.5-mile Firth Lake stretch, which skirts the rims of kettle lakes in deep forest.
ice age Trail
wisconsin
Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls, about an hour northeast of Minneapolis.
start
tip
info
Early summer is humid and buggy; hold off till late summer or fall if possible.
iceagetrail.org
difficulty
distance
1,200 miles
time
7–12 weeks
x
14
The Ozarks will surprise you with their rugged beauty, their dense oak and hickory forests interlaced with plentiful rivers, streams, and waterfalls—and the well-maintained, well-marked Ozark Highlands Trail. The 165-mile western section through the Boston Mountains is the original trail and still the highest and most scenic stretch. Ten trailheads allow you to break it into chunks or cache your goods for a thru-hike. The highlight segment is a 19.5-mile, three-day run through the Hurricane Creek Wilderness, replete with sandstone bluffs and swimming holes. Camping is permitted anywhere along the OHT, and the trail is rarely crowded. A newer segment continues east along the Buffalo River for 43 miles, though parts of it are still incomplete, and another eastern extension runs through Sylamore National Forest.
Ozark Highlands Trail
arkansas
Lake Fort Smith, 2.5 hours northwest of Little Rock.
start
tip
info
The trail is ideal early or late in the year when most other thru-hikes are snowed in. Summer is wet and buggy and best avoided.
ozarkhighlandstrail.com
difficulty
distance
270 miles
time
3 weeks
x
15
Florida may not have mountains, but it has astounding biodiversity, supremely showcased in the 1,500 miles of its namesake trail, which runs from Big Cypress National Preserve to Gulf Islands National Seashore in the Panhandle. In between are flatwood forests and Civil War battlefields, a long stretch of the Suwannee River, palmetto and pine flatwoods, the great Kissimmee Prairie, Lake Okeechobee, and the awesome sawgrass prairies of the south. With scads of access points, it’s easy to segment. A worthy three-day stint is the trail’s southernmost 30-mile stretch through Big Cypress’s Everglades-style ecosystem. It’s a profound experience of solitude, and a wet one—but that’s what you want. Savvy swamp trompers favor this trail in January through March, when its silty marl soil is covered in ankle- to knee-deep water. That’s when the footing is firmest; it all goes to muck in drier times. Camp on the hummocks beneath palms and pines. Marvel at the orchids and bromeliads, and listen for the cry of a panther at night.
the florida Trail
florida
Oasis Visitor Center in Big Cypress National Preserve, an hour east of Miami.
start
tip
info
Run silty swamp water through a coffee filter before pumping it through your water filter.
floridatrail.org
difficulty
distance
1,500 miles
time
3 months
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16
The AT is the ultimate thru-hike. It crosses 14 states, from northern Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, ascending some 465,000 feet along the way. That no point exceeds 6,700 feet only means you won’t face altitude sickness. Most of the topography is extremely rugged. Tired bodies are salved by awesome views and the chance to bed down in the trail’s famed shelters, scattered on average about every 8.5 miles. Section hiking is big, and one highlight is a glorious run of 77 miles through Great Smoky Mountains National Park starting at Fontana Dam: seven days of peaks, ridges, dense forests, and the highest point on the trail: Clingman’s Dome at 6,644 feet.
Appalachian trail
tennessee
Near Hiawassee, Georgia, about two hours north of Atlanta.
start
tip
info
Most thru-hikers start from the south in March or early April. The earlier the start, the less crowded the trail—but the more wintry the conditions. Upside: leafless trees mean better views.
appalachiantrail.org
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difficulty
distance
2,193 miles
time
5–7 months
17
America’s original thru-hike, Vermont’s Long Trail is a 272-mile end-to-end traverse of the Green Mountain State. It has everything that makes Vermont so beloved: green pastures, happy cows, conifer and hardwood forests, bald granite peaks, placid ponds, swift streams—and pesky blackflies, mainly in early summer. Expect tough rooty terrain and steep climbs. The trail is marked by white blazes and maintained by the Green Mountain Club, which offers excellent guides and maps. The Long Trail predates the Appalachian Trail, but the AT coincides with the Long for the first 100 miles. The Long has dozens of shelters and tenting areas, each near a water source, and conveniently spaced trail towns. The northern stretches, like the four-day, 45.3-mile segment from Appalachian Gap near Waitsfield to Smugglers’ Notch near Stowe, feel wilder and more remote.
