20 Trek Bloggers You Should Be Following in 2025

As the hiking season officially kicks into high gear, The Trek welcomes yet another class of thru-hikers to the Blogger Team!

Though the trails may be different, the goal is the same: to hike hundreds and hundreds of miles, and accomplish a truly incredible feat. Some of The Trek’s fearless bloggers have already set foot on trail — the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and beyond. Others prepare for their own impending journey, eagerly counting down the days until they too embark on their life-changing adventure.

Amidst this excitement and anticipation, we celebrate the start of another thru-hiking season by highlighting 20 remarkable individuals who will be documenting their thru-hikes alongside The Trek. 

Join us as we eagerly follow along with this new class of thru-hikers; celebrate their highs, share their lows, and spiritually walk alongside them every step of the way.

This feature is meant to shine a spotlight on some of our bloggers. It is NOT an exhaustive list. Click here to view a full list of our talented, intrepid blogging team.

Steve Hoekwater

Hi All! My trail name is Stevie Wonder (he/him) and am excited you found your way to my page on The Trek! I’m a 36-year old hiker and explorer of wild places. Prior to 2019, I lived my entire life in West Michigan when, after going through a divorce and needing a change, I stumbled on to the Pacific Crest Trail. Since that first thru-hike, I have found my trail legs and have lived a somewhat nomadic life, altering my career path to include seasonal land stewardship jobs working on public lands in Utah, Alaska, and in Yosemite National Park! I also completed the Continental Divide Trail in 2022 and have snuck in some smaller treks throughout the years too. I love documenting adventures through journals and photos feeling it creates a connection I wouldn’t otherwise have with folks living all over the world. My past stories are posted at wanderingstevie.com and I just started a YouTube channel (@stevie.g.wonder) with a few videos too. I’m excited to join The Trek to bring y’all along on my biggest journey yet… The Eastern Continental Trail!!!

Post highlight: Getting Ready (Less Than 1 Week To Go): Physical and Mental Readiness

Excerpt: “How much do you have to train for a thru-hike? A common phrase one hears is, “hike your own hike.” Each person is going to be challenged in different ways and each person will go about their hike in the way they feel is right… With all the unexpected twists and turns ahead of me, there’s no way to be fully prepared for every situation that’s going to come my way. I’m thrilled to be setting out to experience it all though!”

Follow Steve: @stevie.g.wonder

Natalie Nichols

Hey there! I’m Natalie. My dad Mark and I (Salty Dawg and Glam Girl) are setting out to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail February 28. Born and raised in the Western Maine Mountains, the AT has always felt close to home. I grew up exploring New England via hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and running with my dad, family, and friends. We are beyond grateful and excited to have the opportunity to thru-hike the AT this year. My blog will explore daily reflections from the trail (including the highs and lows), nutrition, and what fuels us to keep trekking. Follow our journey along!

Post highlight: Leaving home to tackle our dream thru hike as father daughter duo (AT)

Excerpt: “Today was a lot emotionally!! Said goodbye to my golden, Kin which was the toughest goodbye I’ve ever had.😢🤍 As I was saying goodbye to her my husband was tearing up and I’ve only seen him cry about 4 times in the almost 14 years we’ve been together. I am so thankful for him for letting me embark on this journey, he has been nothing but supportive, and the same goes to my mother.”

Follow Natalie: @nataliebnicols

Megan Hantz

Hey there! My name is Megan/T-Rex. I’ll be attempting a thru-hike of the PCT in May. My Hiker Trash journey began in 2020 when I completed the Colorado Trail. I have The ADHD, which is why I thrive when I’m long-distance hiking. When I’m not on a trail, I’m a traveling Speech Language Pathologist with a special interest in NeuroDiversity-affirming therapy and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). I’m also a proud cat mom of two lovely ladies – Izzmund the 3rd (Izzy) and Rizozos (Zoey). I can’t wait to hit the trail and take you along for the ride!

Post highlight: So Why the PCT, and Why Now?

