Tales from the Trail

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From expert tips and gear recommendations to trail inspiration and adventure stories, we teamed up with Swedish gearmaker Fjällräven to help you make the most of your time in nature

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ALL

Traversing the most gradual, least technical terrain, these treks can generally be completed in just a few days by beginners and families alike.

easy

These treks are marked by steeper, more challenging segments and often span longer distances, requiring more time to complete.

moderate

Often traversing entire mountain chains or crossing uninterrupted stretches of wilderness, these treks demand the most planning, preparation, and physical fitness.

challenging

This circumnavigation of massive Mount Rainier is one of the true epic hikes in the national park system. You’ll pass through massive old-growth forests, climb into the high alpine zone to witness amazing wildflower shows, stare down a dozen or more glaciers, and cross the wild, foamy rivers they feed. All the while, you’ll sense the presence of the 14,411-foot behemoth—as impressive in girth as in height. You’ll behold its white-capped summit often as you undulate over its numerous ridges—total elevation gain (and loss) is more than 20,000 feet. Wonderland’s logistics are simpler than that of most thru-hikes. The trail can be accessed from any of nine trailheads, so it’s possible to break up the hike into shorter sections or to do it over the course of several seasons. Eighteen trail camps make life easier, plus you can stash caches at designated spots (accessible by car) in advance. And no small bonus: you end up where you started.

wonderland trail

washington

difficulty

distance

93 miles

time

10–14 days

No two treks—or trekkers—are the same. Customize your ideal trekking kit or check out our curated arrangements below.

ESSENTIAL TREKKING GEAR

Men's

Women's

all-terrain trekking kit

accessories

headwear

layers

bottoms

outerwear

layers

headwear

bottoms

outerwear

Abisko Sun HOODIE M

For sunny days on the trail, this long-sleeve hoodie protects your skin from the sun without making you overheat. The lightweight technical jersey knit fabric is moisture-wicking. Plus, the cut of the garment allows for air circulation to keep you cool on warmer days.

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In 1960, Åke Nordin founded Fjällräven in his basement in the Swedish town of Örnsköldsvik. Since then the brand has stayed true to its mission of developing timeless, functional, and durable outdoor equipment, acting responsibly toward people, animals, and the environment, and inspiring more people to discover outdoor life.

long-haul trekking kit

lightweight trekking kit

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This hooded zip-up jacket is made from two types of fleece for the right balance of warmth and weight conservation. The feminine cut includes a ponytail opening in the hood, plus three zippered pockets for plenty of on-the-go storage.

Abisko Trail Fleece W

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When you never know where your adventures will take you, an all-terrain jacket is the way to go. With enough ultralight padding to keep you warmer than a shell but still thin and pliant enough to be worn as a mid-layer, the Expedition X-Latt Jacket is prepared for it all.

EXPEDITION X-LÄTT JACKET M

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This lightweight, wind-resistant jacket protects against wind, sun, and even light rain. Ample ventilation means you won't overheat when temperatures rise. Plus the adjustable hood comes in handy on all kinds of adventures.

ABISKO MIDSUMMER JACKET W

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Summer hiking requires the perfect, lightweight jacket. The Abisko Lite Trekking Jacket is made from durable, wind-resistant G-1000 Lite Eco material. An adjustable hood, stretchy back and side panels, and ventilation zippers allow for a flexible fit, no matter the conditions.

Abisko lite trekking jacket M

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ABISKO LITE TREKKING JACKET W

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If you’re trekking in foul weather, you need a serious shell. Serious, not bulky. The waterproof Keb is stretchy, and the trim, contoured cut moves with you. It’s both breathable and ventilated (with side zippers) so that your hard work doesn’t leave you sweatsoaked.

Keb eco shell M

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Keb eco shell W

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Based on the brand's best-selling Vidda Pro pants, this design has improved ventilation for when you don't know what your adventure will bring. Ample pocket space and extra loops for toting gear plus adjustable snaps at the hems make these pant practical for any adventure.

VIDDA PRO VENTILATED TROUSERS M

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A true hiking-ready tight, the Abisko Trekking Tights are reinforced in high-stretch moisture-wicking fabric so they can stand up to tough terrain. The 7/8 length easily accomodates hiking socks, and tilted pockets provide easy access to anything you need to stash on the go.

