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20 Hikes not for the Faint of Heart

Type 2 Fun: Miserable while you're doing it, 100% worth it when you're done.

By: The Outbound Collective + Save to a List

We tend to like to push ourselves when we get outside. It may not be fun every step of the way, but you’ll head home with a sense of accomplishment and memories of an epic adventure. Not to mention the bragging rights. Whether you’re looking for a multi-day backpacking trip or a short (and steep!) slog to the nearest summit, any of these hikes will satisfy your need to test your grit on the trail.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

1. Summit Igloo Mountain


Photo: Mike Quine

2. Crazy Peak Scramble


Photo: Patrick Rooney

3. Hike the Olomana Trail


Photo: Hillary + Matt

4. Hike and Climb the via Ferrata de la Tour d’Ai


Photo: Talia Touboul

5. Hike Half Dome via the Mist Trail


Photo: Eddie Jo

6. Summit Longs Peak


Photo: Jeff Richards

7. Backpack the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim


Photo: Rob Witt

8. Climb Mt. Rainier via Disappointment Cleaver


Photo: Bernice Ngo

9. Hike Huayna Picchu at Machu Picchu


Photo: Lorene Voskinarian

10. Hike to the Summit of Mt. Whitney


Photo: Gregg Boydston

11. Backpack the Devil’s Path in the Catskills


Photo: Eduardo Gil

12. Hike to the Summit of Granite Mountain


Photo: Casey Sullivan

13. Hike to Angels Landing


Photo: Hillary + Matt

14. Cimb Mount Borah


Photo: Chris Bruin

15. Backpack the Chisos Mountains


Photo: Nick Lake

16. Climb to the Top of Mount Defiance


Photo: John Chau

17. Hike Rock Castle Gorge


Photo: Elyse Clark

18. Climb Mount Gonga, Sichuan Mountains (蜀山之王): Minya Konka West Route


Photo: Kyle Obermann

19. Climb North Maroon Peak


Photo: Kyle Frost

20. Hike the Great Range Traverse


Photo: Janet Thomas

Cover photo: Mike Quine

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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