Nature lovers can't control the weather. They don't even want to! But they do need to understand the possible conditions they are heading into before starting a major trek. With the tools below hikers should be able to plan the best times to begin their journey fully comprehending the range of temperatures they will encounter. So if you want to ensure your Appalachian Trail Hike starts in time to avoid the Maine's freezing temperatures, or time your trip through the Arizona desert when temperatures are less demanding, this tool will help you do it.
Start by choosing a National Scenic Trail from those listed below. From there you can enter your various hiking scenarios to estimate your hike's duration, calculate the best day to start your hike based on historical weather patterns (theBestStart! date), find temperature extremes during that duration, and obtain upcoming 5-day weather forecasts for any point along the trail.
Appalachian Trail
Weather planner with hike duration and temperature extremes, along with the new BestStart! calculator, for NoBo and SoBo hikers.
Arizona Trail
Weather planner with hike duration and temperature extremes. Includes special elevation adjustments for high mountain and deep canyon areas.
Continental Divide Trail
Weather planner with hike duration, temperature extremes, and BestStart! for all 3,050 miles across New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Includes elevation correction and popular alternates.
Florida Trail
Weather planner with hike duration and temperature extremes. Emphasizes the dangers of humidity and heat index.
Ice Age Trail
Weather planner with hike duration and temperature extremes. Covers all 124 named segments across Wisconsin, with a route choice through the Baraboo Hills.
Natchez Trace Trail
Weather planner with hike duration and temperature extremes for hiking the five disconnected sections along the historic Natchez Trace Parkway.
New England Trail
Weather planner with hike duration and temperature extremes. Emphasizes the impact of wind chill for mountain and winter hikes.
North Country Trail
Weather planner with hike duration and temperature extremes for all 4,800 miles of the longest National Scenic Trail, crossing eight states from Vermont to North Dakota.
Pacific Crest Trail
Weather planner with hike duration and temperature extremes. Includes elevation correction for high Sierra passes and desert canyons, with BestStart! for optimal timing.
Pacific Northwest Trail
Weather planner with hike duration and temperature extremes for one of the most remote National Scenic Trails, from Glacier National Park to the Olympic Peninsula.
Potomac Heritage Trail
Weather planner with hike duration and temperature extremes from Point Lookout, MD to Laurel Ridge, PA, including the C&O Canal, Great Allegheny Passage, and Virginia sections.