ABISKO TREKKING TIGHTS PRO W

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Rugged yet lightweight, the Keb Agile Trousers give you protection where you need it and stretchy, breathable materials everywhere else. The result: The ultimate all-season pant. G-1000 Lite Eco Stretch material provides extra durability in the knees and pockets while double-woven stretch fabric protects the legs from any terrain you choose to explore.

Keb Agile Trousers M

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Crafted from two types of fabric (both partly made from recycled materials) the Abisko Midsummer Trousers provide the right combination of durability and stretch. With ventilation zippers and quick drying fabric, these pants are a lightweight option for treks where temps are warm but long pants are still the way to go.

ABISKO MIDSUMMER TROUSERS W

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Stretchy, extremely durable, and tailored for freedom of movement, these trousers will see a serious hiker through long trail miles. Huge thigh pockets are big enough to hold maps. Though durable enough for bushwhacking, they’re also amply ventilated with side zippers, so you’ll never overheat.

Keb Trouser M

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Keb Trouser W

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Merino wool and recycled polyester combine for a first layer that offers the benefits of both natural and synthetic materials. The merino wool helps regulate temperature and keep odors at bay while the synthetic fibers bring durability and moisture-wicking to the table.

ABISKO WOOL SS M

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ABISKO WOOL LS W

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Lightweight, moisture-wicking, and ultra soft, this short-sleeved t-shirt is made from a sustainable jersey knit that combines the softness of organic cotton with the functionality and durability of recycled polyester.

1960 LOGO T-SHIRT M

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ABISKO WOOL SS W

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Fleece doesn’t mean hot and heavy. The Abisko Trail Fleece is a technical hoodie that’s perfect by itself on a chilly day or as a midlayer on a cold day. The chest and side pockets all have zippers.

Abisko Trail fleece hoodie M

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This midweight insulating layer is indispensable for treks when you’re likely to face chilly or damp weather. The wool/polyester blend keeps you cozy, whether you wear it solo or slide it under a shell. The hood is tailored to fit nice and snug.

Keb Fleece Hoodie W

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A classic trucker (in Swedish that’s långtradar) with perforated sides, featuring an embroidered Fjällräven badge and a G-1000 Eco front, the Långtradarkeps is equal parts sun protection, style points, and bad-hair concealment.

1960 Logo LÅngtradarkeps

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A classic trucker (in Swedish that’s långtradar) with perforated sides, sporting Fjällräven’s throwback 1960 emblem and a G-1000 Eco front, the Långtradarkeps is equal parts sun protection, style points, and bad-hair concealment.

Badge LÅngtradarkeps

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This packable, lightweight hat is easy to pop into your backpack or jacket pocket so you're prepared for anything. Made from partly recycled polyester, it dries quickly and is well-ventilated for use on warmer days.

Abisko hike lite cap

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Designed for comfort, flexibility, and reliability in the mountains, this technical pack is also a shape-shifter. The Bergtagen's wooden frame, top lid, and hip belt are all easily removed and installed, allowing you to customize the pack for your specific adventure.

Bergtagen 38 M-L

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This two-person, three-season, self-supported tent is superbly ventilated for muggy-night comfort, and the wide-opening doors give you front row seats to the sunset. Of course, it all seals up nicely in foul weather. Tandem trekkers appreciate having two doors, each with its own vestibule.

abisko view 2 tent

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The Keb 52 is big enough to carry everything you need for long stretches between resupply stops and durable enough to survive all weather and multiple thru-hikes. Its birch frame and simple adjustment system handle heavy loads with exceptional comfort.

keb 52

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Abisko Hike Lite Cap

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Merino wool is the perfect material for a knit hat for almost any weather. This model's lightweight construction will keep you warm when it’s damp and chilly, and wicks away moisture when you’re working hard.

merino lite Hat

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Made from soft, supple 100% merino wool, this two-layered knit hat offers extra warmth even if it's damp, thanks to the moisture-wicking wool.

