Trail Correspondents is a teleportation machine to the trail- in audio form.
Every other week, a select handful of thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and the American Discovery Trail, give us a glimpse into the world of long distance backpacking. Through their eyes and vocal cords, we learn all about the highs, lows, and nitty gritty details that go into a half-year, cross-country trek. Trail Correspondents is the next best thing to being on trail yourself.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
The Mental Game | S5 E12
The miles can wear down your legs, but sometimes it's your mind that takes the biggest hit. Our 2026 Trail Correspondents open up about the mental side of life on the AT,
Sep 23 1 h 00 min
Your Diet | S5 E11
Hiker hunger has officially entered the chat. Our 2026 Trail Correspondents dig into the realities of eating their way along the AT, PCT, and CDT, from relentless craving
Sep 9 1 h 04 min
The Physical Adjustment | S5 E10
By now, the trail has changed our 2026 Trail Correspondents—and their bodies are starting to tell the story. In this episode, hikers from the AT, PCT, and CDT reflect on
Aug 26 56 min
Wildcard II | S5 E9
Another Wild Card, another chance for anything to happen. With the prompts set aside once again, our 2026 Trail Correspondents share the stories they feel need telling mo
Aug 12 59 min
The Social Experience | S5 E8
Every thru-hike finds its own social rhythm—tramily, shelter mates, or long solo stretches. Our 2026 Trail Correspondents reflect on the people who've shaped their hikes,
Jul 29 1 h 12 min
My Worst Day on Trail | S5 E7
Every thru-hike has a breaking point. In this episode, our 2026 Trail Correspondents revisit the toughest day they've faced so far, sharing the moments that pushed them t
Jul 15 1 h 03 min
What's Working, What's Not | S5 E6
Every thru-hike becomes a gear test sooner or later. Our 2026 Trail Correspondents take stock of what's earned a permanent place in their packs, what's headed for the nex
Jul 1 1 h 13 min
Expectations vs Reality | S5 E5
Every hike begins with a story we tell ourselves about what the trail will be. Now several weeks into their journeys, our 2026 Trail Correspondents reflect on where expec
Jun 17 1 h 14 min
Wildcard: A Raw $24k Budget Breakdown & Escaping 'Joyless Urgency' | S5 E4
Wild Card time! No prompts, no script, and no rules!
Expect the unexpected as this jam-packed episode swings from the bizarre to the profound. You'll hear wild field
Jun 3 1 h 13 min
The Trail Begins | S5 E3
One week down, and the honeymoon phase now officially collides with reality. Our 2026 Trail Correspondents check in from the AT, PCT, and CDT after their first week on tr
May 20 1 h 07 min
Preparing for the AT, PCT, and CDT | S5 E2
Every thru-hike starts long before the first step. Our 2026 Trail Correspondents share how they've been preparing for their AT, PCT, and CDT thru-hikes, physically, logis
May 6 1 h 27 min
Meet Your 2026 Correspondents | S5 E1
Every thru-hike starts with a "why." In our Season 5 premiere, ten Trail Correspondents introduce themselves before stepping onto the AT, PCT, and CDT. A retired cop. A s
Apr 22 1 h 11 min
S4 Episode #15 | Interview With Your Former Self
Welcome back to Trail Correspondents!
This is the final episode of season 4: an interview with your former self.
Traditionally, this episode is formatted such that w
Oct 25 2023 1 h 56 min
S4 Episode #14 | The Finish
Welcome back to Trail Correspondents!
We've finally come to it: the finish.
Send us your questions about anything and everything here:
https://www.speakpipe.com/Tr
Oct 11 2023 1 h 15 min
S4 Episode #13 | Last Week On Trail
Welcome back to Trail Correspondents! I am your host moron and this is episode 13 all about the last week on trail.
There are a lot of complex, possibly mutually exclus
Sep 27 2023 1 h 04 min
S4 Episode #12 | Lessons Learned
Welcome back to Trail Correspondents!
You'll certainly find a noticeable theme throughout these clips - especially with those who are completing their first long trail,
Sep 13 2023 1 h 17 min
S4 Episode #11 | The Mental Game
Welcome back to Trail Correspondents!
This is Episode 11 which is all about the mental game required to attempt a thru-hike.
Denial is not just a river in Africa and
Aug 30 2023 1 h 26 min
S4 Episode #10 | Wild Card 3
Welcome back to Trail Correspondents!
I am your host moron and this is the last installment of the wildcard episodes for this season of the show. No real need for intro
Aug 16 2023 1 h 02 min
S4 Episode #9 | Trail Diet
Welcome back to Trail Correspondents!
Though many of us eat more so out of pleasure, schedule, routine or the like, a hiker's relationship to food evolves during the co
Aug 2 2023 1 h 19 min
S4 Episode #8 | The Physical Adjustment
Welcome back to Trail Correspondents!
Today we're talking about the physical adjustment our correspondents have endured on trail.
When it comes to staying on trail,
Jul 19 2023 1 h 14 min
Chart trend
Position in the Wilderness chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#100#199JunJulAugSep
#57
all-time peak
22
days in the top 100 since Jun 2025
Chart positions
Where Trail Correspondents ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 25, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I love that you get to follow along a cast of characters tackling the three big trails in the US. I feel like most trail podcasts, while awesome, will only do a single episode per trail / hiker. This is sweet bc you can listen along while they are out there. And you can also binge previous seasons too of course. I just wish that updates were more frequent and more!
satahbee · Jun 2026
I love everything about this podcast and can’t wait to listen when each episode comes out. It is inspiring, informative and fun! I love listening to each person’s perspective while they’re on the journey. It makes me feel like I’m on the trail with them! I have been listening since the first season, and I am thrilled that it is back. Thanks to all who contributed to this wonderful podcast! The only thing that would make it better is having more episodes to listen to.
PCT Someday · Sep 2023
I hope one day I’ll be able to embark on a long distance thru hike. In the meantime I’m enjoying my short stints outside and doing a lot of research. This pod is a great resource to hear a wide variety of experiences. It’s quelling some of my fears (ie. town resupplies, hitching) and giving great gear tips on what works and what doesn’t. Helpful as I build up my systems. Hope it gets revived!
A B-O · May 2022
I can’t say enough good things about this podcast. Great content, great host chemistry, solid production—Davos’ Fingers is everything you want in a ASOIAF podcast. I’m on my first read in the books and they make the experience more enjoyable.
joffill · Mar 2021
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Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Trail Correspondents, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