the long Trail
Vermont
At the state line just north of Williamstown, Massachusetts.
start
tip
info
“Walk with autumn” by starting in the north as the leaves begin to turn—typically around the first day of fall—and follow the spectacle as you progress southward.
greenmountainclub.org
difficulty
distance
272 miles
time
20–30 days
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18
This aptly named trek links eight 4,000-foot-plus summits named for U.S. presidents, whose crowning glory is 6,288-foot Mount Washington. Add in two more peaks that lack chief-executive monikers and you’ve got the whole enchilada—24 miles and 9,000 feet of elevation gain. Zealots do it in a single day for bragging rights, but you can break it up by camping off-trail below tree line or bedding down in one of three Appalachian Mountain Club huts in the range. Still, there’s no getting around the steepness of the slopes, the rockiness of the trails, and the arctic weather high on the peaks. The upsides of those conditions are awesome macro views stretching 90 miles and colorful micro blooms like diapensia and Lapland rosebay.
presidential traverse
New Hampshire
The Appalachia/Valley Way Trailhead, about an hour north of Conway.
start
tip
info
Hiking north to south puts the tougher peaks first, when your legs are freshest.
outdoors.org
difficulty
distance
24 miles
time
2–3 days
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Treks
essential gear
the FjÄllrÄven way
Treks
essential gear
the FjÄllrÄven way
Even an easy trek requires serious pieces designed to perform. But these are also lightweight and stylish enough to see town duty.
Versatility is the key to this kit—serious trekking necessities that will see you through three seasons and nearly all conditions.
Whether you’re doing long treks or hiking challenging trails—or both—you want rugged gear that will serve you well in any weather.
long-haul trekking kit
all-terrain trekking kit
lightweight trekking kit
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Appalachian trail
the florida trail
the long trail
presidential Traverse
East
presidential Traverse
the long trail
Appalachian trail
the florida trail
East
presidential Traverse
the long trail
Appalachian trail
the florida trail
East
presidential Traverse
the long trail
Appalachian trail
the florida trail
East
Ozark Highlands Trail
Ice Age Trail
Superior hiking trail
Centennial Trail
midwest
Ozark Highlands Trail
Ice Age Trail
Superior hiking trail
Centennial Trail
midwest
Ozark Highlands Trail
Ice Age Trail
Superior Hiking trail
Centennial Trail
midwest
Ozark Highlands Trail
Ice Age Trail
Superior hiking trail
Centennial Trail
midwest
Arizona trail
Grand canyon Rim-to-rim
southwest
Arizona trail
Grand canyon Rim-to-rim
southwest
Fjällräven classic usa
Teton Crest Trail
Continental Divide Trail
Rockies
Fjällräven classic usa
Teton Crest Trail
Continental Divide Trail
Rockies
Fjällräven classic usa
Teton Crest Trail
Continental Divide Trail
Rockies
High Sierra Loop
Lost Coast Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
Wonderland Trail
West
Kalalau Trail
Kalalau Trail
High Sierra Loop
Lost Coast Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
Wonderland Trail
West
Kalalau Trail
High Sierra Loop
Lost Coast Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
Wonderland Trail
West
Kalalau Trail
High Sierra Loop
Lost Coast Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
Wonderland Trail
West
Kalalau Trail
High Sierra Loop
Lost Coast Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
Wonderland Trail
West
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Men's or Women's
Every summer for the past 15 years, the Swedish outdoor brand Fjällräven has invited hikers above the Arctic Circle in Sweden for a multi-day trek among the glacier-covered peaks and sprawling tundra. Known as The Fjällräven Classic, the trek is a welcome opportunity to spend time in nature, especially for aspiring trekkers who dream of hiking and camping in the wilderness but aren’t yet ready to do it on their own.
Inspired by the Swedish tradition of allemansrätten, or “right to roam,” participants are encouraged to hike at their own pace and camp wherever they want to create unique and personal experiences outside.
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long-haul trekking kit
all-terrain trekking kit
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Men's or Women's
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