Classic Knit Hat

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The reason most PCT thru-hikers start their journey at the Mexican border in spring is simple: the trail’s desert stretches, while beautiful, are wicked hot in summer. That, and the Sierra Nevada, whose passes can be snowbound into July, need time to melt out. Timing is everything. Planning is paramount. Section hiking is perfectly acceptable. And virtually every section is awesomely gorgeous. A stellar mini thru-hike of seven to ten days starts at Elk Lake Resort in the central Oregon Cascades and ends 93 miles north at Olallie Lake. It passes through 40 miles of the majestic Three Sisters Wilderness, a rugged landscape with lush forests of Ponderosa Pine and Douglas fir, all in the shadow of the three volcanic summits known as the Sisters. Want more? It’s only another 607 miles to Canada.

Pacific Crest Trail

oregon

Camp, California, one hour east of San Diego.

start

tip

info

The Pacific Crest Trail Association runs an annual webinar in February that delves into deep detail for thru or section hikers.

pcta.org

difficulty

distance

2,650 miles

time

5 months

Longmire is the most accessible trailhead, 2.5 hours from Seattle or Portland.

start

tip

info

Permits are in high demand. Apply between March 15 and April 1 and hope for the best.

nps.gov/mora

This remote stretch of California coast is so wild and rugged that it defied the Highway 1 road builders. The fabled Coast Highway had to veer inland between Fort Bragg and Eureka, leaving a pristine Lost Coast of 80 miles, 25 of which are blissfully hikeable. As you trek south to north, the ocean puts on a show to your left, while oceanfront cliffs and the rugged King Range rise dramatically to your right. You’ll see whales, river otters, sea lions, and wild surf. Mostly it’s an experience of wave-washed solitude, with one man-made highlight along the way: the 1912 Punta Gorda Lighthouse. Elevation gain is negligible, but the terrain is no cakewalk—bring trekking poles. And a few stretches are impassible at high tide—bring a tide table. Other logistics are simple: water sources and campsites are plentiful, and local shuttle services can help you stash a car at trail’s end.

lost coast trail

california

Shelter Cove, 4.5 hours north of San Francisco.

start

tip

info

Surfside bears? You bet. Bring a bear canister.

blm.gov

difficulty

distance

25 miles

time

4 days

Thanks to a 50-mile circuit of six perfectly spaced High Sierra Camps in the Yosemite high country—each with tent cabins and a chuck wagon doling out fresh and plentiful food—you can hike this High Sierra loop without being saddled with a bulging backpack. You’re freed up to tread daypack-lightly on some of the park’s most glorious trails. Most hikers start with an overnight at (drive-to) Tuolumne Meadows Lodge (8,500 feet) to acclimate, then proceed counterclockwise on the loop. The first day’s hike traces the Tuolumne River through wildflower-strewn meadows to Glen Aulin, within earshot of the White Cascade waterfall and swimming hole. The camps are all wondrously situated, and you’ll pass through serene meadows beneath exposed granite peaks en route.

High Sierra Loop

california

Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, three hours northeast of Merced.

start

tip

info

Add a couple of layover days to explore the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne from Glen Aulin Camp, and to bag Vogelsang Peak (11,444 feet) from Vogelsang Camp.

nps.gov/yose

difficulty

distance

50 miles

time

7 days

The soaring, fluted palisades of the Na Pali Coast appear inaccessibly rugged when viewed from a kayak, helicopter, or coffee- table book. For hikers, they’re merely tough, occasionally slippery (read: trekking poles), and wildly rewarding. The Kalalau Trail negotiates those hairy ramparts in 11 steep, winding, narrow miles, plunging into river valleys and to beaches and always back up again until it deposits hikers on Kalalau Beach. Your views of the Pacific are likely to be electrified by the breaching of humpback whales. A layover at Hanakoa Valley (six miles from the trailhead) allows a leisurely pace, and a side trip to Hanakapi’ai Falls, an hour up a river valley from Hanakapi’ai Beach, is more than worth the detour. Kalalau, at the trail’s terminus, is an expansive valley with a lovely beach and convenient beachside waterfall for a post-hike shower. Plan to spend the free day exploring the valley, swimming in pools, and hiking through terraces overgrown with java plums, guava, and mango trees.

