The future of trails: Innovation


Compiled by Taylor Goodrich, Communication and Media Specialist, American Trails


he world of trails is continually enlivened by new ways of thinking and doing things. Here we present some conversations with interesting people who approach the outdoors with a spirit of adventure and invention.


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Liz Thomas – Long distance hiking without ever leaving the city


-  held the women’s unsupported speed record for thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, she has completed the hiking triple  Continental Divide Trail — and she is on a mission to bring long distance hiking to city dwellers who can’t make it to the traditional long distance trails (hence her urban hiking nick- name).


She has already pioneered and completed routes through 10 major U.S. cities, including the Denver Urban Brew-Thru which winds through 64 breweries in eight days. Thomas is passionate about accessibility in the broadest sense of the word, understanding that not everyone can take weeks or  means or transportation to leave their city, and on a basic level, not everyone is comfortable being in the middle of no- where, so to speak. By creating thru-hikes in cities the experience of long distance hiking is available to everyone just by stepping out- side their front door. In addition to her city hike pioneering, Thomas is also the author of Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike, which won the National Outdoor Book Award.


 www.eathomas.com Instagram.com/lizthomashiking fb.com/lizthomashiking.


continued on page 38


Liz Thomas on an urban trail in Chicago 36 SPRING 2019 AmericanTrails.org


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