Region: New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts)

Length: 215 miles (14 to 20 days)

Physical Difficulty: Moderate

Logistical Difficulty: Difficult

Season: Year-round
Highest Elevation: 1,617 feet
Lowest Elevation: 0 feet
Net Elevation Gain: 30,000 feet

Hiking the New England Trail

The New England Trail threads its way through heavily populated private land and preciously preserved public land from Long Island Sound in Connecticut north to Royalston Falls in Massachusetts and the terminus at the New Hampshire border. Most of the trail follows the rocky Metacomet Ridge, with expansive views of farmland and encroaching suburban housing developments below, and at times the trail skirts the edges of residential yards and follows paved roads. Despite that closeness to suburbia, there’s solitude in the woods, especially in winter, when I hiked most of the trail.

The woods tell the story of early New England: stone walls built by farmers, a graveyard for smallpox victims, and stone caves where men fighting with post-Revolutionary War insurrectionist Daniel Shays reportedly camped.

The 21^st century tells a different story: encroaching suburban neighborhoods and battles to secure the trail’s path where it passes through private land.

And that’s what makes thru-hiking the NET a challenge. The on-trail campsites are on public land or private land with landowners’ permission, and hikers are advised to leave the trail for overnight accommodations if not staying at a designated campsite.

The southern and northern trail sections have the most sites, with only three overnight sites in the wide gap in between. Observing the guidelines against stealth camping means paying attention to when you need to get off trail to sleep. Although the trail frequently crosses roads, many of them pass through suburban neighborhoods that don’t offer opportunities for resupply and lodging.

And be aware that if you choose to stealth camp, you may be pitching your tent in someone’s backyard.

Roadwalks are the bane of thru-hikers, and the NET has plenty of them. The Western Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Connecticut Forest & Park Association, which together maintain the trail, are working to move those roadwalks into the woods and establish more campsites.

Lyme disease was first identified in Lyme, Connecticut, a town near the trail, and it’s now present in ticks all along the trail. It’s a good idea to check daily for ticks—even in winter—and treat your clothes with Permethrin to repel them.

Copperheads and timber rattlesnakes live along the trail in Connecticut and southern Massachusetts, although it’s rare to see one. They are considered endangered in both states.

How to Get to the New England Trail

The southern terminus on Long Island Sound in Guilford, Connecticut, is an easy reach using public transportation. The northern terminus in Royalston Falls has no public transportation and cell coverage is spotty. The New England Scenic Trail Hikers Facebook page has information on people willing to shuttle hikers in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Northern Terminus

The trailhead parking in Royalston Falls is .7 miles from the northern terminus at the New Hampshire border. The TTOR Lean-to is near the terminus, so it’s possible for northbound thru-hikers to stay there after reaching the terminus or stay at the shelter to begin a southbound hike.

Although Uber and Lyft say they have drivers who go to the northern terminus, actually getting someone to drive you may be a different story.

Public transportation to the northern terminus is possible, but involves planning and several steps. Greyhound and Amtrak both stop at the John W. Olver Transit Center in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and from there a Franklin Regional Transit Authority bus goes to Orange, Massachusetts. An Uber or Lyft could be possible from Orange to the terminus at Royalston Falls, about a 16-mile ride.

Another possibility is taking the MBTA Commuter Rail from Boston to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and setting up an Uber or Lyft to the northern terminus. It’s about 34 miles from Fitchburg to Royalston Falls.

Because of spotty cell reception at the northern terminus arranging an Uber or Lyft from there is dicey. If you’re heading north the Mt. Grace peak is a good spot to arrange a pickup at the northern terminus.

Southern Terminus

Getting to the southern terminus at Chittenden Park on Long Island Sound in Guilford is much easier.

Nearby New Haven, Connecticut, is a major rail and bus hub, and from New Haven the Shoreline East train runs to Guilford, where the NET passes through the station. Hikers taking the train to Guilford walk a short distance to the southern terminus, turn around, and begin their northbound hike, passing back through the train station.

The following public transportation options provide access to the southern terminus:

Amtrak Hartford Line: Commuter service from Springfield, Massachusetts, to New Haven. Amtrak trains from Burlington, Vermont, and Montreal, Canada, also stop along this line.

Amtrak: Nationwide rail service that has a stop in New Haven.

Metro-North: Rail service from Grand Central Terminal in New York City to New Haven.

Shoreline East: Train from New Haven to Old Saybrook, Connecticut, with a stop in Guilford.

Peter Pan: Bus service to New Haven from cities in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Greyhound: Bus service to New Haven from cities across the country.

When to Hike the New England Trail

Spring: Late March through mid-May are good times for starting at Long Island Sound. The snow should be gone by then, although late March and April snowstorms are always possible in northern sections. Late May into June can be irritatingly buggy.

Summer: Hot, humid, and still buggy. A dry summer can make water supplies low and the hike difficult.

Fall: Cooler temperatures, no bugs, and the leaves are starting to change color by late September. September rains can replenish water supplies.

Winter: Snow is rare near the coast, more likely from northern Connecticut to the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border. Still, in southern Massachusetts and all of Connecticut it’s rare lately that snow on the ground lasts more than a week after a winter storm.