Excerpt: “As I started to dream up my next hike, my brain kept coming back to the PCT. My section hike in Oregon was a magical experience. It’s pretty wild for me to say this considering I was covered in mosquitos for 99% of the hike. The views, the invigorating challenge, and the people I met along the way outshined the constant battle with bugs and heat. When I ended at the Oregon/Washington border, the Cascades were basically screaming my name. At first I thought, what if I just do another short section? I’ll do the whole trail eventually. But then I started to worry, what if this is my only chance?”

Follow Megan: @mnhantz

April Maria

I choose a word to inspire my growth each year. This year my word is adventure. From 2019 to 2021, my word was brave. Clearly, I struggled to grow into THAT word. Since I was a child, I dreamed of sailing. But I had been living in the grip of fear. In 2021, I wriggled painfully out of fear’s grip by learning to sail a Hobie 14. I was brave in many other ways in 2021, but bravery was fun on the days I learned to sail. Pain and fun can walk hand in hand. Hikers know this, ask our feet. I came to hiking via hunting as a child with my dad, granddad and great-granddad. I had no idea it was hiking until I went on my first hike in Amicalola Falls, Georgia with Bill. I dropped him off at the start of the Appalachian Trail, and his plan was to hike the full trail. My take away from that momentous hike: hiking is hunting without the guns. Two weeks later, I went from hike one to hike two up Blood Mountain with gusto. At the top of Blood Mountain on a wide, flat rock overlooking the most beautiful view I had seen in my life, I decided I was going to hike the Appalachian Trail. From that moment until now, Bill and I have been rearranging the pieces of our life to accommodate this commitment. And now, we are ready for the joy and the pain of hiking the entire 2,197.4 miles of the AT.

Post highlight: AT Start: Fresh Ground’s Trail Magic to Blood Mountain

Excerpt: “Starting a thru-hike by walking under the Appalachian Trail Arch has been a thing of my hopes and dreams since the spring of 2023. I came back from Spring Break and told my high school English students that somehow I was going to make it happen. I had just hiked Blood Mountain and inspiration swept me upwards.”

Follow April: @sailingavemar

Brigitte (School Bus)

Mom in an empty nest, ex-science technician, translator to be, the trail will help me make the transition real. Walking home to my cute little house on the stream.

Post highlight: My shoes won’t end up in these trees! Although…

Excerpt: “We were 6 at the shelter that night: by the morning 4 of us decided to opt out and take a shuttle to the nearest warm place… Temperature dropped down to well under 20 (14?) that first night. In the morning I froze my fingers just going through my routine: packing my bag and preparing breakfast. I neglected to filtrate my water since my hands were not responding. A girl named Resource and I decided to continue, even if the forecast was worse for the next night.”

Jenn D

I’m Jenn, and I’ll be attempting a flip-flop thru hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2025. My friend Keith and I plan to start from Harpers Ferry, WV sometime in late winter. I hope you enjoy reading about my adventure this year!

Post highlight: Why I’m hiking the AT in 2025

Excerpt: “Why do I want to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail?

First- to embrace and feed the spark of joy and anticipation that I felt when the idea first popped into my head a few years ago. That spark hasn’t dimmed; it has become a burning ember that throws off more heat, more joy, the closer my start date gets.

Second- to rebuild my self-confidence, and see what I’m capable of at this (hopefully) halfway point in my life.

Third- to be more deeply connected with the natural world and its rhythms, and be able to more fully appreciate God’s creation. I want to immerse myself in it – wandering and wondering, watching sunrises and sunsets and wild creatures, feeling the cold or heat or rain on my skin, smelling the flowers as they bloom, hearing the myriad of different bird songs, and knowing that I, too, am a part of this amazing natural world.”

