The National Trails System includes over a thousand trails throughout the United States, and is administered by the federal government as part of the United States National Park system. They are designated by acts of Congress, marking them among the best trails of the nation.
Most of the National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails are over 100 mi (160 km) lon. Most visitors hike only a portion of the trail at a time, maybe hiking segments over several years to finish.
There are four types of trails:
- National Scenic Trails showcase the country’s natural beauty
- National Historic Trails protect important routes in the history of the nation
- National Recreation Trails contribute to the goal of a national trail network
- National Geologic Trails showcase specific events of geologic history
National Scenic Trails
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National Scenic Trails were established to allow public access through areas of "spectacular natural beauty and to allow the pursuit of healthy outdoor recreation." There are eleven of these trails.
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — 2,175 mi (3,500 km) from Georgia to Maine, the most popular trail in the system. A Canadian trail continues 690 miles (1100 km) into New Brunswick & Quebec.
- Arizona National Scenic Trail — 807 mi (1,299 km) in Arizona
- Continental Divide National Scenic Trail — 3,100 mi (5,000 km) from New Mexico to Montana
- Florida National Scenic Trail—1,300 mi (2,100 km) in Florida
- Ice Age Trail — 1,000 mi (1,600 km) in Wisconsin
- Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail — 695 mi (1,118 km) from Tennessee to Mississippi
- New England National Scenic Trail — 220 mi (350 km) from Connecticut to Massachusetts
- North Country National Scenic Trail — 3,200 mi (5,100 km) from North Dakota to Vermont
- Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail — 2,638 mi (4,245 km) from California to Washington
- Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail — 1,200 mi (1,900 km) from Washington to Montana
- Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail — 700 mi (1,100 km) from Virginia to Pennsylvania
American hiking enthusiasts have labeled three of these—the Appalachian, Continental Divide, and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails—the "Triple Crown" of hiking conquests.
National Historic Trails
[edit]- See also: North American history
Following historic routes or themes, the National Historic Trails emphasize the history of the areas covered. They tend to be less demanding than the Scenic Trails. Some people follow these trails by car or bus, and indeed some of them are intended for cars only, with no safe walking route available. Others are mainly for hikers, and getting to some of the more remote historic gems requires hiking in.
Most of these trails have trail markers along the route, brochures and documentation leading you through the trail, and many enthusiastic supporters online who can help you make the most of your trip.
- Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail — 175 miles (282 km) in Hawaii
- California National Historic Trail — 5,665 miles (9,117 km) in California
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — 3,000 miles (4,800 km) from Virginia to Delaware
- El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail — 2,580 miles (4,150 km) from Louisiana to Texas
- El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail — 404 miles (650 km) in New Mexico, a segment of the 1600-mile (2600-km) Mexico City-Santa Fe colonial trade route.
- Iditarod National Historic Trail — 2,350 miles (3,780 km) in Alaska
- Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail — 1,200 miles (1,900 km) in California
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail — 3,700 miles (6,000 km) from Pennsylvania to Oregon
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail — 1,300 miles (2,100 km) from Illinois to Utah
- Nez Perce National Historic Trail — 1,170 miles (1,880 km) from Montana to Oregon
- Old Spanish National Historic Trail — 2,700 miles (4,300 km) from New Mexico to California
- Oregon National Historic Trail — 2,170 miles (3,490 km) from Missouri to Oregon
- Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail — 275 miles (443 km) from Virginia to South Carolina
- Pony Express National Historic Trail — 1,966 miles (3,164 km) from Missouri to California
- Santa Fe National Historic Trail — 1,203 miles (1,936 km) from Missouri to New Mexico
- Selma To Montgomery National Historic Trail — 54 miles (87 km) in Alabama
- Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail — 290 miles (470 km) from Maryland to Virginia
- Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail — 2,200 miles (3,500 km) from Georgia to Oklahoma
- Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail — 1,000 mi (1,600 km) from Rhode Island to Virginia
National Geologic Trail
[edit]The first National Geologic Trail was created in 2009:
National Recreation Trails
[edit]There are over one thousand National Recreation Trails, spread across every state. These trails are designated by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior, and are generally managed by non-profit groups or state or local government. You will find several of these trails within an easy day's travel from most cities in the U.S.
National Recreation Trails may be less than a mile long, or may be over a thousand miles. They may be tailored to various types of activities, such as archery, skeet shooting, dog mushing, mountain biking, horse riding, inline skating, cross-country skiing, kayaking, or simple hiking. Some are ADA-accessible.