Going to Extremes: The Highest, Longest, Toughest Trails from BACKPACKER Magazine

Can you ever really have too much of a good thing? Once you’ve seen the biggest tree, largest glacier, and deepest canyon, nothing else compares.

The Ten Most Dangerous Trails

Do you value your life and limbs? Then you’d better get skilled mentally and physcially before tempting the reaper on these hikes.

Are You Tough Enough? 

Every backpacker dreams of a glory job in the outdoors. The author heads to Mt. Rainier—and a grueling tryout with premier guide operation RMI--to find out what it takes to make the grade.

The Toughest Outdoor Jobs

Every backpacker dreams of a glory job in the outdoors. Here’s what it takes to make the grade for 8 of the toughest ones out there. 

The Hardest Dayhikes in the United States

Push yourself from dawn to dusk on these challenging hikes.

America’s Worst Trail: A Love Story 

Is the reward always equal to the effort? Uh...maybe, says this bloodied, bruised, and bandaged reader. 

How to Survive Desert Extreme

Triple-digit temps by noon. Freezing at night. Scarce water. The desert is dangerous for unprepared hikers. Give yourself an edge and learn to survive this hostile territory.

The Hardest Miles

Survivors of the Bataan death march overcame one of history’s most grueling walks. What kept them on their feet? and could you do the same? Every year, more than 4,000 people hike through the New Mexico desert to find out.

The Unlikeliest Mountaineer

Take a fatherless herd boy from poverty-wracked Swaziland, endow him with an indomitable will and a few wealthy friends, give him the lungs of Ed Viesturs, and you have Sibusiso Emmanuel Vilane.

The Long Way Home 

When Karl Bushby set out to hike 36,000 miles across four continents, he vowed he would only return to his native England on foot. Which could be a real problem if he ever wants to get there