Once-In-a-Lifetime Backpacking Trips

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is massive (the largest on this list), crossing five states as it winds from Canada to New Mexico. “I’ve done a couple hundred miles of it, and it’s unmatched in its sense of wilderness, at least in the continental U.S.,” says Davis. “There’s no other trail as long that feels as wild.”

Besides dealing with longer time in between resupply points due to the trails’ remoteness, thru-hikers cite navigation as their biggest challenge. “We call it the ‘choose your own adventure trail’ because there’s multiple trail options in a lot of parts,” says Whitney LaRuffa, President of the American Long Distance Hiking Association West, and the founder of Allgood’s K9 Adventures. “No one really ever walks the same route.”

Miles: 3,100

Time to Complete: 6-8 months

Terrain: Primarily mountain terrain (including the Continental Divide), along with some rangeland in Wyoming and desert in New Mexico.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: St. Mary Falls Trailhead to Many Glacier via Piegan Pass (15.6 miles one-way) is a picture-perfect stretch of the Continental Divide trail that passes one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Glacier National Park. Catch the park shuttle at the St. Mary Visitor Center to the trailhead, and then return to the St. Mary Visitor Center on the paid shuttle from Many Glacier.

Tahoe Rim Trail

Tucked among the northern Sierra Nevada and Carson mountain ranges, the Tahoe Rim Trail roughly circles Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America. The mountain vistas, dense fir and hemlock forests, granite rock outcroppings, and views of the waters of Lake Tahoe offer stellar scenery, while the access to numerous off-season ski towns make this trip a complete package.

“The best description of this trail comes from my friend Chris, who calls it the Nieman Marcus of long distance trails,” says LaRuffa. “It’s very well maintained and marked, and because it’s designed for multi-purpose use, the terrain is somewhat forgiving in the way that it’s graded. And you can hitch a ride to town everyday if you want a hot meal.” 

Miles: 165

Time to Complete: 2 weeks

Terrain: Elevation ranges from 6,240 to 10,335 feet, but the 30,000 feet of elevation gain and loss is in more manageable doses than most of the other high elevation trails.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Relay Peak from Tahoe Meadows (9.25 miles round-trip). This route is packed with alpine mountain views and leads to the Tahoe Rim Trail highpoint at 10,335 feet.

Bartram Trail

The Bartram Trail winds from the mountains of north Georgia into North Carolina, ending on the summit of Cheoah Bald. While the footpath doesn’t get Rocky Mountain high, the mountainous terrain includes segments along the Eastern Continental Divide, the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and a trail highpoint on Wayah Bald at 5,385 feet.

“The Bartram Trail is a really good sampler of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains,” says Davis. “You get some great views and some good climbs, plus it’s not that well traveled so it makes you feel like a naturalist or explorer.”

Miles: 100

Time to Complete: 7-10 days

Terrain: More challenging than the terrain typically found in Georgia and North Carolina, and sections can get overgrown (wear long pants).

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Nantahala Gorge to Cheoah Bald (6.6 miles one-way), the final segment of the Bartam Trail climbing to Cheoah Bald, is otherwise known as the “grandstand of the Appalachians” for its views.

Wonderland Trail

A notoriously tough trail encircling Mount Rainier, the Wonderland Trail challenges even the most experienced thru-hikers with its dramatic terrain up and over multiple mountain ridges. For those not interested in conquering Rainier as a mountaineer, it’s the next best thing. “I can’t think of a better way to experience a National Park,” says LaRuffa. “This is a wonderful trail with Appalachian Trail ups and downs and Pacific Crest Trail views.” Nearly 20 trailside campsites spaced about five miles apart provide convenient stopping points. 

Miles: 93

Time to Complete: 10-14 days

Terrain: Ranges from lowland forest to valley to alpine. Steep climbs and descents make pack weight a priority.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Spray Park (7.5 miles round-trip), a trail through wildflower meadows, tops out at 6,400 feet and has some of the best views on the trail.

