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The Ultimate Guide to Vermont’s Long Trail

Last Updated: August 12, 2024
By Casey Handley

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Backpacker on the long trail on a rock ledge overlooking rolling mountains in fall foliage.
The Long Trail (LT) in Vermont runs 272 miles from the Massachusetts border to the Canadian border along the Green Mountains. – Photo Credit: Casey Handley (Cleverhiker.com)

The Long Trail (LT) was the first long-distance trail ever established in America, and it’s also one of the most rugged, with steep ascents and long spells of wet weather. The LT traverses the entire state of Vermont – from the border of Massachusetts to the border of Canada – and hits many of the major peaks in the state.

Every year hundreds of hikers set out to complete an end-to-end hike on this trail, and they’re rewarded with sweeping views of the Green Mountains and White Mountains of New Hampshire, spectacular fall foliage in the later months, and a journey they’ll surely never forget. In this guide, we’ll outline everything you need to know to have a successful hike on the Long Trail.

A Long Trail hiker hiking through a forest
THE 272-MILE-LONG TRAIL TAKES YOU THROUGH DENSE FORESTS & ABOVE TREELINE FOR VIEWS OF THE GREEN MOUNTAINS. -Photo Credit: Casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

Quick Facts

  • Distance: 272 miles (plus a few extra for the approach trails at the beginning and end)
  • Days Needed: 19 to 28 days (seriously fit and experienced hikers may take less time, but you really need to know your limits – this is a very tough trail)
  • Peak Elevation: 4,389 ft. – Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s highest point
  • Low Elevation: Around 300 ft.
  • Elevation Gain/Loss (approx.): 63,500 ft./63,600 ft (south to north)
  • Best Time: June to mid-October (the Green Mountain Club [GMC] requests that hikers start after Memorial Day to avoid the peak of Vermont’s mud season)
  • Permits: None
  • Difficulty: Strenuous
Backpacker on the long trail sitting on a mossy rock in the forest with her backpack on.
mossy rocks are commonly underfoot on the long trail. – Photo Credit: Casey Handley (CleverHiker.com)

Highlights

  • Well-marked and maintained trail
  • Shelters and privies along the entire route
  • Frequent road crossings make it easy to resupply or do section hikes
  • Dense forest with a lot of unique flora and fauna (bears, moose, owls, mushrooms, berries, etc.)
  • Water is plentiful
  • Mild temperatures (average highs 70s-80s for the height of summer, 60s for early fall / average lows mid 50s in summer, 40s for early fall)
  • If hiking northbound, terrain becomes progressively more difficult, so you get a good warm-up before tackling the toughest mountains
  • Social and friendly trail community
  • Feeling amazingly capable and confident at the end of the journey
  • Summiting Vermont’s highest peaks with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains
A view of the top of a chairlift in the summer on the long trail in vermont.
You will summit most of Vermont’s major peaks on the Long Trail. – Photo credit: Casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

Lowlights

  • Vermont can be VERY muddy – especially in high snow years
  • Strenuous ascents and descents
  • Ticks, mosquitos, and black flies can be annoying at times
  • Trail can be a little crowded – particularly the first 100 miles, which overlaps with the Appalachian Trail
  • Depending on the year, you may encounter long periods (days or weeks) of rainy weather
backpacker on the long trail walking on a rocky slope in dense fog.
You may encounter long periods of wet weather and dense fog on the Long Trail. – Photo credit: Casey Handley (Cleverhiker.com)

Best Time to Hike

The Green Mountain Club (GMC), which maintains the Long Trail, requests that hikers wait until after Memorial Day to start their end-to-end hike. This is because snowmelt causes the trails in Vermont to become extremely muddy, and foot traffic during this period can result in substantial erosion. Although it’s possible to hike the LT as early as June, we think it’s best to wait until September. A September start will mean fewer bugs, less mud (although you’ll likely still encounter a ton of mud), avoiding crowds on the AT section, mild temperatures, and beautiful fall foliage.

backpacker overlooking a rolling valley with clouds overhead.
Fall can be a little cold & wet on the LT, but you’ll get to see fall foliage. – photo credit: Casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

How Long Does It Take?