Kalalau trail

hawaii

Haena State Park, about an hour north of Lihue Airport.

start

tip

info

Ocean rip currents mean you should favor river swimming over playing in the surf.

dlnr.hawaii.gov

difficulty

distance

11 miles

time

3 days

Remote, wild, and relentlessly challenging, the CDT closely follows the backbone of the continent from Mexico to Canada. In between are the desert and volcanic landscapes of New Mexico, a high point of 14,270 feet in the Colorado Rockies, the spectacular western flank of Wyoming’s Wind River Range, Old Faithful in Yellowstone, the Idaho-Montana Bitterroot Range, and the alpine glories of Glacier National Park. The CDT is at times deeply remote, but it does intersect dozens of trail towns, making segmenting and resupply feasible. A classic segment is a six-day, 65-mile Montana stretch from Benchmark to the Headquarters Pass trailhead. It leads through lush forests over high passes to campsites on alpine lakes. Highlight: views of the ten-mile-long limestone cliff known as the Chinese Wall, in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

continental divide trail

Montana

The Crazy Cook Monument near Hachita, New Mexico.

start

tip

info

The Continental Divide Trail Coalition recommends using the soft-sided, bear-resistant Ursack (ursack.com) for food storage.

continentaldividetrail.org

difficulty

distance

3,100 miles

time

5–6 months

The park’s signature backcountry hike threads along the interior spine of the Teton Range beneath the familiar craggy summits, linking high divides and passes, alpine lakes, and top-of-the-world views. Mid-July to mid-September is the usual window of opportunity. Camp anywhere in large zones within indicated sites. Once you reach Marion Lake (9,250 feet and a perfect first-night campsite), you’ll stay above 9,000 feet as you proceed north along the crest. Two miles later, at Fox Creek Pass, is the first of those sweeping views, and from there it’s nonstop alpine glory for 11 miles. At Hurricane Pass, you feel you can reach out and touch the three Tetons: South, Middle, and the 13,776-foot Grand. Savor carpets of lupine and streamsides choked with mountain bluebells as you carry on to Paintbrush Divide, named for the flowers that flourish there. The hike ends at the Leigh Lake trailhead.

Teton crest trail

Wyoming

Granite Canyon Trail, just a mile north of Teton Village.

start

tip

info

Don’t miss the side trip into Alaska Basin, a glacially carved cirque sprinkled with lakes.

nps.gov/grte

difficulty

distance

37 miles

time

6 days

The 2022 Fjällräven Classic USA is a stunning loop up and over historic Rollins Pass. The trek begins at 9,300 feet in the town of Tolland, CO. On the first day, the trek will follow Rollins Pass Wagon Road and connect to the single-track Jenny Creek Trail. At 10,700 feet, Jenny Creek Trail ends at the beautiful, high alpine lake Yankee Doodle. Day two is the real beauty as you will head above tree line passing many historical points along the way. In between is spectacular mountain scenery with long views across the peaks of the Continental Divide as you traverse meadows spangled with wildflowers, reaching a peak elevation of 11,700 feet. For the final day, savor the views of the Front Range mountains as you descend back down into the town of Tolland.

FjÄllrÄven Classic USA

Colorado

Tolland, Colorado, about 90 minutes west of Denver.

start

tip

info

Allow for a day or two at Tolland to acclimate before you head into the high country.

classic.fjallraven.com

difficulty

distance

28 miles

time

3 days

Epic and challenging, the Rim-to-Rim sends you down the Grand Canyon’s North Kaibab Trail and up the Bright Angel Trail: 14.3 knee-thumping miles, dropping 6,000 feet from the North Rim to the Colorado River—and then another 9.6 miles and 4,500 steep feet of climbing to the South Rim. But that doesn’t at all describe the wonder of hiking through two billion years of geological history and multiple layers of the earth’s oldest rock. You’ll switchback and corkscrew down steep faces of the Supai Sandstone and the Redwall Limestone, every twist revealing new views of buttes, hoodoos, and red-rock temples. It’s tricky going all the way; trekking poles are virtually obligatory. Plan on two hiking days, and treat yourself to a layover day at Bright Angel Campground (you’ll need a permit) to recover amid some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet.

