The Appalachian Trail Shelter Where Thru-Hikers Confess Their Sins
On top of a mountain in Virginia along the Appalachian Trail, a shelter logbook contains some of hikers' deepest, darkest secrets.
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Deal of the Week: Grab This Light-and-Fast Vest Pack for 75% Off
With a stable, body-hugging design and enough room for your water, snacks, and layers, the Ultimate Direction Adventure Vest 5.0 is an ideal pack for trail runners and fast-moving hikers alike.
9 Epic Guided Hikes You Can Book This Year
Solitude is nice, but let's face it: Often the best part of a long trail is the company. Meet a new group of hiking pals and explore your new favorite landscapes on these guided hikes.
Sponsored Content
First Look: deuter Speed Lite Pro Series
When it comes to fast and light hiking, deuter’s Speed Lite Pro series leads the pack—again
Thru-Hiking Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail is a Step Back in Time
A Triple Crowner discovers how this little-known trail turns the hiking world on its head.
This Group Is Charting the National Park Firings, One Job at a Time
A nonprofit is tallying up how many NPS employees have been let go from each park. A key asset has been social media posts from terminated employees.
Deal of the Week: This Lighter, Cheaper Jetboil Is on Sale Now for $75
The Jetboil Zip is a stripped-down cousin to the company's larger models.
Conquer Fear with These Training Plans for Exposure, River Crossings, and More
Here’s how to train your muscles and your mental game for some of backpacking’s biggest cruxes.
Build Core Strength and Balance With This Beginner Pilates Routine for Hikers
Prevent injuries and move more efficiently on the trail with this simple, hiker-friendly Pilates sequence.
New Data Uncover the Top Reasons Hikers Called for Rescue in 2024
The Spotify Wrapped of backcountry survival is here.
A Rare Ailment Is Sending Thru-Hikers to the Hospital
With less than 30,000 cases a year in the U.S., rhabdomyolysis is not a common ailment—but for some boundary-pushing hikers, it can be life-threatening.
Wildlife
The Cocaine Bear Trailer Is Wild. The Real Story Is Weirder and Sadder.
Cocaine Bear's first trailer shows a bloodthirsty, intoxicated bruin rampaging through the forest. But how much of the based-on-a-true-story movie is real?
Fitness
The Best Hiking Workouts for Every Fitness Level
Reality check: Hitting the gym is the quickest way to hike farther, easier, faster, and pain-free. Get into a routine—or take yours to the next level—with these smart workouts for three different levels.
The Best Hikes
The Best Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park
Full of rock scrambles, cactus clusters, and desert views for days, Joshua Tree National Park is the southwest at its finest.
Backpacking Skills
Why You Should Use Trekking Poles
Ending too many hikes with sore, wobbly legs? Trekking poles can help you make it that extra mile.
Gear Round-Ups
The 8 Best Backpacking Tents for Three-Season Adventures for 2024
We tested 12 tents in the wild this year. These were our favorites.
Trail Guides
The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Zion Narrows
The Narrows at Zion National Park offers an incredible adventure in America's most amazing slot canyons. Here's how to safely explore them.
Survival Skills
How to Remove and Treat Thorns, Splinters, and Other Prick Wounds
Nature can be brutal. Learn how to to deal with wounds from all kinds of thorns, spines, splinters, shards, quills, needles, and anything else that might get under your skin when you’re on the trail.
Classic Destinations
Hike Mauna Kea: The Expert Guide to Hiking Hawaii’s Highest Point
Ready to hike to the highest point in Hawaii? Ascend Mauna Kea's volcanic slopes to a summit high above the clouds. This challenging day hike is among the most spectacular on the planet.
Backpacking Gear
10 Backpacking Gear Tips We Learned the Hard Way
Get the most out of your backpacking equipment with this sage advice.
Long Trails
100 Years Ago, the Appalachian Trail Was One Man’s Dream. Now, It’s Everyone’s.
Benton MacKaye's original proposal for the Appalachian Trail came out 100 years ago. While the trail may have changed, the appeal hasn't.
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Out Alive
Real people who survived the unsurvivable
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Impossible Odds
Two friends, 8,000 trail miles, one year
Featured Story
The Best Places to Hike in 2023
This is the year to dream big. With the world's last destinations finally reopening to visitors, now's the time to plan a life-list hike that you'll never forget. Even better: Backpacker's done the work for you.
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