The average time it takes to complete the Long Trail is about 3-4 weeks. While some very experienced backpackers may be able to hike the trail in less time, the terrain and elevation gain in the Green Mountains make big-mile days pretty difficult. Most people calculate in a few “nero” and “zero” days (rest days) and take the trail at an enjoyable pace.

two long trail hikers sitting on a stoop of a general store eating pints of ben and jerry's ice cream.
You’ll want to plan for a couple of zero days (no hiking) to rest, do laundry, and enjoy some town food. -photo credit: Casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

Difficulty

Vermont’s Long Trail is well-maintained, well-marked, and easy to follow, so navigation is rarely an issue. The main difficulties of the LT are the terrain, the steep grade, and the length of the trail.

TERRAIN

The LT can be muddy in all but the driest of years. This means you either have to spend extra time rock-hopping to avoid wet feet, or you trudge straight through and have eternally soggy tootsies. The dry trail miles don’t necessarily mean fast hiking. They are often riddled with roots, loose rock, or slick granite slabs, so the terrain is challenging for the majority of the 272-mile trek.

STEEP GRADES

The ascents and descents on the LT are often steeply graded. It sometimes feels as though the trail goes to great lengths to find you the absolute steepest way up to a peak. In the northern half of the LT, some ascents and descents will feel a lot more like a day at the bouldering gym than a day on a hiking trail. You’ll need to do some hand-over-hand climbing at times, and you’ll have to navigate metal rungs and wooden ladders bolted into sheer rock faces. It’s important to be prepared for the difficulty of these climbs, but they’re very manageable if you take your time. You’ll get to enjoy a great sense of accomplishment every time you’ve finished one of these more challenging peaks.

TRIP LENGTH

Another important thing to think about is the length. Not only is hiking a 272-mile trail a large physical challenge, but it’s also a big time and financial commitment. We typically like to budget $3-$4 per mile for a thru-hike, and we recommend letting your family and workplace know about your plans as far in advance as possible to arrange for time away. Not everyone is able to take time off from their job for so long, nor does everyone have the freedom to step away from commitments. Many people choose to complete the trail in smaller sections.

signs showing Canada, Massachusettes distances on Vermont's long trail in a yellow and green fall foliage forest.
Hikers typically take about 3-4 weeks to hike the Long Trail in one go. – Photo credit: Casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

Permits/Fees

Permits are not required to hike the Long Trail, but there are a few shelters along the way that ask for $5 for overnight stays. This fee goes to the GMC, and it’s used to maintain the dozens of shelters, privies, and campsites along the trail. The fee is waived if you’re a GMC member; we’ll talk a little more about why we recommend becoming a member of the GMC a little later in this guide.

Northbound (NOBO) vs Southbound (SOBO)

Northbound (NOBO) is the more common direction to go on the Long Trail, but a southbound (SOBO) hike also has plenty of benefits. Below we’ll list the main pros and cons of going either direction to help you decide which is best for you.

trail sign marking two directions for the long trail, north or south with their associated mileage.
Whether you go NOBO or SOBO will depend on things like transportation, your starting date, and how social of an experience you want to have. – Photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

NOBO

Pros

  • The southern terminus is located up a three-mile trail from a well-populated part of Massachusetts – arranging a ride to your starting point is much easier on this end
  • The first half is easier hiking than the second half, so you’ll have time to build strength and dial in your gear before the toughest section
  • There are more people on the trail to interact with if you’re looking for a social experience
  • Ending at the Canadian border can feel more epic than ending at the Massachusetts border

Cons

  • The trail and shelters can be crowded, and it may be more difficult to find lodging for rest days in town when you have to compete with all the other NOBOs
  • Getting transportation back home from the northern terminus can be tricky
  • If you’re starting later in the fall, the weather may get more cold and unpredictable as you get further north
clouded peak on the long trail above a ski trail and chairlift in Vermont.
Weather can get colder and more unpredictable as you go north – especially if you start later in the season. – Photo credit: Casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

SOBO

Pros

  • The trail and shelters are less crowded, and it may be easier to find lodging in town for rest days
  • There are more transportation options to get back home from the southern terminus
  • Depending on the month you start, you may be hiking in ideal temperatures the whole way down
  • You get the challenging parts out of the way first, so the last half may feel more relaxing

