The MSU Exponent: What makes a good hiking trail? An expert breaks it down Thousands of Montanans use hiking and running trails every day, but the work that goes into building and maintaining those paths often goes unnoticed. Explore the outdoors with AllTrails, the best app for hiking, biking, and running.

Understanding the Context

Discover curated guides, trail maps, photos, and reviews for over 500,000 trails worldwide. AllTrails: Trail Guides & Maps for Hiking, Camping, and Running | AllTrails Hiking is simple but some basic knowledge is required: Learn how to choose a hike, what gear and clothing you need and other essentials. Hiking is proven to have many health benefits, ranging from physical exercise you get when out on the trail, to emotional or mental relief that comes from being in nature. Trekking is the preferred word used to describe multi-day hiking in the mountainous regions of India, Pakistan, Nepal, North America, South America, Iran, and the highlands of East Africa.

Key Insights

Hiking a long-distance trail from end-to-end is also referred to as trekking and as thru-hiking in some places. [9] Get the hiking resources you need to feel confident on your next hike. Find local hikes and learn the ins and outs of hiking.