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THE STEPS
The Steps Afoot
The Footpath Journey Index Go Down Go Up
The Wayfarer Afoot
I am one of the truth seekers, who in life choose to walk afoot on the Way (Isaiah 35:8) Some would call me a wayfarer. There are, methinks, millions of us: we are not unhappy, but neither are we content.
Further, we are life seekers, ambitious for everything beautiful it provides. We love walking along the beach, we are drawn by the ocean, taken by its power, its unceasing motion, its mystery and its unspeakable beauty.
During summer, we are often found on high elevations of the mountain to walk the high path above the treeline, where the air is rarefied and benumbs exposed skin, but only there, the majestic views are never ending.
At times, deep within the shadow of the old growth forest, our search for the solitude we desire is rewarded with a quietness that is found nowhere else, especially so in the rain or when we unexpectedly come upon an intimate moment with a doe nursing her fawn. Stopping to watch in awe as that moment slowly grows into minutes and which minutes turn into a lifetime of memories.
However, it is during winter when we frequent the desert, taking steps among the cactus, the dunes and the Joshua tree, where we experience an abundance of both profoundness and simplicity.
From time to time, when we come upon the roads end, we continue, oar in hand into the backwater to heighten our appreciation for the variety of wildlife and waterscapes encompassed within this part of creation, always endeavoring to explore, learn, and live at one with it.
Too, we are righteousness seekers and always ready to welcome fellowship with, and desirous of sharing with those, who like our selves have the same inner decency, good character and rectitude.
Many of us have forsaken previous city dwellings because living therein has become too grievous for us to endure, leaving that bulwark of filth and sin, desiring never to return there again. Instead, we have taken to the back roads, those very pathways that help us to explore the way as we continue seeking for truth, always striving to find the answers to our questions about life.
Our heart is saddened only because of the fact that we have yet to find the secret to the real life and this sadness is as much a part of our life as is our laughter. To share our sadness with someone we love is perhaps as great a joy as we will ever know—unless it be to share our laughter.
Most important I say, we are meekness seekers, desirous to be taught by Almighty God, and as such, pray to Him that He may find us worthy of receiving His concealment during His coming anger and destruction of wickedness.
Furthermore, we pray to Him that He bring us home unto his real life. To be in the paradise here on the earth is our most treasured hope for our future. (1 Timothy 6:19)
As we journey, much wax must needs be burned to provide light for reading His Word. Yes, we can not but learn much from the experiences on these two juxtaposing paths; the path afoot and the path traveling upon the pages of the Bible.
— Tommy Michel 1979
The Footpath Journey Index, National Pathways Index Go Down Go Up
National Scenic Trails (NST)
The establishment of the national scenic trail status was to provide outdoor recreation opportunities and to conserve portions of the natural landscape with significant scenic, natural, cultural, or historic importance. There are currently, eleven trails that are designated as National Scenic Trails, which trails are continuous non-motorized long-distance trails that can be backpacked from end-to-end or hiked for short segments, except for Natchez Trace NST, which consists of five shorter, disconnected trail segments.
Together, these eleven national scenic trail account for about 17,800 miles and of the eleven national scenic trails, the Appalachian, Natchez Trace, and Potomac Heritage, even though they are official units of the National Park Service, these three are managed by other more direct local administrations.
Three others, the Ice Age Trail, New England Trail, and North Country Trail are managed directly by the National Park Service.
The remaining five national scenic trails: Arizona Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Florida Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, are under the management of the National Forest Service.
Appalachian Trail NST
Arizona Trail NST
Continental Divide Trail NST
Florida Trail NST
Ice Age Trail NST
Natchez Trace Trail NST
New England Trail NST
North Country Trail NST
Pacific Crest Trail NST
Pacific Northwest Trail NST
Potomac Heritage Trail NST
The Steps Afoot The National Scenic Trail
National Recreational Trails
The National Recreation Trail (NRT) is a designation given to existing trails that contribute to the recreational and conservation goals of a national network of trails. There currently exists spread out in all of the fifty state over 1,300 trails that have been designated as NRTs on federal, state, municipal, tribal and private lands that are available for public use.
These NRTs are from less than a mile in length to more than 500 miles (800 km) in length and have a combined length of more than 29,000 miles (47,000 km).
Most NRTs are hiking trails, however there is a significant number which are multi-use trail, which include use by hikers, bycylers and horse riding. Many of these multi-use trails are rail trail or greenways. A few are intended for use with watercraft, cross country skis or off-road vehicles.
Trail that would be eligible for inclusion as a National Recreational Trail would have to be completed, well designed, regularly maintained and open to the public.
