So, you’ve decided to hike 100 miles, huh? That’s not just a walk in the park—it’s more like a walk through the park, up a mountain, across a desert, and possibly through a swamp. But hey, if you’re ready to lace up those boots and hit the trail, I’m here to help you make it from point A to point Z without turning into bear bait or a blistered mess
Embarking on a 100-mile hike is a challenging yet rewarding adventure that requires meticulous planning, preparation, and perseverance. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a novice looking to push your limits, this guide will help you navigate the journey. From selecting the right gear to maintaining your health on the trail, we cover all essential aspects to ensure a you physically and mentally make it thru those 100 miles.
Long hikers are a special group, and while not everyone aspires to be a section hiker or thru-hiker, to add more long treks to their resume. Many long-time hikers cite joining the 100 mile club, as the first step in going further and fully embracing a trekking ethos.
We’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to help you with expert tips and strategies as you prepare, plan, and successfully complete a 100-mile hiking adventure. Choose the right trail and gear for your needs and develop your goals and training program to optimize your chance of success.
So let’s get started!
Table of contents
Why the Heck Are You Doing This?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s take a moment to ask yourself: why on Earth are you doing this? For the love of nature? The thrill of adventure? The need to eat a disgusting amount of trail mix? Whatever the reason, embrace it. You’re about to embark on a journey that’s equal parts tough and totally awesome and endurance. Understanding the challenges and rewards can set the stage for a successful hike.
Picking the Perfect Trail for Your Crazy Adventure
Choosing your trail is like picking your weapon in a video game—except the enemies are exhaustion, hunger, and potentially a moose. Do your homework, and choose a trail that matches your skill level and scenery preference. T
Gear Up or Go Home
If you think you can tackle a 100-mile hike with a cheapo backpack and your old sneakers, think again, friend. You need gear that’ll keep you comfortable, dry, and sane. We’re talking:
- Backpack: Your trusty turtle shell. Make sure it’s comfy, because it’s gonna be your best bud for the next 100 miles.
- Footwear: Boots that’ll give you a hug but not too tight. Blisters are the enemy!
- Clothing: Layers, my friend. Think of it like a hiking burrito—you want to be wrapped just right.
Need more deets? Check out The Hiking Adventure’s gear recommendations so you don’t end up like that hiker who tried to summit Everest in flip-flops (okay, maybe not, but close).
Ultralight 100 Miles Backpacking Gear Weight Comparison
100 Miles Gear | Budget Option | Weight (lbs) | From Price | High-End | Weight (lbs) | From Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Backpack | Granite Gear Virga 2 -52L | 1.19 lb | Amazon: | Gorilla 50 Ultralight by Gossamer Gear | 1.81 | $254.99 |
Shelter | The One Gossamer Gear | 1.10 lb | Shop Garage Grown Gear $255 | Hyperlite Mid 1 Tent | 1.05 | Hyperlite: $599 |
Sleeping Bag | Sea to Summit Spark Ultralight 28F | 1.2 lb | Shop REI: $409 | Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 Deg | 1.13 | Amazon: $635.00 |
Sleeping Pad | Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol | 0.9 | Amazon: $57.95 | Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm | 0.96 | Amazon: $57.95 |
Stove | Fire-Maple 300-T Ultralight Backpacking Stove | 0.1 | Amazon: $49.95 | Jetboil MightyMo Ultralight Backpacking Stove | 0.21 | Amazon: $78.06 |
Cookware | GSI Outdoors Halulite Minimalist | 0.39 | $34.95 | Snow Peak Ti-Mini Solo Combo 2.0 | 0.42 | $86.95 |
Water Filter | Sawyer Mini | 0.13 | Amazon: $25.01 | Katadyn BeFree 1L | 0.1 | Amazon: $39.95 |
Water Storage | Platypus Platy 2L | 0.08 | Amazon: $19.95 | MSR DromLite Bag 2L | 0.3 | $36.95 |