Cons

  • Less people to interact with if you’re looking for a social experience
  • Transportation to the northern terminus can be a bit tricky
  • The northern half may feel more difficult for SOBOs because you start with the hardest climbs without getting a 100-mile warm-up
lake with a beaver den in the middle and fall foliage on the lake's edge.
Beaver Den on a still lake in Vermont. – Photo credit: Casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

Transportation to Trailheads

NORTHBOUND

If you’re hiking NOBO on the Long Trail, transportation options to the southern terminus are pretty abundant. We found that the most convenient and cheapest airport to fly into was Albany, NY, but some hikers choose to fly into Burlington, VT or other nearby airports. From Albany, we took a cheap Greyhound bus to Bennington, VT, which is about a 20-minute drive from the starting trailhead. Once in Bennington, there are a ton of options for private shuttles. Hitchhiking to the trailhead can also be relatively easy, and some motels (like the Catamount Motel, where we enjoyed a stay) offer rides to the trailhead for paying customers.

kiosk at a trailhead with a map showing access to pine cobble trail.
the Pine Cobble Trail just outside of Williamstown, MA is one approach trail option. – photo credit: Casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

SOUTHBOUND

If you’re hiking SOBO, the most ideal situation would be having a friend or family member drop you off at the northern terminus. If that’s not an option for you, your best bet is probably flying into Burlington, VT, then taking a bus to Waterbury, Jefferson, or St. Albans, VT and calling a private shuttle from there. You could do a private shuttle all the way from Burlington, but it’s a long distance, and the added cost may not be worth the time saved.

backpacker posing next to the northern terminus monument in the fall on the long trail with clear skies and fall foliage.
The northern terminus is in a very remote part of Vermont on the Canadian border. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Planning Your Itinerary

Planning a loose daily itinerary isn’t necessary, but we’ve learned from completing multiple thru-hikes that it’s very helpful. Most people take about three weeks to complete the Long Trail, with many averaging around 10-14 miles a day. That said, very fit and experienced hikers may cover 15-20 miles a day. In general, we always recommend overestimating your time on the trail. You can always get off the trail early, but it’s not as easy to extend beyond your planned finish date if you have obligations to return home to. Your itinerary should take into consideration your ability, personal preferences, hiking style, and zero days (no hiking) you may want to take. The FarOut app is an excellent resource to use when planning your itinerary. It shows how many miles there are between each shelter and the services nearby towns offer. The comments other users left about trails and places they enjoyed visiting are also useful to read.

backpacker in the morning holding coffee while laying on her sleeping pad with her backpacking quilt draped over her on a sunny morning
The Loco Libre Ghost Pepper 20 is one of the warmest quilts. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

LONG TRAIL SHELTERS, CAMPSITES & PRIVIES

There are shelters – usually three-sided lean-tos, sometimes fully enclosed cabins – located every 5-10 miles or so along the LT. Most of them are free to stay at (some have a caretaker and ask for a $5 fee to help with maintenance costs), and they all have composting or moldering privies nearby. Many shelters also have a fire pit, a picnic table, and flat ground or platforms for tenting close by. While it is possible to sleep in a shelter every night of your end-to-end hike, you shouldn’t rely solely on them. Shelters can fill up – especially in peak hiking season and during inclement weather – so you should also carry a tent or some other type of shelter with you in case there isn’t room for you inside or if you run into an emergency.

lean-to in the rain with backpackers setting up to sleep and camp on the long trail in vermont.
The shelters can fill up fast during wet weather. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

The privies are well-maintained, and many of them have lovely views. Make sure you pack in your own toilet paper, and follow all guidelines posted on the privy door (such as whether or not you can pee in the privy, throw in a handful of wood chips to “flush”, etc.). Be aware that in peak season, privies can also fill up. So it’s a good idea to have a wide tent stake or a trowel with you in case you need to dig a cathole when nature calls. Check out our article, How to Poop in the Woods, to learn proper backcountry bathroom etiquette.