Grand Canyon Rim-to-rim

Arizona

North Kaibab trailhead at the canyon’s North Rim, three hours and 45 minutes north of Flagstaff.

start

tip

info

Try to score the country’s most coveted reservation—a lottery win for a night at Phantom Ranch on Bright Angel Creek at the bottom of the canyon, via grandcanyonlodges.com.

nps.gov/grca

difficulty

distance

23.9 miles

time

3 days

The Arizona Trail snakes 800 gloriously varied miles border to border from Mexico to Utah. Over the course of 43 segments, called “passages,” the AZT runs through rolling grassland and stands of saguaro cacti, ascends several of the state’s “sky island” mountain ranges, reaches the dramatic Mogollon Rim, traverses forested terrain near Flagstaff, and serves up a crux plunge into and out of the Grand Canyon. Combine passages 11 and 12 near Tucson for a 34-mile, five-to-six-day journey through the Santa Catalina Mountains, where a welcome swimming hole called Hutch’s Pool greets you midway. Farther along you’ll skirt the Mount Lemmon ski area and pass through mining country near Oracle.

Arizona Trail

Arizona

Montezuma Pass near Coronado National Memorial, about 2.5 hours southeast of Tucson.

start

tip

info

The fierce desert heat makes full-on AZT thru-hiking a rarity. Think in terms of segments, and always get the latest word on water availability.

aztrail.org

difficulty

distance

800 miles

time

6–8 weeks

As you hike the ponderosa pine forests of the Black Hills and continue across the rolling prairies that lead to the Centennial Trail’s terminus at Wind Cave National Park, you’re never far from the Mount Rushmore–bound tourist crush. But you might as well be on a different planet. That’s how beautifully designed this trail is. It starts at Bear Butte, a dramatic monolith sacred to the Northern Plains Indians, then proceeds into the deeply wooded Black Hills, passing numerous lakes and granite-schist formations. As you ply Custer State Park’s rolling grassy hills, give the bison a wide berth and enjoy the prairie-dog show. The trail’s scenic highlight is a 23.3-mile northern stretch between the Alkali Creek trailhead and Dalton Lake. Between pine stands, you’ll hike through tallgrass meadows and plunge into deep shade beneath the towering granite walls of Little Elk Creek Canyon.

centennial Trail

South Dakota

Bear Butte State Park, 40 minutes north of Rapid City.

start

tip

info

Hiking southbound puts the more challenging segments first.

blackhillstrails.org

difficulty

distance

111 miles

time

7–10 days

The 300-mile Superior Hiking Trail feels utterly remote as it plunges into dark groves of birch, aspen, and balsam, climbs ridges blanketed by maple, and emerges to look dizzyingly down onto the wild northern shores of Lake Superior 1,000 feet below. Thru-hikes are simple to supply, and section hikes are easy to fashion, given 50 trailheads near roads and towns and the availability of shuttle service (superiorshuttle.com). A stellar three-day stint starts in Silver Bay near the south end of the trail and emerges at Finland Recreation Center, 25.4 miles north. En route you’ll follow the spine of the ancient Sawtooth Mountains. Sightings of moose, bears, beavers, wolves, coyotes, or migrating hawks are possible. The trail opens onto exposed ridges that reveal sweeping views, passes by several lakes, reaches a band of cliffs called Section 13 (haunted by local rock climbers), and crosses a 400-foot boardwalk over the Hoover of beaver dams before you take out in the valley of the Baptism River.

superior hiking Trail

Minnesota

Jay Cooke State Park, 20 minutes west of Duluth.

start

tip

info

Fall is brilliant here: fewer bugs, cool days and nights, and multiple waves of color.

superiorhiking.org

difficulty

distance

300 miles

time

2–4 weeks

The IAT is not like most thru-hikes. For starters, much of it is incomplete. And it’s not really a remote wilderness experience; most of the state’s population lives within a short drive of the trail. But it’s a gorgeous plunge back in time—drumlins, eskers, kettles, and moraines harken back to the last ice age. Add in old-growth forests, rolling hills, and the odd wolf pack and you have a great hike, no matter which sections you choose to ply. The seven-mile Chippewa Moraine segment, which threads around 20 kettle lakes with campsites galore, makes for a perfect long weekend. Heading east, add the five-mile Harwood Lakes segment—camp on an isthmus between lakes—and then the 6.5-mile Firth Lake stretch, which skirts the rims of kettle lakes in deep forest.

ice age Trail

wisconsin

Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls, about an hour northeast of Minneapolis.

start

tip

info

Early summer is humid and buggy; hold off till late summer or fall if possible.

iceagetrail.org

difficulty

distance

1,200 miles

time

7–12 weeks

The Ozarks will surprise you with their rugged beauty, their dense oak and hickory forests interlaced with plentiful rivers, streams, and waterfalls—and the well-maintained, well-marked Ozark Highlands Trail. The 165-mile western section through the Boston Mountains is the original trail and still the highest and most scenic stretch. Ten trailheads allow you to break it into chunks or cache your goods for a thru-hike. The highlight segment is a 19.5-mile, three-day run through the Hurricane Creek Wilderness, replete with sandstone bluffs and swimming holes. Camping is permitted anywhere along the OHT, and the trail is rarely crowded. A newer segment continues east along the Buffalo River for 43 miles, though parts of it are still incomplete, and another eastern extension runs through Sylamore National Forest.

