Longest Hiking Trails in the US

Before tackling the longest hiking trails in the US, it's best to prepare yourself physically and mentally by hiking low-mileage trails first and then gradually building your endurance and skills along with distance and difficulty. Preparation helps avoid injury as you reach peak condition physically and mentally.

Gear for the Longest Hiking Trails in the US

One challenge of hiking long trails is determining what you'll need for days or weeks of hiking. A common mistake is to attempt to carry too much which not only weighs you down but saps your strength and endurance.

Experienced hikers have learned to keep the weight of their pack to 25-50 pounds. Basic equipment should include light-weight choices for:

• Backpack
• Sleeping bag
• Tent

Appalachian Trail

The well-marked Appalachian Trail is popular among the longest hiking trails in the US. The 2,175-mile trail can be hiked in portions or as a thru-hike. This scenic hike stretches through 14 states from Maine to Georgia and takes hikers through a variety of landscapes.

In 1970, Ed Garvey completed the hike and wrote Appalachian Hiker: Adventure of a Lifetime which ignited interest in the challenging hike and coined the term "2,000 milers". If popularity continues at its current pace, 10,000 hikers will complete the trail by the year 2008.

If you choose the Appalachian Trail for your hiking pleasure, use maps to help track how far you've hiked. Whether you hike a section at a time or hike the entire trail straight through, when you finish, you'll be able to count yourself among the "2,000-miler" elite. Before you head out for your hike, you can get a real feel for what the trail is like through a number of journals and blogs online that allow you to to Other Hikers.htm communicate with other hikers.

Glacier National Park

The Glacier National Park provides a 700-mile hiking trail rich with wildlife. This trail reaches across millions of forested acres, alpine meadows and clear picturesque lakes. If you decide to hike in this park, make sure to visit the park visitor center and pick up a copy of warnings and recommendations. This will help keep you safe and also protects park resources.

Yosemite National Park

This park is located in the Sierra Nevada and offers hikers breathtaking views including meadows, waterfalls and forests which consist of groves of giant sequoias. Like many parks, it offers a variety of trails ranging in difficulty. The table below shows some of the longer more strenuous trails.

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon hiking trails allow hikers to take in the amazing topography and views. Along the way, hikers enjoy the turbulent Colorado River snaking through the valley, but one element hikers need to factor in as they make this hike is that the high elevations will affect your endurance and contribute to fatigue.

Pacific Crest Trail

The 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail is counted among the longest hiking trails in the US. This hiking trail crosses three western states—California, Oregon and Washington. Online resources including trail/faqs.asp frequently asked questions about the Pacific Crest Trail are available online.

Continental Divide Trail

Although the 3,100 mile-long Continental Divide Trail runs from Mexico to Canada, for those who want to stay in the United States, they can pick up trails passing through five western states:

• Montana
• Idaho
• Wyoming
• Colorado
• New Mexico

This trail is open not only to hikers on foot but also horses. However, motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed.

North Country National Scenic Trail

This premier trail provides about 1,700 miles of certified off-road hiking trails across seven northern states. If you're longing for a hike with the natural beauty of crystal streams, woods, prairie and pristine lakes along with historic elements of interest, this trail is for you. The entire trail runs approximately 4,000 miles and ranges from easy terrain to more strenuous treks.

Zion National Park

If you are looking for a place to plan a hiking vacation to help you prepare for a longer hike-thru, the 229 square miles of Zion National Park offers a variety of trails with stunning canyon views and towering cliffs. One popular trail known as The Narrows offers a 15-mile off-trail hike. There are also many shorter trails.

This park is located where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and the Mojave Dessert provinces overlap. It's a great place to gain hiking experience. On these trails, hikers will experience drop-offs and will have to stay alert and careful. It's a great place to hone your hiking skills, challenge yourself to new levels and prepare for some of the longest hiking trails..

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