Foothills Trail

The Foothills Trail follows the Blue Ridge Mountains escarpment, where the mountains meet the valley, through North and South Carolina. Wildlife is abundant, and it’s not uncommon to spot a black bear or a bobcat. But what really sets the Foothills Trail apart is its abundant waterfalls, including one of the highest east of the Mississippi.

“It’s just so beautiful,” says Davis. “Its water features are something you don’t usually experience so frequently on a trail in the southern Appalachians. The Foothill Trail has a long season, too, with hiking 10 to 12 months out of the year.

Miles: 77

Time to Complete: 5-10 days

Terrain: Except for the Sassafras Mountain (the highest peak in South Carolina) sections, this is an easy-to-moderate hike.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Bad Creek Access to Upper Whitewater Falls (5 miles round-trip) is an idyllic path in the Blue Ridge Mountains following the Whitewater River; includes a spur trail to Lower Whitewater Falls.

Grand Sawtooths Loop

The Grand Sawtooths Loop is the premier hiking trail through the jagged Sawtooth Range — known for its abundant 10,000-foot peaks (more than 50) and glacier-spawned lakes (more than 100). With the exception of the area around Sawtooth Lake, the trail sees few hikers, making it a solid choice for those seeking solitude.

“This is one of my hiking partner’s favorites,” says Whitney LaRuffa, President of the American Long Distance Hiking Association West. “It’s stunningly beautiful with a lot of high alpine areas, and it’s more remote than the other loop hikes.” She was on the trail for a week last August and saw just one other hiker.

Visitors can camp anywhere in the Sawtooth Wilderness with a permit.

Miles: 63

Time to Complete: 5-9 days

Terrain: Moderate

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Sawtooth Lake (10 miles out-and-back), starts at the Iron Creek Trailhead and follows a stream-side trail through dense forest before breaking out into a mountain-view meadow and then switch-backing up to Alpine Lake, followed by Sawtooth Lake. This is also a good one to break up with an overnight on the shores of tranquil Sawtooth Lake. 

Loyalsock Trail

A footpath in north central Pennsylvania, the Loyalsock Trail has everything you would ever want from a historic trial in Appalachia: Forested trails, old logging roads, abandoned railroad grades, waterfalls, and mineral springs. Elevation ranges from 665 to 2,140, making this one of the more low-key end-to-end trails, but still offering a number of climbs to gorgeous vistas. Dogs are permitted on the Loyalstock Trail, but keep an eye out for porcupines (and rattlesnakes).

Miles: 59

Time to Complete: 4-5 days

Terrain: Gentle, easy-to-follow trails.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: High Knob Vista to Loyalsock Canyon Vista (13.3 one-way, with point-to-point parking). This forested segment following old logging roads through a region known as the “Endless Mountains” for its many vistas that showcase the convergence of seven different mountain ranges.

West Coast Trail

The West Coast Trail is part of Pacific Rim National Park, and one of Canada’s most famous backpacking trails for its history (it was built in 1909 as a rescue route for survivors of shipwrecks), beauty, and challenging terrain through old growth forests, bogs, and beaches. The route starts at the village of Bamfield, passing through the traditional territory of the Ditidaht, Pacheddaht, and Huu-ay-aht peoples before terminating at Port Renfrew on Port San Juan Bay. Black bears, wolves, cougars, and heavy fog are all in play on the trail. “This is one of the most beautiful and challenging trails you can hike at that length,” says LaRuffa. “There’s a lot of timing it with tides, and negotiating man-made features like big metal ladders and cable car suspensions.”

Miles: 47

Time to Complete: 5-7 days

Terrain: Rugged and difficult, from rocky shorelines to stream crossings that require wading.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Pachena Bay Trailhead. There are only two ways to access the West Coast Trail, and that’s from either end (you can’t just jump into a segment midway through). The northern terminus near Bamfiled, at the Pachena Bay Trailhead offers slightly easier terrain. Start there for an out-and-back day hike.

Art Loeb Trail

The Art Loeb Trail follows mostly ridgelines on its vertiginous route through the Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina, traversing three mountain peaks over 5,000 feet in elevation. Thanks to its proximity to Asheville, and access to Cold Mountain — made famous by Charles Frazier’s novel and subsequent film — the trail sees a good amount of hikers. But its popularity is well deserved: The unique geology here is more akin with what you see out West, and it’s hard to top the panoramic views from the Appalachian balds.