Ozark Highlands Trail

arkansas

Lake Fort Smith, 2.5 hours northwest of Little Rock.

start

tip

info

The trail is ideal early or late in the year when most other thru-hikes are snowed in. Summer is wet and buggy and best avoided.

ozarkhighlandstrail.com

difficulty

distance

270 miles

time

3 weeks

Florida may not have mountains, but it has astounding biodiversity, supremely showcased in the 1,500 miles of its namesake trail, which runs from Big Cypress National Preserve to Gulf Islands National Seashore in the Panhandle. In between are flatwood forests and Civil War battlefields, a long stretch of the Suwannee River, palmetto and pine flatwoods, the great Kissimmee Prairie, Lake Okeechobee, and the awesome sawgrass prairies of the south. With scads of access points, it’s easy to segment. A worthy three-day stint is the trail’s southernmost 30-mile stretch through Big Cypress’s Everglades-style ecosystem. It’s a profound experience of solitude, and a wet one—but that’s what you want. Savvy swamp trompers favor this trail in January through March, when its silty marl soil is covered in ankle- to knee-deep water. That’s when the footing is firmest; it all goes to muck in drier times. Camp on the hummocks beneath palms and pines. Marvel at the orchids and bromeliads, and listen for the cry of a panther at night.

the florida Trail

florida

Oasis Visitor Center in Big Cypress National Preserve, an hour east of Miami.

start

tip

info

Run silty swamp water through a coffee filter before pumping it through your water filter.

floridatrail.org

difficulty

distance

1,500 miles

time

3 months

The AT is the ultimate thru-hike. It crosses 14 states, from northern Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, ascending some 465,000 feet along the way. That no point exceeds 6,700 feet only means you won’t face altitude sickness. Most of the topography is extremely rugged. Tired bodies are salved by awesome views and the chance to bed down in the trail’s famed shelters, scattered on average about every 8.5 miles. Section hiking is big, and one highlight is a glorious run of 77 miles through Great Smoky Mountains National Park starting at Fontana Dam: seven days of peaks, ridges, dense forests, and the highest point on the trail: Clingman’s Dome at 6,644 feet.

Appalachian trail

tennessee

Near Hiawassee, Georgia, about two hours north of Atlanta.

start

tip

info

Most thru-hikers start from the south in March or early April. The earlier the start, the less crowded the trail—but the more wintry the conditions. Upside: leafless trees mean better views.

appalachiantrail.org

difficulty

distance

2,193 miles

time

5–7 months

America’s original thru-hike, Vermont’s Long Trail is a 272-mile end-to-end traverse of the Green Mountain State. It has everything that makes Vermont so beloved: green pastures, happy cows, conifer and hardwood forests, bald granite peaks, placid ponds, swift streams—and pesky blackflies, mainly in early summer. Expect tough rooty terrain and steep climbs. The trail is marked by white blazes and maintained by the Green Mountain Club, which offers excellent guides and maps. The Long Trail predates the Appalachian Trail, but the AT coincides with the Long for the first 100 miles. The Long has dozens of shelters and tenting areas, each near a water source, and conveniently spaced trail towns. The northern stretches, like the four-day, 45.3-mile segment from Appalachian Gap near Waitsfield to Smugglers’ Notch near Stowe, feel wilder and more remote.

the long Trail

Vermont

At the state line just north of Williamstown, Massachusetts.

start

tip

info

“Walk with autumn” by starting in the north as the leaves begin to turn—typically around the first day of fall—and follow the spectacle as you progress southward.