The New England Trail Terrain

The trail starts at sea level on Long Island Sound in Guilford, and follows roads north through Guilford for about 3 miles before climbing atop the Metacomet Ridge, whose craggy, reddish cliffs are made up of traprock, a volcanic basalt rock. Hikers climb up and down the mostly dry ridge, high above suburban housing developments and nearby cities, as it winds through Connecticut and southern Massachusetts.

Those ridgetop climbs and sweeping views from open cliffs are repeated along the trail through Connecticut: Trimountain; Beseck Mountain, where the trail passes close to the steep ridge cliff; Mount Higby, with views south to Long Island Sound and north to Mount Tom in southern Massachusetts; Chauncey Peak, which drops steeply to Crescent Lake on one side and a working quarry on the other; Lamentation Mountain; the Hanging Hills; and Ragged Mountain, popular with rock climbers.

Along the way Castle Craig in the Hanging Hills and Heublein Tower farther north provide good views of the surrounding land in Connecticut, and can be packed with day trippers.

Soon after entering Massachusetts hikers encounter the Westfield River, which can be crossed if the water is low. If the water is high a shuttle is the best way to cross the river. Go to the New England Scenic Trail Hikers Facebook page and search for “Westfield River shuttle” to find people who drive hikers across the river.

The trail then passes the Harold Akey Tentsite, the last established tentsite until the Erving State Forest shelter some 50 miles north. A short distance north the trail climbs East Mountain on switchbacks and continues along the mountain’s ridge before descending to state Route 202.

The next major climb is Mount Tom, 1,202 feet high. The trail continues through the Mount Tom Range, passing over Whiting Peak, Goat Peak, and Mount Nonotuck, before descending to Route 5 on the west side of the Connecticut River.

The river is too deep and wide to cross, and a roadwalk to cross the nearest bridge is about 10 miles. The trail starts well away from the river on the east side and getting to it from the river requires bushwhacking through private land, so finding a boat ride across the river might not be the best idea.

Many thru-hikers shuttle to Northampton, Massachusetts, or Hadley, Massachusetts, to rest and clean up at a hotel, and resupply for the rest of the hike.

The trail east of the river starts in Skinner State Park on Mountain Road in Hadley, and climbs to the Summit House, with restrooms and water, on Mount Holyoke. From there the trail passes over Mount Holyoke, Mount Hitchcock, Bare Mountain, Mount Norwottuck, and Long Mountain through the Mount Holyoke Range. The trail through the range is packed with panoramic views and up and down rock scrambling, with a steep drop and climb between Bare and Norwottuck mountains. The Notch Visitor Center between the two peaks has flush toilets and water. Norwottuck, at 1,106 feet, is the highest peak in the range.

After coming down from the Holyoke Range, the trail meanders gradually up and down before reaching the moderately flat Quabbin Reservoir watershed, the most isolated section of the trail. Four towns were abandoned to fill the reservoir that supplies water for Greater Boston, and the lands around Quabbin are empty and protected.

Farther north the trail climbs Stratton Mountain and Mount Grace, at 1,617 feet the highest peak on the trail, before ending at Royalston Falls and the New Hampshire border.

It’s possible to do 15- to 20-mile days on the trail, making a thru-hike in 14 to 20 days within reach. Because the trail crosses so many roads multi-day hikes with stops at overnight campsites can be combined with daylong section hikes.

Logistics: Permits, Camping, Water

Permits: No permits are needed to hike the New England Trail.

Camping: Some of the designated camping sites, such as the Richardson-Zlogar Cabin in Massachusetts, require reservations. Fires are not allowed at campsites in Connecticut, and stealth camping along the trail is discouraged. Trail maintainers are working to add more overnight sites.

The sites from south to north are: Godman Group Campsite, Cattails Shelter, Lamentation Mountain Primitive Tentsite, Windsor Locks Scouts Primitive Tentsite, Harold Akey Tentsite, Mt. Holyoke Outing Club Cabin, Wendell State Forest Lean-to, Richardson-Zlogar Cabin, Mt. Grace Lean-to, and TTOR Lean-to at Royalston Falls. Campsite details can be found here.

Campsites are nicely spaced between the southern terminus and Lamentation Mountain Primitive Tentsite and between the Wendell State Forest Lean-to and the TTOR Lean-to at Royalston Falls near the northern terminus. But the long gap between Lamentation Mountain and the Windsor Locks Tentsite may require getting off trail for the night. The same goes for the gap between the Connecticut River and the Wendell State Forest Lean-to.

The Richardson-Zlogar Cabin, with its wide open vista east to Mount Grace and Mount Monadnock, and a beautiful sunrise view, is the gem of the trail’s shelters. The cabin is locked and needs to be reserved online to get the lock code. It’s also possible, but not necessary, to reserve the tentsites as they rarely fill up.

Although the NET website lists the Mt. Holyoke Outing Club Cabin as an overnight site, the guidelines on picking up and returning a key make the cabin an impractical option.

The Windsor Locks tentsite is near Bradley International Airport, and planes taking off frequently passed noisily overhead while I camped there; the lights from one plane lit up my tent.

Water: Few of the campsites have natural water sources, and water can be scarce along the trail from Long Island Sound to the northern end of the Holyoke Range. Some overnight sites have water caches, but it’s best not to rely on them. Water is easier to find north of the Holyoke Range.

