Hiking and Backpacking
Archive
Trapping of bobcats, coyotes, and other fur-bearing animals is on the rise—with man’s best friend the collateral damage.
Long stretches of open road through some of the most beautiful areas of the country, peppered with wildlife sightings, adventurous detours, and good brews—it's so much more than getting from Point A to Point B.
Five wild mountain ranges. Hundreds of miles of trails. Zero crowds. That’s what awaits visitors at the country’s newest Naitonal Monument in New Mexico. Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks consists of four separate patches of the Chihuahuan Desert surrounding Las Cruces in southern New Mexico. Encompassing a half-million acres…
The Pennine Way, England’s first national trail, turns 50 this year. Even if it’s literally over the hill, the 268-mile route of rolling terrain is as popular as ever, especially this weekend. July 12 marks the annual National Trails geocache release, during which new coins…
Seriously. Abbey Road Farm Bed and Breakfast offers an idyllic farm experience (plus llamas) in the outdoorsy paradise of Carlton, Oregon.
Paul D. Paur left behind all his worldly possessions and entered the Appalachian Trail in early June. Concerns about his mental health surfaced alongside reports from fellow hikers that Paur is looking for God. What's he really doing there?
There's a new brand in town. Does its dehydrated food stack up to—or shrivel before—its rivals?
Keep your four-legged adventure companion cool in the heat this summer.
With a little help from Make-A-Wish, Yosemite’s first honorary park ranger earns his keep and proves his strength
These ground-tested strategies will help you conquer every last weekend.
The drive from Eureka, California, to Coos Bay, Oregon has dunes, salmon, and Jurassic Park-worthy greenery—but no crowds. It'll be our little secret.
There's nothing more American than hitting the open road with the windows down, the music up, and a cooler full of beer in the backseat (you know, for later). Sure, the game has changed a little—smartphones have all but rendered guidebooks and crumpled maps obsolete—but one essential question remains: where to go? Look no further. We hand-picked the ten best, most adventure-packed road trips in the country.
This Olympic Peninsula loop in Washington is a water-lover's dream—take your pick of waterfalls, rivers, beaches, and lakes. And don't forget the seafood.
Take it to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula and find some of the best fishing, paddling, and moonshine-sampling of your life.
This road trip from New Orleans to Florida featuring lazy days feasting on the freshest seafood, sandy camping, and pristine paddling.
Hit up Best Towns 2014 winner Duluth, Minnesota, then hike and bike your way to Michigan's renowned shores.
It's a lonely road from Las Cruces, New Mexico, through West Texas, but very much worth it. Just a few reasons why: surreal white sand dunes, a massive network of caves, and mountain biking trails all to yourself.
Drive the Big Island loop in Hawaii—and make time for long hiking or paddling trips, plus awe-inspiring face time with volcanoes, manta rays, and starry skies.
Five stunning national parks await beyond North America's 49th parallel. But beware: you'll face shifting ice, mercurial weather, and polar bears if you take this path less traveled.
A Southern Colorado loop where you can rough it in a yurt and throw one back in Durango.
Start in the Grand Canyon and wander up to Moab, Utah, with some moonlit camping and excellent mountain biking along the way.
The route from Jackson, Wyoming, to Glacier National Park, Montana packs in five national parks and plenty of watering holes.
From smart grills to high-tech camping toys, these gadgets are designed for dads who get after it outside.
Seven men want to share a few thousand pieces of gear with the world. And they need your help.
National parks are America's greatest recreational asset. Now an overdue movement will make them even better.
Australia's Greater Blue Mountains offer an unforgettable view just four hours from Sydney
These images, from some of Outside's favorite photographers, will make you want to pack your bags and get lost in adventure.
Dream all you want about your adventure bucket list, but isn't it better to get right out there and start ticking off boxes? Let these trips be your inspiration—or your exact blueprint.
Full disclosure: I secretly wanted to love Lululemon's men’s gear when the company sent me a box of clothes to test. I just wasn't prepared to admit it. The company has become synonymous with women's yoga gear. If you close your eyes and think Lululemon, I doubt any masculine visuals…
So you’ve promised your significant other you’ll do something romantic this weekend. Trouble is, you still haven’t planned anything. But don’t worry: there’s a way to turn a regular walk in the woods into an amorous getaway. Just grab your favorite daypack, fill it with these five items, and pay…
None of the products on this list are necessary for a good time. But hey, partying itself is about indulgence. And if you’re already indulging, why not enjoy it all the more with these six pieces of summer gear? Miir Growler ($60) Miir makes you…
Like any real estate choice, camping is all about location, location, location. Camping on a portaledge—a deployable, hanging-tent system—gives rock climbers locations worth bragging about: unimpeded views, no noisy neighbors, and everything from egress to big-wall climbs. In the U.S., there’s no better place for a suspension sleeping system than…
‘Tis the season for car camping and barbequing, which means grilled burgers, sunny days, and (hopefully) cold beer. But to keep your beverage of choice chilled, you’ll need a cooler that can withstand the heat. We reviewed four mini coolers—each 10 liters or smaller and each packed with a six-pack—to…
Go ahead. Sit back, relax, and crack open a cold one.
Ravaged by historic flooding, the European nation is struggling through crisis. But behind the destruction is a gem of a country well worth a second look.
For years, I used to test how far I could go on day trips without eating. I don’t know if it was some unexplainable machismo or just laziness, but that mindset changed about six months ago. I’d gone on a four-hour run with an empty stomach and no food in…
When 24-year-old David Sneddon disappeared hiking around western China, officials chalked it up to a drowning. Only a decade later did another scenario emerge: maybe David had been kidnapped and taken to North Korea.
