What changes on a week-long trip
A week on the trail is not just a long weekend repeated. Food weight, resupply, wear on your body and gear, and weather windows all become bigger factors. The planning process is the same as in our guide to planning a backpacking trip, but with less room for errors.
How to choose a route
- Trip length vs. route length. Divide a route into daily sections based on your realistic pace, and add a buffer day if possible.
- Loop, point-to-point or section hike. Loops avoid a shuttle. Point-to-point routes need transport at one end. Section hikes of longer trails can be a good fit for about a week.
- Resupply. Check whether towns, lodges or caches exist along the route, or whether you will carry everything.
- Experience. If you have not done at least a few multi-night trips, consider building up through best 3-day backpacking trips and 5-day backpacking trips first.
Example week-long routes
Check current distances, permit systems and conditions with the managing agency; these are examples, not recommendations for a specific skill level.
- Wonderland Trail (Washington). A loop around Mount Rainier, roughly 93 miles, that many hikers complete in about a week or somewhat longer. Permits are in high demand and assigned by campsite, so plan far ahead.
- Teton Crest Trail (Wyoming). Often hiked in around 3 to 5 days and sometimes extended with side trips into a longer trip.
- Texas options. Texas Monthly highlights routes such as the Outer Mountain Loop in Big Bend National Park, the Lone Star Hiking Trail in the Sam Houston National Forest, and the Guadalupe Ridge Trail. Some can be shortened or strung together. Heat and water scarcity are major considerations in much of Texas.
- Southern California. The Trek’s regional guide covers areas such as Mount San Jacinto, the San Gabriel and San Bernardino ranges, and Mount Laguna, which can be linked or explored by section, with seasonal heat and water as the main planning issues.
Food, resupply and pack weight
You carry the most food at the start, so your pack will be heaviest on day one and lighter every day. Plan food by the day, choose calorie-dense items you enjoy, and pack a little extra in case the trip runs long. If bears are present, follow local food storage rules. If you can resupply, consider a mailed box or store stop, but verify hours and policies in advance.
A lighter base weight makes a long trip much more comfortable, but do not sacrifice safety essentials to save a few ounces.
Pacing, rest days and contingency
- Start with moderate days and build up.
- Treat small issues such as hot spots and sore shoulders early.
- Keep a buffer day for weather or a delayed start.
- Know your bailout options at each stage of the route.
- Check in with your emergency contact when you can, and agree on when they should act if they do not hear from you.
Permits and logistics
Longer routes often cross several jurisdictions, each with its own permit, fire and food-storage rules. Reservations can open months ahead. Arrange parking or a shuttle for the end of the trip and confirm that your car can be left for several days.
Prepare with shorter trips
Test boots, pack, stove and sleep system on shorter outings first. If you are just starting out, try a weekend backpacking trip before committing to seven days.