Route-finding: The trail is marked with blue blazes in Connecticut, white blazes through Massachusetts. M&M signs (Metacomet and Monadnock, the trail name in Massachusetts before it became the New England National Scenic Trail) are nailed to trees alongside white blazes in northern Massachusetts. Numerous side paths cross the NET, so paying attention to blazes is important. If your mind wanders in thought on trail like my does it’s easy to miss a turn blaze and head down a side path instead of staying on the NET. And keep in mind that sometimes at trail junctions the most heavily used path that lies ahead might not be the NET.

Rivers: The Westfield River in Massachusetts can be waded if the water is low. The roadwalk around the river crossing is 3.7 miles on busy roads, so it’s best to arrange a ride if the river is high. The Connecticut River in Massachusetts can be crossed by roadwalking 10.2 miles along high-speed, high-traffic roads. Some hikers arrange a ride to lodging in Northampton or Hadley after the trail reaches the western bank of the Connecticut, resupply, and resume walking the trail the next day on the eastern bank.

Parking: The NET website has an interactive map that shows parking areas along the trail, describes how many cars each spot fits, whether they’re lots or road shoulders, and provides directions to them.

Trail Angels: Some people along the trail help with rides, lodging, and water caches, but there isn’t a well-established system of hostels and shuttle drivers. Search the New England Scenic Trail Facebook page for people willing to shuttle hikers or post on the page that you’re looking for a ride.

Know Before You Go

On to Canada: It is possible to hike from Long Island Sound in Connecticut to Canada following the NET; the New Hampshire Metacomet & Monadnock Trail and the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway in Southern New Hampshire; and the Cohos Trail in northern New Hampshire. Several options link the Greenway to the Cohos Trail, with information about them on the NET to Cohos Trail Facebook page.

North or South?: Which direction to hike can depend on the season or how you’re getting to and from the termini. If you’re starting in late winter or early spring setting off at Long Island Sound makes it less likely to encounter snow in the north. Starting in the north during the fall means hiking with the foliage as it changes color north to south.

Arranging transportation to the northern terminus is complicated, while southern terminus transportation is easy because the trail passes through a train station a short walk from the terminus. So hiking south means getting the complicated trip planning out of the way and scoring an easy ride at the end of your hike.

Spur Trail: A ~28-mile NET spur trail runs from near Broomstick Ledges in Guilford to the Connecticut River in Middletown, Connecticut. Once at the river, it’s necessary to backtrack to the main NET. The spur is considered part of the New England Trail, but is it part of a thru-hike? Many thru-hikers walk past the spur trail. The NET website, however, says hikers have to walk every mile of the trail to get an NET finisher patch.

Resupply: Meriden, Connecticut, and Hadley are good jumping-off points for lodging and resupply. Small restaurants and stores on or near the trail also provide food options, but north of Hadley lodging and food stores are far from the trail. The trail passes through the parking lot of Guida’s Restaurant on Route 66 between Beseck and Higby mountains in Connecticut, making it a favorite thru-hiker stop. The trail also passes through the small village of Tariffville, Connecticut, which has some restaurants.

Cell Reception: Cell phone reception is good from Long Island Sound through the northern end of the Holyoke Range. After that it’s good on peaks, but not reliable down low.

Trail Guides: Paper maps of the New England Trail—one for Connecticut, one for Massachusetts—are available here. The maps show trail section mileage but not elevation. The NET online interactive map gives information on camping, directions to trail parking, and section mileage. FarOut has an NET app.

Gun Ranges: Multiple gun ranges and an archery range are near or right next to the trail in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

One of 11: The New England Trail is one of 11 National Scenic Trails. The others are the Appalachian Trail, Arizona Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Florida Trail, Ice Age Trail, Natchez Trace, North Country Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, and Potomac Heritage Trail.

National Park Status: The New England Trail was granted national park status by the U.S. National Park Service in late 2023.

NET’s Origins: The New England Trail was designated a National Scenic Trail in 2009, and is comprised primarily of the historic Mattabesett, Menunkatuk, Metacomet, and Monadnock trails in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Those trail names are still used along sections of the NET.

New England Trail Resources

The New England Trail: Trail website with an interactive map showing campsites and parking. Maps of the trail through Connecticut and Massachusetts are also available.

FarOut: Mobile app of the NET available.

Amtrak

Shoreline East

Metro-North

Peter Pan bus

Greyhound bus

The post The New England National Scenic Trail appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

Region: New England (Maine)

Length: 99.4 miles (5 – 10 days)

Physical Difficulty: Moderate

Logistical Difficulty: Easy

Season: Spring, summer, fall
Total Elevation Gain: ~15,000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 3,654 feet

Hiking the 100-Mile Wilderness

BPR editor Hugh Owen was 22 when he hiked the Appalachian Trail through the 100-Mile Wilderness in 1975 on his first long-distance backpacking trip, carrying close to 50 pounds on his back and barely enough food. He wore cotton clothes and was woefully short of warm layers.

He picked up a trail partner on his second day, and met maybe six other hikers in the Wilderness. It’s a trip that started his love for backpacking.

Hugh relied on youthful hubris during his hike, but the Wilderness is not to be taken lightly. It’s rugged in sections, and isolated. A food resupply is recommended for anyone taking more than 5 days to hike.

But the rewards are immense for those who prepare physically and mentally.

The northern section is filled with remote lakes. Farther south the trail crosses several peaks with stunning views of the lake-studded land below.

And at night the sky is ablaze with stars in an area designated as an International Dark Sky Park.

