End-to-end hike
Overview
An end-to-end hike is a continuous or near-continuous journey along the full length of a defined route, from one terminus to the other. It is similar in concept to a thru hike, with terminology varying by region and trail culture.
Key points
- Covers the entire official route between designated endpoints.
- May be completed in one season or over multiple segments depending on style.
- Terminology differs by trail; some communities prefer end-to-end, others thru hike.
- Documentation or recognition, where offered, depends on specific trail organizations.
- Planning involves logistics for resupply, seasonality, and personal timelines.
Details
On some long-distance routes, particularly in certain countries or regions, the term end-to-end hike is used to describe completing the full length of a trail. This can involve traveling from the south terminus to the north terminus, east to west, or vice versa, depending on how the route is defined.
End-to-end hikes may be completed in a single continuous attempt, with hikers moving stepwise along the route, or in sections over multiple years. Trail organizations, where present, sometimes maintain registers or recognition programs for those who report having completed an end-to-end journey, though participation in such programs is optional.
The planning considerations for an end-to-end hike include the usual long-distance factors: start date relative to weather and snow, resupply points, water availability, town access, and personal pacing. Some hikers choose to incorporate alternates while still considering their overall journey an end-to-end completion of the main route.
Language, culture, and specific trail traditions influence how the term is used, but the underlying idea is consistent: traveling the full length of a recognized long-distance path from one designated terminus to the other.
Related topics
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Illustrative hiking footage
The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.