Adventure Hiking Trail

The Adventure Hiking Trail is exactly what it says: a pure backpacking loop with no road crossings, no bailout points, and no excuses. You commit to 26 miles through Hoosier National Forest, and you finish what you started. The terrain is honest - rolling hills, creek crossings, hardwood forests. It's not flashy or Instagram-worthy, but it teaches the fundamentals better than almost anywhere: pacing, water management, camp selection, navigation without constant trail signs. This is where boys learn that backpacking isn't about conquering peaks - it's about moving steadily, making good decisions, and taking care of your crew. It's affordable, it's close, and it builds the work ethic that'll carry through to Boundary Waters and beyond.