The Best Websites For Hikers
Ranked #1,745 in Sports & Recreation, #49,606 overall
Websites For Hikers, Backpackers, Campers and Anyone Else Who Loves Outdoor Recreation
What got me using the internet in the first place (and I was reluctant back then, in 1998) was a search for information about the Appalachian Trail. Soon, I was chatting with other A.T. hikers online, and I ended up making some good friends in the long-distance backpacking community. When I returned from my hike, I also returned to the websites I'd been using and perusing and, over the years, discovered more hiking sites that I visit often.
Below are my picks for some of the best hiking and backpacking websites around -- some new, some not new at all -- for trails and destinations around the world.
Below are my picks for some of the best hiking and backpacking websites around -- some new, some not new at all -- for trails and destinations around the world.
Definition: Hike
An outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often on hiking trails (Wikipedia)
A long walk usually for exercise or pleasure (Wordnet)
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My Favorite Hiking Website: TrailJournals
Global Backpacking Journals from Long-Distance Hikers
I love this site! And it's one of those I've been using for more than 10 years, including posting my own Appalachian Trail and other long-distance backpacking journals. As of March 26, 2010, TrailJournals had 284,795 journal entries, with over 2,238,457 miles of hiking, 489,947 trail photos, and 1118 hikers in their directory. And that number is literally growing by the minute.But as big as the site has gotten over the years, it's still really easy to navigate and find the journals you want to read. There are also hiker forums and a hiker directory, peak journals for those interested in writing and reading about reaching the summits of the world, a photo gallery, and a book store to browse through.
Visit TrailJournals
Here's What's New On TrailJournals
Backpacker.com
Destinations, Gear, Skills, Blogs, Hiker Forums And More
This site by Backpacker Magazine has it all: articles, blogs, gear reviews, videos, photos, events, a backpacker food and recipe center, interactive features. You can find hikes all over the United States and even find hiking partners on the very active Backpacker Forums, where you can discuss anything and everything about hiking and backpacking ... and a wide range of other topics with those who share your passion for the outdoors.Visit Backpacker
You Can Follow Backpacker Magazine on Twitter
AllTrails.com
A Community Guide To The Outdoors
I first learned about AllTrails on Twitter, when I saw a post by AllTrails founder and CEO, Russell Cook.On AllTrails, you can:
- Explore over 40,000 trails & reviews
- Share trails, reviews, & photos with friends
- Get outside by joining local events
AllTrails has a great search feature, where you can filter trails by activity, length, difficulty, popularity, location and much more. When you register (for free), they can help you discover new trails by providing you with personalized recommendations.
AllTrails also keeps you updated on all the hiking and trail-related events going on in your local area.
And on this site, you can keep a record of the trails you've done, your favorites, and the ones you'd like to do. You can also create an unlimited number of lists of trails to share with friends.
Visit AllTrails
AllTrails is on Twitter, Too
GoBackpacking.com
A Blog Encouraging People To Travel Abroad, Independently
On this site you will find:- Tips for planning budget trips, with a special focus on "around the world" travel
- New content added regularly, including interviews with a variety of travelers, guest posts, book reviews, how-to instructional articles and content reflecting hot topics like travel media and building a successful travel blog, as well as news and information from the online travel world.
- A complete archive of editor David Lee's posts from a 20-month, 22-country trip around the world.
Visit GoBackpacking
The Latest GoBackpacking Posts
Follow GoBackpacking Editor-in-Chief, David Lee, on Twitter
TheBackpacker TV.com
Videos For, By, And About Backpackers
Editor Scott Janz put together this web site "so hikers from all over the world (that pack a cell phone, camera, or small video camera) can share their experiences with others." As he says, "Why spend all day searching YouTube to watch backpacking video, when you can come right here?"This site is loaded with trail "vlogs," how-to and gear review videos, documentaries, videos by Backpacker Magazine, and some awesome scenery to experience through hikers' lenses.
TheBackpackerTV is also on Facebook.
Visit TheBackpackerTV
Here's The Latest From TheBackpackerTV Blog
Follow TheBackpackerTV on Twitter
GORP.com
Great Outdoor Recreation Pages
GORP isn't just "Good Ol' Raisins and Peanuts" with some chocolate mixed in. It's also another comprehensive resource for adventure travel, outdoor sports and gear, camping, national parks, and more. On Gorp.com, you can read questions and answers by the Gear Guy, the Gear Girl, and the Survival Guru, and check out the World Traveler and trips of the month. This is a place for outdoor enthusiasts to plan vacations focused on the great outdoors in locations around the globe.GORP.com is part of the Away Network, a collection of sites based on travel, including:
- GORPTravel.com, a travel directory of active vacations and adventure tour outfitters
- Away.com, a travel and vacation-planning resource with expert reviews and trip ideas
- Outside Online by the adventure-travel magazine of the same name, with feature articles, gear reviews, and more; and
- Trip.com, a free travel search site where can find the cheapest flights, cheapest hotels, cheapest car rentals, and cheapest vacation packages across a wide range of travel websites
Visit GORP
Backpacking Lightweight
At Backpacking.Net
Backpacking Lightweight was created in 1996 and, since then, has grown to include a huge collection of resources for year-round backcountry safety and enjoyment. While Backpacking Lightweight (obviously) focuses on lightweight backpacking equipment and techniques, it is a also a great resource for all backcountry travelers who want to research and purchase quality outdoor gear. You can also get involved with or just browse through their popular Backpacker Forum, or contribute your own hiking and backpacking experiences to the site.Visit Backpacking Lightweight
The Latest Topics On Backpacking Lightweight
What's Your Favorite Hiking Website?
General outdoorsy comments and questions are welcome, too.
**You don't have to be a member of Squidoo.com to leave a message below.**
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Auntiekatkat Jun 26, 2011 @ 10:21 am | delete
- Wonderful lens
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RenaissanceWoman2010
Jun 14, 2011 @ 9:20 am | delete
- I wasn't aware of all of these hiking and backpacking sites. Great resources. Thanks for the review!
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BrianS Jul 15, 2010 @ 1:15 pm | delete
- Obviously I like my own website, its not totally dedicated to hiking as its about travel in general. But it does have sections on where you can find hostels and how to travel around in Europe generally. Its called Euro Traveler
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- Nice lens and great resource for hikers, I don't do so much myself these days, getting a bit old, but I used to. Enjoyed this lens, thumbs up.
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MysticTurtle
Mar 27, 2010 @ 7:33 pm | delete
- It's not bad enough that it's Springer Fever season, you had to go and put this in front of me. Oh, those pictures! I really need to be independently wealthy so I can just hike for the rest of my life.
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A Collection Of Articles For Hikers By A Hiker
Hiking Trails, Hiking Tips, Hiking Trips
When I'm not hiking, I'm often thinking about hiking. And when I'm thinking about hiking, I'm often talking about or writing about hiking....
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