THE RIVER THAT YEARNS TO RUN FREE

A HIKE IN THE AUTHOR'S NATIVE WASHINGTON STATE GIVES PERSPECTIVE ON HALF A MILLENNIUM OF PERSECUTION, AND A HOME WORTH FIGHTING FOR.

On the Mountain of the Gods

After striking out on his first attempt, the author returns to Mt. Olympus determined to make the summit.

Daypack Dreamin'

From family-friendly jaunts to grueling summit pushes, your daypack is your constant companion, so choose it wisely. At 35 liters or less and all under three pounds, these rucksacks have the smart features and robust suspensions you need to adventure as far and as often as you please.

Break Out Your Boots

Shake off your winter hiking slump with these early-season destinations.

BIGFOOT'S FAVORITE STOMPING GROUNDS

Hoping for a selfie with the legendary biped? Step out on these four hominid-friendly hikes.

Have Gear, Will Travel

These eight products are versatile companions for every adventure.

I Survived A Polar Bear Attack

In July 2013, Matt Dyer was lucky enough to see a polar bear in Canada’s Torngat Mountains. His good fortune ended there.

A New Path

When Covid canceled their wedding, one hiker and her fiancé went backpacking instead.

CHRISTOPHER FISHER

In October 2021, Christopher Fisher, a 26-year-old, Texas-born endurance athlete living in Breckenridge, Colorado, climbed a whopping 400,332 vertical feet in one month. That’s the equivalent of summiting a 13,000-foot peak from sea level every day for 31 straight days. It’s likely a world record, too (he’s submitting it to Guinness), and maybe just a bit, well, crazy. Here’s what Fisher had to say about the feat.

Finding My Footing

A hiker pulls confidence from an unsolicited gear critique in the Catskills.

Light in the Darkness

In winter, as the nights stretch and daylight disappears, there’s a certain beauty to be found in the darkness.

Off-Season Tempo Training

During the winter, focused training can help ensure your next hiking season will be even better than the last—and help snowsport performance, too. Tempo training allows you to zero in on issues like shaking quads on descents, sore glutes after ascents, or tender calf muscles. Complete the following workout once or twice a week.

Standing at the Edge

A winter trip through Crater Lake National Park nets a once-in-a-lifetime photo.

The Best Hikes for Spotting Winter Wildlife

These ten routes will show you that nature never stops bustling, no matter how much snow is on the trail.

Emerging from Darkness

For one hiker, nature is the best place to confront her past and consider her future.

Flowing Into Silence

The natural world has a lot to say, if we're willing to listen.

When the Humans are Away

Montana’s remote Crazy Mountains are a playground for more than just hikers.

Chasing the Light

A photographer bushwhacks towards dawn in the Dolly Sods. Martin Radigan, as told to Kristin Smith

Broken and Alone

When his brother turned back a few miles into their overnight hike, Jacob Velarde decided to continue solo. Then, he fell.

A Land Away From Time

Channel Islands National Park is a window into California’s wild past.

An Unexpected Autumn Rainbow

These 10 hikes bring kaleidoscopic hues to overlooked places.

Smoke Eaters On The Front Lines

The new era of wildland firefighting is a war with no end in sight.

Improve Your Aerobic Fitness

Want to be more efficient on the trail? Start by developing your aerobic base (how well your body uses oxygen to burn fat), which allows you to do sustained cardio without gasping for breath. Hiking sometimes requires anaerobic fitness—short bursts of effort where your body produces energy without oxygen—but by and large, it’s an aerobic endeavor. During aerobic training, your heart rate should be elevated above resting, but not so high that you have to catch your breath.

IF THESE HILLS COULD TALK

Environmental activists are pursuing legal steps that would allow natural entities to sue in their own defense through a human spokesperson. But maybe it’s the conversation, and not the law, that matters most.

Roasted Red Pepper and Lentil Stew

Charred pepper lends a punch of smoky flavor in this hearty, veggie-stuffed meal.

Kill a Plant.

Humans have unmatched power to alter natural landscapes. Let’s use it for good.

Seeking Refuge

A father confronts his grief in the Adirondacks.

From The Ashes

Just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, a fire ecologist reckons with damage and recovery after last year's calamitous wildfires.

Thru-Hiking Back to Myself

Patricia Cameron set out to hike the 486-mile Colorado Trail to raise awareness for her nonprofit. She ended up finding out even more about her personal strengths.

Tomorrow's Heroes

These 10 hikers are making a big difference