Above: The view of the Green Mountains from the Vermont Long Trail. Photo by Jesse Metzger
The John Muir Trail
This famously scenic, 211-mile footpath through California’s Sierra Nevada Range connects Yosemite Valley to Mt. Whitney, the highest summit in the continental United States. Much of the path runs in conjunction with the Pacific Crest Trail and brings hikers through rugged yet pleasant terrain.
Hikers of the “JMT” enjoy an abundance of beautiful alpine lakes, three national parks, and views of countless towering peaks. While hikers benefit from a relatively mild and sunny climate, the trail ascends many mountain passes that can hold snow well into August, six of which are above 11,000 feet. After leaving Yosemite Valley, the trail is never lower than 7,000 feet.
The majority of thru-hikers travel southbound, from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney, and take roughly two to three weeks to complete the trail. The Pacific Crest Trail Association recommends waiting until at least the first week of July to begin a thru-hike, due to seasonal snow conditions. Annoying bugs become fewer in this region as the summer progresses.
The Colorado Trail
Stretching from Denver to Durango, this nearby, mountainous footpath climbs almost 90,000 vertical feet as it travels across eight of Colorado’s most scenic mountain ranges. The trail is just shy of 500 miles long and keeps hikers at least 10,000 feet above sea level for the majority of its duration, topping out at 13,271 feet as it passes through the San Juan Range.
Seasonal wildflowers, abundant wildlife, passage through historic mining towns, and many miles of above-tree line hiking also contribute to the route’s high reputation among backpacking enthusiasts.
For most, thru-hiking is limited to the summer months due to snow, although unpredictable, violent weather remains a threat at any time of year. Most hikers take four to six weeks to complete the trail and choose to travel east to west, as this allows them to begin with milder terrain and to take advantage of regional snowmelt patterns.
The Vermont Long Trail
The grandfather of all American long-distance trails, the Long Trail has allowed backpackers to traverse the main ridge of Vermont’s Green Mountains since its completion in 1930. Despite its low elevation, the trail climbs approximately 67,500 vertical feet over the course of its 273-mile passage between Vermont’s southern border with Massachusetts and its northern border with Canada.
As is typical of trails in New England, the treadway of this path is often far steeper than its western counterparts and is notorious for being choked with rocks, roots, and mud. Hikers are rewarded, however, with scenes of the idyllic Vermont countryside, beautiful hardwood forests, abundant water sources, nearly 70 primitive on-trail shelters, and the opportunity to summit the majority of the Green Mountain’s major peaks.
Blazingly fast travelers can finish the trail in under two weeks, but most give themselves up to a month to finish. It is recommended to complete the trail as late in the summer as possible, and many view early- to mid-fall as the best time to be on the trail. Black fly season makes most of June an undesirable time to hike.
El Camino de Santiago
Travelers from around the world flock to Spain to complete this developed but unique “trail.” Once solely the path of religious pilgrims who began their trek wherever they lived, the Camino technically encompasses many different routes, all of which end at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.
The most commonly traveled and well-known route today begins at Saint Jean Pied de Port, France and is known as the Camino Francés. Designated as a World Heritage Site, the route is best suited for walkers interested in a cultural experience rather than to those seeking a solitary hike through rugged wilderness.
Completion does have its challenges, including the added expense of traveling internationally, but the frequent access to towns drastically changes the nature of the hiking experience. Indeed, hikers need not worry about access to food, water, and shelter as they would on other footpaths; frequent opportunities to stop at inns, hostels, bars, restaurants, and other amenities make for a style of travel that would seem incredibly lavish to most thru-hikers.
While the path generally follows existing roads, “pilgrims” do get to see plenty of scenic pastureland and even countryside vineyards, eucalyptus forests, and historical sites. Completion of the Camino commonly takes between four and six weeks.