Section Hiking
How to Hike the Best Sections of the Appalachian Trail
From idyllic rambles through mid-Atlantic farmland to epic alpine treks in the Northeast, the Appalachian Trail offers a multitude of adventures for every type of hiker. There’s no need to...
Best Sections of the Appalachian Trail to Hike in the Summer
Say hello to 15+ hours of daylight, refreshing mountain streams, and endless miles of green tunnel. That’s right. It’s summer in the Appalachians which means hiking season is in full...
Misadventure in the Adirondacks: Street and Nye
My trick to long-distance hiking is not to stop hiking. Stopping for even a five-minute break means a good ten minutes of creaky bones and joints before I’m moving smoothly...
Connecticut: Must-See Day Hikes on the Appalachian Trail
Connecticut's section of the Appalachian Trail may be short, but what it lacks in length it makes up for in diversity. In its 52 miles, the trail traverses everything from...
How to Section Hike Virginia V: Front Royal to Harpers Ferry
Distance: 55 miles Terrain type: Woodland trails and some open fields. A choppy mix of short climbs and descents through much of the section. Difficulty: Easy to moderate Best seasons: Spring or
What Hiking 1,000 Miles of the AT Has Taught Me
On May 8, 2016, I set sail on the 12-hour car ride from Philadelphia to Springer Mountain, GA. I was on my way to begin a thru-hike of the Appalachian...
Best Sections of the Appalachian Trail to Hike in the Fall
As the final northbound thru-hiker summits Katahdin and hiking season comes to an end, there is a quietness that falls over the AT. It’s worth it to wait a few...
120 Miles Done: Through the Smoke and Fire to Crater Lake
I just woke up in my little one-person progressively-worse-smelling tent, wandered to the actual bathroom! with actual running water! at this crater lake campsite, rubbed layer one of dirt off...
Section Hikers Are Backpacking’s Unsung Heroes
Every year, thousands of hikers start their journey down the Appalachian Trail, each hopeful to earn the title of “thru-hiker” in a few months' time. While roughly 600 hikers will...
New York: Must-See Day Hikes on the Appalachian Trail
The Empire State is known throughout the AT community for being tough on hikers. Steep, yet short ups-and-downs paired with a decent amount of rocks makes most elevation profiles of...