Sometimes throwing in the towel is the best thing you can do for yourself, but don’t give up in the heat of the moment

At 101, Kelty is one of the oldest outdoor industry pioneers alive today

From a two-mile stroll in North Carolina to a 2,600-mile trek along the Pacific Crest, these hikes have had the most profound impact on our trails columnist—and will change your perspective on the country.

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?

In most of the world, the crowds of summer have thinned, the temperatures are perfect, and prices are dropping. What are you waiting for?

Diversifying your footwear keeps your feet dry, comfortable, and healthy. What else could you want?

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.

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?

Choosing the right backpack can make or break your trip. Our expert helps make your choices simple.

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?

A former backcountry caretaker with the Green Mountain Club breaks down her favorite regimen for keeping her skin clear in the wilderness

Our writer dove into the inner workings of the Backpacker’s Pantry factory to learn the tricks of the trade

Descending a trail strains your muscles and ligaments. Our hiking columnist asked a physical therapist how to avoid aches and pains on your next downhill adventure.

Most of us don’t have time to leave work and life behind for months of trekking. These backpacking trails will give you a glimpse into thru-hiking life, alongside some of the most stunning scenery in the nation.

Apple’s new iOS 18 update allows its products to work off-grid. But are phones a suitable replacement for purpose-built backcountry communication tools?

Five questions with Shilletha “Dragonsky” Curtis, whose memoir ‘Pack Light: A Journey to Find Myself’ explores her transformative hike on the Appalachian Trail

According to the actor, everything can be solved with one more useful piece of outdoor equipment

Looking to try this 211-mile route through the Sierra Nevada? The FKT holder on the JMT provides key advice on landing a coveted permit, picking the best resupply points, the most beautiful campsites, and essential gear.

A great trail is eternal. See if you can pick out some of America’s best hikes in these photos from the National Park Service’s archives.

In ‘A Walk in the Park,’ Kevin Fedarko’s new book about his quest to hike the big ditch from end to end, inadequate fitness and bad gear choices nearly led to disaster right from the start

The bills would have instructed the state to seek reimbursement when hikers needed rescue from a closed trail, but they faced opposition from emergency personnel

Starting this fall, backpackers will have to pay a new fee to hike the popular Lost Coast Trail. For some, it will triple the cost.

There are lots of theories about how to avoid altitude sickness. But in practice, acclimatization isn’t so straightforward.

As her dad, I want to give her the space and privacy she needs, without making her feel like she should be embarrassed

She’s mad at me because I took a wrong turn and she’s terrified of lightning. But I think she owes me an apology, too. 

I could barely walk, a condition doctors told me would likely deteriorate further. That prompted me to plan an adventure of a lifetime.

Arbitrary goals are nonsensical. They also can be the source of great joy.

From miles of trails to acres of public land, the explorable and beautiful terrain in these states stand out above the rest.

At Outside Inc., we've got experts in all kinds of travel, from adventure to backpacking to cycling to yoga and then some. We asked all our best editors and writers at every brand to reveal where they want to go in the world in 2024. You'll find endless inspiration in their stories—and the travel bucket list of a lifetime.

The Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide trails pass through a combined 22 states. Our hiking columnist categorizes them from hardest to easiest.

Everybody does it. But pooping in the wrong place could make a mess of someone else’s hike. An expert shares how to make the best of a crappy situation on the trail.

What’s an acceptable baseline of fitness? According to the most adventurous American president in U.S. history, it was an ultra endurance trek.

Learning how to talk about problems you’re having on the trail—and how to listen—can be the difference between a frustrating, demoralizing hike and a fun, fulfilling one. What can psychology teach us?

The Alaska ferry system is creaky and unpredictable. But it may be the best way to reach the wildest trailheads and abandoned shorelines in America.

Neighbors Jeff Hashimoto and Langton Ernest-Beck dreamed up a crazy summertime challenge: climb Washington’s 100 highest mountains, and link the peaks by bike

From the most beautiful hikes in the world to advice on tipping, these are our most-read articles of the year

The 26th president once demanded that military personnel be able to walk 50 miles in 20 hours. I set off on an ill-fated mission to see if I could do it myself.

A hiker rescued in California last week is the latest to find themselves pinned under a big rock. But they’re far from the first—or the unluckiest—to have a bad encounter with a boulder.

Bikes, skis, and tents can be a costly commitment. With that in mind, brands like Evo, Fjällräven, and L.L.Bean have designed outdoor trips where you can demo top-end equipment for days or weeks at a time.