Navigation | Suunto A-10 Field Compass | 0.07 | Amazon: $70.00 | Garmin inReach Mini | 0.24 | Amazon: $299.99 |
First Aid Kit | Thrive Travel First Aid Kit | 0.25 | Amazon: $15.99 | Adventure Medical Kits .5 | 0.26 | Amazon: $22.95 |
Headlamp | Black Diamond Astro | 0.17 | $19.95 | FENIX HM65R-DT Dual Spotlight Headlamp | 0.20 | $109.95 |
Clothing | Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants, REI Co-op Trailmade Shirt | 1.4 | Pants –Amazon: $38.99 : $34.93 | Arc’teryx Gamma LT Pants, Arc’teryx Motus Crew Shirt | 1.1 | Arc’teryx pants: $180 Arc’teryx shirt: $70 |
Trekking Poles | Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber | 1.0 | Amazon: $64.99 | Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork | 1.0 | at $199.95 |
Multitool | Leatherman Rev | 0.43 | Amazon: $49.95 | Leatherman Skeletool CX | 0.31 | Amazon: $89.95 |
Spork | Light My Fire Original BPA-Free Tritan Spork | 0.03 | Amazon: $49.95 | UCO 3-In-1 Titanium Spork | 0.04 | Amazon: $16.95 |
TOTAL WEIGHT | 8.44 lb | TOTAL WEIGHT | 9.13 lb |
Setting Goals and Preparation
An essential task is assessing your fitness level and thinking about a strategy to increase your hiking endurance. Depending on your trail experience and general fitness, this might involve working on several aspects of your physical fitness, including cardiovascular condition or core strength.
Training: Because Your Couch Isn’t a Mountain
Newsflash: hiking 100 miles is kinda tough. If the only hiking you’ve done lately is from your couch to the fridge, you might want to start training. Get your legs, lungs, and back into fighting shape. And please, for the love of blisters, practice hiking with your backpack loaded up. You’ll thank me later when your back isn’t screaming after mile 10.
Some hikers use the maximum aerobic fitness (MAF) test as a benchmark before setting goals and hitting the gym. Don’t neglect to set mental health goals and work on your mind game to prepare for the coming challenge.
A second major step is to identify possible target hiking trails presenting your preferred level of hiking difficulty. Look at topographic variables such as slopes, the amount and frequency of elevation change, and trail surface conditions.
Next, create a training schedule and milestone goals to arrive at the trailhead in good shape. Wrap up this preparation phase with initial gear selection and testing in conditions you’ll eventually face on the trail.
Gear selection should be based on a realistic assessment of the specific tasks ahead and how you intend to complete them.
For example: Are your hiking boots up to the challenge? Could you get by with a lighter sleeping bag and pad set-up? Will you carry a portable stove and cook morning and evening meals?
Check out our helpful hiking gear checklists and reviews to help you decide on the best hiking clothes, gloves, hiking shorts, breathable underwear, outerwear, camp gear, backpacks, and more!
Explore how programs like No Barriers for Warriors equip veterans with the skills to tackle challenging hikes and overcome personal barriers through transformative outdoor experiences.”
Physical Training and Conditioning
Moving into the training phase of preparation is exciting and motivating for many hikers. Prioritize cardiovascular exercises, stamina building, and strength and resistance training. A great idea is to incorporate actual hikes and long-distance walks into your routine, preferably in conditions like those on your chosen 100 mile trail.
Practice using hiking poles if you intend to use them on a superior hiking trail; poles are an excellent way to reduce stress on joints, but they do need to be properly fitted and used with effective poling techniques on the trail for maximum value.
Other useful exercises include climbing stairs and hills and walking lunges to help step over obstacles and high rocks. Practice carrying a backpack load and progressively work up to your expected trail pack weight. Weight management is a critical skill to hone before you arrive at the trailhead!