“These are 30 of the most scenic miles in Western North Carolina,” says Davis. “The trail goes from slopes of Cold Mountain over a gorgeous, exposed ridgeline with 360-views and then descends down to the Davidson River — which has great fishing if you want to fly fish when you’re done.”

Miles: 30

Time to Complete: 3-4 days

Terrain: Moderately difficult due to elevation changes.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Black Balsam to Shining Rock (9-mile loop), a local favorite for hikers and trail runners, follows a ridgeline that serves up panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains and the Shining Rock Wilderness.

John Muir Trail

The John Muir Trail stretches from Yosemite National Park through the Ansel Adams Wilderness, Sequoia National Park, and King’s Canyon National Park, before ending at 14,496 feet atop Mount Whitney — the highest peak in the Lower 48. The majority of this trail through the High Sierra backcountry lies above 8,000 feet, making for spectacular views throughout. “This is the crown jewel of them all,” says LaRuffa. “It’s one of the top trails to hike in the U.S. due to the resounding beauty of the Sierras and the sweeping granite. For people looking for the experience of a long distance hike, this is the one to start off with.”

Jennifer Pharr Davis agrees. “If you’re only going to do one end-to-end trail ever, do this one.” Permits for the JMT can take a few years, so apply early.

Miles: 215

Time to Complete: 2-3 weeks

Terrain: Rugged, high-elevation trail that crosses six mountain passes for a total elevation loss and gain of 84,000 feet.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Agnew Meadows Trailhead to Ediza Lake (12 miles round-trip). This spectacular hike in Ansel Adams Wilderness hits two lakes, multiple river crossings, views of Shadow Creek Falls, and ample mountain vistas.

The Long Trail

The great grandfather of all long distance trails, the Long Trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains through Vermont, from the Massachusetts state line to the Canadian border. The route served as the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail (and, as America’s first long-distance hiking trail, it predates it), and coincides with it for 100 miles in southern Vermont. Nearly 70 primitive shelters and tent sites spaced a day’s walk apart provide convenient overnights. Dogs are welcome on the trail.

“The Long Trail is like a tale of two trails,” says La Ruffa. “The southern half is in the Green Mountains, which are nice and rolling. The northern half is very rugged — 1 mile-per-hour kind of terrain. It’s steep, and mostly granite which gets really slippery, especially during wet weather.”

Miles: 273

Time to Complete: 3-4 weeks

Terrain: Well-maintained hardwood forest paths that are strenuous in the north, and can get seriously muddy.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Shelburne Pass to Pico Peak (6 miles round-trip). This incredibly scenic (and steep) hike climbs through the Green Mountains to a 3,957-foot peak.

Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail‘s most recent fame may have been for its leading role in Wild, where novice hiker Cheryl (played by Reese Witherspoon) cuts her teeth on the route, but this is no route for novices. The trail travels through California, Oregon, and Washington before reaching the Canadian border and is known for its varied landscape and elevation — mountains, deserts, and colorful foliage and plants. “As one of my friends likes to say, this trail is just golden the whole way,” says LaRuffa. Along with its natural good looks, the Pacific Crest also showcases the full range of West Coast landscape diversity, from the Californian desert to the snowy peaks of the Cascade Mountains. “This trail really keeps you entertained with the way it changes so dramatically,” says Davis.

Miles: 2,650

Time to Complete: 6 months

Terrain: Challenging. Expect a little bit of everything from mountains to glacial valleys to desert; elevation ranges from sea level to 13,000+ feet.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Timberline Lodge to Paradise Park (12 miles round trip) is a classic mountain trek in Oregon with Mount Hood vistas.

Appalachian Trail

The granddaddy of all long distance trails, the Appalachian Trail traverses 14 states on its route from Georgia to Maine through the Appalachian Mountains. More than 260 shelters dot the trail, along with campsites, each spaced about a day’s walk apart. While the majority of the trail is through forest and wildlands (including some sections above the tree line), there are also many segments that cross roads, farms, and towns, making for convenient resupply.

