The 7 national trails of the Pacific Northwest
There are a ton of trails in the Pacific Northwest, but only a select few have earned the honor of being designated as national trails.
From thru-hikes to road trip routes, all are part of the National Trails System, created by Congress in 1968 to “promote the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources of the Nation.” The act established three categories of national trails: National Scenic Trails, National Historic Trails and National Recreation Trails.
Each category brings a different experience. The scenic trails are long, multi-state thru-hikes; the historic trails are designed as road trips along historic routes; and the recreation trails are any number of local hiking trails, just with a separate designation.
While the original act helped establish some of the most prominent long-haul trails in the U.S., today the designation generally just means a little extra publicity and attention to existing trails and historic areas. And with the natural beauty and Old West history that abounds in the northwest, ours is a perfect region of the country to showcase.