wooden privy for going to the bathroom on the long trail.
Thanks to the GMC, there are privies near all of the Long Trail shelters. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

FOOD & RESUPPLY POINTS

Because you’ll be on the trail for a few weeks, you won’t be able to carry all your food in your pack. You’ll need to stop and resupply periodically along the trail. Most people resupply 4-5 times, but you can certainly do more or less depending on how often you want to go into town. Opportunities to get a ride to a grocery store are plentiful throughout most of the trail, so resupplying often is very easy if you want to cut down on food weight in your pack. Just be aware that town stops tend to take up a whole lot of time, so you’ll need to balance the convenience of carrying less food against the time you’ll lose on the trail by making frequent stops.

Many small towns in Vermont have been impacted by recent flooding, so your business is greatly appreciated. The rich and vibrant food and farm culture in Vermont is hard to beat. Even some of the smallest towns have amazing bakeries, breweries, and eateries. Getting a taste of Vermont’s dedication to locally grown, sourced, and made food can be part of the Long Trail experience when you stop into a town for a resupply. Oh, and if you haven’t yet, be sure to have a creemee (it’s a Vermont twist on soft-serve, sweetened with maple syrup) while you’re in the Green Mountain State.

backpacker sitting on the ground with a bag of snacks eating.
You’ll need to stop in town every once in a while to replenish your snacks and meals. – photo credit: Casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

You can resupply by mailing boxes ahead of time to a post office or a place in town that offers to hold boxes for hikers (like a hostel), having a friend or family member meet you at road crossings with fresh supplies (we saw many hikers who traveled with a dog choose this option), or getting a ride into a nearby town for the grocery store. If your resupply plan involves mailing packages, you’ll want to ship them well in advance to make sure they arrive in time for you to pick them up. For mailed resupply boxes to a post office, first, make sure the Post Office in your targeted town accepts general delivery, then address your box with the following: Your Name c/o General Delivery Town Name, VT 01234 Arriving By: ETA It’s also a good idea to write your name or put a special marker (like colorful tape) on all sides of the box to make it easier for postal workers to find it amongst all the other resupply boxes. We chose to shop in towns for all of our resupplies during our hike.

Below are the towns we stopped in:

Manchester Center (LT mile 54.4)

Stay here: Green Mountain House Hiker Hostel – this was one of the cleanest and most hospitable hostels we’ve ever stayed at. The owners, Jeff and Regina Taussig, are hikers themselves, so they know exactly what LT hikers need – like a freezer full of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream pints!

Eat here: Sam’s Woodfired Pizza

Resupply here: Shaws/The Mountain Goat (for gear)

hiker hostel owner posing next to the hostel's sign on a grassy lawn.
Jeff Taussig is an amazing host at the Green Mountain House Hiker Hostel in Manchester. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Rutland, VT (LT mile 104.5)

Stay here: Inn at The Long Trail – It’s easy to get here via a short side trail off the Long Trail, or you can catch a free bus to it where the trail crosses Rt. 4. The rooms are cozy and the included breakfast in the morning is amazing. There’s also an Irish Pub inside the inn to grab a drink at and watch live music if that’s your thing. If you need to get into town for the grocery store, it’s easy to hitchhike from here, or you can take the free bus to the town center.

Eat here: Brix Bistro

Resupply here: Price Chopper/Rutland Area Food Co-op (lots of vegan options)

road side sign for the inn at the long trail in rutland, vermont.
The Inn at the Long Trail outside of Rutland serves a delicious breakfast that’s included if you book a room. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Waitsfield, VT (LT mile 163.7)

Stay here: Swanson Inn – We’re convinced that owners Tim and Rick are some of the nicest folks in the whole state. They offer rides to and from the trail, rides into town for resupply, a fantastic breakfast, and homey rooms inside a beautiful house.

Eat here: Mad Taco/Lawsons Brewery

Resupply here: Shaw’s

two owners posing in front of the Swanson Inn with the building sign and an LGBTQA+ and American flag in the background
Tim and Rick run the extremely hiker-friendly Swanson Inn. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Waterbury VT (LT mile 184.6)
We didn’t stay the night in Waterbury, but it’s easy to get to. So we took a trip into town for the grocery store and some town food. Even if you plan to stop in Waitsfield (about 20 miles away), resupplying in both towns will allow you to carry a lighter pack for the tough climb and descent over Camel’s Hump.