Westerners, especially, are often surprised at how challenging the terrain can be. “The AT was designed for hikers only,” says LaRuffa. “The other national scenic trails out West were designed for equestrians too, so they don’t go above a 10 percent grade and use a lot of switchbacks. This is straight up, and straight down.”

With this in mind, the AT speed record holder, Jennifer Pharr Davis has advice on making it to the end: “You have to be stubborn, and yet highly adaptable. It’s this balance of not giving up, not wanting to quit, not going home, and being able to handle the unexpected challenges that try to force you off the trail, like your boot that’s killing you, or a wildfire in the way.”

Miles: 2,185

Time to Complete: 5-7 months

Terrain: Strenuous with a lot of abrupt ups and downs without switchbacks. 

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: McAfee Knob (7.2 miles round-trip) is a forested trail in Virginia that leads to the most photographed overlook on the Appalachian Trail.

Florida National Scenic Trail

Starting at the southern tip of Florida just outside Miami, the Florida Trail traces 1,000 miles from Big Cypress National Preserve to the panhandle. Hikers cover a variety of habitats and ecosystems on the Florida Trail including cypress swamps and grass wetlands (home to endangered birds, alligators, and the elusive Florida panther) in south Florida; expansive horizon-to-horizon prairies that support the massive cattle ranches in central Florida; hardwood forests that conceal numerous crystal-clear freshwater springs in north Florida; and the white sand beaches at the Florida Trail’s northern terminus in the panhandle.

“This is one North American trail you know you can always hike in the winter,” says Davis. “It doesn’t have mountains but it’s challenging because of cypress swamps — you can be wading through water — and the marsh terrain.”

Miles: 1,300

Time to Complete: 2-3 months

Terrain: With the exception of some hills in the panhandle, this is a flat, but surprisingly tough trail, thanks to the wading required in the swamps.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: The Southern Terminus, in Big Cypress National Preserve just outside of Miami is the best place for an out-and-back hike. Start at the Oasis Visitor Center for what’s considered the most remote and wild section of the entire trail.

Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

Leading hikers from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean, this 1,200-mile stretch contains the best hiking in the mountain-packed Pacific Northwest. The trail starts in the northeast corner of Glacier National Park in Montana, crosses Idaho’s northern panhandle into Washington, and roughly follows the state’s northern border including North Cascades National Park before dropping into Olympic National Park, traversing the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula, and ending on the coast at Cape Alava.

“As my friend Cam puts it, this trail is like walking through God’s country,” says LaRuffa. “It’s still extremely wild and remote. And unlike other trails that walk with the grain of the mountain, you actually go against it — making for a difficult hike with a lot of up and down. There’s also a fair amount of bushwhacking.”

Miles: 1,200

Time to Complete: 2-3 months

Terrain: Remote and rugged, considered the most challenging of the 11 National Scenic Trails.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Ozette Triangle (9-mile loop). Starting from the Ozette Ranger Station in Olympic National Park, this loop crosses forest and meadows on its way to the ocean, for a satisfying taste of hiking in the Olympic Wilderness.

Arizona Trail

The Arizona Trail crosses the state from south to north, beginning at the Mexican border and ending a stone’s throw from Utah. Known for showcasing a variety of ecosystems — mountains, canyons, flatlands, and deserts — the trail includes wilderness areas, historic sites (such as the cliff dwellings at Tonto and Walnut Canyon National Monument), and the Grand Canyon. Many trail-friendly communities dot the path, from old mining towns like Kearny to mountain town hotspots like Flagstaff. “If you’re just getting into the desert hiking scene, this is a great trail to start,” says LaRuff.

The trail was completed in 2011, and unlike any of its predecessors, was also designed for mountain bikers. That means unusual features (at least for hikers) like berms.

Miles: 817

Time to Complete: 2 months

Terrain: Highly varied, from mountain passes to canyons. Not for summer hiking, when extreme temperatures can kill you.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Picketpost Trailhead (11.5 miles one-way) is a saguaro-studded segment of the Arizona Trail that winds through the Sonoran Desert along the base of Picketpost Mountain.

