The National Scenic Trails are eight protected hiking trails in the US, with Congress playing a role in maintenance and new candidates. The shortest is the Natchez Trace, while the longest is the North Country Trail. The “triple crown” of American hiking includes the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails. Each trail has a parent association and volunteers are needed. Prospective hikers should research and prepare carefully.
The USA National Scenic Trails are a collection of eight hiking trails in the United States protected by federal law. These trails are renowned for their beauty, abundant flora and fauna, and historical significance. Acting with the US Bureau of Land Management, the National Parks Service, and the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Congress plays a role in trail maintenance and reviewing new candidates for scenic trail status.
In 1968, the United States Congress passed the National Trails System Act in recognition of the country’s need to protect and maintain some significant hiking trails. The original act named two trails as part of the National Scenic Trails designation, the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails. Since that time, six more trails have received the designation and a seventh, the New England Trail, is under committee review.
The shortest trail in the National Scenic Trails system is Natchez Trace, which traverses Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi for more than 400 miles (643km). The route has high historical significance, as it follows a trail carved by Native American tribes and later used by frontier explorers and early postal services. The trail also contains the site of the death of Meriweather Lewis, of famed explorer duo Lewis and Clark.
In 1983, Congress approved three new National Scenic Trails, one of which is the Potomac Heritage Trail. The 700-mile (1126 km) trail, when completed, will connect historically significant locations in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. As of 2008, significant portions of the route are not completed, but the finished plans include a variety of scenery and places for hiking, horseback riding, and even canoeing along the route.
The Florida National Scenic Trail winds its way through the entire state, from the panhandle in the north to the swampy half of the south. Originally designed as a 500-mile (804 km) hike, the trail has grown to over 1400 miles (2300 km). Highlights of the route include the Big Cypress National Preserve and the northern terminus at Fort Pickens. Lucky hikers may spot some of Florida’s unusual wildlife, including the elusive manatee.
The efforts of U.S. Senator Henry Reuss and native Wisconsonian Ray Zillmer are credited with creating the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin. The trail will stretch 1,200 miles (1,931 km) as of 2007. Approximately half of it has been completed. The Ice Age Trail offers hikers a close encounter with the effects of the Ice Age on the landscape. Unlike many other trails, this National Scenic Trail intersects towns frequently, making it easier to plan rest stops and fuel stops along the way.
The “triple crown” of American hiking is made up of the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. Each of these National Scenic Trails is over 2,000 miles (3,218 km) long and vertically crisscross the country. Hardy thru-hikers attempt to hike one of the trails in a single season, but only a handful of people have ever successfully completed all three trails. The fastest recorded time for a triple crown hike was 240 days, completed in 2005 by British endurance hiker Matt Hazley.
Once completed, the North Country National Scenic Trail will traverse the eastern United States from New York to North Dakota. The trail will travel approximately 4,600 miles (7402 km), making it the longest hiking trail in the United States. Along its route, hikers will pass ten national forests, two nature preserves and 57 state parks.
Each of the eight National Scenic Trails has parent associations, which are always in need of volunteer efforts. If you’re interested in maintaining the trails, be sure to contact one of the local organizations in the area to see how you can help. Hiking the trails is a uniquely American experience, but prospective hikers should research carefully to determine if it’s a good fit for them. Remember that these trails are not controlled environments and it takes the wise hiker several months to prepare to prevent accidents.
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