What makes long trails like the AT, PCT, JMT, CDT feel so special?  What keeps drawing thousands of hikers in each year?

Scenery, physical and mental challenges, solitude, escapism and the sense of exploration immediately come to mind. 

But what about the people and the communities?

There's hikers, trail angels, trail maintainers, volunteers, state and federal park services, hostels and businesses, friends and families that support long trails - we all belong to this community that stretches out and it’s kind of crazy to wrap your head around.

The long trail community is a collection of people from all over the world, from many different backgrounds and all have their own unique story to tell.  This comes together through shared experience into a new journey together.

 

Here’s a few of these people