(Photo credit- Pascal Cheng)

America’s northeastern mountains and the woods and lakes to the west are some of the first landscapes Europeans encountered when they explored the continent.

Relatively low—but steep—forested peaks, endless waterways and the expansive Great Lakes tell a primordial natural story. For backpackers, trails in these woods and waters offer a chance to step back in time and enjoy landscapes that are starkly different from the arid and towering West.

A few of the backpacking trails crisscrossing these lands are a must for any adventurer who wants to see all that America has to offer. We’ll introduce you to the best backpacking trips in the northeast and Great Lakes here.

Our list focuses on trails that can be hiked in 3 to 14 days.

A three-day mininum allows the one full day in the backcountry necessary to qualify as a backpacking trip. We picked the two-week maximum to cover anyone who wants to use their 10 days of PTO to tackle one of America’s premier routes. Anything longer belongs in the conversation of thru-hikes. 

The order is arbitrary, but the metrics we’ve devised are paramount. We’re called Gear Analytica, so we’ve developed a number of data points that provide an easy, digestible way to analyze the trails according to length, elevation gain, difficulty, trail characteristics, seasonal access, available solitude, wildlife and insect pressure and other important features.

Superior Hiking Trail, Minnesota

Location: Along Lake Superior’s north shore from Jay Cooke State Park near Duluth to Canada

Highlights: Views of Lake Superior (the largest Great Lake), boreal forests, waterfalls. Hiking the full trail in two weeks is ambitious, but doable. Ideal during early autumn.

Resources:

• Trail Organization: Superior Hiking Trail Association
• Trip Report: Superior Trail Trip Report
• Map & Guide: Superior Hiking Trail Association Store

Physical Metrics:

• Distance: 310 miles
• Duration: 2-3 Weeks 
• Total Elevation Gain: 37,800 feet
• Elevation Gain per Mile: 165 feet
• Absolute Grade: 4.6%

Trail Classification:

• Difficulty: Easy
• Terrain Profile: Rolling – consistent but modest ups and downs

Trail Characteristics:

• Technical Features: River crossings, ridge walking, numerous overlooks
• Trail Surface: Well-maintained woodland trails with rocky and rooty sections
• Elevation Range: 600-1,800 feet

Ratings:

• Light Pack: 8/10 – no bear requirements, regular resupply possible
• Weather Consistency: 5/10 – predictable weather patterns, summer storms can develop quickly, rain common
• Water Availability: 9/10 – abundant
• Low Insect/Reptile Pressure: 2/10 – intense bug presence, especially in summer, mosquitos, black flies, no-see-ums and ticks all prevalent
• Trail Solitude: 7/10 – section near Duluth and parks are busier, remote sections offer quality solitude, fall color season sees increased traffic
• Wildlife Safety: 5/10 – shy black bears, rare wolf encounters, occasional moose
• Permit Availability : 10/10 – No permits required
• Seasonal Access: 7/10 – technically accessible year-round but bring snowshoes and warm clothes in winter, spring is mud season, summer predictable, fall is ideal but popular
• Resupply Options: 8/10 – regular road crossings with access to small towns, state parks with resupply
• Trailhead Access: 9/10 – many accessible trailheads along the North Shore, with some directly off U.S. Highway 61

Long Trail, Vermont

Location: Northern Vermont from Giffords Woods to the Canadian border along the Green Mountains

Highlights: The most rugged section of the nation’s oldest footpath, includes Mt. Mansfield and Camel’s Hump, some of the best backpacking in the northeast

Resources:

• Guide Book: Long Trail Guide, 29th Edition
• Trail Organization: Green Mountain Club

Physical Metrics:

• Distance: 153 miles (northern section)
• Duration: 12-15 days
• Total Elevation Gain: 48,000 feet
• Elevation Gain per Mile: 203 feet
• Absolute Grade: 12.0%

Trail Classification:

• Difficulty: Expert
• Terrain Profile: Steep – rugged mountain terrain with significant climbs

Trail Characteristics:

• Technical Features: Ladder climbs, challenging terrain, shelter system
• Trail Surface: Notoriously muddy, rocky with root systems and steep sections
• Elevation Range: 400-4,400 feet

Ratings:

• Light Pack Weight: 6/10 – bear precautions but not cans, regular resupply possible, gear considerations around temperature and weather variability
• Weather Consistency: 5/10 – sudden fog formations, notoriously muddy after rain, temperature swings according to elevation
• Water Availability: 8/10 – frequent springs and streams, water at shelters
• Low Insect/Reptile Pressure: 3/10 – black flies and mosquitoes in summer, ticks throughout warmer months (Lyme risk) 
• Trail Solitude: 7/10 – quieter than the southern section
• Wildlife Safety: 7/10 few shy black bears, occasional moose
• Permit Availability : 9/10 – No permits required
• Seasonal Access: 5/10 – Primary season is June – October, spring is notoriously muddy, winter requires specialized skills
• Resupply Options: 5/10 – accessible towns, road crossings, 4-6 days between points
• Trailhead Access: 7/10 – solid paved road access with limited parking at popular trailheads, shuttling at the Canada end may be required

100-Mile Wilderness, Maine

Location: Northern Maine, from Monson to Abol Bridge

Highlights: The most remote section of the Appalachian Trail, pristine lakes, deep forests, some of the best backpacking in the northeast

Resources:

• Map & Guide: 100-Mile Wilderness Map & Guide, 2nd Edition
• Trail Organization: Appalachian Mountain Club
• Trip Report: 100-Mile Wilderness

Physical Metrics:

• Distance: 100 miles (Monson to Katahdin Summit is about 115 miles)
• Duration: 7-10 days
• Total Elevation Gain: 18,000 feet
• Elevation Gain per Mile: 180 feet
• Absolute Grade: 6.9%

Trail Classification:

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Terrain Profile: Mixed – remote wilderness with varied terrain

Trail Characteristics:

• Technical Features: River fords, remote setting with limited bailout options
• Trail Surface: Classic Appalachian Trail with rocks, roots, and bog bridges
• Elevation Range: 500-3,500 feet

Ratings:

• Light Pack Weight: 3/10 – no resupply, heavy food carry, warm clothing/gear required even in summer
• Weather Consistency: 4/10 – rapid weather shifts, fog and rain can appear suddenly, cold at night, snow possible in summer
• Water Availability: 9/10 – abundant lakes, streams and rivers
• Low Insect/Reptile Pressure: 3/10 – notorious black flies in June, intense mosquitoes through August, no-see-ums and midges near water
• Trail Solitude: 5/10 – AT thru-hikers present June-October, but extended stretches of solitude in early season
• Wildlife Safety: 4/10 black bears, frequent moose encounters possibly dangerous
• Permit Availability : 10/10 – No permits required
• Seasonal Access: 5/10 – Primary season is June – October, winter requires special skills and spring is muddy
• Resupply Options: 1/10 – lack of resupply options by design and definition
• Trailhead Access: 4/10 – remote drives requiring long drives on logging roads

Presidential Traverse, New Hampshire

Location: New Hampshire’s White Mountains from Pinkham Notch to Crawford Notch and Mount Jackson

Highlights: An above-treeline traverse of the White Mountains’ highest peaks, including Mt. Washington, multiple huts available, fall colors are a bonus, some of the best backpacking in the northeast

Resources:

• Trail Organization: Appalachian Mountain Club
• Map & Guide: Trail Guide to Mount Washington and the Presidential Range

Physical Metrics:

• Distance: 23 miles (traditional) / 27 miles (extended)
• Duration: 2-4 days
• Total Elevation Gain: 9,000 feet
• Elevation Gain per Mile: 391 feet
• Absolute Grade: 14.0%

Trail Classification:

• Difficulty: Expert
• Terrain Profile: Steep – extended above-treeline ridge walking with extreme conditions

Trail Characteristics:

• Technical Features: Extended above-treeline exposure, boulder fields, extreme weather risk
• Trail Surface: Rock-strewn trails with significant stretches over boulders and rough terrain
• Elevation Range: 1,500-6,300 feet

Ratings:

• Light Pack Weight: 4/10 – moderate water carry due to limited supply above treeline, warm clothing/gear required even in summer
• Weather Consistency: 2/10 – notorious for extreme, unpredictable weather, high winds(100 MPH+), clear mornings turn to whiteout afternoons, extreme temp fluctuations (30°F+-)
• Water Availability: 6/10 – limited sources above treeline, some huts offer water
• Low Insect/Reptile Pressure: 7/10 – limited mosquito pressure at high elevations, black flies late spring and early summer
• Trail Solitude: 2/10 – extremely popular route year round, huts at capacity, heavy day-hiker traffic on summits
• Wildlife Safety: 8/10 – rare to encounter black bears in alpine zone
• Permit Availability : 7/10 – no permits required but hut reservations are highly competitive and limited designated camping areas
• Seasonal Access: 4/10 – Primary season is June – September, winter requires special skills and dangerous conditions are possible any time
• Resupply Options: 5/10 – huts offer limited meal options, short route
• Trailhead Access: 8/10 – Easy access and ample parking (get there early in summer and fall)

Gear Analytica Editor-in-Chief Kyle Magin contributed to this piece.