Category: Adventures
A frigid northwest wind greets me as I near the summit of North Doublehead Mountain in Jackson, N.H. The temperature is hovering in the mid-20s, but the fierce gusts make it feel much colder and will keep me from lingering too long at the top. No sweat, I think. I’m not here for a picnic. I’m […]
Approachable and accessible, cross-country skiing is a great activity for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. Still, if you’ve never strapped on a pair of cross-country (also called “Nordic”) skis, figuring out where to start can be daunting. For first-timers who may need some extra guidance, begin here, with our list of destinations that cater to […]
I don’t know about the “runner’s high.” It sounds too definitive, too… good. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve had amazing training runs, workouts, and races where everything felt easier and nothing hurt quite as much as usual. But these exist on a spectrum, not an on/off dichotomy of “high” and “not high.” With that said: The […]
Aesthetic, functional, or just plain fun, bridges give hikers better access to beautiful places, with an extra dose of history thrown in. And the bridge views? Those aren’t so bad, either. From footbridges to cantilevered trellises, abandoned infrastructures to geologic wonders, here are some of our favorite bridge hikes in the Northeast. 1. CUTTS ISLAND […]
Have you ever wondered who used a trail before you—or maybe how a trail first came to be? These eight routes were initially traveled by American Indians who created the paths for travel, trade, and spiritual connection long before European settlement. Pick one or several for the chance to walk in the footsteps of this […]
When you think about iconic Cape Cod, what do you picture? Probably long beaches, grassy sand dunes, and salty ocean air, right? If you’re a runner, that picture likely includes Falmouth Road Race, the classic 7-miler that has traced the Cape’s picture-perfect coast every August for more than four decades. Turn 180 degrees from the […]
Blazing temperatures and no school make weekend trips to cold water absolutely necessary. For a break from the crowded neighborhood pool, pack up the family and head to these eight fast-flowing freshwater destinations for the thrill of a whitewater rafting adventure—all in rented gear and under the supervision of an expert guide. Whether you’re a […]
There are no mindless miles in the Mahoosuc Range. You will crane your neck upward to take in the incline and crawl on your hands and knees to chip away at the distance. Hikers say each section of the Appalachian Trail has its own personality. Well, this section is contradictory: stubborn but forgiving, ambitious yet […]
Did you know the first Boston Marathon was essentially a trail race? The roads between the starting line in Ashland and downtown Boston were a dirty, dusty, unpaved mess back in April 1896. The runners didn’t need to navigate rocks and roots, but they had to cope with the ruts left by countless wagon and […]
With winter receding, it’s time to plan your next paddling expedition. If you’re looking for a remote spot to drift, watch wildlife, and picnic on an isolated island, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are flush with opportunities, from Maine’s backwoods to the Adirondack wilderness. To help you pick a spot, we asked two authors of AMC’s […]
Snow has fallen up on the slopes and down in the valleys that make New England and upstate New York such a spectacular ski region. You can break trail for a few miles or a few days, depending on your ability level. If you’re looking for a starting point, David Goodman’s Best Backcountry Skiing in […]
Sometimes, escaping to the mountains isn’t enough to get away from summer’s steamiest weather. What’s a hiker to do? Get creative, seek some shade, and plan a victory dip. Here are eight hikes to get you through the heat. 1. FERRY BEACH Saco, Maine Steady breezes roll off the ocean across all of Ferry Beach […]
The natural scenery of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic reveals a dramatic geological history, shaped over centuries by glaciers and volcanoes. For the observant hiker, clues as small as a pebble or as large as a mountainside can teach us about the landscape and its formation. Look for those telltale signs—and enjoy the hiking—in these eight […]
Warm weather has arrived after an unusually cold and snowy March. Which means you are probably itching to get out and go hiking. Here are three of my favorite spring hiking destinations in southern New England, plus a few other recommendations to get you started. Current snow cover First, to get a quick handle on […]
Water trails, like their land-based counterparts, lead us through diverse landscapes, challenge us with varying levels of difficulty, and provide a new vantage from which to see the world. For paddlers of all types, kayak or canoe, whitewater or flatwater, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic offer a wealth of routes connecting navigable, publicly accessible bodies of […]
This season, try your hand at a winter sport that combines the aerobic challenge of cross-country skiing with the powder-fueled rush of backcountry snowboarding: splitboarding. The sport was invented in the early 1990s by a Utah skier and avalanche forecaster, Brett Kobernik, who wanted to climb mountains on skis and descend on a snowboard. Tinkering […]
It runs for more than 130 miles through some of the most remote backcountry in the Northeast, tracing a journey through the heart of Adirondacks as it travels from the village of Northville to the town of Lake Placid. It’s also nearly a century old, completed way back in 1924. Indeed, it was the first project […]
The Appalachian Trail (AT) cuts an iconic, white-blazed path along the eastern United States, but did you know those 2,190 miles are the spine of a far more complex trail system? Thousands of miles of blue-blazed side trails add to a network offering some of the region’s best hiking in any season. Strap on your […]
If you want to experience the true wildness of winter in the Northeast, strap on your skis and slip into the backcountry. Here are five choice picks to get you started, from the tranquil Maine Woods to New York’s highest peak. For more on these and many other winter adventures (50 in total), check out […]
When you think of Northeastern landscapes, you might picture Acadia’s iconic coastline or the Appalachian Mountains’ namesake trail. But come fall, pretty much every view takes a backseat to the explosion of fiery foliage that defines the region. Whether you’re hiking above treeline or pedaling beneath the canopy, visit these 18 places to appreciate autumn’s […]