Follow Jenn: @jennontheat

Elayna Simmons

My name is Elayna (no trail name yet!), and hiking the AT in 2025 will be my first experience thru-hiking! You can blame all the other bloggers on the Trek for making me think this was a good idea…

Post highlight: Preparing for the AT

Excerpt: “I wake up at 7am with the sunlight brightening my windows. I pick up my phone (terrible habit) and open TheTrek.co to read Peg Leg’s blog. Oh my God, I just know that her perspective on a 30mile day on the AT is not what my experience will be like as a beginner. Wow! She is really an incredible person and hiker, but I have to check myself mentally to remind myself that I am not her, she is not me, and I will be ok with starting the AT in a few weeks with the plan of easing into things with some 8 mile days.”

Follow Elayna: @originalspacewhale

George Gristina

I’m a long time outdoorsman with my main passions being backpacking and skiing! I got my start in backpacking as an Eagle Scout before tackling the AT in 2021! I’m setting out on the PCT this year and hopefully will be sharing my experiences with all of you.

Post highlight: Seeking New Trail Name

Excerpt: “Barely 20 years old and coming off of a freshman year of college that had left me pretty damn beat, my early days on the AT were defined by me falling back into the old book of boy scout tactics to try and tackle the trail. Overpacking because I might need something in a niche situation. Planning the entire trail on a itinerary so people I knew could come hike with me. Most relevant to this story, studying Farout (then Guthooks) religiously each night so I knew exactly what I was trying to tackle the next day. This isn’t to knock people who still might swear by doing similar things on the trail, but for me I found that when I finally let go of that old scout mindset for good a thousand miles north in Virginia, my thruhike got far more fun.”

Follow George: @georgekindahikes

Fun Size

Post highlight: Committing, Thanks to Badass Women

Excerpt: “I started pouring over the Appalachian Trail Data Book in 2011, imagining how I might section hike the AT over many years. I never even thought of thru-hiking, because there were meetings to lead, cupcakes to bake, and bills to pay. Since then, I retired, gratefully and gloriously, from corporate life and watched my children become independent, self-supporting adults. Thanks to a lifetime of skipping the fancy coffee, lawn service, and expensive haircuts, we realized the dream of paying off our mortgage. All the responsibilities were gone, and I began to think about a thru-hike.

There was one, minor detail that needed attention – I’d never backpacked before.”

Bettina

Post highlight: I need to tell you something… and no, I’m not pregnant, getting married, or buying a house…

Excerpt: “I don’t remember when or where I first heard of the PCT. It might have actually been either the book or the movie “Wild”. The only thing I do remember is doing some research on it. I still remember sitting in my cosy warm bed, with my laptop in my lap, reading about all the physical and mental challenges, potential dangers, and logistics associated with a PCT thru-hike. I was drawn to this topic like a magnet. But at the same time, all I could think was “There’s no way I would ever be capable of doing that”.

Follow Bettina: @kangaroony

Scorpion Queen

35 y/o Jewish gal from England, living nomadically since 2017. Michelin trained chef, professional beer pourer, wanderer, dreamer, world traveller. Walked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2022 in search of adventure, mountains and to fall in love with myself. Thru hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2024 because life simply hasn’t made sense since the PCT. Excited to be starting NOBO on the CDT end of April!

Post highlight: One will never be enough

Excerpt: “Last year, I suffered through the torturous obstacle course of the Appalachian Trail. It was so hard. Mentally and physically. It was not the wide open spaces with the heart wrenchingly gorgeous sunsets of the PCT that I longed for. It was damp and humid and itchy and irritable and it felt relentless in its continuous uphill struggle. I honestly have no idea why people hike that trail again and again. I will hike the PCT again and again every year for the rest of my life if I can. Although first, I must get my triple crown.”

Follow Scorpion Queen: @juliette.outdoors

Antal Bokor

Antal Bokor is a retro game collector, Chicago-based game journalist and co-founder of CultureCombine.com. He’s also a video game historian and US Army veteran. Antal’s a Trekkie, a musician, a great cook, and some people believe he’s actually a bear in a man-suit. He also owns and operates his own small electronics repair business where he restores video game consoles to their original splendor. He’s wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail since he was a kid, and will be setting out in March of 2025 to accomplish that goal.

