Inspired by the great American thru-hikes — the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and others — I’m challenging myself to walk everywhere for an entire month. Thirty days. No cars. No trains. No bikes. Just my two feet.
Follow along:
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I’ve long dreamed of hiking the Appalachian Trail. I’m drawn to the idea of spending extended periods in nature, alone, testing both body and mind. What might such a journey — stripped of routine and modern convenience — teach me about the world, the environment, and myself?
But the Appalachian requires months I can’t currently spare. Instead, I’ve sought smaller ways to walk long distances. During the pandemic, I began my “Walk to Work”: a six-mile trek from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to Hudson Yards in Manhattan. What started as a fitness experiment became a ritual — a chance to reconnect with my city and share glimpses of it with friends online.
Three years later, that routine has grown stale. I’m ready for a new challenge. So why not attempt a different kind of thru-hike — an urban one, with no mountain peaks or trail markers, but with the same sense of endurance?
The idea: live my everyday life, but do all of it on foot. Work, gym, social life — no shortcuts. Can I keep up my schedule? Will my body hold out? Where will I pee? Will I constantly smell? And maybe, just maybe, will this serve as the foundation I need to finally commit to the Appalachian Trail?
The Rules
- Walking only. No cars, bikes, subways, trains, or scooters.
- One-mile minimum per day.
- Commute 2x+ per week on foot.
- No delivery apps. No Instacart, DoorDash, etc.
- Daily video diary on TikTok.
- Mileage tracking via Apple Health and Strava
- Keep living. Maintain as much of my normal schedule as possible, including:
- Hanging out with friends across neighborhoods
- Going to the gym 3–4 days a week
- Entertainment and nightlife
- Continuing my job search
- Friends welcome. As with thru-hiking, companions can join along the way.
Stretch Goals
- Mileage:
- 273 miles in 30 days — equal to Vermont’s Long Trail
- 444 miles in 30 days — equal to the Natchez Trace Trail
- 486 miles in 30 days — equal to the Colorado Trail
- Urban landscape:
- Walk through 3+ boroughs
- Walk to an airport
Approved Tools
- Walking shoes
- Daypack
- Water bottles
- Hiking clothes (hat, moisture-wicking layers, etc.)