Starting at Abol Bridge and heading south the AT is relatively easy as it skirts the lakes. The three main climbs in the early section are over Rainbow Ledges and Nesuntabant and Little Boardman mountains.

The AT briefly follows the same path as the Great Circle Trail near Nahmakanta Lake.

The terrain becomes more challenging as it enters the White Cap Range, climbing steeply to White Cap Mountain (3,654 feet).

The view from White Cap takes in the lakes to the north, and for hikers coming from the south, their first view of Katahdin in the distance. The trail continues over Hay, West Peak, and Gulf Hagas mountains before descending to the West Branch of the Pleasant River.

The trail begins climbing again to cross the Barren-Chairback Range and its five peaks: Chairback, Columbus, Third, Fourth, and Barren. The views through the range are some of the best in the Wilderness.

The trail also passes East Chairback, West Chairback, and Cloud ponds, geographically known as tairns, bodies of water created by the scouring of glaciers.

The trail drops after Barren Mountain and continues on a mostly flat path to Monson. Water crossings can be difficult at Long Pond and Big and Little Wilson Streams. Near the Little Wilson Stream crossing the trail passes Little Wilson Falls, the highest waterfall on the AT in Maine.

The Wilderness ends at Maine Route 15, 3.5 miles north of Monson.

How to Get to the 100-Mile Wilderness

Access to the Wilderness is from Abol Bridge in Millinocket, Maine, in the north and from Maine Route 15 in Monson in the south. The Appalachian Trail Hostel & Outfitters in Millinocket and Shaw’s Hiker Hostel in Monson provide lodging and long-distance shuttles.

The nearest airport is Bangor International, about 72 miles from Millinocket and 56 miles from Monson.

Cyr Bus Line stops in Medway, about 11 miles from Millinocket, on its daily run between the Concord Coach Lines station at 1039 Union St. in Bangor and Caribou, Maine. The bus leaves from the station across the street from the airport at 5:30 p.m. daily, and arrives in Medway at 6:40 p.m. An Appalachian Trail Hostel shuttle can pick you up in Medway.

The hostel has a daily 9 a.m. shuttle to the Medway Cyr bus stop, where you can catch the 9:30 a.m. bus to Bangor.

The shuttles are primarily for overnight guests, but non-guests can make arrangements for one.

Concord Coach Lines travels to Bangor from Boston, Massachusetts; New York City; and multiple cities and towns in Maine and New Hampshire.

Greyhound also has a bus that runs to 360 Odlin Road in Bangor from Boston and New York City. The station is about 3 miles from the airport.

Cars can be parked long-term at Abol Bridge while hiking the Wilderness, and can be parked at Shaw’s for $1 a day.

When to Hike the 100-Mile Wilderness

Mid June to early July is a good weather window for early-season hiking, though bugs can be bothersome. Summer is hot, humid, and buggy, and best avoided. September after Labor Day and early October are mostly cool, and the foliage begins turning in late September. Youth groups often overwhelm campsites in the summer. Southbound Appalachian Trail hikers typically begin their trip from Katahdin through the Wilderness in June, and northbound thru-hikers begin trickling through in July. September brings a crush of northbound thru-hikers.

100-Mile Wilderness Terrain

The trail crosses streams that need to be forded, and some of the crossings can be difficult. Some hikers carry water shoes for water crossings; others wade through with shoes on and empty out the water on the opposite shoe.

The terrain varies from soft duff to rocks that can be slippery when wet.

White Cap Mountain is the highest peak at 3,654 feet.

Logistics: Permits, Camping, Water

Permits: No permits needed for the Wilderness, but one may be needed to hike Katahdin north of the Wilderness.

This is from the Baxter State Park website:

“All backpackers who enter or exit the Park via the A.T. need a permit. In order to stay at the Birches Long Distance Hiker Campsite, hikers should have completed at least 100 miles of the A.T. contiguous to the Park immediately prior to entering the Park. In other words, they should have hiked continuously northward—without leaving the A.T.—from Monson or a point farther south.”

Camping: Shelters and hardened tentsites are abundant along the Appalachian Trail, but be wary of shelter mice that are adept at getting into food. Campfires in the Wilderness are allowed only at shelters and designated campsites. Campsites and lean-tos designated on the Maine Appalachian Trail Club maps have privies, but no bear boxes. Dispersed camping is allowed on the trail except near Nahmakanta Lake.

Water: The trail passes many streams and ponds, and it’s a good idea to filter or purify water. Most shelters and campsites have reliable water sources.

Resupply, Shuttles, and Lodging

Shaw’s Hiker Hostel, Monson: Hearty breakfast, rooms, food drops, shuttles, hiker-friendly gear and food store

The Lakeshore House, Monson: Lodging, restaurant,

100 Mile Wilderness Adventures and Outfitters, Monson: Lodging, shuttle

Appalachian Trail Hostel & Outfitters, Millinocket: Rooms, shuttles, food drops, hiker friendly gear and food store

Whitehouse Landing Camps: Not a resupply stop, but a chance to sleep in a dry bed, wash clothes, and eat a home-cooked meal. Sound the horn once at a dock and the owner will cross Pemadumcook Lake in a boat when he has time.

Know Before You Go

The 100-Mile Wilderness is as wild as it gets in New England, but it’s not totally cut off from civilization. Logging roads pass through the forest, and hunting and fishing camps dot the many lakes.

