If you’ve been daydreaming about quitting your job and walking from Georgia to Maine or Mexico to Canada, you’re not alone. Thousands of hikers set out every year on the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. But in 2026, the price tag for that dream has gone up again. Between rising inflation, new tariffs on outdoor gear, and higher costs in trail towns, the class of 2026 needs to plan their finances just as carefully as they plan their food drops.
- Appalachian Trail thru-hikers will spend about $8,000 on average in 2026, while Pacific Crest Trail hikers will spend about $10,700 each.
- The weekly cost of being on most trails looks to be around $390.
- There are plenty of ways to save money, including buying used gear, avoiding towns as much as possible, camping instead of staying in hostels, and rummaging in hiker boxes for resupplies.
Why Thru-Hiking Costs Have Jumped So Much
A decade ago, the common rule of thumb said to budget about $2 per mile on the Appalachian Trail. For a roughly 2,190-mile hike, the estimated cost came to just under $4,400. That number now feels like ancient history.
Prices overall have risen about 37 percent in the U.S. during that time, with the outdoor-industry rate of inflation rising slightly faster. And those are the broad numbers. On the ground, the picture is even steeper. The Trek’s most recent 2025 survey reported that hikers spend an average of $7,680, including around $2,100 on gear, which comes out to around $3.50 per mile, nearly $3,000 more than a decade prior.
In 2026, hopeful thru-hikers are contending with a few factors beyond the standard rate of inflation, including tariffs and the ripple effects of pandemic-era disruptions to everything from groceries to outdoor gear. According to a 2025 National Association of Manufacturers survey, the estimated increase in costs due to tariffs was 7.7 percent. That’s hitting gear companies hard. Prices are rising, often sharply, with some brands already reporting 25 to 40 percent cost increases.
Where Your Money Actually Goes on a Six-Month Hike
So what does an $8,000 AT thru-hike look like when you break it down? If hostel bunks average $42 per night, you’ll spend about $1,000 on hostels. With the average restaurant meal sitting around $30 across the states, a 22 percent increase since 2022, that comes out to another $1,000.
Adding the $83 weekly grocery estimate brings about $1,944 for resupplies, plus an estimated $300 spent shipping mail drops or sending gear home, $300 on replacement gear and repairs, $1,900 for your initial setup, and $1,500 for extras like urgent care visits, random town expenses, and shuttles. Add all of that up and you’re right around that $8,000 mark.
Hikers headed to the PCT can expect extra miles, West Coast prices, and differing gear needs to raise the cost by about $2,700. California and Oregon simply cost more to eat and sleep in than the small Appalachian towns dotting the East Coast. Whether you’re training in a city like Minneapolis, MN or a small mountain town in Colorado, your home base won’t change what you’ll pay once you’re on trail.
“Zero days” in town are the biggest budget killer on the AT. Every day you spend not moving is a day you’re paying for a bed and restaurant meals without getting closer to Maine. If you want to save money, hike a “nero” into town, resupply, and head back to the woods to camp for free.
How to Spend Less Without Suffering More
You absolutely don’t have to spend $8,000. Most 2026 AT thru-hikers should budget between $4,500 and $9,000. That’s a wide range, and where you fall depends on your style.
The total price tag of your 2,190-mile trek depends heavily on your “trail personality,” whether you’re a purist counting every penny or someone who prefers hotels. Budget-minded hikers should know that your backpacking gear list is your largest upfront cost, and in 2026, high-end materials like Dyneema have pushed prices up. Budget-friendly options still work well for those willing to carry a few extra pounds.
Buying used gear from sites like GearTrade or local consignment shops can save hundreds. If you can get your gear right the first time, and better yet find it used, you’ll keep a lot more cash in your pocket. Hikers often spend a lot of money to make up for mistakes in gear, injuries, and discomfort on trail, so the more time you put into planning, the less money you’ll have to shell out down the line.
Another big savings tip: don’t forget those at-home bills. Remember to account for costs like health insurance, storage units, or recurring loan payments that continue while you’re in the woods. Many hikers forget they need a “landing fund” for a flight home, a month of rent, and food while they look for a job after finishing in Maine.
Is 2026 Still a Good Year to Hit the Trail?
Costs are up. Tariffs are unpredictable. Grocery prices at trail-town general stores aren’t going down anytime soon. But a thru-hike has never been a purely financial decision. The average AT thru-hiker can budget for their 2026 trek to cost just under $8,000, a $276 rise from last year, while PCT hikers are looking to spend just over $10,700, $372 more than in 2025. Those aren’t small numbers, but they aren’t shocking jumps either.
If you start saving now, buy your gear strategically, and keep your town days in check, a 2026 thru-hike is within reach for most determined hikers. The trail is still out there, and it’s worth every penny you’ll spend getting to the other end.