greenmountainclub.org

difficulty

distance

272 miles

time

20–30 days

This aptly named trek links eight 4,000-foot-plus summits named for U.S. presidents, whose crowning glory is 6,288-foot Mount Washington. Add in two more peaks that lack chief-executive monikers and you’ve got the whole enchilada—24 miles and 9,000 feet of elevation gain. Zealots do it in a single day for bragging rights, but you can break it up by camping off-trail below tree line or bedding down in one of three Appalachian Mountain Club huts in the range. Still, there’s no getting around the steepness of the slopes, the rockiness of the trails, and the arctic weather high on the peaks. The upsides of those conditions are awesome macro views stretching 90 miles and colorful micro blooms like diapensia and Lapland rosebay.

presidential traverse

New Hampshire

The Appalachia/Valley Way Trailhead, about an hour north of Conway.

start

tip

info

Hiking north to south puts the tougher peaks first, when your legs are freshest.

outdoors.org

difficulty

distance

24 miles

time

2–3 days

Choose one or build your own

Treks

Even an easy trek requires serious pieces designed to perform. But these are also lightweight and stylish enough to see town duty.

Versatility is the key to this kit—serious trekking necessities that will see you through three seasons and nearly all conditions.

Whether you’re doing long treks or hiking challenging trails—or both—you want rugged gear that will serve you well in any weather.

challenging

moderate

easy

ALL

Appalachian trail

the florida trail

the long trail

presidential Traverse

East

presidential Traverse

the long trail

Appalachian trail

the florida trail

East

presidential Traverse

the long trail

Appalachian trail

the florida trail

East

presidential Traverse

the long trail

Appalachian trail

the florida trail

East

Ozark Highlands Trail

Ice Age Trail

Superior hiking trail

Centennial Trail

midwest

Ozark Highlands Trail

Ice Age Trail

Superior hiking trail

Centennial Trail

midwest

Ozark Highlands Trail

Ice Age Trail

Superior Hiking trail

Centennial Trail

midwest

Ozark Highlands Trail

Ice Age Trail

Superior hiking trail

Centennial Trail

midwest

Arizona trail

Grand canyon Rim-to-rim

southwest

Arizona trail

Grand canyon Rim-to-rim

southwest

Fjällräven classic usa

Teton Crest Trail

Continental Divide Trail

Rockies

Fjällräven classic usa

Teton Crest Trail

Continental Divide Trail

Rockies

Fjällräven classic usa

Teton Crest Trail

Continental Divide Trail

Rockies

High Sierra Loop

Lost Coast Trail

Pacific Crest Trail

Wonderland Trail

West

Kalalau Trail

High Sierra Loop

Lost Coast Trail

Pacific Crest Trail

Wonderland Trail

West

Kalalau Trail

High Sierra Loop

Lost Coast Trail

Pacific Crest Trail

Wonderland Trail

West

Kalalau Trail

High Sierra Loop

Lost Coast Trail

Pacific Crest Trail

Wonderland Trail

West

Kalalau Trail

High Sierra Loop

Lost Coast Trail

Pacific Crest Trail

Wonderland Trail

West

select a region to find a trek

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long-haul trekking kit

all-terrain trekking kit

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Skills

From how to stay hydrated and fueled up in nature to proper trail etiquette, here's everything you need to know to enjoy your next trek even more

Skills

From the Triple Crown thru-hikes to lesser-known gems, add these trails to your trekking bucket list

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Trekkers handbook

From how to stay hydrated and fueled up in nature to proper trail etiquette, here's everything you need to know to enjoy your next trek even more

Skills

Stay Fueled

Trail rules

Packing TIps

SKILLS

Treks

Winter Trekking

How to Spend More Time on the Trail This Fall and Winter

Winter Trekking

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Fjällräven Guides share lessons about the power of spending time in nature with others

