Hiking one of the big daddy through-hikes鈥攖he Pacific Crest, Continental Divide, or Appalachian Trail鈥攕ounds dreamy 鈥 if the boss gives you six months of聽paid vacation. And while weekend trips are great, it can be hard to relax, ditch the crowds, and get into trail mode if you only have one or two nights. But there鈥檚 another way: take a few days off work and tackle a section of one of these mid-distance trails.
Utah鈥檚 White Rim Trail
Located in the Island in the Sky district of , the 100-mile White Rim Trail traverses a 鈥渨hite rim鈥 layer of desert sandstone. With mind-blowing views of red rock cliffs above and spectacular canyons below, it weaves past arches, towers, and otherworldly rock formations. It鈥檚 usually done by mountain bike, on a four-day, van- or four-wheeler-supported trip, but it can also be hiked. Columbia ambassadors and old friends Paddy O and Lauren did it this past July. The sun鈥檚 鈥渕ega rays of hatred鈥 nearly killed them鈥攁nd made for a hilarious, if ill-advised, adventure聽(see “The Best Bad Idea,” above). Our advice: go in early May or October鈥攁nd consider pedaling instead of hiking.
Essential Gear: Columbia’s聽Solar Ice鈩⒙燬hort Sleeve Shirt
The is cut from sun-deflecting (UPF 30) Omni Shade鈩 fabric, which is so effective at reflecting sunlight that it shimmers. Cool and silky, it feels good on your skin even in the desert. $75.
Vermont鈥檚 Long Trail
is nearly 300 miles from the Massachusetts state line through the heart of the Green Mountains to Canada鈥攚ith another 166 miles of side trails. But for an attainable three-night trip, try 鈥渟ection four,鈥 which takes you from Killington to Waitsfield聽over 58 miles that includes a wilderness area. Seasoned fast-and-light through-hikers could knock it off in two to three nights; the rest of us should plan on three to four. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a remote and wild stretch that goes over two 4,000-foot peaks and offers some of the best views of the entire trail,鈥 says Amy Potter, with the Green Mountain Club Visitor Center.
Essential Gear: Columbia’s Titan Peak鈩⒙燬hort
The feature the same Omni Shade鈩 tech as the Solar Ice聽shirt, to fight heat and UV light, but in a burly four-way stretch fabric tough enough for deep-woods travel. $70.
Minnesota鈥檚 Superior Hiking Trail
Tracing the ridgeline above Lake Superior from Duluth to the Ontario border, the 277-mile is surprisingly rugged, traversing bluffs and cliffs along the spine of the ancient Sawtooth Mountains. There are some 30 trailheads and 80-plus campsites. If you only have a few days, check out the 34.5-mile section from Caribou Falls to Lutsen. The route gives you a good taste of the region, with sweeping views of the lake interspersed with lush forests of maple and basswood. One payoff among many is the series of overlooks from the Oberg Mountains. In the fall, it rivals New England for peak foliage.
Essential Gear: Columbia’s PeakFreak鈩 XCRSN II XCEL Low Shoe
With streams to cross and waterfalls to explore, you need quick-drying waterproof yet breathable footwear鈥攂ut not heavy boots. The 聽offer all that, plus grippy rubber soles and lightweight midsoles and uppers. $110.
Pinhoti National Recreation聽Trail
This , which connects to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, ambles through Alabama and Georgia, linking up sections of national forest and private land easements. The most rugged sections of trail are in Georgia, where there are 4,000-foot peaks and pine-covered ridges. The trail has tons of entry points and trail shelters, making it easy to knock off a few sections at a time. Our recommendation? Start at Springer Mountain, the famous starting point for northbound AT through-hikers, and head southwest.
Essential Gear: Columbia’s聽Trail Elite鈩 55-Liter Backpack
This light-yet-technical is plenty roomy for multi-day treks and has all the necessary straps to make hauling your tent, sleeping pad, and extra gear easier than ever. Thanks to the Backdraft鈩 tensioned back panel, the bag is elevated off of聽your back聽for comfort and ventilation. Even better: The pack is compatible with a three聽liter water聽resevoir聽so you can stay hydrated while on the move.听$209.
California鈥檚 Tahoe Rim Trail
The full 165-mile circumnavigation of Lake Tahoe will take you two weeks鈥損lus, over eight sections with ample ridgeline views of the bluest lake in the country. But for a Tahoe Rim sampler, take advice from Jason Layh, a buyer at , and hike point-to-point from Big Meadows trailhead鈥 to鈥 Echo Summit. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a鈥 roughly鈥 18-mile section that鈥檚 incredible for wildflowers. Start鈥 at the Big Meadows trailhead, which is off 鈥媜f Highway 89, and wind your way through alpine forest and meadows that host a variety of flowers. When you reach 鈥婱eiss鈥 Meadow鈥媠 and look south toward Red Lake Peak, you鈥檙e 鈥媣iewing the top of the watershed,鈥 Layh says.
Essential Gear: Columbia’s Solar Chill鈩 Hat聽
Those looking for a go-to 聽look no further. The highly-reflective Omni Shade鈩 Sun Deflector fabric offers a UPF rating of 50, and the聽moisture-wicking fabric will keep your head cool and protected on even the hottest of days. $30.
From the cutting edge technology found in Columbia’s Omni-Shade鈩 sun protection to their innovative heritage in Bugaboo, Columbia’s gear is tested tough so you can enjoy the outdoors longer. Learn more about their warm-weather, winter, or year-round products by visiting .听