Membership Levels

BECOME A TRAIL FAMILY MEMBER

We offer a free “Trail Family” membership as well as an up-leveled “Trail Family+” membership for new and experienced long-distance hikers. Since this is an exclusive community, we go through an approval process for all of our membership applications. Here are the simple steps to apply:

 

  1. Apply using the “Join Now” button for one of the memberships below
  2. Make sure to fill out ALL sections in the application completely
  3. Wait for approval via the email you signed up with
  4. Enjoy Trail Family or Trail Family+ access!

FREE

TRAIL FAMILYJOIN THE COMMUNITY
  • Hiker Profile
  • Hiker Forum Access
  • Direct Messaging
  • Friend Requests
  • Hiker Map & Directory
  • Exclusive Event Access

$15.50/MONTH*

TRAIL FAMILY+CONNECT & LEARN ON A DEEPER LEVEL
  • All Trail Family Benefits
  • Exclusive Panels
  • Monthly Meetups
  • Group Challenges
  • Organized Video Library
  • Gear Exchange
  • Private Forum
  • Early Event Access

*Annual package: $15.50/month billed annually
Monthly package: $20.50/month billed monthly

Trail Family

Join for Free

Take advantage of our standard benefits in our exclusive private community with our Trail Family membership. Similar to Facebook: Edit your profile, friend request, and direct message other hikers. View our THRU-r map to see hikers and trail angels around you! Connect with hikers via our private organized forums, and join our online and in-person events. We’ve basically built an all-in-one Facebook, Reddit, and Eventbrite platform – exclusively for long-distance hikers!

Trail Family+

Video Library

Our Trail Family+ membership provides an organized way to learn about long-distance hiking! Watch our Contributors share their favorite tips and tricks for a successful hiking experience in our themed & organized modules. Learn about gear hacks, money saving tips, how tos, insights on trail culture, strategy & success tips, and more. Also included are video versions of the THRU-r Podcast interviews, recordings of our past events, welcome videos, and “how-tos” for getting the most out of your membership. New videos are published monthly, so you’ll always be getting fresh content!

Trail Family+

Events & Panels

Join new and experienced hikers in our interactive online events via Zoom, and watch recordings at your convenience later. Share your trail stories, learn from others, and have some laughs along the way! We also feature special guests and panels for subjects including safety, gear hacks, post trail tips, success strategies, and more. Trail Family+ Members also enjoy priority access to our in-person backpacking trips and events.

Trail Family+

Monthly Themes & Challenges

Every month we feature a theme from one of our learning modules. Monthly module themes include Basic Skills, Finances, Hygiene, Culture, Food, Gear, Safety, Strategy & Success, Stewardship, and Post Trail. Get involved with our challenges to dive even deeper into hiking preparation: Mentally and physically. Challenges include creating a budget, journaling for success, creating your own version of a favorite thru-hiker recipe, creating a gear list, going on shakedown hikes, and more.      

Trail Family+

Gear exchange forums

Ask questions, give advice, and connect with other Trail Family+ Members via our private forum. Also sell, swap, and score lightly used gear in our private gear exchange forum!