The NPS and the USFS jointly administer the National Recreational Trails program with the help of nonprofit partners, primarily the American Trail organization which helps develop and promote NRTs. Designated trails become part of the National Trails System and receive promotional benefits are able to use the NRT logo and other benefits.
Duncan Ridge Trail NRT, Georgia, 36 miles, Chattahoochee National Forest
Cowboy Trail NRT, Nebraska, 195 miles, Rail Trail
Lone Star Trail NRT, Texas, 94 miles, 132 miles with loops
Ouachita Trail NRT, Arkansas-Oklahoma, 223 miles,
Pinhoti Trail NRT, Alabama, Georgia, 335 miles
The Footpath Journey Index, State Pathways Index Go Down Go Up
North America
Canada
Alberta
British Columbia
West Coast Trail
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Cape Bon Ami Trail (48.8102318, -64.2213499)
2.4 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
Carbide Wilson Ruins and Falls (45.5383616, -75.8679057)
2.1 miles, Difficulty: 5.0
Les Cascades Trail (47.1736107, -71.3694256)
2.5 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
King Mountain Trail, via tr. 30 and 8 (45.4918663, -75.8618557)
3.4 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
Mount Brassard Loop Trail, 3.9 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
Mount Orford Loop Trail, 3.9 miles, Difficulty: 9.0
Parc des Montagnards Loop Trail, 2.9 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
Saskatchewan
Boreal Trail 45,6 miles, Difficulty:
Fairy Hill Trail 3.6 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
Fisher Trail, 4.4 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
Gem Lakes Trail, 3.4 miles, Difficulty: 5.0
Meewasin Trai, 6.4 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
Read Coat Trail, miles, Difficulty:
Valley of 1000 Devils, 7.1 miles, Difficulty: 9.0
Wascana Lake Train Loop, 2.5 miles, Difficulty: 5.0
Waskeslu River Trail, 1.5 miles, Difficulty: 5.0
Yukon Territory
Auriol Trail, 9.2 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
Dawson City to Midnight Dome Loop Trail, 5.3 miles, Difficulty: 9.0
Dezadeash River Trail, 3.6 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
Fish Lake Lookout Trail, 6.6 mile, Difficulty: 7.0
Goldensides Mountain, 3.6 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
Grey Mountain Trail, 3.1 miles, Difficulty: 9.0
Grizzly Lake Trail, 13.8 miles, Difficulty: 9.0
Grizzly Lake-Divide Lake-Talus Lake Trail, 28.3 miles (OAB), Difficulty: 9.0
Hidden Lakes Loop, 2.8 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
Kathleen Lake Trai, 4.4 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
King′s Throne Peak, 7.9 miles, Difficulty: 9.0
Miles Canyon Loop, 9.4 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
Rock Glacier Trail, 1.4 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
Saint Elias Lake Trail, 4.8 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
San McGee Trail, 5.0 miles, Difficulty: 9.0
Sheep Creek Trail, 10.3 miles, Difficulty: 9.0
Spirit Canyon, 2.0 miles, Difficulty: 7.0
Whitehorse Millennium Trail, 2.8 miles, Difficulty: 4.0
Wolf Creek Trail, 4.3 miles, Difficulty: 5.0
United States of America
Alabama
Pinhoti Trail NRT
Natchez Trace Trail NST 33 miles
Adjacent Distance of National Parkway: 444 miles
Alaska
Arizona
Arizona Trail NST 825 miles, Mexico border to Utah border
Arkansas
Ouachita Trail NRT
Ozark Highlands Trail
California
California Coastal Trail 1200 miles, Mexico border to Oregon
Glacier Point Trailhead Yosemite NP
(37.7277012, -119.5743100)
Pacific Crest Trail NST Total Distance: 2653 miles, 4,269 kilometers (2026)
Washington Section: 505 miles, 813 kilometers
Oregon Section: 455 miles, 732 kilometers
California Section: 1,691 miles, 2771 kilometers
John Muir Trail Total Distance: 211 miles
Colorado
Continental Divide Trail NST Total Distance: 3100 miles
Colorado Section: 749 miles
Colorado Trail 483 miles, SW of Denver to Durango, Alpine route
Gates of the Lodore
Trailhead
(40.7231499, -108.8876772)
Connecticut
Appalachian Trail NST Total Distance: 2100 miles
New England Trail NST 100 miles, Total Distance: 230 miles, CT, MA
District of Columbia
Potomac Heritage Trail NST Total Distance: 710 miles, DC, MD, PA, VA
Delaware
Florida
Florida Keys Trail OHT 90 miles (106 miles upon completion)