Eat here: Blackback

Resupply here: Village Market / Shaw’s / Waterbury Sports (for gear)

three desserts on a table (mousse, ice cream sandwiches, and pie)
We tried pretty much everything on the dessert menu at Blackback in Waterbury, and it was all delicious. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Johnson, VT (LT mile 221.6)

Stay here: Nye’s Green Valley Farm – This 1800’s farmhouse B&B is run by Marsha and David Nye. They offer a hiker rate, rides to and from town and the trail, they do your laundry for you, and they feed you an amazing homemade breakfast. This was a very comfortable and friendly place to stay before making the final push north to Journey’s End.

Resupply here: After a destructive flood, Johnson’s Sterling Market permanently closed. The nearest grocery store is in Morrisville (a 15-minute drive from Johnson). The town is hopeful a new grocer will open in the future. / Johnson Hardware & Rental (for gear)

two owners posing in front of their sign that says green valley farm B&B with pumpkins decorating their gardens.
Marsha and David Nye treat you like family at the Green Valley Farm B&B. – photo credit: casey handley (clever hiker.com)

Water

In general, water sources along the LT are plentiful – it’s rare you’ll hike more than a couple hours without hitting one. That said, some streams can go dry during long periods with no rain. Always check your map for water sources, consult with fellow hikers, or use the FarOut app for updates on current conditions. In general, it’s common to hike with no more than two liters at any given time along the LT. Though many of the water sources you’ll find along the LT run clear and appear free of sediment, you’ll still want to filter your water. We used the Katadyn BeFree to filter water on the trail because it’s lightweight, fast, and easy to clean in the field. Another very popular and affordable option that many hikers use on the LT is the Sawyer Squeeze.

backpacker sitting on a bridge over a river in a green canopy forest.
Water is plentiful along the Long Trail. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Bears & Food Storage

Black bears live in the forests along the entire Long Trail, so it’s important to take steps to keep yourself and these animals safe. Visitors to the Green Mountain National Forest (the majority of the Long Trail) are required to store food and other scented items in a bear box or a bear canister or to bear hang food at least 12 feet from the ground and six feet from any horizontal object. Many of the shelters on the LT have bear boxes nearby for safely storing your food.

Bugs

Ticks, mosquitoes, and black flies can be a nuisance on the Long Trail, especially in the warmer months. Most bugs dissipate by September, making it a nice time to hike. We recommend using a combination of Permethrin on your clothing and bringing a small bottle of DEET or Picaridin Lotion (our choice) for exposed skin if you’re hiking during the peak of summer.

still beaver pond on the long trail on a sunny day in vermont.
Bugs will be worse near the beaver ponds on the Long Trail. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Gear List

Make sure to check out our Ultimate Backpacking Checklist so you don’t forget something important.

Below you’ll find our current favorite backpacking gear. If you want to see additional options, our curated gear guides are the result of many years of extensive research and hands-on testing by our team of outdoor experts.

BACKPACK

TENT

SLEEPING BAG/QUILT

SLEEPING PAD

CAMP KITCHEN

WATER & FILTRATION

CLOTHING

FOOTWEAR & TRACTION

NAVIGATION

FOOD

FIRST-AID & TOOLS

MISCELLANEOUS

waterproof gaiters can help keep your feet dry on the muddy Long Trail. – photo credit: Casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

Leave No Trace

Safeguarding our wild spaces from human degradation is vital for maintaining the integrity of the Long Trail. It’s easy to assume your small campfire, hastily dug cathole, or biodegradable food scraps won’t leave a lasting mark. However, the collective effect of these seemingly minor actions can significantly alter delicate ecosystems. As stewards of the wilderness, we must be vigilant in minimizing our footprint, even when we feel far from civilization. We share this space with thousands of people hiking along the LT corridor every year, and we all need to do our part to protect this spectacular trail. We recommend brushing up on Leave No Trace guidelines before you head out on the trail.

