My Long Hikes

My short, but growing list of treks around the world:

Fishermen's Trail - 11-day thru-hike from north to south in September, 2024
West Highland Way - 9-day thru-hike from south to north in August, 2024 (plus summit of Ben Nevis)
Kungsleden - 6-day LASH from north to south in August, 2024.
Camino de Costa Rica - 14-day thru hike from east to west in January, 2023.
Border Route Trail - 10-day thru hike from west to east in September, 2022 (plus 53 miles on SHT).
West Coast Trail - 7-day thru hike from south to north in July, 2022.
Kekekabic Trail - 6-day yoyo from west to east to west in October, 2020.
Solitude Trail - quick solo loop around Cloud Peak Wilderness of Wyoming in August, 2020.
Kilimanjaro - 8 days trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro and reaching the summit at Uhuru Peak on Valentine's Day, 2019.

These are the long trails I would like to complete over the years. The trail miles are rounded estimates and you'll see different miles other places.

(click for larger image)

Pacific Northwest NST - COMPLETED - 1200 miles - July-September 2017, through the mountains where I grew up.
Florida NST - 1100 miles - snakes, panthers, swamps, and insects. Hiked 100 miles from Key West to Key Largo, then from southern FT terminus up to Ocala. I'll return to finish it someday, but just sooooo many miles of high traffic roads.
Appalachian NST - 2200 miles - I've done two section hikes on the A.T. for a total of about 425 miles.
Ice Age NST - COMPLETED - 1100 miles - August-September 2013 - Close to home and I had relatives at two locations along the trail for support while I hiked across Wisconsin with PapaBear.
Superior Hiking Trail - COMPLETED - 250 miles - September 2012 - hiked from Canada south to Duluth, MN. September had no bugs nor humidity, just a bit of rain, and awesome fall colors in the forests. This isn't a National Scenic Trail, but is part of the NCT and I was antsy to do another trek before winter.
Arizona NST - COMPLETED - 800 miles - March-April 2012 - requires hiking early in the season since water is scarce and heat is intense as summer approaches. Provides a great opportunity to test out equipment, abilities, endurance, and processes. Lets me be home for my youngest son's high school graduation.
Pacific Crest NST - 2600 miles.
Continental Divide NST - 3100 miles. This is the most rugged and difficult of all the national scenic trails.
North Country NST - 4600 miles. The longest NST by far, but relatively flat terrain from the northern prairies to the northeast forests.
Natchez Trace NST - 700 miles
Potomac Heritage NST - 700 miles
New England NST - 220 miles

From initial research I've done, there's little camping and connecting routes for the last three and thru-hiking them takes support for lodging.

I do have some goals for this adventure, not just to burn through a few pairs of shoes. I will:

Connect with scouts - Scout troops along my treks are invited to hike with me for a couple hours or days. I'll have a tracking device so folks can see where I am. That's Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or (what the heck) anyone that wants to do a short hike.
Promote lighter-weight trekking. When scouts try to Be Prepared, we overpack and make life more difficult than needed on the trail. I'll be an example of how to go light but still be comfortable and safe.
Promote Leave No Trace. I always try to follow the ethics of the seven LNT principles, but they are still unknown to many people that make use of our wild areas. I'll consistently demonstrate the outdoor ethics of minimizing impact. Read more about Leave No Trace.
Record the Fun - through blogs, reports, stories, and journals I'll track and share the experience, providing a resource to help others planning their own adventures.

Hike On: Hiking Links

All Comments:

Feb 18, 2012 - Nancy

Your itinerary looks like something I'd put together. I'd love to do all of them, too. If only I were independently wealthy.

Feb 20, 2012 - Hiking Dude

Nancy - if the passion or desire to do something is strong enough, it can usually be worked out. Maybe a different form than first thought, but still done. Section hiking long trails is a common way to break them into shorter hikes, for example. I'm doing the shorter AZT now because that's all I have time for until late summer.

Apr 09, 2012 - Matt

I really appreciate your interest, commitment, and enthusiasm with Scouting! As an Eagle scout (1994) and a Cubmaster, I appreciate these great resources. Not only are you helping to equip our boys but also adults like me who are preparing and hoping to do a long-distance hike like the AT. Thanks:)

Apr 25, 2012 - wayne

good plan.... im doing something along same way.... but im doing 1500 of the A.T starting end of may..

Jun 13, 2012 - Sam

Way to try and get scouts to stop overpacking. My brother has often complained that when they go on single day trips, boys don't enjoy it because they're carrying fifty pound bags. Long live light weight!

Jul 12, 2012 - Karolina

Hola from Canada!! Here is to the love of hiking and dry socks! :)

Jul 13, 2012 - Hiking Dude

Karolina - I give +1 for dry socks! I'm just heading out on an 8-mile walk right now and have new possom socks from New Zealand that I'm trying out.

Feb 26, 2014 - Richard Miller Mangarin

Does anyone have any useful tips re: the Camino De Santiago trek in Spain? [ref. Dec. 24, 2012 comment from Paul Rockwood] I'm planning on hiking the Camino in the near future. Thanx, Rich

Mar 05, 2014 - Hiking Dude

@Paul and @Richard - My wife and I considered hiking the Camino de Santiago but when I found out the vast numbers of hikers on it, I decided against it. The numbers have been exploding the last few years and I don't know how the small towns handle them. Anyway, food and water should be no problem since the route goes through villages every day. I wouldn't think you need to take any food from home. There are quite a few very useful Camino websites available. hikingthecamino.com trailjournals.com/journals/camino_de_santiago/ francistapon.com/Travels/Spain-Trails/10-Reasons-Why-El-Camino-Santiago-Sucks *** a critical view of the trail

May 22, 2014 - Steven Raaen

The Camino de Santiago is quite crowded between June and September but fairly quiet in other months. I did it last October and there seemed to be just the right amount of people for a social experience while providing long stretches of not seeing anyone else. I map this map-blog if anyone wants to check it out. steveport.com/caminomap

Nov 23, 2014 - Todd Machler

LNT "Leave no trace". Yes, I am often saddened by seeing trash left on/off trails, and it seems even more prevalent recently. However, I have coined my own LNT to "leave a negative trace". I try to grab one piece of plastic (bottle) or other non degradable litter left by that other person/litterbug (along with all of my/our own). Just what I choose to do I guess...

