This list I will continue to grow and make more and more comprehensive as I feel most of us need help finding the perfect trail for the amount of time off we can take. I will use a day of travel to and from the trail, averaging calculations on 12 miles per day as well as adding a zero day per week to get a helpful start to your planning.
Some will be faster or slower but it should help you align yourself ahead of the planning to alow yourself a good trek.
One Week | Two Weeks | Three Weeks | One Month | Two Months | Three Months | Six Months+
7 Days (One Week)
With two travel days and 12 miles per non-travel day this ends up roughly around 60 miles in length, as you get closer to the longest you will be pushing one wek unless you average more than the 12 miles per day I averaged into this.
Art Loeb Trail - North Carolina - 30.1 Miles
A challenging hike through Pisgah National Forest, featuring steep climbs and panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Expect rugged terrain and exposed ridgelines.
West Rim Trail - Pennsylvania - 30.5 Miles
Known for its stunning views of the Pine Creek Gorge, also called the "Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania." The trail features moderate elevation changes and scenic overlooks.
Chief Ladiga Trail - Alabama - 33 Miles
A converted rail trail offering a flat, easy path through peaceful woodlands and rural countryside. Ideal for beginners or those seeking a relaxed trek.
Virginia Creeper Trail - Virginia - 35 Miles
A scenic multi-use trail with gentle grades, crossing historic trestle bridges and following the Whitetop Laurel Creek.
Trans-Catalina Trail - California - 38.5 Miles
Traverse the beautiful Catalina Island with ocean views, rolling hills, and the chance to spot wildlife like bison. Some sections are steep and exposed.
Timberline Trail - Oregon - 40.7 Miles
Circles Mount Hood, offering diverse terrain, glacier-fed streams, and breathtaking alpine views. River crossings can be challenging during high flow.
Kekekabic Trail - Minnesota - 41 Miles
A remote trail through the Boundary Waters, known for its solitude, rugged paths, and numerous lakes. Perfect for experienced hikers.
Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway - New Hampshire - 50 Miles
Connects Mount Monadnock and Mount Sunapee, featuring rolling hills, forested paths, and historic sites. A mix of moderate and steep sections.
Highline National Recreation Trail - Arizona - 54.8 Miles
Runs along the base of the Mogollon Rim with expansive views, steep climbs, and shaded forests. Water sources can be scarce.
Knobstone Trail - Indiana - 58 Miles
Indiana’s longest hiking trail, offering rolling hills, hardwood forests, and a few steep ascents. A good test for Appalachian Trail preparation.
High Sierra Trail - California - 61.5 Miles
Crosses Sequoia National Park, climbing to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous U.S. Features alpine lakes and dramatic mountain vistas.
Ocean to Lake Trail - Florida - 63 Miles
Travels from Lake Okeechobee to the Atlantic Ocean through diverse ecosystems, including swamps and pine forests. Prepare for wet conditions.
14 Days (Two Weeks)
Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail - Pennsylvania - 70 Miles
A well-marked trail with rolling hills, dramatic overlooks, and numerous shelters. Passes through Laurel Ridge State Park with scenic waterfalls.
Foothills Trail - South/North Carolina - 76 Miles
Crosses the Blue Ridge Escarpment with spectacular waterfalls, river crossings, and steep climbs. A hidden gem for solitude seekers.
Josh Koop
Wonderland Trail - Washington - 93 Miles
Encircles Mount Rainier with awe-inspiring views of glaciers, meadows, and old-growth forests. Elevation gain exceeds 22,000 feet.
Lone Star Hiking Trail - Texas - 96 Miles
Texas’ longest continuous trail, offering a flat and forested path through the Sam Houston National Forest. Suitable for winter hiking.
Josh Koop
Uinta Highline Trail - Utah - 104 Miles
Runs along Utah’s Uinta Mountains with high-elevation passes, alpine lakes, and expansive meadows. Requires careful navigation and acclimatization.
Metacomet-Monadnock Trail - New Hampshire - 114 Miles
A rugged trail with rocky ascents and views of the Connecticut River Valley. Sections traverse basalt ridges and picturesque woodlands.
Northville-Placid Trail - New York - 138.4 Miles
Winds through the Adirondacks with pristine lakes, dense forests, and abundant wildlife. Offers a remote and peaceful experience.
21 Days (Three Weeks)
Coming in right around 228 miles to fit with travel and nero/zeros, these trails are an amazing journey for those able to take three weeks off from work and travel end to end on amazing treks across many states.
Great Allegheny Passage - Pennysylvania/Maryland - 150 Miles
A rail-trail with gentle grades, following rivers and passing through historic towns. Suitable for hikers and bikers alike.
Bartram Trail - Georgia/North Carolina - 153 Miles
Named for botanist William Bartram, this trail offers diverse flora, river valleys, and mountain vistas. Moderately challenging terrain.
