The Great Resignation - time to take that bucket list trip!
There's no escape from the Great Resignation. It is reported that millions of people are leaving their unfulfilling jobs in pursuit for more - valuing their time and mental health more than their 9 to 5.
Whether it's starting a side hustle that grows to be a full time job, following your passions or simply taking an extended sabbatical in between jobs, this could be the perfect opportunity to make your bucket list a reality.
“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine. It is lethal.”
I have less than a month…
If you are short on time, you will be pleased to hear that some of the most popular hikes in the USA only take around three weeks to complete - from the John Muir Trail in California to the Long Trail in Vermont.
Tahoe Rim Trail - ideal for 1st time thru-hikers.
10 - 15 days > 165 miles
Forming a loop around Lake Tahoe Basin in Sierra Nevada and Carson ranges, enjoy a scenic trail with daily mountain views without strenuous elevation gains.
The best part? You get to experience life as a thru-hiker on this short introduction to long distance hiking - making it ideal for beginners.
John Muir Trail - one of the most scenic trails in the world.
3 weeks > 211 miles
Search ‘top hikes in the world’ and you will find the John Muir Trail - aka ‘America's most famous trail’.
Hike from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney and experience epic mountain ranges - including Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park - in addition to John Muir and Ansel Adams Wildernesses.
Long Trail - the oldest trail in the USA.
3 weeks > 272 miles
Hike the trail that inspired the Appalachian Trail.
The oldest long distance trail in the USA, known as Vermont’s 'footpath in the wilderness', is home to beautiful mountain ranges and views from Killington Peak, Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield.
I have 1 - 3 months…
If you have a bit more time to play with, why not cycle coast to coast from Virginia to Oregon on Adventure Cycling Association’s iconic TransAmerica route or hike one of the more rugged trails in Colorado and Arizona.
Colorado Trail - hike remote stretches through varied terrain.
4-6 weeks > 486 miles
Get off the grid on this remote, wilderness hike, surrounded by 12 out of 14 fourteeners as your backdrop.
A continuous trail all the way from Denver to Durango, the Colorado Trail is an epic thru-hike that will challenge you, taking you through remote backcountry.
Arizona Trail - challenging hike with frequent changes in elevation
6 - 8 weeks > 800 miles
Hike the entire State from Mexico to Utah, experiencing diverse landscapes from deserts, mountains, canyons to pine forests - including hiking the Grand Canyon, the crown jewel of the state.
Cycle across the USA - ride one of the most famous cycling routes in America.
3 months > 4,215 miles
Pedal the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail through 10 states, from the Pacific Ocean on the west coast to the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast and experience rural USA on two wheels.
Highlights include cycling through Yellowstone National Park and Grand Tetons National Park, as well as cycling alongside the Oregon Coastline and Appalachian Mountains along Blue Ridge Parkway.
I have as long as it takes…
Make way for the Triple Crown of Hiking!
With each trail requiring around four to six months to complete, it is impossible to juggle a job and the trail at the same time.
Requiring months of planning and preparation, these iconic trails will leave their mark long after you return home.
Appalachian Trail - the social one.
2,184 miles > Georgia to Maine
Hike through 14 states > Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Pacific Crest Trail - the scenic one.
2,654 miles > Mexico to Canada
Split into 30 sections, hike through California, Oregon and Washington. California - the 3rd largest state in the USA - boasts 18 sections of the trail.
Continental Divide Trail - the rugged one.
3,100 miles > Mexico to Canada
No two hikers are likely to hike the same route on the CDT, hiking through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.
Discover tips from hikers sharing their different experiences from the trail.
Adventure Cycling Association - route map
