ALDHA is pleased to introduce the Eastern Trails 500 award.
The award is open to ALDHA members who have accumulated 500 miles or more of trails east of the Mississippi that are not on the Appalachian Trail. Originally known as the ECO-Trace award, the new name reflects more directly the hiker’s achievement. Although the AT is one of the most popular trails in the world, there are many, many other beautiful trails to explore, of varying lengths and levels of difficulty.
We’d like to recognize those hikers who continue to log miles on the thousands of miles of trails other than the AT. All you have to do is hike 500 miles or more on any combination of non-AT trails, beginning as of January 1, 2024. You don’t have to complete any of the trails hiked; just keep a running count of miles hiked.
For example, you could hike 250 miles of the Benton Mackaye Trail, 180 on the Pinhoti, and 75 on the Long Trail, totaling 505 miles. Or it could be 20 trails of 25 miles each. Repeating the same miles, however, doesn’t count. Send us your number of miles hiked, and you will receive a patch and completion certificate. We’d also like you to tell us which was your favorite trail and why, along with a picture we can use (picture optional). 500 miles is the minimum to qualify, but we also provide 1000 mile and 2000 mile rockers to add to your patch.
APPLY NOW (must be an active ALDHA Member): Eastern Trails 500
If you are not currently a member and completed your hike, then consider joining us now and you are eligible.
If you can’t attend the Gathering, members will have their patches and certificates mailed to them. Not a member? Join here.