Tahoe Rim Trail - California/Nevada - 165 Miles
Encircles Lake Tahoe, showcasing granite peaks, lush forests, and sparkling waters. Moderate elevation changes with some steep sections.
Cumberland Trail - Tennessee - 175 Miles
A work-in-progress trail offering rugged terrain, waterfalls, and stunning overlooks of the Cumberland Plateau.
Sierra High Route - California - 195 Miles
A challenging cross-country route with high passes, alpine lakes, and minimal trails. Requires advanced navigation skills.
Mason-Dixon Trail - Pennysylvania/Maryland/Delaware - 199 Miles
A mix of river views, wooded trails, and urban segments connecting the Appalachian and Brandywine Trails.
John Muir Trail - California - 211 Miles
Traverses the High Sierra, passing through Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks. Offers unparalleled mountain scenery.
Ozark Highlands Trail - Arkansas - 218 Miles
Meanders through the Ozark National Forest, featuring limestone bluffs, waterfalls, and serene streams.
Ouachita National Recreation Trail - Oklahoma/Arkansas - 223 Miles
Offers a mix of ridges and valleys with pine forests and scenic overlooks. Less crowded than other long trails.
30 Days (A Month / Four Weeks)
Growing your trail legs over a month will help you reach around 300-400 miles to fit with travel and nero/zeros, these trails are an amazing journey for those able to take three weeks off from work and travel end to end on amazing treks across many states.
New England Trail - Connecticut/Massachusetts - 233 Miles
A National Scenic Trail with rolling hills, historic landmarks, and panoramic views of the Connecticut River Valley.
Long Trail - Vermont - 272 Miles
America’s oldest long-distance trail, running along the Green Mountain spine with challenging ascents and rewarding vistas.
Benton MacKaye Trail - Georgia/Tennessee/N Carolina - 287.6 Miles
A quieter alternative to the Appalachian Trail, offering solitude, waterfalls, and diverse ecosystems.
Allegheny Trail - West Virginia - 287.8 Miles
Winds through the Allegheny Mountains with rolling terrain, remote forests, and a touch of history.
Superior Hiking Trail - Minnesota - 310 Miles
Follows Lake Superior’s rugged shoreline, offering breathtaking lake views and dense boreal forests.
Website: https://superiorhiking.org/
Sheltowee Trace Trail - Kentucky - 333 Miles
Passes through Daniel Boone National Forest with limestone cliffs, caves, and lush river valleys.
Pinhoti Trail - Alabama/Gerogia - 335 Miles
A scenic trek through the Appalachian foothills, featuring rolling hills and connections to the Appalachian Trail.
Josh Koop
60 Days (Two Months / Eight Weeks)
As you reach this length your days on trail will be longer in overall mileae which is why I chose up to 850 miles to fit with travel and nero/zeros, these trails are an amazing journey for those able to take three weeks off from work and travel end to end on amazing treks across many states.
Colorado Trail - Colorado - 483 Miles
A high-altitude trail crossing the Rockies, with breathtaking alpine meadows, wildflowers, and towering peaks.
Grand Enchantment Trail - Arizona - 730 Miles
A remote and challenging desert trail with dramatic canyons, rugged peaks, and diverse ecosystems.
Hayduke Trail - Utah/Arizona - 812 Miles
A backcountry route with demanding terrain, slot canyons, and iconic desert landscapes. Navigation skills are critical.
Arizona Trail - Arizona - 825.2 Miles
Crosses the entire state with deserts, mountains, and the Grand Canyon. A true test of endurance and planning.
90 Days (Three Months / Twelve Weeks)
Coming in right under 1500 miles to fit with travel and nero/zeros, these trails are an amazing journey for those able to take three weeks off from work and travel end to end on amazing treks across many states.
Florida Trail - Florida - 1000 Miles
Travels through diverse ecosystems, from swamps and forests to prairies and beaches. Best hiked in winter.
Ice Age Trail - Wisconsin - 1200 Miles
A National Scenic Trail highlighting glacial features, rolling farmland, and charming small towns.
Pacific Northwest Trail - Washington/Idaho/Montana - 1200 Miles
A rugged trail traversing three national parks, offering varied landscapes from coastal beaches to mountain peaks.
180+ Days (Six Months+ / 24 Weeks+)
Appalachian Trail - Georgia/Maine - 2198 Miles
The iconic long-distance hike with diverse terrain, from rolling hills to rugged mountains, and a vibrant trail community.
Pacific Crest Trail - California/ Washington - 2654 Miles
Spans the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges, featuring desert, alpine, and forest ecosystems. A bucket-list trek for thru-hikers.
Continental Divide Trail - New Mexico/ Montana - 3100 Miles
A challenging route along the Continental Divide with remote wilderness, high passes, and dramatic vistas.
North Country Trail - North Dakota/Vermont - 4800 Miles
America’s longest National Scenic Trail, crossing diverse landscapes from plains to hardwood forests and Great Lakes shores.
