Wachusett mountain hiking trail map pdf Continue If you are looking for some true outdoor adventures, these long, scenic trails span from 100 to nearly 7,000 miles. The people at Backpacker have put together a useful map of the best routes in the contiguous United States. Some of the highlights include the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Watershed Trail. But there are plenty of other lesser-known trails that cost your time, like the panoramic Tahoe Rim Trail, the far-reaching Northern Country Trail, and the evergreen Pacific Northwest Trails. Check out the full map below and plan your next big hike. Hiking seems easy, after all it's just walking for a while, but it can be a big challenge. From... READ MOREMap: America's Best Long Trails BackpackerPhoto by Sierra28k.com.G/O Media Can Get Commission by Chris BennettGetty Images stretching over 2,190 miles in 14 different states, the Appalachian Trail may be the best long-distance hiking trails worldwide. Every year, three million people hike at least part of the trail, and only a fraction of those who walk the entire length. These through-tourists learn a lot in the first days of their journey, and most will tell you that there is no way to fully prepare for the task of walking at the end to the end, except just to do it. However, here are some pearls of wisdom that can prepare you for the challenges ahead. When to start and what direction GoOne of the biggest decisions you should make when to start hiking the Appalachian Trail and in which direction to go. These two issues are closely related, since the time of year you start your hike can dictate whether you travel north to south or vice versa. Generally speaking, most pedestrians start with the southernmost trail located on Mount Springer in Georgia. That's because the northernmost section of AT, which ends up on Mount Katahdin in Maine, is widely considered the toughest part of the entire hike. Weather is an important factor, too. If you get underway in late winter or early spring, you'll want to start in Georgia, so you can avoid the cold conditions and heavy snow that are common in the northern part of the trail at this time of year. On the other hand, if you get underway during the summer, it may be best to start at Katahdin, where the temperature will be much cooler than the south. This will give the hotter trails a chance to cool down before you arrive. If you decide to start in the fall, start in Maine and travel south at a fast pace as you want to avoid the early onset of winter and get into warm areas before the snow starts to fly. In any case, the plan costs a significant amount of time on the trail. The record for the fastest time, however, is only 45 45 22 hours and 38 minutes. It was installed by ultrarunner Carl Meltzer in 2016. That's an average of about 48 miles a day, in case you're considering going after the mark. Travel Light... But not too LightUltralight hikes are all the rage these days, and everyone is looking for ways to cut ounces out of their packages. This will help you travel faster and reduces wear and tear on your body during the days and weeks you will spend on the trail. Ultralight backpacks, tents, sleeping bags and ovens have helped in this endeavor. You can now walk the entire length of Appalachian with a load of less than 25 pounds. Depending on how experienced and enterprising you are, you can even get away with holding significantly less. However, it is normal to bring a few luxuries with you, even if it does add a bit of weight. For example, a lightweight camping chair will seem like a comfortable chair at the end of a long day, while a French press coffee maker just might make rolling out a sleeping bag in the morning a little easier too. Yes, true ultralight tourists will scoff at this bit of advice, but the rest of us appreciate a few simple creature comforts when things go wrong our way. Is it possible to hike from end to end without holding a tent for Stephen SaksGetty images Want to shave a little extra weight out of your package? Try hiking AT without a tent. It is not widely known, but the trail has more than 250 huts located along its length, all of which can be used for free. These shelters were built to be around the day of the hike apart, although the distance between them varies wildly at times. Theoretically, the trail should average one cabin every eight miles or so, but in fact they can actually be as much as 30 miles apart depending on the terrain and location of the fresh water. However, if you know how far you should go to the next hut and plan accordingly, you very well could leave your tent at home. Check the gear before goThe Appalachian Trail is no place to test new gear for the first time. Be sure to give all your equipment a try before you go camping. If you can, take a weekend climbing tour of the local trail to make sure everything is up to your expectations. This is especially true for your tent, sleeping bag, and rain gear. These are items that are crucial to your long-term comfort, so you want to be sure that there are no unexpected glitches. Also, break into the boots before you go. Bubbles can be the scourge of your existence on the trail. Get in shape before you get into the trail, too Cappi ThompsonGetty Images Hiking AT is tiring, especially early on, and at the end of most days you're going to want to curl up in camping and sleeping. With Your body will get used to the requirements of the trail and you won't think twice about covering a serious mileage every day. You can yourself a lot of suffering if you get yourself in shape before you start your hike. In the weeks leading up to the hike, head to the local trails and go for a walk, with a full package. It is also a mix in some running and cycling, as these activities will not only build cardiovascular strength, but powerful leg muscles too. By the time you go camping, you'll be much more prepared for what the trail throws at you. You will encounter more cars than you expect While it is true that the Appalachian Trail winds its way through some of the most remote areas of the eastern United States, it also crosses more roads than you might expect along the way. Do not be surprised when you suddenly and unexpectedly find yourself near a busy highway waiting for the right moment to run across. It happens more often than you think, and while it may break the illusion of hiking through a continuous desert, it's part of life at AT. Also, some of these roads will always lead to a nearby town where you can find a place to restock, or even indulge in the luxury or two that you are missing before resuming the hike. You'll go up and down the Lot of Kozmoat98Getty Images The highest point along the Appalachian Trail is located near the Clingman Dome in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains. There, tourists climb to a height of 6,625 feet. That doesn't sound like much when you consider all the 14,000-foot peaks in the American West, but because AT largely follows the spine of the Appalachian Mountains, there's plenty of gain and loss along the way. The total number of ascents on the entire 2,000-plus-mile route is approximately 515,000 feet, or the equivalent of climbing everest more than 17 times. In other words, don't expect too many flat sections because you'll either go up or down most of the way. When preparing for a hike, make sure you are preparing for a similar terrain. Beware BearsWildlife is somewhat common along the trails and it is not uncommon to spot deer, squirrels, snakes, raccoons, and countless varieties of birds. Most of these animals will sing without giving you a second look, but the one thing you have to be careful about are the bears, although probably not for the reasons you might expect. Black bears found in the eastern United States tend to be shy and non-aggressive for the most part, tending to make themselves scarce when the sound of approaching tourists. But they also do not hesitate to wander into your camping at night in search of food if it is available. To avoid your pantry being cleaned by a hungry visitor, be sure to use a bear canister to store all your food securely. Then, before turning into nights, hang it from the branch of the tree, where it is well out of reach. Bonus Tip: In celebrating the summer solstice, June 21 has Declared Naked Walking Day. If you happen to find yourself on the Appalachian Trail that day, chances are you can run into some fellow tourists who follow the tradition. Not alarmed; It's all in good fun, although it can be a little surprising at first. And if you decide to join, be sure to use sunscreen.