Post highlight: The Reasons Why I’ll Fail My Thru-Hike

Excerpt: “I know that, no matter what obstacles I face, I need to keep a positive mental attitude. And that means staying away from people who want to quit, because that can be contagious. I’m not going to try to hike the entire 2000+ miles all at once. I plan on hiking, sure, but I will try to set realistic goals. I need to think differently. It’s not 1,970 miles until Katahdin, it’s 30 miles until my next stop. Small, mentally digestible goals will keep up that positive mental attitude I’ll need to finish.”

Follow Antal: @theantalbokor

Cam “Peebz” Bourne

Hi! I’m Cam (they/them)– or “Peebz,” if you happen to catch me as I thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2025! I’m also “Dad” to Small Fry, “Captain” to Susan the Subaru, and “Boss” to an army of sourdough starters. But more on them later. For now, all you need to know is I’m a Proud Queer and Trans Southerner championing “Queer Joy in the Woods” with every step I take and every packet of ramen I consume. So grab your sporks, and let’s get to it!

Post highlight: A Love Letter to Those Who Love Backpackers

Excerpt: “To Our Trail Angels: Come rain or shine, you anticipate our needs before we ourselves know them. You’re always there with a friendly face and a helping hand, and you make a modest breakfast burrito feel like a Michelin star meal. In your hands, even a crappy beer feels like the elixir of life. On days where not much else seems to be going right, you’re just a phone call away. Sorry we stink up your van so badly. We love you anyway.”

John Hartzell

Hello, all! I am a 64-year-old Pennsylvanian (he/him), retired from government legal services and the Coast Guard Reserve, who is excited to be pursuing a decades-old goal of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. I am fortunate to have a likeminded good friend who has the same aim. I look forward to documenting our double flip-flop jaunt!

Post highlight: My (Planned) AT Journey

Excerpt: “I get asked by friends and acquaintances, “Why are you hiking the Appalachian Trail?” I think that is the wrong question. The one I would ask is “Why wouldn’t someone hike the AT??” I’m serious; I can’t see why someone wouldn’t jump at the chance. There is so much I am looking forward to experiencing on my jaunt. The AT is going to push a person physically. It will make me more focused on my basic requirements (you know, the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs stuff, bottom rungs). A person must be more deliberate, and a backpacker will soon be in great shape. In addition, there will be opportunities to ponder things. I love mowing lawns and doing yard work because of the time it gives me to think. This journey will provide similar experiences, but on steroids! And there will be great opportunities to meet fellow AT hikers. Yes, it will be like a Monty Python skit, with oatmeal, oatmeal, raisins, and oatmeal in place of “spam, spam, eggs, and spam.” And there will be days of rain, lightning, and inconvenience. But this is all good stuff.”

Follow John: @john_hartzell

Simon von Hubatius

Hiking the PCT in 2025 is the biggest thing I´ve ever done and my dream for the last 17 years! I´m Simon and the hike is my personal peak of a 2 years travel break from work. Can´t wait to share my adventures with you <3

Post highlight: And suddenly, my hike is almost around the corner…

Excerpt: “Time is running here in the wonderful Winter of British Columbia. I work 5 days, take 2 days off, and walk 20.000 steps daily. Gym, skiing, yoga, and a lot of fun in resort life – repeat. Besides all that, I´m preparing for the biggest adventure of my life – only 75 days away from touching the Southern Terminus and starting my PCT journey. It is literally around the corner.”

Follow Simon: @simons_pct_adventures

Crayon

My name is Molly aka Crayon. I am a teacher in North Carolina. I have completed the Appalachian Trail from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia which accumulates to 1026 miles. I’m going to finish the AT. I look forward to sharing my hiking adventures and meeting new people.

Post highlight: How I Failed my First Attempt in the Whites

Excerpt: “I woke up bright and early to hike the Mount Liberty trail to Mount Lincoln, Layfette, and Garfield. The trail we started on started with a brief sidewalk trail. Thankfully, it wasn’t too long before we were back on the dirt path again. On the way down to the AT, I saw a ton of beautiful lady slippers. The trail was very steep and rocky. Tech Bear was waiting for me at the top of Mount Layfette. The bugs were bad, so I rushed to catch up with him and Houlihan. It was late by the time we all reached the top, and we still had 5 miles left. 10 miles in the whites is much harder than I knew.”