It’s tough to tell how trustworthy a piece of gear is going to be when you first buy it. In fact, the only way to actually test your equipment’s longevity is to, well, test it. Thoroughly. So instead of having you, dear reader, put your gear through the ringer in…
Forget about rubbing two sticks together. Without matches, your only hope of getting a fire started in the wild is to take advantage of other tools at your disposal. Mykel Hawke—a former U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret and founder of survival school Spec Ops—recommends two easy,…
Europe has a secret. It's called Albania—a Maryland-size playground of rugged peaks, emerald seas, and ripping rivers. The only catch? It's really poor, graft is rampant, and there's little environmental regulation. Pack your bribe money for a warts-and-all jaunt through the wildest post-Communist state on earth.
Last September, a trekking company's guided trip through the wilds of Papua New Guinea was shattered when machete-wielding men attacked the native porters, killing two on the spot and injuring many more. The motive appeared to be robbery, but Carl Hoffman knew something else was at work—ancient tribal patterns of violence that, he knew, would inevitably be avenged
Yosemite National Park offers arguably the most scenic hiking in the country. The only challenge? Picking which trail to hike.
Yes, I write about gear for a living, I have access to the most sophisticated toys and tools in the outdoor world, and I’m constantly geeking out over tech details. But I’m keenly aware of the fact that the gear does not make the athlete. I was a much better…
There's a group of people who believe that in a world of extreme natural disasters, being ready for any catastrophe is more than just a precaution. It’s practical.
Lyme disease is up 21 percent in dogs, but that doesn’t mean your ultimate adventure companion has to stay in the kennel—so long as you take these precautions before hiking this summer.
The climbing season may not be closed for business just yet this season, but it may be tough to convince the mountain's most important climbers to carry on.
The volcanic remains at the heart of Aniakchak National Monument—the least visited site in the national park system—are a trippy mishmash of postapocalyptic cinder cones, hardened lava, and flame-colored walls. The only catch? Doing it right involves days of trekking and rafting through some of the planet’s toughest, most bear-heavy terrain.
With nearly 30,000 miles of well-marked and maintained trails, Switzerland is a mecca for hikers. From late June to early September, walkers can explore alpine peaks, wildflower meadows, and crystalline lakes. Although day hikes abound, it’s also possible to string inn-to-inn treks into multi-day, budget-friendly trips. Although routes are graded…
There's a rod here for everyone, from the expert angler to the one just getting his toes wet.
Our ultimate video guidebook has got you covered
Summer Buyer’s Guide tester Billy Brown currently has an office, a closet, and a garage overflowing with next year’s light hikers. The founder of Trek Tech blog and his testers have run about 120 boots through the ringer over the past year. In other words, he…
Hiking even a short section of the Appalachian Trail can seem a daunting prospect. After all, the AT is a 2,184-mile footpath is comprised of flat sections, scrambles, steep inclines, challenging descents and more. You might wonder whether you have the strength or stamina to even venture a hike. “Having…
Because not only do children adapt to wild places—faster, sometimes, than adults—they thrive in them. They need them. We all do.
The team behind Google Street View is going off-road, and they're turning to you for help
Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia have the biggest mountains among the 14 states on the Appalachian Trail. The southern portion of the Appalachian Trail. Although the promise of southern temps might draw spring break hikers to Georgia, sleet and snow are common here in March. Georgia is better hiked in…
The Appalachian Trail is one of 11 National Scenic Trails and—along with the Continental Divide and Pacific Crest trails—one of three popular, near-border-to-border treks in the U.S. The New England portion of the Appalachian Trail. Through-hikers on the AT have a roughly 2,180-mile journey in front of them. However, the…
Although it might seem that backpackers are free spirits who fly by the seat of their pants, most experienced hikers will tell you that good planning is what determines a good trip. Here’s what you need to know before tackling a long-distance hike, such as the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, or…
Kicking off the New Year at a kid-friendly adventure resort.
Sixteen-year-old Noah Graham was lying down during a late-summer camping trip when he felt jaws clamp down on the back of his head. He reached back and touched a Wolf’s face.
The Sonora Pass Café—and its chef—takes trail magic to new heights.
There are some things you just can't leave home without. We're not just talking about your smartphone—there are more important things in life, especially if you're headed outside.
Who needs muesli and mulled wine? The U.S. hut scene is gaining ground. These DIY trips put you in the best of the backcountry.
Every year, scores of Into the Wild fans tackle a dangerous river crossing to visit the last home of Alaska's most famous adventure casualty. Why are so many people willing to risk injury, and even death, to pay homage to a controversial ascetic who perished so young?
Into The Bus: An intimate tour of the Fairbanks City Transit System Bus 142, where the late Chris McCandless was discovered
Recharge dead batteries off the grid with these portable power plants
Do family vacations that are meant for learning about other cultures devolve into the wild mistreatment of historical sites? These guidelines aim to help you help them see what's so special about all things ancient.
How the federal government tried to ruin my 30th birthday (and how I didn’t let them).
April Showers or Labor Day deluge—new gear to keep you dry
Not to be vulgar, but I get gassy whenever I go somewhere above 7,000 feet. Please say it’s not just me.
One thing you shouldn’t leave behind with your foolhardy youth: the great American dirtbag road trip. Mark Jenkins explains how to do it right.