Nutrition and Hydration
Develop a daily trail meal plan and account for your expected calorie requirements on the trail. Pack lightweight and nutrient-dense foods, like some of your favorite energy bars, fruits and veggies, nuts, and jerky.
Hiking multiple days in a row for 100 miles is sustainable with a protein and carbohydrate-rich breakfast. Bring meals such as oatmeal, eggs, and granola. Also, carry nutritious snacks you can munch on every couple of hours or so and a protein-rich or pasta supper. Your daily trail snacks and fueling techniques should be itemized and scheduled.
Hydration strategies and water resources require careful thought. Are you content on using a water purifier purifying available water sources on the trail with a relatively inexpensive water filtration tablet treatment? Will you use LifeStraw Personal Water Filters, or are you going to pack a lightweight, portable water purification system, such as the Survivor Filter Pro?
Few hikers would want to carry water supplies for the entire 100 miles, and some hikers rely heavily on powdered drink mixes and protein powders on a long hike. Frequent stops are sometimes difficult to avoid. However, several key technologies, such as hydration bladders, are very useful to allow hikers to keep moving while snacking and replenishing fluids.
Caffeine and alcohol can contribute to dehydration and energy reduction and are not recommended on long hikes.
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Navigation and Trail Skills

Brush up your map reading and orienteering skills, including using a handheld compass. This prepares you to match the parameters of the trail and the environment you’ve chosen to hike. Some trails are busy and well-marked, but others are remote and not well-populated or signed, so getting yourself from point A to point B might take some real navigational skills.
Plotting Your Master Plan (a.k.a. Itinerary)
Planning your hike is like plotting a heist: you need to know where you’re going, how long it’ll take, and where you’re gonna stash the loot (aka snacks). Break it down into bite-sized sections, plan your pit stops, and make sure you know where to grab water and refuel. Don’t forget to share your plan with someone who isn’t on the trail—just in case you go full-on bear Grylls and disappear into the wilderness.
Excellent portable GPS and satellite communications options are available, such as the Garmin line-up of trail GPS watches and handheld GPS units, and navigation and campsite apps have come a long way in recent years.
You might not always have cell coverage or phone recharging capability, so a reliable satellite communication system is highly recommended. Understanding trail markers and signs, plus knowledge of the applicable trail and wildlife regulations for the time and place of your hike, is important.
Blisters, Bears, and Bumps: Oh My!
Ah, the trifecta of trail trouble: blisters, bears, and bumps. Blisters can ruin your day, so treat hot spots early and often. Bears? Well, just remember: they’re probably more interested in your trail mix than you. Know how to handle wildlife encounters, and keep your wits about you.
To increase your confidence to deal with emergencies on the trail, consider a wilderness first aid and safety training course as part of your hike preparation. It’s important to carry a well-stocked first aid kit, and it’s important to know how to use it!
The Weather’s Gonna Do What It Wants
Mother Nature is the ultimate wildcard. One minute it’s sunny, the next you’re in a downpour that makes you wonder if you should’ve brought a kayak. Keep an eye on the forecast and pack for anything. Rain gear, sun protection, and layers are your best friends here.
Trail Food: Fueling the Beast
Food on the trail is like rocket fuel for your legs. Pack stuff that’s lightweight but packs a punch—think nuts, jerky, dried fruits, and energy bars. And don’t skimp on water. Dehydration is no joke, and finding water sources might feel like hunting for hidden treasure. Pro tip: learn more about trail nutrition to keep your belly and energy levels happy.
Keeping Your Head in the Game
Long-distance hiking is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Stay motivated by setting small goals, singing campfire songs, or imagining the epic meal you’ll devour at the end. Whatever keeps you going, use it.
For example, calculate your hiking speed pace formula and work on ways to improve your hiking speed and stamina. Develop a strong positive self-talk dialogue to help reinforce your inner voice and motivate you when the trail gets tough. Another helpful idea is to join a local hiking club to meet other hikers to share and learn about mental techniques that worked for them.