The logging roads provide access to the Wilderness so it’s possible to resupply during a thru-hike or do a section hike. As logging has declined in the Wilderness conservation groups and the state of Maine have purchased land, and 330,000 acres of the Wilderness are now conserved forests.

Cell phone coverage is spotty, with the best coverage on peaks, so it’s a good idea to carry a satellite communicator.

Should you hike north or south? Hiking north gets the hardest section out of the way first; hiking south lets you ease into the trail and save the peaks for the end. Another possibility is to section hike using a shuttle.

100-Mile Wilderness Resources

Maine Appalachian Trail Club: The Appalachian Trail Guide for Maine can be purchased online at the MATC website. Maps 1-3 cover the 100-Mile Wilderness.

Appalachian Mountain Club: The club’s Moose Point Cabin, Gorman Chairback Lodge and Cabins, Little Lyford Lodge and Cabins, and Medishwa Lodge and Cabins are near or within the Wilderness, and provide good opportunities for day hiking.

Appalachian Trail Visitor Center, Monson

FarOut: The app has a guide for the Appalachian Trail in Maine.

Shaw’s Hiker Hostel

Appalachian Trail Hostel & Outfitters

Baxter State Park

atweather.org

BPR editor Hugh Owen hiked the 100-Mile Wilderness southbound in September 1975 as part of an Appalachian Trail hike through New England. BPR co-founder Maggie Slepian passed through the Wilderness at the end of her northbound AT thru-hike much later.

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Fall is technically a shoulder season, sitting pretty between the heavy hitters of outdoor recreation: summer and winter. While “shoulder season” is often said with a sigh—high-elevation trails get snowed in, but the snow isn’t good enough for skiing—you shouldn’t’ discount fall backpacking, especially in regions of the country where it stays warmer longer.

Fall backpacking means trails that stick to a lower elevation in warmer regions. Keep in mind the days will be shorter even if the destination is farther south, so pack layers and a good headlamp, and review our tips and fall backpacking gear list for all of your other questions. Here are the rest of our fall backpacking routes.

Ouachita Trail, AR-OK
223 Miles
Mid-Late Fall

This trail is one of the “Triple-O’s” of backpacking, following a well-signed, well-graded path from the eastern edge of Oklahoma to Pinnacle Mountain State Park outside Little Rock, Arkansas. The trail is lined with beautiful, sturdy shelters and great care is given to upkeep along the entire path. We recommend starting on the Oklahoma side, as it is a three-hour drive from Oklahoma City, and transport can be a hassle, so it’s best to get it out of the way. Days were in the 40s and 50s in November, perfect hiking temperatures. Allow 12-18 days to hike this trail, and plan on 2-3 resupplies.

Death Hollow Loop, UT
23 Miles
Mid Fall

Honestly, most of Southern Utah and the lower-elevation trails in Northern Utah are clutch in the fall. We just love this loop, and it really is incredible during the mid-fall months. This two-day route connects Death Hollow with the Boulder Mail Trail, climbing up and over slick rock, through ankle-deep sand, and then dropping down into the otherworldly Death Hollow, a long, winding canyon that will have you walking in and out of water, falling into the narrows, and camping on the riverbank under the open sky.

Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness Loop, WA
56 Miles
Early-Mid Fall

While plenty of Washington trails are high-elevation (thus snowed in for much of the shoulder season), this loop in southeast Washington stays low enough that it can be hiked comfortably through the middle of fall. You’ll cross expansive meadows, hike through forested sections, and enjoy cool canyon hiking. This trail can be overgrown and some of the navigation can be tricky, but the loop style is convenient as heck, and it can be hiked in 3-5 days.

Foothills Trail, NC-SC
77 Miles
Mid-Late Fall

Looking for a getaway on a trail that can be completed in a week or so? The Foothills Trail offers a well-graded, well-signed option for hikers looking to test gear, try out a trail for their first thru-hike, or just do a trail end-to-end during the fall season. Water and camping is abundant, and for the brave fall backpackers, there are plenty of options for freezing your butt off in swimming holes. You won’t need a resupply for this trail, and the logistics of trailheads are made easy with both ends in state parks.

Benton Mackaye Trail, GA-TN-NC
278 Miles
Early-Mid-Late Fall

This trail sees little traffic, and is a terrific shakedown hike for prospective Appalachian Trail thru-hikers. It has climbing and descents similar to other regional trails, but it has less overall attention, so some sections might feel like choose-your-own-adventure. This trail can be hiked throughout the fall season, but it’ll just obviously be warmer in September and early October and cooler as you get deeper into the season. The trail is mostly forested, and if you hit it right, you might be treated to some spectacular fall foliage. Allow 2-3 weeks to complete this trail.

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So if you are a beginning hiker (or planning a trip with one) give these trails some consideration. Not what you are looking for? Use our searchable database on the homepage to find the perfect route, and check our collection of trails with easier terrain and easier logistics.

*hiker famous is different from regular famous

1) Foothills Trail, South Carolina
76 miles
Average Elevation ~1,000 feet

South Carolina’s Foothills Trail offers abundant water, easy camping, and a moderate grade. On top of all that, the trail is well-marked and you don’t need permits to hike it. You can use local shuttles to handle your start/end logistics. The elevation never rises above 3,553 feet, and you can hike it in fall, winter, or spring. Like most southern trails, you’ll run into heat, humidity, and bugs in the summer months, but none of these problems are insurmountable. The small-but-bustling city of Greenville is always within an hour’s car ride if you have to bail in case of emergency. If you are in the Southeast, give this trail some serious consideration for your first backpacking trip. Check out the full Foothills Trail profile for more info.