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Trail Etiquette

Staying Fueled

Fjällräven Guide Karrie Carnes discovered her love for the mountains when she moved to Portland in 2015. For much of her life before that, she lived on the East Coast and spent most of her time adventuring around the Atlantic Ocean, pursuing watersports like scuba diving and paddleboarding. In Oregon, Carnes immediately fell in love with the Cascades. “I’m still amazed by these mountains,” Carnes says. “I’m a desk jockey during the week, but I try to get out every weekend. Being in nature allows me to be present in the moment. It’s how I practice mindfulness.” So naturally Carnes jumped at the chance to join other Fjällräven Guides on a scouting trip last summer, to test the newest Fjällräven Classic USA route in Colorado. The group hiked well above treeline (topping out at over 11,000 feet) through some of Colorado’s most iconic mountain wilderness, camped near high alpine lakes, and forged deep connections over their shared love for the outdoors. “It’s amazing what nature can do,” Carnes says. “Nature can be this quiet, meditative space, or it can be the backdrop for community, creating a common language that can bring different kinds of people together.” One universal message that Carnes likes to share is about how she enjoys the emotional attachments we form with some pieces of gear. For Carnes, it’s her pants. “I know every time I put these Fjällräven Keb trousers on, I’m going to have an adventure. I get kind of giddy,” she says. All the better if it’s an adventure with others.

Karrie Carnes: Speak a Common Language

Alyssa Macy camped more in 2020 than she had ever camped before. The Fjällräven Guide and CEO of the Washington Environmental Council needed a release. So, she left her Seattle home and pitched a tent. A lot. The time outdoors not only served as a mental health cure during the pandemic, it gave Macy an opportunity to reconnect with her past. Macy is of Wasco, Navajo, and Hopi descent and a citizen of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, and has been reflecting on that cultural identity in recent years. “Covid has been the great pause, an opportunity to reevaluate and look at the way we exist in this world,” Macy says. “My dad was an avid outdoorsman. A lot of our time together was hiking, just a couple of hours up a random hill and looking at the community from the top. It was always this time of joy for me, but he also taught me our responsibility as Native People to protect what we have.” Macy sees outdoor adventure as a natural way of building the conservation community. Anyone who recreates in the outdoors, she hopes, will be inspired to protect it. “The people who love to fish and hike and swim and boat, we all want to protect these wild spaces,” Macy says. Hitting the trail with others helps turn sentiment into action. “It’s one thing to go out and enjoy it and another to take the steps to advocate for good policy. We all have to get in the same boat and start rowing in the same direction.” She brought this mission to the scouting trip for the Fjällräven Classic USA. “I started every day of the hike with a prayer and song asking for safe passage and honoring those who had come before us,” Macy says. “We were hiking through the traditional territory of the Ute Tribe, and taking the time to acknowledge where you are and who came before you is a powerful, important step in acknowledging our responsibility for the land.”

Alyssa Macy: Stand Up for the Land

Want to make a relationship stronger? Share an outdoor adventure. The more intense the better. “You’re cooking meals over a fire together, sweating together. You smell together,” says Cal MacKintosh. Scouting the Fjällräven Classic USA route in Colorado promised all of that, and more. When the Portland-based Fjällräven Guide was invited to test Fjällräven’s new Classic route in the Rockies, he knew to expect a challenge. “I look at Mount Hood every day. It’s so tall, and the idea of starting a hike at that elevation was intimidating,” he says. The route peaked at over 11,000 feet and elevation was a constant factor. The group also had to navigate stream crossings and one evening they had to keep a watchful eye on a moose that parked itself on the edge of their campsite. It was a bucket list adventure for MacKintosh, but the fact that he got to experience Colorado at its wildest with others gave the trek another dimension. He and the other Fjällräven Guides, strangers on day one, became fast friends. “In that kind of situation, people forget about their daily lives, the stress,” he says. “It just kind of melts away. And then people feel closer to each other. You get out to some wild places with strangers, and just let nature take the wheel.”

CAL MacKINTOSH: BUILD CLOSER BONDS

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Why Fjällräven Is Going All In on Durability

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A Trekker’s Guide to Sweden

1960 LOGO LÅNGTRADARKEPS

Everything is better together, including nature. That’s why Fjällräven created a one-of-a-kind community hike. It’s called the Fjällräven Classic USA—a celebration of nature, of human connection, and of making every hike as fun as it is challenging. Fjällräven Guides recently scouted the Colorado route for the Fjällräven Classic USA and came away with some key takeaways about why coming together in nature is so crucial for our—and the planet’s—well-being.

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The 7/8 length Abisko Tights are build to accommodate hiking boots for use on the trail, while the flattering cut and high waistband make these tights comfortable for everyday outdoor use. Recycled polyester material provides the perfect combination of stretch and moisture wicking properties.

ABISKO TIGHTS W

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ABISKO TIGHTS W

How to Spend More Time on the Trail This Fall and Winter

1960 Logo LÅngtradarkeps