Dec 21, 2014 - Gladys

I am planning to hike the Arizona trail, north bound, in April. I have been looking at the water sources which are rated in the guide book from 1 to 4. I am thinking that I cannot trust a 1 or 2 and I see it is often 30 or 40 miles between 3's and 4's. Caching water is not an option. Any suggestions?

Dec 21, 2014 - Hiking Dude

@Gladys - I only used 3s and 4s on my hike. On those longer sections without water, I drank a lot when getting water which kept me going for the next few hours. I also carried a lot of water just on those long sections. I used very light collapsible platypus bags for extra water. And, I was nearly out of water at the end of a couple sections. If you're doing less than 15 miles per day, then I don't know how you will be able to traverse some areas without caching water or arranging some support. You might need to hike some extra long days to cut down on the amount of water needed by reducing the number of hours to cover the dry stretch. Hike On

Dec 21, 2014 - Gladys

Hiking Dude, Thanks for the quick response. I was thinking pretty much the same thing. Water up at every source and hike some extra miles. I'm thinking one liter for every ten miles, one liter for every 1000 ft. of elevation and a half liter emergency on the long hikes.

Dec 29, 2014 - Justin

I'm a boyscout from maine and this may my troop is going to a camparee that West Point is putting on and we have to hike in and we stay for 3 nights. We have to bring our own gear. Should I need trekking poles? If so what do you recomend. Also what are some good snacks I can bring?

Dec 30, 2014 - Hiking Dude

@Justin - For such a short hike, poles seem unnecessary unless you are also using them as supports for your tarp shelter or other use. See hiking food page for snack ideas.

Aug 21, 2015 - Kim

Do you have any idea when you plan to do the 220 mile New England NST? I live in NY and would love to do something like that. I'm not terribly experienced and have never done a trip that long, but would love to try it.

Sep 08, 2015 - Hiking Dude

@Kim - I believe doing that trail would require support since there is little camping opportunity along it. Or, running into lots of friendly people who let you sleep in their yards since it crosses lots of roads and private property. Or, lining up many hotels along the way that would shuttle you to and from the trail since it is rarely far from some town. See this map to see the few overnight spots.

Sep 30, 2015 - Marty

I googled trying to find more information on some of these trails and must recently found you site. NICE! Someday I too would like to do at least a couple of such trails. Then to I might also like to just try to bike across the USA, just as another CRAZY idea!

Both interest me, but presently I am working full time and perhaps some day, 1st day after when I retire, I could get the chance to do these crazy activity. Nice way to stay healthy. Right!
But I did really enjoy looking over what you had and how you would do, or how you did trail that far. So what trail are you working on now? What trails have you completed and are you doing them all as "one and done", OR will you walk all the FUN ones again.

Oh my only really cool trail, other than some trails while was in Boy Scounts as I climbed up the ranks, was I hiked the Grand Canyon, with my son a couple years back. THAT WAS a GREAT Experience

MDH
KD8OQA
73
PS if I get that far, I would like to be a trail Amature Radio out too!

Jan 15, 2016 - AndyB

Found your site looking for SHT info. Hoping to head that way in Sept of 2016. Next time you get out East check out the Long trail in Vermont. I did it for my 40th birthday present to myself, tough hiking but lots great views and just the right amount of solitude, until I got on the AT part anyway.

good hiking

Mar 10, 2016 - Lizzie

Hi, I'm just a kid right now, 16, but nature has had a huge influence on my life and solo hiking the SHT is one of my life goals. Amidst discouragement from my father and skepticism from others in my life, reading your SHT journals have made it clear to me that this is something that I'm capable of and have inspired me to renew my efforts in training for that eventual thru hike :)

happy hiking

Dec 17, 2018 - hans

For more long distance trails in Europe:

www.oranginas.nl/en

Jan 29, 2019 - Allan Duggar

You gonna earn your Triple Crown?

Jan 29, 2019 - Hiking Dude

@Allan - Good Question. :-) The AT is soooo crowded I don't expect I will hike it unless someone else wants to do it and wants me to join them. There are miles and miles of other beautiful trails across the country and around the world that I'd love to hike.
I would like to hike all the National Scenic Trails eventually, but it's not to get the TC medal for me.

Mar 05, 2022 - rob

Interesting 65km one day, 14 hour, seaside walk lat year. Learned the following: change socks every three hours, during 15 minute breaks, drink one pint of liquid every half hour, stop for food three times, drink glucose powder drink as and when you need it, energy gels every hour when past half way point, remove boots and flush feet with cold water every three hours, take paracetamol, ibroprofen as needed, take plasters, waste bag and kitchen towel, remind yourself that what you are doing now is easy compared to next year when you will have to do the 65km again to get back to where you started without any additional supplies, drink more water on return journey, give yourself all day to get back to the beginning, take some loose change to pay for a bus ride home if you feel the need to give up. Don’t expect anyone to say Well Done you are covering 130km and you will still be expected to be at work on Monday morning, when finished STRETCH, DRINK, REPEAT - sleep.

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