Best-Of Surveys

Thru-Hikers’ Favorite Sections of the Appalachian Trail

Thru-Hikers’ Favorite Sections of the Appalachian Trail

Of all 2,190+ miles of the AT, Class of 2023 thru-hikers voted these seven iconic sections as their favorites. Whether these stretches were loved for their panoramic views, memorable terrain,...

Jun 19, 2024 : Ariella Nardizzi
Best Restaurants on the Appalachian Trail

Best Restaurants on the Appalachian Trail

It's no secret that the way to a thru-hiker's heart is through their stomach. Ramen bombs are great and all, but when you're burning 4,000 calories a day there's nothing...

May 14, 2024 : Ariella Nardizzi
TLDR: Summarizing the 2021 Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker Survey (Plus Hikers’ Favorite Sections of the Trail)

TLDR: Summarizing the 2021 Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker Survey (Plus Hikers’ Favorite Sections of the Trail)

For the past few months, we’ve been analyzing the results from the 2021 Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker survey. In this post, we'll summarize what we’ve learned from the class of...

Feb 3, 2022 : Joal and Jenny
Stoves, Diet and Water Filtration on the Appalachian Trail: 2021 Thru-Hiker Survey

Stoves, Diet and Water Filtration on the Appalachian Trail: 2021 Thru-Hiker Survey

Each year here at The Trek, we ask long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) about the stoves and water filters they used on their 2021 Thru hike. This post...

Jan 26, 2022 : Joal and Jenny
Top Backpacks on the Appalachian Trail: 2021 Thru-Hiker Survey

Top Backpacks on the Appalachian Trail: 2021 Thru-Hiker Survey

Each year here at The Trek, we survey long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) on the gear they used on their 2021 thru-hike. In this post, we’ll cover all...

Jan 20, 2022 : Joal and Jenny
Top Tents and Shelters on the Appalachian Trail: 2021 Thru-Hiker Survey

Top Tents and Shelters on the Appalachian Trail: 2021 Thru-Hiker Survey

Each year here at The Trek, we survey long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) on the shelter systems they use. In this post we’ll cover the trends from the...

Jan 5, 2022 : Joal and Jenny
The Top Footwear on the Appalachian Trail: 2021 Thru-Hiker Survey

The Top Footwear on the Appalachian Trail: 2021 Thru-Hiker Survey

Following the general information survey results released a few weeks ago, our attention now turns to Joal’s favorite subject: gear. Each year as part of The Trek’s annual thru-hiker survey,...

Dec 22, 2021 : Joal and Jenny
The 2021 AT Thru-Hiker Survey: General Information

The 2021 AT Thru-Hiker Survey: General Information

Welcome to the 2021 Appalachian trail thru-hiker survey! We are glad to be back after taking last year off due to… well you know. (We did survey AT section hikers...

Dec 10, 2021 : Joal and Jenny
2020 Appalachian Trail Section-Hiker Survey: Resupply and Transportation

2020 Appalachian Trail Section-Hiker Survey: Resupply and Transportation

Long overlooked in our annual surveys, Appalachian Trail (AT) section hikers were the focus of the Trek's 2020 survey. We surveyed 448 people, 43 of whom had completed the entire...

Sep 14, 2021 : Mariposa
The 2020 AT Section Hiker Survey: Companions and Demographics

The 2020 AT Section Hiker Survey: Companions and Demographics

Long overlooked in our annual surveys, Appalachian Trail (AT) section hikers were the focus of this year’s survey. We surveyed 448 people, 43 of whom had completed the entire AT...

Jan 26, 2021 : Mariposa