3 Long Haul Hikes To Soothe Your Soul

Is your soul aching to reconnect? Is it tired from the hustle and bustle of the rat race? Maybe it’s time to slow down and venture into the great unknown. Hiking is a great way disconnect from the modern day so-called “connection” and reconnect with mother nature and, if you’re religious, God or another higher power you believe in.
Let’s face it, even though the internet is a good source of information, it’s also a good way to lose real connection with people, and nature.

So why not find yourself breathing in the fresh air, absorbing the vitamin D from the sun, hearing the calming music of the birds, and taking in the colours of God’s rich earth. Makes me feel homesick as I type this out!

In this blog, we’re going to look at some long haul hikes that can awaken (or reawaken) your love for the outdoors and the beauty of the earth. From wildflowers to mountain sunsets, something in nature will flip the switch and you’ll wonder, “Why haven’t I been doing this all along?”

These hikes are called long haul because they cover A LOT of ground. But, of course, you don’t have to trek the whole thing all at once (unless you’re looking for a challenge 😉 ) These trails are all apart of the Triple Crown Trails.
Let’s get started!

1) Appalachian Trail

Enjoy the riches of the mountains and valleys that make up the Appalachian Trail. This trail is the longest hiking-only footpath in the WORLD! It passes through 14 states, starting in Georgia and heading north to Maine. It covers a total of 2,190 miles! That’s a lot! But it can and has been done. Black bears and copperheads can be a danger while on these trails so just make sure you know how to identify them and what to do in an encounter. You might not even ever come across either but make sure you read up on the wildlife in any area you trek.
The trail boasts more than 3 million visitors each year. Hiking the entire Appalachian trail can take anywhere from 5 to 7 months and only one in four hikers make it all the way through, according to appalachiantrail.org. But you can take it slow and do parts of the trail that is nearest to you or your next destination. The website is a great way to get the all the information you need on the trail, rest areas, parking, camping, hiking tips and more. They even have trail planners available on their online store to help you plan ahead and keep on track! This is on my bucket list for sure, especially since it runs through my home state, West Virginia. (Hopefully, I can give you a first hand perspective on it!) Put it on yours!

2) Continental Divide Trail

If you want to see much of the west, this trail has a lot of it. From the deserts of New Mexico to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to the prairies of Wyoming, you will see so much geographic diversity! This trail runs along the western continental divide (obviously). It is 3,028 miles long and trails along the “width” of the United States from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. It travels through five states; Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. It is incomplete, however, but still plenty of trails are available and alternate routes are given. It is not a foothpath-only trail like the Appalachian so sometimes you will be walking along a main road and have to cross traffic to continue on the trail. Sometimes trails are closed due to fires and heavy snow but, again, there will be alternative routes.
The thing that makes this trail unique is that you will experience different climates and massive elevation changes. You will be in the dry desert and then atop a cold, snowy mountain. It will challenge you for sure! You will also pass through many national parks and forests such as Yellowstone National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Glacier National Park to name a few! Those are all on my bucket list so can’t wait to trek some of those trails! It can take around 5 months to complete the whole trail or you can break it up however you like and just do a segment or two. Either way it’s an accomplishment! Also, this trail allows you to walk, mountain bike, or horseback ride on portions of the trail. You can find more out about this specifications of the trail on their website by clicking here.

3) Pacific Crest Trail

Again, if you love the national parks ad forests, this trail won’t disappoint! This trail runs along the pacific crest following the beautiful and magnificent Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountains. It starts in Campos, California (near the Mexico border) and runs all the way through California, Oregon, and Washington. It totals 2,653 miles, goes through multiple elevation changes, 25 national forests, and 7 national parks!
This trail is unique because it is mostly wilderness within national forests and parks and you will have little civilisation around you, if that is what you are a looking for. Somedays you just need a break from people and this would help you do that and enjoy the beauty of all God created! This trail allows walking and horseback riding.

All of these trails connect to Canadian trails to take you even further north and hundreds or thousands of more miles! You could really level up and join the nomad lifestyle!

To cover all three of the magnificent trails would give you the boasting power of completing 7,947 miles of trails, a vertical gain of 1,000,000 feet, visiting 22 states, 13 national parks, 27 national forests, 12 state parks, and 3 state forests. (My numbers could be off a bit but thats what I counted during my research.) Much of these trails lead you through national monuments and popular attractions like ‘Old Faithful’ geyser. Talk about a bucket list!!

If you’re thinking about taking on one (or all) of these massive trails, he’s some things to consider:

• Your health/fitness level
  Are you healthy enough? Do you have a heart condition or severe asthma? Although, you still may be able to conquer trails with conditions like these, please talk to your doctor about it first. You will be going through rough terrain and elevation changes that can hinder even healthy people. It’s definitely something you will need to build up to whether you consider yourself healthy or needing some work. And don’t forget, you will need to carry a backpack of supplies which can be an extra 20-50 pounds at any given time.
• Preparedness
  Do you have the equipment you need? Have you done the research on the trail? Do you know where to stop to resupply or have a friend/family member to help you when needed? Do you know about the wildlife in the area? This is not something to take lightly. It’s not something you can wake up one day and go do it. It will take some preparation and even training before taking it on, physically and mentally. Always be prepared.
• Mental fortitude
  Do you have the mentality to push yourself forward even when you don’t want to? What if you get hurt? Will if you encounter a bear or venomous snake? Will you be able to “keep your head” in a scary situation? What if you get lost? This is probably the biggest thing to consider. Some people take on big decisions without really understanding the magnitude of it and can easily get themselves in deep water.

To really find out what it’s like to go through these trails, network with other hikers who have been there and done that. There is plenty of Facebook groups and pages on Instagram you can find and follow for more first hand experience and tips!

If this is a future goal, but you just aren’t physically or mental ready for it, don’t worry! There are so many trails within the US (and other countries) that can help you build up to one of these Triple Crown trails.

If you are just physically or mentally unable to do trails but love the thought of it and want to help out those who are able to, consider volunteering with upkeep of the trails, become a “Trail Angel”, or donate to your nearest or most loved trails.

Happy trails, ya’ll!