What To Know About Point-To-Point Trails Vs Thru-Hikes Before Lacing Up Your Boots

The boots are on, you've got a water bottle in one hand, a map in the other, and a bag of trail mix in your back pocket. Heading out on a trail can seem so straightforward, and there's nothing more exhilarating than some fresh air and exercise to forget the worries and strife of everyday life. But before you set off, have you given any thought to what kind of trail you'll be attempting? Hiking trails can be categorized in different ways, with three basic trail types being the most common: the out-and-back, loop, and point-to-point. The out-and-back and loop trails are self-explanatory and make up the majority of shorter trails. They are generally easy to access, start and finish at the same place, and often have parking at the trailheads.

Point-to-point trails, on the other hand, start at one trailhead and finish at another location. The level of difficulty depends on elevation gain, terrain, and weather conditions, and they can range from short day hikes to multi-day treks. Thru-hikes are essentially point-to-point trails but over a much longer distance. They usually cover hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles and can take weeks or even months to complete. Unlike shorter trails, thru-hikes take a lot of planning and preparation, from food and water supplies and where you'll sleep at night to hiking safety tips everyone should know. Ultimately, choosing between a point-to-point trail and a thru-hike depends on how much time, effort, and commitment you're willing to put in.

Ask any experienced hiker, and they'll tell you that the preparation is just as important as the trail itself. So before you lace up your boots and prepare for your long-distance hike, think about your motivations. No matter if you're chasing adventure or searching for solitude, enjoyment should always be one of the top reasons for doing it. Because when you're stuck outside in torrential downpours and every muscle is aching, remembering why you started is what will keep you going. 

The best way is to start with a short point-to-point trail or a hiking trail for beginners and see how it goes before you embark on a longer and tougher thru-hike. Planning will be the key to your success, including physical and mental training, choosing the right gear, and anticipating any logistical problems that could arise. On a point-to-point hike, that could mean organizing transport between trailheads. On a thru-hike, it could mean getting the right permits you need to access the national parks.

There's no doubt that thru-hikes are tough, but they can be a life-changing experience. There will be some incredible highs when you pass through some of the country's most beautiful landmarks. But, of course, there will also be lows when all you want to do is get off at the next trailhead and head home. It's during these moments that you'll be grateful for all the time you took to prepare yourself both physically and mentally, including thoroughly researching the trail for breaks. And even if a hike takes longer than expected, the more time you spend preparing for a thru-hike, the more enjoyable the adventure will be.

When you're ready to take on some of the best long-distance hiking trails, the most famous thru-hikes in the U.S. are the Appalachian Trail (AT), the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and the Continental Divide Trail, known together as the Triple Crown of hiking. These three prestigious hikes are at the top of many serious hikers' bucket lists. The Appalachian Trail is probably the most well-known, but also the shortest of the three at 2,190 miles. Stretching from Georgia to Maine, there are (a lot) of steep, rocky climbs, and it has the most elevation gain of the three. It takes an average of six months to complete, but only one in four who attempt the hike make it to the end. 

The Pacific Crest Trail runs 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada. It's easier terrain than the AT but much more remote with a wide range of landscapes and habitats. It takes an average of five months to complete. The Continental Divide Trail also goes from Mexico to Canada, but over much more challenging terrain than the PCT. The 3,100 miles climbs up to 14,000 feet and takes, on average, five to six months to complete for the few hundred people who attempt it each year. If those are a little too intense for you right now, consider one of the other national scenic trails. The New England Trail is a more manageable 235 miles from Connecticut to Massachusetts through mountain ridges, river valleys, and small towns. It takes on average two to four weeks and is an excellent starter thru-hike and great preparation for the longer trails.