2) Florida Trail, Florida
1,500 miles
Average Elevation ~500 feet

1,500 miles may seem like a long way to a beginner’s eyes. But consider that the so-called Big Three (Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail) are all over 2,000 miles, and the Florida Trail starts to seem like a beginner-friendly alternative. Add to that the Florida Trail’s relative ease-of-resupply and lack of wilderness areas, plus the fact that you won’t be dealing with altitude and all the challenges that come with it. But Florida’s increasing urbanization doesn’t mean this trail is a city walk. You’ll encounter plenty of beautiful environments, and wildlife (including gators and snakes) are ever-present. Check out the full Florida Trail profile for more info.

3) Greenstone Ridge Trail, Michigan
41 miles
Average Elevation ~1,000 feet

This 41-mile trail is probably the most physically challenging option in this round-up because of the trail conditions, variable weather, and insect presence. You also need permits, and resupply is hard. But it has low elevation and very little climbing, and the lush vegetation and island location are hard to beat. Plus, such a short trail offers the opportunity for a beginner to push herself under relatively low-stakes conditions. Check out the full Greenstone Ridge Trail profile for more info.

4) Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Trail, New Hampshire
48 miles
Average Elevation ~2,000 feet

We love it when trails run right through town. It offers not only a chance for resupply, but an opportunity to grab a beer, a burger, a candy bar, or (ideally) all three. The Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway trail runs through Washington, New Hampshire, is well-marked with white blazes, and boasts moderate elevation gain. Water is frequent as well! A beginner could do worse than tackle this three-to-four-day New England trail as an introduction to backpacking. Heads up: you’ll need a permit to park your car at one of the trailheads. Check out the full profile on the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Trail for more info.

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High-elevation backpacking gear list

From a 28-mile loop in Colorado to nearly 200 miles of off-trail travel in the High Sierra, all of of these trails have an average elevation above 8,000 feet, and many of them soar over 12,000 feet at their high point. Prime time for most of these trails is late July through early September, so get acclimated and start planning.

Find the rest of our trail roundups here!

1) Uinta Highline Trail, Utah
104 miles
Average Elevation: ~10,700 feet

The Uinta Highline Trail is a 104-mile high-elevation route with a high degree of physical difficulty but moderately easy logistics considering it’s a point-to-point hike. Allow about a week for this trail, which clears out by mid-July and can be hiked through the middle of September most years. The Uinta Highline Trail takes you through Utah’s most scenic mountain terrain and highest peaks. Most of the trail is above treeline, which provides sweeping views over basins, lakes, and passes. Here’s our full profile on the Uinta Highline Trail.

2) Collegiate Peaks Loop, Colorado
160 miles
Average Elevation: ~11,000 feet

Linking together some of the best sections from the CDT and the Colorado Trail, the Collegiate Peaks Loop is a breathtaking 160-mile loop trail that circles the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness in central Colorado. Most people take around two weeks to hike this trail, but it can be completed in as little as nine days. August is the best time to hike this trail, and the loop format and easy resupply means that while it’s physically tough, the logistics are simple. Here’s our full profile on the Collegiate Peaks Loop.

3) Four Pass Loop, Colorado
28 miles
Average Elevation: ~11,000 feet

The Four Pass Loop in Colorado’s Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is a perfect alternative to some of the state’s longer routes. Don’t let the distance fool you, though. As the route name implies, you’ll crest four high-elevation passes in the 28 miles, making this one of the most epic bang-for-your-buck trails on our whole site. Most people hike this trail over 3-5 days, with the peak season in late July through very early September. Here’s our full profile on the Four Pass Loop.

4) Gallatin Crest Trail, Montana
42 Miles
Average Elevation: ~8,500 feet

Everything except the first and last 6 miles of this route are above treeline. Tracing the spine of the Gallatin range in Southwest Montana, the Gallatin Crest Trail sees very little traffic for such a remarkable trail. Expect sweeping views, mountain goats, long climbs, and some navigation when the trail becomes faint. This is a simple shuttle, and if you plan carefully and carry enough water, water sources aren’t an issue. This trail can be hiked in 2-4 days depending how you want to plan your water and camping. Here’s our full profile on the Gallatin Crest Trail.

5) High Sierra Trail, California
72 miles
Average Elevation: ~9,500 feet

The High Sierra Trail is a 72-mile point-to-point trail that offers a lower-traffic alternative to the John Muir Trail. Permitting is easier, the views are no less epic, and this trail can be hiked in about a week … perfect for hikers who want the High Sierra experience without the permit lottery and longer commitment. The High Sierra Trail traverses the Sierra Nevada west to east, crossing the Great Western Divide over Kaweah Gap and finishing at Trail Crest Junction with the option to summit Mt. Whitney. Here is our full profile on the High Sierra Trail.