Overseas Heritage Trail
Florida Trail NST 1000 miles (1500 miles upon completion)
Georgia
Appalachian Trail NST Total Distance: 2100 miles
Pinhoti Trail NRT
Benton MacKaye Trail 82 miles
Hawaii
Idaho
Continental Divide Trail NST Total Distance: 3100 miles
Pacific Northwest Trail NST
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Appalachian Trail NST, Total Distance: 2100 miles
Maryland
Appalachian Trail NST Total Distance: 2100 miles
C&O Canal Trail 185 miles, Cumberland to Washington, DC on Potomac River
Potomac Heritage Trail, NST Total Distance: 710 miles, DC, MD, PA, VA
Massachusetts
Appalachian Trail NST Total Distance: 2100 miles
New England Trail NST 130 miles, Total NET Distance: 230 miles
Michigan
North Country Trail NST Total Distance: 4800 miles
Minnesota
North Country Trail NST Total Distance: 4800 miles
Mississippi
Natchez Trace NST 30 miles, (Parkway Distance 444 miles)
Missouri
Katy Rail Trail 240 miles
Missouri-Kansas-Texas
Ozark Trail
Montana
Continental Divide Trail NST Total Distance: 3100 miles
Pacific Northwest Trail NST
Nebraska
Cowboy Trail NRT 195 miles (321 miles upon completion)
Nevada
New Hampshire
Appalachian Trail NST Total Distance: 2100 miles
New Jersey
Appalachian Trail NST Total Distance: 2100 miles
New Mexico
Continental Divide Trail NST Total Distance: 3100 miles
New York
Appalachian Trail NST Total Distance: 2100 miles
Ausable Chasm Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks (44.52474786, -73.4632119)
Finger Lakes Trail 558 miles, Allegany State Park to Catskills
North Country Trail NST Total Distance: 4800 miles
North Carolina
Appalachian Trail NST Total Distance: 2100 miles
Smoky Mountains
Appalachian Trail NST Total Distance: 2100 miles
Benton MacKaye Trail 93 miles
Cumberland Trail 175 miles, Cumberland Plateau
North Dakota
North Country Trail NST Total Distance: 4800 miles
Ohio
North Country Trail NST Total Distance: 4800 miles
Oklahoma
Ouachita Trail NRT
Oregon
Oregon Coast Trail, Total Distance: 632 miles
Pacific Crest Trail NST Total Distance: 2650 miles
Oregon Section: 555.2 miles
Sweet Creek Trail Siuslaw NF (43.9574705, -123.9029272)
Pennsylvania
Appalachian Trail NST Total Distance: 2100 miles
Allegheny Front Trail 42 miles, Loop
Potomac Heritage Trail NST Total Distance: 710 miles, DC, MD, PA, VA
North Country Trail NST Total Distance: 4800 miles
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Appalachian Trail NST Total Distance: 2100 miles
Benton MacKaye Trail Total Distance: 288 miles, Tennessee: 206 miles
Natchez Trace NST 20 miles, (Parkway Distance 444 miles)
Texas
Lone Star Trail NRT 128 miles
Utah
Californai National Historic Trail
Morman Pioneer National Historic Tral
Old Spanish National Historic Trail
Pony Express National Historic Trail
Vermont
Appalachian Trail NST Total Distance: 2100 miles
Long Trail
North Country Trail NST Total Distance: 4800 miles
Virginia
Appalachian Trail NST Total Distance: 2100 miles
Potomac Heritage Trail NST Total Distance: 710 miles, DC, MD, PA, VA
Washington
Beacon Rock Trailhead (45.6285621, -122.0221942)
Cape Flattery Trail Total Distance: 1.2 miles round trip
Iron Horse Trail (47.2312754, -121.1720322)
Easton Fire Station (47.2335857, -121.1763823)
Olympic Discovery Trail 90 miles (135 miles upon completion)
Spruce Railroad Trailhead, Camp David Jr Road: (48.0932014, -123.8019215)
Olympic Discovery Trailhead, Spruce RR Trail: (48.0752654, -123.9541463)
Olympic Discovery Trailhead, Forest Service Road 2918
Pacific Crest Trail NST Total Distance: 2650 miles
Washington Section: 505.7 miles
Pacific Northwest Trail NST Total Distance: 1200 miles
Kettle Crest Trail
Tommy Thompson Trail
Anacortes (Northwest) Trailhead: 48.5133027, -122.6109028
March Point Road (Southeast) Trailhead: 48.4769438, -122.5727086
West Virginia
Appalachian Trail NST Total Distance: 2100 miles
Allegheny Trail 288 miles, Terminus: AT
Wisconsin
Ice Age Trail NST 1086 miles, (1200 miles upon completion)
North Country Trail NST Total Distance: 4800 miles
Wyoming
Continental Divide Trail NST Total Distance: 3100 miles
Mexico
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This Page Last Updated: 31 May 2026

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by Thom Buras
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