Follow Crayon: @hiking_with_crayon

Andrew Komorowski

Hey I’m Andrew. I am a 22 year old from West Virginia with a dream and a gap semester. I just finished my undergrad degree in December 2024, and now I am going to squeeze in an Appalachian Trail thru-hike before I head off to law school in August 2025. Now is the best chance in my life I could have to thru-hike, so I hope I can make it to Mt. Katahdin before I need to go back to school.

Post highlight: 2 VERY different shelter nights on the AT

Excerpt: “Just as I was pulling my beanie over my eyes to get to sleep (at a respectable 6:30 p.m.) a fellow hiker cries out “my sleeping bag is wet.” Soon, someone’s headlamp is flipped on and it’s evaluated that the inside of the shelter is similar to a snow globe. Snow was coming in from all sides – From the front of the shelter and from the roof where a vent is angled just right to let in the wind. We needed to find a way to keep the snow out of the shelter and keep our sleeping bags dry if we want to get through the night.”

Follow Andrew: @andrew_komorowski

Sunny and Wally

My name is Wally, and I’ll be through hiking the AT with my daughter, Sunny (the middle child of 3). Sunny and I started hiking together while our family hosted a national forest campground during the summer of 2021. Curtis Creek Campground is just outside of Jackson, WY, with breathtaking views of the Tetons. She and I arrived in Jackson prior to the rest of the family, and hit the ground hiking. We spent many days marching around Jenny Lake, up and down the Palisades, and numerous other Teton/Yellowstone hikes. I started to talk with Sunny about my desire to hike the AT and the seed was planted for us to do it together.

Post highlight: The Magic of Trail Magic

Excerpt: “Our epic AT adventure started Feb 27 at Springer Mountain, but first we stopped at Amicalola for their thru-hiker tags (#417 and 418!) and we took a quick moment to offer our homeschooled daughter a unique graduation surprise at the arch. Not many kids can say they got their diploma at the gateway to the AT! Sunny has been homeschooling since 10th grade, when she decided covid-era changes to school were not conducive to learning… and she took homeschooling on and finished a semester ahead of her peers with the purpose of being able to start the trail the first of March! (which turned into Feb 27…)”

Follow Sunny and Wally: @sunnywallyat

Alan Chapman

Geology professor, ultrarunner, nordic skier, father, PCT class of 2025

Post highlight: How I’m Training For A Sub-100 Day PCT Thru Hike

Excerpt: “Last year, my family gave me the greatest gift I’ve ever received: their blessing to thru-hike the PCT in 2025 and have a mega-adventure in the process. That said, I still need to minimize the time away from my family and wedge this effort into my summer break between college semesters. Due to time constraints, plus the fact that I simply enjoy moving quickly, and that I’m cheap (and shorter hikes are thriftier), I must complete my PCT thru-hike this summer in 100 days or less. Is this a bad idea? Definitely! The best ideas are!”

Follow Alan: @alandanielchapman

Heather Forester

I am an aspiring Thru Hiker for the 2025 hiking season. I am looking to hike the Appalachian Trail from the Southern Terminus to the Northern Terminus.

Post highlight: Picking the Trail Name, Little Blue

Excerpt: “It all began a few years ago when I was living in Bloomington. I had a tight group of friends that I hung out a lot with. We had bonded over working with animals, and so we took frequent hikes at the lake nearby. The company I was working for had adjusted their hair color policy to allow for multi-colored hair, which was big news. I had always wanted to dye my hair a crazy color, but I didn’t want to lose my job over it. I have always hated my naturally strawberry blond hair. Too many strange old ladies at the supermarket fawning over it, pinching my cheeks, saying I looked just like my mom or my dad. So changing my hair color was bound to happen at one time or another in my life.”

Follow Heather: @meteor_mercury

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