a reminder of one of the pillars of the leave no trace principles for recreating in the outdoors. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Become a Member of the Green Mountain Club

The Green Mountain Club (GMC) protects and maintains the LT and the amenities along the path (shelters, privies, campsites, etc.). Without the hard work of their staff and volunteers, there would be no trail. We encourage you to become a donating member of this amazing organization to help ensure the LT stays around for future generations to enjoy. Plus, you’ll get benefits like staying at the fee-shelters for free. The GMC also commemorates successful end-to-end hikes with a patch and a certificate – be sure to keep a journal about your time on trail to submit with your certification application.

two long trail thru-hikers posing next to an informational sign that says: WELCOME TO VERMONT THE LONG TRAIL A FOOTPATH IN THE WILDERNESS The Long Trail, maintained by the Green Mountain Club, follows the Green Mtn. range for 273 miles from Massachusetts to Canada. White painted blazes mark the trail. Blue blazes mark the side trails. The A.T. follows the L.T. for 105 miles in VT. Maps and guidebooks are available from: The Green Mountain Club, 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road Waterbury Center, VT 05677 www.greenmountainclub.org
The Green Mountain Club maintains the trail, shelters, campsites, and privies on the Long Trail. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

More photos from Vermont’s Long Trail

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Backpacker's hands holding onto their water filter system as they refill their water bottle in a small stream on the long trail in Vermont.

The Katadyn BeFree water filter paired with a Hydrapak Flux water bottle is our go-to for ultralight backpacking. – Photo Credit: Casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

legs and feet of a thru-hiker wearing toe socks and chacos.

A controversial approach to thru-hiking footwear, but if you know your feet are going to be wet, you could just embrace it with chaos. – photo credit: casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

wooden planks laid out to provide a mud-free trail in the misty forests on the long trail in Vermont.

A good amount of the Long Trail is in tree cover, so we skipped sun protection for this trip. – photo credit: Casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

a wet and rocky trail in a moss covered forest

An example of what the trail can look like…a slippery sea of ankle biters. – photo credit: Casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

trail consisting of exposed roots of a forest.

trails can erode down to the roots, making for a web of slippery traps. -photo credit: Casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

backpacker with headphones around her neck eating a clif bar on vermont's long trail.

Clif Bars are affordable and keep your energy up on trail. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

a long trail thru-hiker overlooking the fall foliage blanketing the mountains and hills below.

A waterproof Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 2400 is a great choice for the sometimes soggy Long Trail. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

wet and muddy trail on the long trail in vermont

Did we mention the trail can be wet and muddy? – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

backpacker lifting the lid off their camping stove's pot on a ledge overlooking a tree covered valley

The Snow Peak Litemax and TOAKS Titanium 750 mL Pot make for an ultralight cook system. – Photo credit: Casey Handley (cleverhiker.com)

three tents pitched in a forest in the rain on vermont's long trail.

flat ground for tenting can be in short supply. -photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

backpacker on the the long trail sitting at the door of her one person tent in a green forest.

The Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo is a favorite single-person lightweight tent. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

backpacker resting inside a wooden lean-to sitting on his sleeping pad, inside his sleeping bag and wearing his rain jacket.

Many Long Trail hikers carry a simple closed-cell foam pad, like the NEMO Switchback, for sleeping in shelters. – Photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

trail climbing rocks and roots between the trees on a foggy day on vermont's long trail.

When it gets rainy, the trail can turn into a stream bed. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

a shelter made from logs on the long trail with picnic table.

another shelter on the long trail. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

a cabin in the woods along the long trail in vermont on a sunny day.

shelters along the long trail are often worth a stop just for the impressive backcountry engineering. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

backpacker sitting on the edge of a lean-to on the long trail in the green and yellow forest.

Lean-to’s are a great place to get information on the trail from other hikers. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

backpacker on the long trail climbing a ladder to get over a steep rock.

Ladders keep the trail exciting as you approach summits. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

backpacker walking on a mountain in the mist.

Look for trail blazes and cairns on the rocky trail when visibility is low. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

backpacker approaching a mountain top on vermont's long trail. the trail is a rock slab with evergreen on either side.

