Hiking
ArchiveHere’s to a new year of adventure. Fill your 2025 calendar with day trips and thru-hikes to summit peaks, remote forests, and urban escapes with our picks for the best destinations of the year.
Our hiking columnist inadvertently deviated from the route while descending a peak. The accident prompted him to investigate the harm caused by switchback cutting.
Tina Lewis was enjoying a “trip of a lifetime” before she was detained at an airport in India. Her crime: traveling with a satellite communication device.
Our hiking columnist didn’t love the 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail, which cuts across Wisconsin. But he adored the affable people he met along the way.
It’s time to change the way you think about gloves
The best way to find your next pair of running shoes is to shop locally
Nick Fowler and Georgia Porter set FKTs on the trail by wildly different methods
Christmas is less than a week away. If you’re like me, you may have forgotten a gift for your siblings’ kids.
With winter right around the corner, it’s time to ensure your expensive gear performs like new
Think of these as telepathic weight lifting
After years of waiting for other people to care for my favorite trails, I finally bought a foldable saw and took care of it myself
If you want to up-level your running, here’s how to get a jump on the new year
Focusing on moving differently and improving overall athleticism can be a great way to play and come out of the off-season a more durable triathlete
The xTx trail will cover 1,500 miles in the Lone Star State
A hybrid between breathable midlayer and lofted insulation pieces, the Sitka Ambient 200 Jacket packs a ton of warmth into an adaptable piece you’ll never need to remove
The X-Mid trekking pole tent and other groundbreaking ultralight designs have earned Durston an unmatched fan base, with a 14,000-person Facebook group and in-jokes about stickers and sage at the center of it
The Oklahoma thru-hiker overcame nausea, sleep deprivation, and debilitating foot pain to set the fastest ever time on the 800-mile trail
What do you get for the person who won't stop buying themselves the coolest toys?
Stop running from the cold and revel in it instead
You only need three pieces of gear to prep your muscles for springtime peaks
Employees from PACT Outdoors installed WAG bags on a popular peak, and asked hikers to tell the truth about their backcountry poop habits. Here’s what they discovered.
With the latest advances in performance and sustainability, it’s time for a fresh take on this age-old question
When Linda “Nana” Vanderloop set out to thru-hike the AT, she had no idea she was on her way to becoming the oldest woman on record to complete the feat
What you need to know before you give up your weight-lifting routine
After SAR rescued two heavily-laden, inexperienced hikers from the lower 48’s highest peak, they had some strong advice to share with anyone thinking of following in their footsteps
Camp chairs have gotten small enough and light enough that it’s easy to bring one backpacking. But should you?
From visibility concerns to navigating uneven terrain, running in the dark poses real challenges—but we have solutions
Authorities have charged two Coloradans for allegedly stealing historic artifacts from Canyonlands National Park in March
More than a dozen testers moved, sweated, stretched, arm balanced, and meditated on 35 mats. These are the ones we’re still practicing on.
Sure, it’s heavy. But this setup allows me to bring the comforts of home deep into the mountains.
Can’t take it anymore? We hear you. Step up to the void and scream it out on these six trails.
Five questions with the Santa Fe–based ultrarunner about coaching high schoolers, running backyard ultras, and staying focused while out on the trail
I’ve optimized my clothing system over the years and have a few pieces that I go back to again and again
If you’re going to carry your kid on a hiking, skiing, or biking adventure, these five items will make the journey easier and more fun. I’ve tried them all.
In response to a shrinking budget, the land-management agency is suspending seasonal hiring next year. Public lands will bear the cost.
Like humans, dogs have accidents in the backcountry. So what do you do if your canine hiking companion is in distress?
Our hiking columnist tested Satisfy’s pricey Dyneema shorts. Turns out, the most expensive product isn’t always the best.
Katmai's famous Fat Bear Week contest is about to celebrate its tenth anniversary—but for the first time, its biggest star is nowhere to be found. We pay tribute to a true champion.
Our hiking columnist phoned up experts along the iconic pathway to get a sense of the destruction left by Hurricane Helene
Some of the AT’s most famous towns and their residents bore the worst of Helene’s damage. Hikers who were on trail discuss the moment that the storm hit—and locals contemplate the long recovery ahead.
