Walking Routes?

CoastingToast

CoastingToast

New member
When you find yourself traveling long distances by foot what types of routes do you stick to? Do you avoid busy roads and only take back roads? Any advice is helpful, there are a few states I want to do this in purely for taking in the sights.
 
In Nevadaetween Reno and the eastern border is what's called Americas loneliest road....I've walked it and it lives up to its name
 
Wherever I go I like to find routes where I don't see any people. I like to imagine me and my dog are the only ones left. I know that's a bit weird but I like the challenge of people avoidance. Obviously it's good to interact with people every now and then. I'm not a total weirdo...
 
In order of preference:

1.) Trails.
2.) Interstates/freeways (when not prohibited).
3.) State highways.
4.) Back roads.
5.) "Five hundred yards of shit-smelling foulness."
 
Road walking is miserable, the noise, heat and subpar scenery. I only walk them if it is a connector, am unable to get a ride or make a loop. Logging roads In managed forests are usually boring but sometimes unavoidable. Most long distance trails will have sections on old railroad bed or primitive roads of some kind but that's going to be a lot different than a divided highway. Any state worth walking around in should have a trail system that will take you far and be much more scenic than most roads. Do yourself a favor and go backcountry for 4-5 days and all the walking will be much more rewarding.

Be aware not all trails are made equal. Very long remote routes often have sections that are completely hidden, incomplete, or impassable. It is entirely possible to have to backtrack 10+ miles because a trail that is on the map is washed out or just don't exist yet. The discovery trail mentioned above has one section in the desert with no water access for almost 100 miles. I'm guessing there are signs warning hikers but don't put yourself in danger and assume. It is important that you know what you are doing be are prepared before going into longer more remote trail sections, esp if solo!
 
First of all, well met. It might do you justice to consider the legality of foot travel in your region. Depending on the lands in which you find yourself traveling through, the local populace might frown upon it; for in this generation, our lifestyles are classified as "suspicious/criminal." I find myself traveling mostly at night for these reasons, so I can fly as does the crow, ha! Back country roads when traveling to and from any town/city period. In wooded and forested regions, to hell with roads and find myself ranging my own path, legalities be damned!
 
I've done a good bit of walking while traveling. Lack of patience and need for solitude. I've walked side roads while hitching and do pretty well. Better camping and some smaller towns can be decent for travelers.
 
On the east coast you can find plenty of rails to trails, these are old abandoned railroads which have been converted to trails for the public to hike or mountain bike on. Many will pass through abandoned industrial spots or large stretches of woods, which may yield camping spots. I believe there is a map of them all somewhere online. I do know that there is one which runs from a northern suburb of Baltimore all the way on up to York PA.
 
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