When the trail changes to rocky slabs, you know you’re close to a summit. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

backpacker climbing up rocks to a ladder on the long trail in vermont

Class IV trails on the long trail will include rock scrambles. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

moss covered ground with a ladder to climb to get above a rocky ledge on vermont's long trail.

The vistas on the long trail are worth the walk, but it is the little things like a blanket of moss that also enchant thru-hikers. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

a backpacker on the long trail walking on rocky slabs with a hand carved wooden hiking stick

Some hikers prefer lightweight trekking poles, others prefer to craft one of their own while trekking. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

a summit vista on the long trail with cloudy skies nearly touching the ridgeline in the distance.

the green mountains are a sight to be seen from a summit. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

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CleverHiker Gear Guide

CleverHiker Gear Guide

Trail-tested recommendations on the best hiking, backpacking, and camping gear for maximizing comfort, minimizing weight, and increasing smiles.
Top Gear Picks of 2024
A hiker posing on top of a mountain at sunset

Top Gear Picks of 2024

This is where we highlight a wide range of exceptional choices, and talk about our personal favorites.
Ultimate Backpacking Checklist & Gear Essentials

Ultimate Backpacking Checklist & Gear Essentials

After years of honing our backpacking gear to find the balance of weight, comfort, and…
Ultralight Backpacking Basics

Ultralight Backpacking Basics

We love hiking with an ultralight kit because it allows us to spend less time worrying about aches and pains and more time enjoying side trails and the beautiful scenery around us. Whether you’re new to backpacking or you’re a traditional backpacker looking to lighten your load, we’ll break down everything you need to know about getting started with ultralight backpacking.
20 Most Essential Trail Skills

20 Most Essential Trail Skills

We just announced the content for CleverHiker seasons 2 & 3! Follow this link to SectionHiker.com to see the article that was posted today with a full list of episode titles and content summaries. Our next series is called Essential Trail Skills I & II and it’s going to be rad. We’re currently in the process of editing 20 HD videos teaching the most important backpacking skills for the trail. The release date will be in early 2014.Check out the content on SectionHiker and let me know what you think! Feel free to leave a comment on SH, tweet out the article, or leave me a comment here.
21 Tips For First-Time Thru-Hikers
PCT blaze buried in a sappy tree

21 Tips For First-Time Thru-Hikers

Completing a thru-hike will be one of the most profoundly rewarding achievements of your life. You’ll spend months communing with nature, build jaw-dropping endurance, and develop lasting friendships along the way. Mustering up the courage to set out on your first thru-hike just might be the best decisions you ever make.
Best Ultralight Tents of 2024
The Zpacks Duplex and Tarptent Motrail ultralight backpacking tents in front of a jagged mountain peak at sunset

Best Ultralight Tents of 2024

Every gram counts when finding the best ultralight tent. Our hand-picked list of UL shelters passed the test from our scale to the trail.
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2024
A backpacker sitting on a rock in the REI Magma 30 sleeping bag at sunset

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2024

From summer summits to winter wanderings, our trail-tested list of the best backpacking sleeping bags will keep you warm and cozy in…
Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2024
A backpacker holding the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite in Yosemite National Park

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2024

Whether you’re looking for inflatable or foam, ultralight or ultra-plush, we’ll help you get a great night’s sleep in the backcountry with our trail-tested picks…
Best Backpacking Stoves of 2024
The MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe backpacking stove in front of a jagged mountain with red bands

Best Backpacking Stoves of 2024

We’ve spent years cooking up this list of the best backpacking stoves around so backcountry chefs and Cup Noodle connoisseurs can find their perfect match.
Best Backpacking Tents of 2024
The NEMO Hornet OSMO 2 and Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 backpacking tents pitched in a campsite surrounded by granite peaks in the Sawtooth Mountains

Best Backpacking Tents of 2024

We put the most promising backpacking tents on the market through the wringer to find the ones with the best balance of comfort, weight…
Best Budget Tents of 2024
A hiker sitting in the doorway of the REI Half Dome SL 2+ backpacking tent with a tree-lined lake in the background

Best Budget Tents of 2024

Adventure awaits – even on a budget. Check out our guide to the best backpacking tents and hit the trails without breaking the bank.

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