Parks and trail towns along the southern reaches of the AT are devastated. Here's how hikers can help.
Don’t just chuck it in the trash. Here’s the right way to get rid of your spent bear spray.
Drop the jargon, demystify the tech. We’re bringing you nothing but the facts.
The husband of runner Camille Herron admitted to having altered the Wikipedia biographies of prominent ultrarunners. The revelation came after a Canadian journalist launched an investigation.
FKT season has arrived, and no record is safe. Here’s a peek at five of the wildest record attempts we’ve seen go down this year.
A hiker suffered severe burns after falling into a hydrothermal feature this week. The park responded with a reminder that its hot springs are its deadliest feature.
Ultrarunner Tara “Candy Mama” Dower shaved 13 hours off Karel Sabbe’s previous record for hiking the iconic route
Boston Marathon champion Des Linden believes in the performance benefits of caffeine. What does top nutritionist—and elite runner—Magda Boulet say?
For years, tensions have run high between AT thru-hikers and rangers in Baxter State Park. One hiker wonders, could moving the terminus solve the problem?
Mountain runner Michelino Sunseri appeared to have climbed the iconic peak in record time, but the arbiters of speed determined it didn’t count
At 101, Kelty is one of the oldest outdoor industry pioneers alive today
Five questions with American runner Katie Schide, who recently shattered the course record at France’s UTMB
Walking from terminus to terminus is a thru-hiker’s dream, but what about when circumstances—or a really cool side trail—lead you on a detour?
While most of the ultra-trail running crème de la crème are in Chamonix for UTMB, the 36-year-old legend is also in the Alps for a massive undertaking of his own. We sat down with him in person to unpack his relationship with the sport and himself.
Meet two artists who want you to be a maker, too
Trail running just held its Super Bowl in Chamonix, France. Here are three stories from the UTMB weekend.
Your complete guide to the UTMB races
Diversifying your footwear keeps your feet dry, comfortable, and healthy. What else could you want?
Mammoth Lakes locals and the Bishop Paiute Tribal Council were outraged and want others to learn from the tragic incident
Physical movement, breathwork, and meditation are being used as a stopgap in place of costly therapy
On a long hike, Snickers, GORP, and instant coffee can start to become as draining as the miles. Here are five—admittedly fancy—alternatives we love.
Colorado Silver Star, a family-run metalsmith in Denver, has been handcrafting each and every buckle awarded to Leadville 100 finishers for nearly 40 years
Five questions with running coach David Roche about his improbable victory and course record at the iconic ultramarathon
As part of a long struggle with alcoholism, I decided to jump-start my recovery with a serious physical challenge: hiking 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail
You all know not to pet the fluffy cows in Yellowstone, but do you know how to plan a successful visit?
Articles editor Frederick Dreier explores the societal urge to test oneself under the golden arches
Whatever your group size or experience level, these insider suggestions will help you plan the best Minnesota hiking adventure
Lace up with stable shoes for big gains on the country’s steepest and most scenic hiking ascents
Plan your next summer escape around these parks, where high latitudes and high altitudes are still keeping temps cool
Put traction into action exploring the most rugged hiking routes in the country
Choosing the right backpack can make or break your trip. Our expert helps make your choices simple.
After a jump off Yavapai Point ended in tragedy, we asked an expert to help us understand what happened
He earned an A for resourcefulness and an F for sharing
It’s the perfect time for long afternoons of reading on the porch or hiding out in the dark in front of a fan and watching a movie
Outfit for extra miles and go the distance on these top long-distance trails
Our trail columnist spent the summer hiking with novice backpackers to come up with this key advice for beginners
We’re headed to Kathmandu for two weeks of school-building, teahouse trekking, and incredible Himalayan views. Want in?
If rising temperatures have you clamoring to stay inside until fall, you can adapt your body to them and thrive on the trail
These are the symptoms to look out for and how to save your dog’s life if they start to overheat
Debris flies hundreds of feet in the air in this video recorded by a Yellowstone hiker