Stay Safe, Stay Sane
You might be hiking solo, but you don’t have to go full hermit. Let someone know your plans, pack a personal satellite message device and brush up on basic survival skills. Remember: safety first, bragging rights second.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Scout out nearby towns and trailheads before you go. Knowing where you can grab a burger mid-hike is key.
Overpacking, underpacking, and not packing enough snacks. Balance is everything, my friend.
Picture the finish line—or that giant pizza waiting for you when you’re done. Food is the ultimate motivator.
Depending on the terrain and your hiking preparation and fitness, a 100-mile hike can take 2 days to 2 weeks. The average hiker on a moderate-difficulty trail would likely need 5 or 6 days to hike 100 miles.
What are some recommended trails for hiking 100 miles?
A well-documented 100-mile hike is a section of the Appalachian Trail near Monson, ME. The John Muir Trail in California, is approximately 211 miles long and is part of the much longer Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. Also, the Ozark Highlands Trail in Arkansas and Missouri, over 300 miles long, are also popular.
Some national parks, such as the New River Gorge National Park and Bluestone National Park Reserve in West Virginia, have created a 100 mile challenge to inspire more hikers to reach this milestone on local trails.
How do I prevent blisters and foot care during a long-distance hike?
Hiking boot quality and fit are critical in preventing blisters, but you should also wear sock liners and change socks frequently to avoid moisture build-up and friction hot spots.
Take care of sore or blistered areas as soon as possible with an appropriate cream or gel and padded bandage or tape. If a blister ruptures, treat the area with a bandage and antiseptic or antibiotic salve to prevent infection.
Safety precautions and emergency procedures
Certainly always carry a well-stocked emergency and first aid kit on long hikes. Also familiarize yourself with the contents and how to use all the items should the need arise.
A good handheld GPS unit with satellite communications is essential to long-hike technology. While in many areas, it’s wise to think about keeping bears out of your food and carrying bear deterrence.
Always register with the proper authorities, such as trail stewards or park staff. Make sure someone knows where you are going and when you will return if something goes wrong. Read our Ultimate Guide to Hiking Safety for more tips and strategies to stay safe on the trail.
What are some tips for hiking 100 miles solo versus with a group?
Depending on your level of experience and trail conditions, solo hiking can be immensely rewarding or downright dangerous. Solo hiking presents some interesting challenges. It’s mentally and physically compared to group hiking, so your preparation and planning should be adjusted accordingly.
Perhaps the biggest solo challenge you’ll face is that you’ll have no immediate backup or margin of safety on the trail. Spending extra time preparing safety and contingency plans for the hike can pay big dividends.
You’ll have freedom and seclusion on remote trails. On the other hand, you might find it easy to join a passing group or another solo hiker if your circumstances or preferences change.
Some solo hikers report it’s easier to meet and share with other hikers, and conversely, some find hiking solo lonely and less fulfilling. Spending a bit of extra time getting your mental game in order might be appropriate in that case.
Conclusion
Successful completion of a 100 mile wilderness hike starts with good planning and preparation. Consider benchmarking yourself with a thorough fitness assessment. From there, work on your physical fitness and mental mindset to build your 100 mile hike game plan.
Test your gear and check that your equipment will meet your requirements. Plan daily nutrition and hydration on the trail and pay close attention to safety aspects and trail skillsets – such as map reading and orienteering – you may need to call upon.
Strengthen your ability to manage the mental challenge of this rigorous and rewarding adventure with visualizations and mental exercises. These keep your spirits up when the trail gets tough.
For an unforgettable long-distance trekking experience, consider hiking the Uinta Highline Trail in Utah, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rigorous terrain, perfect for testing your newfound skills and endurance
Successful long hikers embrace the challenge of a long trail, stay focused and motivated, revel in a transformative hiking experience, and cherish the memory of their accomplishments for the rest of their lives.
Essential hiking tips and tricks on our blog!
Last update on 2025-02-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API