6) Sierra High Route, California
195 miles
Average Elevation: ~10,000 feet

The names might be confusingly similar, but the Sierra High Route is a whole different ball game than the High Sierra Trail. At nearly 200 miles, much of which are off-trail, the Sierra High Route is an advanced trail that requires route-finding, long food carries, and a remote shuttle. It’s also one of the most epic and rewarding trails, 44,000 feet of elevation gain, massive granite peaks, cirques, and crystalline alpine lakes. Here is our full profile on the Sierra High Route.

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So if you live in the Southeast, consider giving one of these routes a try. And make sure to grab some BBQ afterward. We’re the only ones doing it right, no matter what they say in Texas or Kansas City. And can I talk you into giving boiled peanuts a try? I promise, you won’t regret it. 

Find all of our trails sorted by region here, and a roundup of our favorite overnight loops here.

1) The Florida Trail

• 1,500 miles, easy terrain 
• 60-90 days 
• Best in winter and early spring

If you are looking for a long hiking experience that isn’t especially overtaxing on the calves and ankles, consider the Florida Trail. The 1,500-mile length is considerably less than the Appalachian, Continental Divide, or Pacific Crest Trails. That means you can get an immersive, multiweek adventure without having to quit or lose your job. 

The Florida Trail offers mostly flat walking with plenty of resupply, but watch out for heat, snakes, and gators. Give serious consideration to a January or February departure date, and you’ll encounter mostly mild temperatures the whole way. 

Florida is, of course, famously flat, which means finding a level spot for your shelter will be a snap. Challenges include shorter daylight walking hours in the winter and agricultural runoff polluting the water sources. 

Learn more about hiking the Florida Trail here. 

2) The Foothills Trail 

• 76 miles, moderate terrain 
• 5-8 days
• Best in fall, winter, and early spring 

Don’t have the time or inclination for 1,500 miles of Florida walking? How about 76 miles in western South Carolina? If that’s more your speed, read on!

The Foothills Trail boasts secluded, quiet dispersed campsites, decent views, and a plethora of swimming opportunities in some of the South’s most famous rivers, waterfalls, and swimming holes. You’ll also go over the high point of South Carolina!  

Make sure to spend some time in the terminus town of Greenville, a lovely but much underappreciated city with a thriving arts scene and plenty of microbreweries. 

Learn more about hiking the Foothills Trail here.

3) The Benton MacKaye Trail

• 287 miles, moderate to difficult terrain 
• 15-30 days
• Best in spring and fall, but winter is doable 

You may never have heard of Benton MacKaye, but you’ve certainly heard of his most well-known contribution to American hiking culture: the Appalachian Trail. 

The trail that bears his name runs roughly parallel to the AT for around 300 miles, but is much less traveled. You can knock it out in 15 to 30 days depending on your pace, but be prepared for all the stream crossings, steep verticals, and green vegetation tunnels that the southern Appalachians are known for. 

If you can go 100 miles without resupply, you can restock your food via mail drop from 2 different walkable locations. I love the elegance of that—walking 300 miles without having to hitch into town. 

Learn more about hiking the Benton MacKaye Trail here.

4) The Pinhoti Trail

• 335 miles, moderate terrain 
• 30 days 
• Best in spring and fall. Winter can be rainy but is doable 

You could think of the Pinhoti Trail as another alternative to the busy season on the Appalachian Trail. Backpacking Routes cofounder Jeff Garmire reports that the 335-mile Pinhoti Trail (which runs east to west across Alabama and Georgia) has over 75 well-maintained, fairly new shelters that offer an all-around nicer experience than those found on the AT. Bonus points: the outhouses and composting toilets don’t stink as bad either. 

Like all of the trails on this list, you may want to avoid tackling the Pinhoti Trail in the high summer because of the heat, humidity, and bugs. Water is generally plentiful, it’s well-signed, and navigation is easy. 

The terrain on the Pinhoti Trail is about what you’d expect from mountainous southern terrain—steep, short climbs and descents with lots of rocks, roots, and mud.

Learn more about hiking the Pinhoti Trail here.

5) Great Smoky Mountains National Park 127-Mile Loop

• 127 miles, difficult terrain 
• 8-10 days 
• Best in spring and fall, winter could be snowy

This misty, squelchy loop route was put together by Backpacking Routes cofounder Andrew Marshall (hey, that’s me!). I needed a roughly 100-mile loop around the park that began and ended at Fontana Dam, so I drew up this route that includes 20miles of lakeshore walking, steep climbs up and over Clingmans Dome, some Appalachian Trail hiking, sections of the Benton MacKaye trail (see above) and plenty of stream crossings. 

If you’ve never been to the Smokies, you owe yourself a visit. It’s technically a temperate rainforest, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more tangled, lush, green stretch of land outside the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. 

You can tackle this route any time of year, really, but each season has its hazards. Summer has bugs and humidity, you could get snow and freezing temperatures in the winter, and the shoulder seasons have rain, rain, rain. Look out for salamanders—the Smokies have a few species that live nowhere else in the world. 

Learn more about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 127-mile loop here.

The post 5 Southern Long-Distance Backpacking Trails appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

These overnight backpacking loops are a collection of trails from our Under 50 Mile category. They range from mellow New England overnights to routes with challenging high-elevation passes. All of these can be hiked in two days and one night, but be aware of your own abilities and trail conditions as the seasons change. A two-day hike for some backpackers might be a three-day hike for others.

The rest of our shorter trails can be found here, or you can sort all of our routes by difficulty, season, or region. If you’ve hiked one of these trails and have trail updates, feel free to submit a trip report.

