Hiking and Backpacking
Archive
Making your way over an 800-mile trail through deserts and mountains in less than 16 days is no picnic—except for those gas-station resupply stops
Our editors regale us with their favorite memories of dad outside
This short video features countless hikers on trails across 17 countries, showcasing the diversity of our planet
Guthook Guides' maps and crowdsourced information have made hiking the PCT and AT immeasurably easier. But is that a good thing?
The best way to deal with the wild winter's lingering snowpack
From the Canadian Kootenay Rockies to Southwest hot springs, we found the most scenic stretches of road for epic summer adventures
Gear hacks for a good backpacking trip when the weather goes bad
'Scotland—Be a Part of It' shows how Scotland is still a place of wildness and adventure, as long as you're willing to look
Mary Davison didn't catch the thru-hiking bug until she was 60. Since then, she's completed the Appalachian, Continental Divide, and Pacific Crest trails, and is now adding the 6,800-mile American Discovery Trail to her list.
The low-budget jaunt has an encouraging message for anyone intimidated by getting outdoors
'Thru' is an upcoming documentary about thru-hiking and why it's such a painfully enjoyable activity
A new report found that towns near plenty of outdoor recreation attract new residents and higher incomes. But this could also mean higher costs of living, affordable housing challenges, and encroachment into vulnerable landscapes.
Celebrate the national trails holiday this Saturday by volunteering at one of these events
Kris Newby dives deep to unearth a secret history of government cover-ups in the spread of Lyme disease, but her research rests on shaky ground
Despite an attack that left one hiker dead and another injured, the experience and fellowship of the trail perseveres
Five days after an ad hoc army of volunteer searchers rescued hiker Amanda Eller, the yoga teacher missing for 17 days on Maui, the same crew located missing person Noah "Kekai" Mina just 20 miles away. This time, the ending was not so happy.
Sometimes, able-bodied partners need to be sat down
Outside editor Emily Reed went to Walmart and bought a full camping kit to spend a night under the stars. Here's how it performed.
The 1,900-mile-long thru-hike winds through the southern Andes from Santiago to the climbing mecca of Mount Fitz Roy. To complete it, adventurers need a lot more than physical stamina.
The 17-year Army vet was stabbed to death when he and another hiker were attacked on a section of the Appalachian Trial last weekend. The trail had been his path to recovery from PTSD.
You can set up your own, off-the-cuff version of summer camp in one of these stellar settings
Stuff to keep you comfortable for a day (or a month) on the trail
Stuff to keep you comfortable for a day (or a month) on the trail
My first backpack trip of 2019 is this month. These are the critical and interesting items that I'm taking with me.
Nadia Iris Mercado grew up in nature but not in the traditional-summits, red-rocks, and deep-canyons kind of nature
Beyond Clothing is turning protective combat uniforms into stylish outdoor gear
Perfect (but pricey) underwear for long days on the trail
The logic behind requiring permits on Yosemite's famed Half Dome was sound: smaller crowds equals fewer accidents. In this case, the opposite is true.
The sweeping John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act could mean great things for our national trail system, but it may take a while
Don’t bring a tree tent to Antarctica, and other sound advice
Frequent fliers spend a lot of energy trying to avoid long layovers. But with these tips, the right attitude, and a bit of ingenuity, you can turn your layover into another adventure.
This new calorie calculator uses an equation developed by the U.S. military to estimate energy expenditure while hiking
Inspiring stories by badass adventurers
Make your kids love the trails as much as you do
Proper storage means you get outside faster—without forgetting anything important
How a father-son trip to Yosemite conquered my fear of hiking, bears, and falling off chairlifts
We asked hikers for advice on how to readjust to life after the trail
New to backpacking, or never been? Make your next trip (or your first) a success by answering these questions beforehand.
Don't rely on convenience stores and junk food to fuel your miles
Alpine scrambles and beachfront strolls; multi-day singletrack adventures and quick urban escapes; soaring trees and rolling sand dunes—every state in the country has something to offer intrepid hikers. So we rounded up a bucket-list-worthy, best-of-the-best guide.
Olde Virden's Red Hot pepper flakes turn even the rankest dehydrated meal into mouthwatering fare
The Garden State doesn't usually bring to mind bucolic wilderness. But if you ask people in the know, that's only because you've been looking in the wrong place.
New owners are revitalizing Shaw's, the beloved hostel on the Appalachian Trail
Looking for a vegan gorp recipe? We've got you covered. Classic gorp recipe? We've got a delicious version of that, too. These DIY trail-mix recipes will supercharge your next hike.
As outdoor-recreation tourism booms, these places have been forced to find innovative (and sometimes desperate) ways of adapting to and curbing the steady stream of tourists each season
These babies keep you warm, block wind, and shout from the depths of your closet, “Let’s go already!”
Katie Arnold, author of the new memoir Running Home, talks about the unique healing power of endurance sports
From Yosemite to the Green Mountains, these are our favorite lodge-to-lodge treks this side of the pond
How will a snowy winter affect your summertime high-country plans in the High Sierra and southern Rockies?
Ancient European pilgrimages. Coastal treks along jungle isles. Surprising Rocky Mountain summits. Checking off any of these bucket-list hikes is sure to be the experience of a lifetime.
The beloved max-cushion brand is branching out with its new Sky collection
Companies like Outdoor Voices and Nike have already signed up for the new in-app shopping platform
On July 17, 2017, thru-hiker Joe McConaughy set out to claim the fastest known time for a self-supported traverse of the Appalachian Trail
It's so good that you'll start making it at home, too
Test five items and pay only for what you keep
Spice up your on-trail diet with these creative vegan recipes
Size has something to do with it, but it is more about why the land is being preserved
A peek at Hydro Flask’s Journey Series hydration pack, Mountainsmith’s Zerk 40L Fastpack, and OluKai's Hawai’iloa boot collection
The Venture Out Project is doing more than just teaching outdoor skills. It's creating a community.
The hiking duo Her Odyssey highlight their journey from Patagonia to Colombia by nonmotorized travel
In her new memoir 'Thirst,' the celebrated thru-hiker delves into the physical and mental struggles and triumphs she experienced on the trail
Featuring that time when our Tough Love columnist got dumped because of a dream about cinnamon rolls
Retro tech meets modern looks in the new Kelty Zyp and Zyro
We know a serious sale when we see one
Watch for our tips on how to choose the right backpacking stove before you hit the trail.
Hip shape and torso length matter, and a pack that fits right will save you energy on the trail
Setting an FKT is already badass. But what these Fastest Known Time award winners pulled off on the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail is downright awe-inspiring.
When your backcountry partner was your romantic one, a breakup can totally alter your relationship to the outdoors—but don't let it
In 2018, thru-hiker Tyler Lau set out to be the first person of color to complete what’s known as the triple crown in one year
A bear's sense of smell is seven times better than a bloodhound's. Outsmart them with this food-storage bag.
Chances are they'll outlive most of your other clothing
Take our advice and don't become a statistic