When it comes to packing for a winter camping trip, separating good advice from falsehoods can be difficult

Knowing how to keep warm could help save your life if things go wrong on a winter hike

Hitting the trail with someone may be the best way to get to know them. But what if “someone” is your new hubby?

These are some of our favorite gear brands led by badass women in the industry

Search and rescue officials are urging adventurers to carry appropriate gear after an unprepared hiker nearly died on one of the state’s high mountains

Itacate’s dehydrated meals fill the backpacking void with chilaquiles, Caldo Tlalpeño, and sopa de lentejas

Meet nine cats that hike, camp, kayak, ski, and even rock climb—and love exploring the wild outdoors as much as their humans

Doyle set a speed record on the AT 50 years ago, long before YouTubers and partying twentysomethings had flooded the iconic trail. Through his Appalachian Trail Institute, which he's run since 1989, he’s still trying to convert a new generation of thru-hikers to his personal philosophy of what the trail should be.

A video of daddy longlegs clustering on a backpacker’s had arachnophobic hikers vowing to stay away. But look a little closer, and you might just gain a new appreciation for the Alaskan wilderness.

After three years of testing, Rocky Mountain National Park may make its reservation system permanent—and other parks aren’t far behind

And Alfredo Aliaga is already planning his return to come back and do it again next year

The weather's getting colder, and that means your packing and planning strategies have to change. Steer clear of these backpacking mistakes for a smoother transition to fall.

For most AT thru-hikers, Katahdin is the finish line. For Will French, it was the halfway point on a 25-year, 4,320-mile journey along the prehistoric spine of the Appalachians.

The Southern Sierra’s record snowpack may have contributed to a deadly accident on 14,505-foot Mount Whitney this month.

The rise of social media has created a new breed of influencers who tackle the world's longest trails with their audiences in tow. But success isn't guaranteed on a thru-hike—and bailing with thousands of eyes on you is more complicated than it looks.

An outbreak of norovirus on the Pacific Crest Trail proves that hikers’ hygiene routines need an upgrade

How a new pair of Limmers taught me a few things about life, death, and the trails we hike in between

On a winter thru-hike of the Ozark Highlands Trail, Jeff Garmire contended with snowstorms, swam a river, and bushwhacked paths overgrown with bramble—and discovered the rugged heart of one of America’s lesser-known long trails

A bizarre rescue in Michigan has eerie similarities to a 2022 incident in Washington State

Think all cheese delivery services taste the same? Not a chance.

This little burg hits the sweet spot where high adventure meets a low cost of living

Nothing says “for better or for worse” like forcing your wedding guests to trek 60 miles to a ceremony deep in the jungle

These weeklong backpacking trips are the perfect length to squeeze into a vacation

Late season snow damaged trails and delayed start to the season, pushing hikers into hotter summer conditions

These great towns are in the middle of glorious mountains with spectacular leaf-peeping, mega views, and fun things to do...and eat...and drink

Storms dumped rainfall across Utah. One hiker died and another required rescue.

From where the Donner Party was stranded in California's High Sierra to the remnants of the great Chacoan civilization in New Mexico, you can relive history on these incredible trails

Making your own camp stove out of a cat food or soda can used to be a rite of passage for backpackers. But with canister stoves getting lighter and cheaper—and fire bans getting more and more common—one Backpacker editor argues their time has come. (Plus: Another editor dissents.)

Why even bag it if you’re not going to carry it out?

These short-but-sweet hikes are the perfect microadventure for busy people. Here’s how to tackle them.

Our national forests are brilliant, underappreciated, and uncrowded compared to most national parks. Here’s the intel on where to hike in these stunning landscapes.

America’s most classic hiking route is generally a safe place for an adventure. But not always.

We found a novel treatment that actually removes the itch

Call him crazy, but our hiking columnist loves climbing hills. A fifth of the way into the epic Continental Divide Trail, he’s got some ways to improve your form, function, and mental performance on the ascents.

I’m an experienced solo backpacker, but she’s a marathoner and a natural athlete

At these Labor Day Outdoor fests, for three sweet days, you can be outside, hike, hear live music, swim, boat, and run. Plus: there's food and beer.

Backpacker editor Zoe Gates sets off to discover if chatbots are the solution to our trip-planning woes

When a court struck down the public’s right to wild camp in Dartmoor National Park in January, hikers lost the only place in England where they could dispersed camp without getting the owner’s permission first. Now, an appeals court has given it back to them.

Three years ago, Danae and Olen Netteburg set out with their four kids on the Appalachian Trail. Three years (and one more baby) later, they’re about to complete the Triple Crown. All of them.