Grand Enchantment Trail

Meandering east-to-west across the heart of the Southwest, the Grand Enchantment Trail runs from roughly the middle of Arizona near Phoenix to the middle of New Mexico near Albuquerque. En route, it crosses the Sonoran Desert, the “Sky Island” mountain ranges (forested mountains surrounded by seas of desert and grassland), and the Continental Divide. Cliff dwellings, hot springs, and ghost towns all line the trail.

“This trail isn’t as well known as some of the others yet,”says LaRuffa. “But it’s one of the most intriguing trails in the West.” 

Miles: 770

Time to Complete: 2 months

Terrain: Ranges from desert to forested mountain summits, with everything in between. The trail tops out at Mogollon Baldy at 10,770 feet and hits bottom at the Gila River at 1,700 feet.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Dutchman Trail (18.2 miles one-way), located outside of Phoenix in the Superstition Mountains, can be taken on as an out-and-back from the First Water Trailhead and gives a glimpse of the Grand Enchantment Trail’s vast desert landscape.

Colorado Trail

Cutting a diagonal line across the state, the Colorado Trail stretches from Denver to Durango through six wilderness areas and eight mountain ranges. With an average elevation of 10,000 feet, this trail requires iron lungs, or at least an affinity for high elevation. It rewards the effort as it crosses some of the most beautiful landscapes in the state with remote forested trails, wildflower meadows, mountain panoramas viewed from above tree line, old mining towns, and a ski resort.

“In my opinion it’s the best way to explore Colorado,” says Davis, who has hiked the entire trail. “The section between Silverton and Lake City is one of the prettiest stretches of trail I’ve done anywhere in the world. And if you can time it with the wildflowers coming out in June and July it’s just really magnificent.”

Miles: 500

Time to Complete: 4-6 weeks

Terrain: Dramatic climbs and descents on mostly forested paths, with a significant portion above tree line.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: The Stony Pass (12 miles out-and-back) follows the Continental Divide, offering non-stop views at 12,500 feet in the San Juans (arguably Colorado’s most stunning mountain range).

Benton MacKaye Trail

Like a miniature Appalachian Trail, the Benton MacKaye Trai follows the Appalachian mountains of the southeast U.S. and shares a southern terminus with its big brother. Starting at Springer Mountain in Georgia, the Benton MacKaye finishes on the northern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, crossing eight Wilderness areas in some of the most remote sections of Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Bonus: The trail crosses multiple trout rivers. “This is your classic Appalachian terrain,” says LaRuffa. “Big rhododendrons, mountain morales, a deep primordial kind of east coast forest.”

Miles: 300

Time to Complete: 2-3 weeks

Terrain: Strenuous, akin to the Appalachian Trail. Elevation ranges from 765 feet at the crossing of the Hiwassee River in Tennessee to the 5,843-foot summit of Mt. Sterling in the Smokies.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Low Gap to Davenport Gap (7.2 miles one-way). Located in the Great Smokies National Park, this is the scenic finale of the Benton MacKaye Trail, and it includes a side trail to the Mount Cammerer Fire Tower, which serves up a must-see panorama.

Lost Coast Trail

The Lost Coast Trail takes over where Highway 1 leaves off along California’s rugged coastline. “This trail is similar to the Oregon Coast Trail in that it’s a really cool blend of being in mountains that touch the sea,” says LaRuffa. “And there’s a lot of madrone trees, which are really unique and really dramatic to look at. They have an exfoliating bark that’s this rusty-orange color.”

The total trail distance is 52 miles, divided into a north and south route. The north section is mainly beach and the south section is mostly mountains (with 12,000 feet of elevation change). A four-mile section of road in the Shelter Cove area separates the two.

Miles: 52

Time to Complete: 4-6 days

Terrain: Sand, boulders, pebbles, stream crossings, and high tide point walk-arounds are all par for the course, and your feet absolutely will get wet.

Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Black Sands Beach to Gitchell Creek (8 miles out-and-back) is a sandy path starting at the southern terminus of the Lost Coast Trail’s North Section.