Many may say the US is made for the road trip, but for those who want to get out of the car and see the country at less than 65 miles an hour there’s a number of resources to help you plan a long-distance trip.
The US has three major cross-country hiking trails, which are collectively called the Triple Crown. They are the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and the Appalachian Trail. The Appalacian Trail is generally thought of as the easiest one to plan for as there are more resources and a larger support system along the trail.
Though these are the most well-known of the major trails there are many others to consider. There are seven other National Scenic Trails as well as many, many other long-distance trails. A good overview of the national recreation trails can be found on AmericanTrails.org.
Biking in Colorado
By bike:
For those who prefer to travel at more than three miles an hour there are many resources for cycling across the country. Cyclists can create their own routes just by looking at road maps, but not all roads are made for cycling. There are a lot of internet resources out there, but the best one-stop source for maps and information on long-distance cycling in the US is the Adventure Cycling Association website. You’ll find everything you need: road maps, how-to guides, guided tours, and a yellow pages section to help you find other people looking for companions to cycle with.
They also run a number of guided tours throughout the year and throughout the country. These are an excellent alternative to taking your own trip, if you’re not comfortable with doing all the planning or prefer to travel with an expert, or (in the case of some trips) a van that carries all your gear. I took their Introduction to Cycling Touring course last year and had an excellent time learning the basics while on a 5 day trip through the Rocky Mountains.
Adventure Cycling currently has their own “Route Network” with routes that cross the county and detailed directions for each. However, they are also working with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials to develop additional routes that will criss-cross the country in an even more complete “US Bicycle Route System.”
Another good resource for cycle touring is Randonneurs.
For finding both hiking and cycling trails try the Rails-to-Trails Conservatory, an organization that works to convert abandoned railroad tracks to a network of trails. Trails lengths range from less than a mile to hundreds of miles long.
If floating down a river in a kayak is more your style, there are plenty of possibilities there as well. Minnesota, known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” has tens of thousands of possible single or multi-day trips. Maine and Oregon are also known for their waterways, but there are many others.
Three more resources for kayaking and canoeing.
While you’re on the road, record your adventures in a diary or travel blog, and get inspiration by reading about other peoples’ trips. Whether you’re hiking, cycling or kayaking it’s amazing how much more you can see when you slow down. As added bonuses, food will taste better, people will be nicer, and you’ll have more than just a tan to show off when your vacation is done. Mix it up on your next trip and use those muscles.
Written by: Jessica Spaulding
Posted on: Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
Posted in: Articles, Explore
Responses: 4 so far
Kudos to you Jessica for traveling so much, and also you are lucky to travel half a year.
May 13th, 2009 at 2:21 pmThanks, I intend to keep it up. I highly recommend others try at least one stint at long-term travel.
May 25th, 2009 at 9:43 am