Have a trail you’d like to write up? Pitch us here, or check out our FAQs.

Loowit Trail (Mt. St. Helens, Washington)
26 miles; difficult terrain
Best in summer

The Loowit Trail circumnavigates Mt. St. Helens in Washington. This is a challenging trail with epic views, and around 6,000 feet of elevation gain. While the “loop” aspect makes this trail logistically simple, you will have to cross the “blast zone” from the volcanic eruption in one day, so plan your camping spot ahead of time. Full trail profile, including GPS track and trailhead location, can be found here.

Emigrant Wilderness Loop (Northern California)
19 miles; moderate terrain
Best in mid-spring, summer, early fall

The beauty of the Emigrant Wilderness Loop is access to a backpacking overnight in a place that doesn’t require a ton of planning ahead or permits or campsite reservations. This trail is wonderful for much of the year, and offers plenty of water sources, camping options, and is doable with a simple self-serve permit at local ranger stations. Full trail profile, including GPS track and trailhead location, can be found here.

Old Mt. Baldy to Three T’s (Southern California)
22 miles; difficult terrain
Best in summer

Not for the faint of heart, the Old. Mt. Baldy Loop sends hikers straight up the side of the peak, though timing your summit for sunset will be something you remember forever. Camping abounds on this challenging overnight, though you’re limited with the lack of water along the route. The only water is right near the trailhead, so you’ll be carrying all the water you need for the duration of the hike. Full trail profile, including GPS track and trailhead location, can be found here.

Lye Brook Wilderness Loop (Vermont)
11-23 miles; easy terrain
Can be hiked year-round

In sharp contrast from the Pacific West loops, our New England overnights are mellow and can be hiked for most of the year. The Lye Brook Wilderness Loop is no exception. This easy weekend loop in Vermont has a few different distance options, but most people will be able to hike any of the distances in two days. Multiple trails lead into the wilderness, so pick your starting point and enjoy the outing. Full trail profile, including GPS track and trailhead location, can be found here.

Big Branch Wilderness Loop (Vermont)
11-18 miles; easy terrain
Can be hiked year-round

The Big Branch Wilderness Loop is another mellow weekend outing on a well-marked section of trail in the Green Mountain National Forest. This loop follows part of the AT / Long Trail, so during late summer you’re sure to run into other hikers. Enjoy tent platforms, plenty of water, and nice camping options. Hike this in late fall for more solitude and lots of foliage. Full trail profile, including GPS track and trailhead location, can be found here.

Shoal Pond Loop (New Hampshire)
21 miles; easy terrain
Best in summer, fall

Escape the crowds of the more classic White Mountain hikes with this mellow loop to peaceful bodies of water deep in the New Hampshire woods. The Shoal Pond Loop will take you through the heart of the Pemigewasset Wilderness, past old logging campsites, and test your navigation skills on the minimally maintained Shoal Pond Trail. What these trails lack in grooming, they make up for in historical significance, and there are several spots along the trails where historical artifacts are located. Full trail profile, including GPS track and trailhead location, can be found here.

Isolation Loop, (New Hampshire)
23 miles; moderate terrain
Best in late spring, summer, early fall

While not much of New Hampshire’s hiking can be considered anything but difficult, the Isolation Loop can be hiked by many people in two easy days. The trail traverses moderate (for New England) terrain but has sporadic water sources, so plan carefully and know the trail conditions before heading out. You’ll ascend four mountains, and hike some of the most classic and iconic trail sections in the White Mountain National Forest. Full trail profile, including GPS track and trailhead location, can be found here.

Death Hollow Loop (Escalante, Utah)
23 miles; moderate terrain
Best in fall, spring

This route through Southern Utah starts and ends right outside the tiny town of Escalante, and crosses terrain so varied you won’t believe the whole trail is just 23 miles. From undulating slickrock to miles of knee-deep water and sheer canyon walls, this trail is a must-do in Southern Utah. Permits are self-serve at the trailhead, and as long as you plan water (there isn’t any for the first 8 miles), you’ll be all set. Full trail profile, including GPS track and trailhead location, can be found here.

Baker-Johnson Lake Loop (Great Basin National Park, Nevada)
13 miles; moderate terrain
Best in late spring, early fall

Great Basin National Park is a hidden gem of the national park system. This park sees fewer visitors than most, but has well-maintained trails, accurate signage, and enthusiastic front-country rangers looking to help hikers get into the backcountry. This hike is at a high elevation, so while the trail is mostly well-graded, it might feel surprisingly strenuous. After reaching the first of two lakes, the route climbs up and over a 600-foot pass before descending to the second lake. Camping is open and the Nevada high country is stark and expansive. Full trail profile, including GPS track and trailhead location, can be found here.

Crazy Mountains Loop (Southwest Montana)
24 miles; moderate terrain
Best in summer

The Crazy Mountains are a small range about 90 minutes northwest of Bozeman. The range might be small, but the basins are dramatic and the whole area is scattered with gorgeous alpine lakes. This route climbs two passes and circles numerous lakes. Be aware of sections of private property, and while you can hike through them, there are a few spots where camping is not permitted. Fill up on water at the lakes, and enjoy the easy logistics, free parking, and no-permit-needed overnight in this underrated mountain range. Full trail profile, including GPS track and trailhead location, can be found here.

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