How To Thru Hike The 4,800mi Eastern Continental Trail

Everything you need to know, to thru hike the ~4,800 mile Eastern Continental Trail from Key West Florida to Quebec Canada. Connecting the Overseas Heritage Trail, Florida Trail, Alabama Hiking Trail, Coosa Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Benton Mackaye Trail, Appalachian Trail, New Brunswick Trail, and International Appalachian Trail. You read that right! This is one long route connecting all of those things, with some roads inbetween. I'm happy to answer any further questions.

Maps & Guides:

A collection of my ECT blog posts:

THE BACKPACKING GEAR I USE:

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If you'd like more info about me, my hiking, or painting:

[NeemorsWorld]

I'm so glad you're a youtuber now. Your story telling is incredible.

[greygardens]

Being from Quebec originally this has really inspired me to look into the Quebec portion of this trail. Thanks for the video, Jupe!

[francisroy]

Merci beaucoup pour ces beaux commentaires concernant la section du Québec.

[chriskelley]

No way in hell im doing this, but I love your positive attitude and support of the trails

[vandwellerfeller]

Love your videos man. I think you're saving my hikertrash life.

[nomisaax]

The "Parc de la Gaspésie" in Quebec has some of the most epic landscapes I've seen, and if you're well equiped for real winter expeditions it's even better. Great video buddy!

[borealphoto]

A couple of sections in Quebec (mount Albert & Jacques-Cartier) close on Sept 30th for Caribou protection. You could be asked for your passport in Gaspésie park. You might run into hunters in autumn there as well (outside the park).

[MrJoebmxer]

This is incredible! You are the man! I hope to see videos and pictures of this adventure! Congratulations to you!

[val_ggrenier]

Wow thank you for this great video ❤ I am from Quebec and a guy from around here (Joan Roch) is starting the ECT today, he will attempt to run it. He thanked you Jupiter in a podcast for the helpful tips you shared with him! 😊

[desommetsensommets]

I hiked the AT and the Québec section of the IAT in 2017 and I did not found Québec to be any way harder than New Hampshire or Maine. It was also my favorite section but I'm from that province so I like my hiking backyard (you still got to see some unique landscapes with St-Lawrence river). You can also pay to have a box sent to you in Réserve faunique de Matane to help with the long wilderness stretch (about 100miles without crossing a paved road).

[innovativeatavist]

This video is an invaluable resource for me. Thank you.

[stevencorbett]

Hey from I am from Newfoundland. I have been looking into hiking our section of the At. There are some completely wilderness sections and it isn't very well marked, soI have been trying to make some contacts to get gps files and such.

If you do ever make it here I will give you a place to stay and hot meals. You can also hike our ect (east coast trail)

[surfandstreamfisher]

What a journey!! Thank-you for sharing your experience.

[MainOffenderKZ]

that was so great to watch. Cant wait to finish the 2nd half of my at hike in 2020 and then start exploring other trails you mentioned

[michaelrockinger]

Magnifique reportage. Très utile! Bonne continuation...

[adventureswiththecrazyvet]

I start the American Discovery Trail on March 1 2021 I think after that this is going to be my next adventure.

[vickirogerson]

You have re-inspired me to plan an ECT road trip. Those who can't hike, drive!

[annadupont]

Thanks so much for putting this video together! I've been interested in hiking the whole Appalachian Mountain range (Pinhoti+AT+IAT) since I watched the video(s) of your 2016 thru-hike of the ECT. However, when I started researching the IAT, I realized that the northern terminus in North America went much further than Quebec and I had been wondering why you started in Quebec. Thanks for answering that here! Doing the northern section of the IAT does look logistically challenging since you have to cross multiple bodies of water (so you have to figure out where and when ferries cross, etc). I'll need to do more research on that section if I want to include that in my hike.
My current thinking is to do a modified flip-flop, since I'd prefer not to NOBO on the AT with 1000's of other hikers. I'd probably start somewhere in Virginia and hike north to Vermont, then flip up to the northern terminus of the IAT and hike south to Vermont, then flop back down to Virginia and hike south to Alabama. I have a few years before I head out, so plenty of time to do my research. Thanks for being a great inspiration!

[Kai-]

Amazing! Never saw content including the whole ball of wax. Thanks! So my question is re the AT portion. 1. Did you have to register as a thru hiker on the AT and also, is there an alternate route that goes further west through part of TN and such? I'm in Tn and just curious. Thx!

[ThanatosWings]

I'm in Canada. I think you can start sobo as soon as it stops raining, between mid April and first week of May.. And doesn't the trail go through the Gros Natiinal Park on the West coast in NFL island? You could also come down the east side on the East Coast Trail.