Guided Hiking Trips in USA

Open scenery across Arches National Park | Jake Hutchins

A guided hiking vacation is perfect for those who enjoy the camaraderie of fellow travelers and value the insight that only a knowledgeable local guide can provide. From the moment your journey begins to the final farewell, your expert guide is there to enrich the experience, sharing their passion for our public lands while ensuring everything runs seamlessly for the group.

With a deep appreciation for the region’s flora, fauna, and cultural history, your guide helps each trail come to life and works to personalize the journey to match the interests of the group. Most guided departures host between 6 and 12 travelers, creating an intimate and welcoming environment.

As you explore on foot, you’ll forge meaningful connections and unforgettable memories with like-minded adventurers from around the world.

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Guided Hikes highlights

Why travel with us

Unrivalled Experience

Great American Trails is a division of the World Expeditions Travel Group, who has been operating authentic and unique active and adventure holidays with a genuine focus on the paths less travelled since 1975.

We are the pioneers in designing groundbreaking itineraries across the globe, and many say our trips start where most others end.

As the leaders in responsible travel, we offer big adventures with a small environmental footprint.

While safety is core to how we operate, we’re also focused on the fun factor and suitably challenging you to feel that great sensation of personal achievement while enjoying the camaraderie of like minded travelers.

Quality Inclusions

Expect first-class and flexible support both on and off the trail. We've sourced the highest quality equipment and most authentic accommodations so you can enjoy a stress free guided walking trip in your chosen pocket of the US or Canada

Responsible travel

Great American Trails is committed to responsible travel and true sustainability. It was a commitment formed when our parent company, World Expeditions, was established in 1975, and today, in the face of a multitude of threats to global environments and cultures, our commitment is stronger than ever. Over several decades we have honed our responsible travel philosophy and are continually assessing and improving initiatives that are practiced in the field to ensure that we are mitigating our impact to the smallest possible footprint. By joining a hiking or cycling tour, you too are making a concerted effort to minimize your impact when you travel. Learn more about our Thoughtful Travel policies and practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

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?What should I expect on a guided trip?

When you choose one of our guided trips, you’ll enjoy the company of an expert guide and a small group of like-minded travelling companions from around the world. The group size ranges from 4 to 12 participants depending on your chosen trip. Travelling in the safety and camaraderie of a small group is a great way to explore the North American wilderness. To sweeten the experience, our guides will do most of the camp set up/take down and all of the cooking for you. In fact, we’ve made arrangements on our backpacking trips to include food drops and/or additional support, allowing you to enjoy the stunning surroundings without the burden of carrying a lot of heavy camp equipment and group food.

?How fit do I have to be?

Fitness is an important aspect of our trips, with each itinerary carefully-graded for ease of selecting the trip that best suits you. Detailed information, including suggested pre-trip training, can be found in the trip notes and pre-departure information. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the physical requirements of your trip and speak to our staff if you have any questions. View our trip grading system for more detail as to how we grade the activity levels on our adventures and the suggested physical preparation.

?Can I organise my own private trip?

If the specified departure dates are not suitable, or if you would like to vary the itinerary, we would be happy to develop a program to suit your travel interests. We regularly organise tailor-made holidays for families, groups of friends, schools and charities.

?What is included in my trip?

It is our aim to ensure that we incorporate as many inclusions as possible in your trip to minimise any out of pocket expenses while you are away. It is important that you refer to our trips notes for the exact inclusions. On most trips, all meals and arrangements are included from the start of the trip right through until the end.

?What is the camping like on camping based trips?

To capture the essence of your journey we have, wherever possible, selected campsites where we can enjoy the wilderness away from busy public campsites. Provincial and National Parks in Canada come with plenty of regulations in order to protect our precious ecosystems. All tents are provided on a twin share basis and solo group members will be matched up with same-sex tentmates, keeping our environmental footprint small and also reducing individual pack weight. If space is not an issue at campsites, we may be able to provide single tents for those who prefer not to share.

?What about the food?

Our trips generally include daily breakfast and many may also include lunch or dinner - please refer to the specific inclusions on the trip page of your chosen itinerary or download our detailed trip notes. We introduce you to restaurants that feature local flavours and traditional specialties unique to the region. Food is an integral part of any active travel experience - the many culinary delights are yours to savour. Where possible, we are able to cater to most dietary requirements, provided you let us know in advance.

?Are tips included in my trip price?

No, tips and gratuities are not included in the trip cost, unless listed under the trip-specific inclusions. Tipping is customary in the USA and Canada but is a completely personal thing. Guidelines are provided in our pre-departure information upon booking.

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures rarely involve camping.

Adventure Touring

These adventure tours may visit remote areas where facilities are often basic. Some of these trips involve camping or basic lodging. These adventure tours will sometimes involve long journeys and rough roads. Sightseeing and optional day walks are often included and these days may involve up to 5 hours of physical activity.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, or paddling for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. Hikes are mainly on well-defined trails with undulating terrain and cycling is on mostly flat surfaces.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our Introductory and Moderate levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with some moderate components. Hiking trips typically require carrying a daypack only, but could involve carrying a pack of up to 20 pounds (9kg), depending on personal gear.

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, or paddling for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. Many moderately graded hiking trips involve the carrying of a daypack only, though some may involve carrying a backpack of up to 30 pounds (14kg), depending on personal gear. Hikers should be prepared for plenty of roots, rocks, significant elevation gain, wilderness camping, and potential variable weather conditions. Cyclists should be prepared for undulating terrain and some steep hills.

Moderate to Challenging

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our Moderate and Challenging levels. The emphasis is on moderate activity with some challenging components. Hikers should be prepared for very rugged off-trail hiking, significant elevation gain, wilderness camping, and to carry a pack weighing up 45 pounds (20kg), depending on personal gear.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or paddling in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). Hikers should be prepared for very rugged off-trail hiking, significant elevation gain, wilderness camping, and to carry a pack weighing up to 45 pounds (20kg), depending on personal gear.

Discovery & Cruising

These journeys of discovery and cruises are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health.

Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2-3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

To enjoy these adventures, we suggest you are reasonably fit, healthy, have a moderately active lifestyle and have a positive attitude.

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

Our introductory trips are not ‘easy’ trips and you will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.

Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for 3 months leading up to your trip.

Introductory to Moderate

On these adventures you will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.

Suggested preparation: We recommend 45 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week from a minimum of 3 months leading up to your trip. This can include swimming, jogging, hard walking or cycling. For hiking trips, hill or stair walking with a 15lb daypack is highly recommended at least once per week.

Moderate

These adventures require a good level of fitness and be in good health.

Suggested preparation: 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week and extended periods of exercise during the weekend. This can include swimming, jogging, hard walking or cycling. For hiking trips, hill or stair walking with a full day pack is strongly recommended at least once per week (or a 30lb pack for backpacking trips).

Moderate to Challenging

These trips require an excellent level of fitness and be in good health.

Suggested preparation: 1 hour of aerobic exercise, four to five times per week for three to six months leading up to departure. Hill walking with a full pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is essential.

Challenging

On these adventures, you will need to be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions, have an excellent level of fitness and be in good health.