Given that the United States is among the four largest countries on Earth, it likely won't surprise people to know that there are thousands upon thousands of trails nationwide. These range from many that are barely a mile long to epic several-thousand-mile trails, such as the East Coast Gateway, which connects Florida to Maine.

But of all the hiking trails in the US, which have official records associated with them, what are some of the most amazing records ever broken? Here are a number of epic hikes in the US where records were broken.

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The types of hiking records associated with each trail can vary. For instance, some have a men's record and a women's record, while others have a record for just one gender. What's more, records can also be broken up into 'supported', 'unsupported', and 'self-supported'. Also, be aware that the trail address below may not be the exact starting point any given traveler is looking for, so be sure to consider this.

10 California Coastal Trail

According to the Fastest Known Time, the primary authoritative source explored for this guide, the one official California Coastal Trail or CCT record belongs to Natalie Larson, who in October 2017 set a record of 44 days, 18 hours, and 40 minutes. The trail itself has not been fully built as of 2021. All the same, Natalie Larson holds an official record for this incredible hike.

The CCT covers approximately 1,200 miles of the Californian coast. Larson covered this trail self-supported via the standard route. The CCT contains a network of public trails that walkers, wheelchair riders, equestrians, and bikers can traverse at the correct sections. Unsurprisingly, hikers in general will only complete certain sections of this hike.

As with long-distance trails in general, it's important that recreational hikers only take on so much at once, heed any safety warnings, and ensure they bring all the essentials with them (e.g., water, food, and bear spray in regions with bear populations where bear spray is allowed). All in all, attempting to break US hiking records (or in any place) is something only those with sufficient experience and a ready to undertake a ton of planning should consider.

• Location: 1001 Miramontes Point Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, United States
• Hike Length: 1,200 miles
• Record Time Completed: 44.78 days by Natalie Larson (Women's Non-Supported Record)
• Usual Time to Complete: N/A (Not a trail regular hikers complete)

All trails on this list have numerous starting points, thus it's important to find the nearest starting or access point to the trail in the area if considering a recreational hike through part of a given trail. Again, only take on as much of a trail as is suited to one's skills and experience. Research beforehand is also key to ensuring all goes smoothly (e.g., checking whether access or/and parking fees apply).

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9 Continental Divide Trail

The Continental Divide Trail is a very long trail (that also consists of three trails in one) connecting New Mexico (at the Mexico border) to Montana's Canadian border. This span of territories explains its name, of course. It also happens to be a long trek home to numerous hiking records broken in the US.

Jeff Garmie set the self-supported male record in the fall of 2015 with a time of 79 days, 23 hours, and 57 minutes. Beyond that, the mixed-gender team (also self-supported) record stands at 135 days, 9 hours, and 1 minute and was set by Renee Miller and Tim Beissinger in mid-September of 2021.

The trail covers some 2,975 miles in total and technically comprises the Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Appalachian Trail. Therefore, the Continental Divide Trail can refer to a singular trail and the 'Triple Crown' of hiking that consists of three trails. This section refers to the latter (i.e., the three-in-one Continental Divide Trail).

• Location: Continental Divide Trail, New Mexico 88061, USA
• Hike Length: 2,975 miles
• Record Time Completed: 79.99 days set by Jeff Garmie (Men's Self-Supported Record) and 135.36 days set by Renee Miller and Tim Beissinger (Mixed Gender Self-Supported Record)
• Usual Time to Complete: N/A (Not a trail regular hikers complete)

8 Florida Trail

The Florida Trail covers approximately 1,300 miles of the Sunshine State. Hiking the Florida Trail is known for being a particularly challenging accomplishment.

Also, unsurprisingly, caution should be taken when considering this trail due to hazards such as the presence of alligators. Many travelers will want to think about joining the trail at safer sections to limit the risk of coming across any dangerous wildlife. For more details, contact the Florida Trail Association.

With regard to the standard route, Sean Blanton holds the men's supported record at 22 days, 7 hours, and 28 minutes. Daniel Munsell secured the men's self-supported record with a time of 24 days, 11 hours, and 45 minutes. Also, the current women's self-supported record was set by Miranda Pridgen, which is 31 days, 4 hours, and 38 minutes.

Lastly, the women's supported record for the western corridor approach to the route is held by Amy Ansbaugh, who achieved this with a time of 45 days, 17 hours, and 37 minutes.

• Location: Florida Trail - Southern Terminus, Ochopee, FL 34141, United States
• Hike Length: 1,300 miles
• Record Time Completed for the Standard Route: 22.31 days set by Sean Blanton (Men's Supported Record), 24.49 days set by Daniel Munsell (Men's Self-Supported Record), and 31.19 days set by Miranda Pridgen (Women's Self-Supported Record)
• Record Time Completed via the Western Corridor: 45.73 days set by Amy Ansbaugh (Women's Supported Record via the Western Corridor)
• Usual Time to Complete: 2 to 3 months (can vary depending on the route)

Certain sections of the Florida Trail, including the initial southern terminus in Ochopee, are known for the presence of Alligators. So, it's best to take on parts of this trail least likely to feature alligators, or one may want to pass on it entirely. Also, be sure to keep dog(s) safe or leave them at home, as they are more likely to be attacked than humans. All in all, those looking to traverse the Florida Trail ought to do research prior and know what to do to avoid a negative alligator interaction. More details can be found on the University of Florida's web page on alligator safety. In general, heed any safety precautions related to a given trail, undertake any necessary research, and bring what is needed (within the law and any other rules) to keep safe.

7 Long Trail

The Long Trail that connects Vermont from its southern to northern borders is, surprisingly, among the shortest trails on this list, with a length of about 249 miles. Of course, it is still long with respect to its home state, covering its full length.

Despite being shorter than many long-distance trails, Vermont's Long Trail is considered a premier route according to Fastest Known Time, and it is very popular with recreational hikers and record-breakers alike. In fact, there are numerous broken and current records associated with this trail.

Here are the current records for the Long Trail:

• Location: Long Trail Southern Terminus, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Clarksburg, VT 01247, United States (at the Vermont-Massachusetts border)
• Hike Length: 249 miles
• Record Time Completed: Various records ranging from 4.18 days to 11.49 days
• Usual Time to Complete: 20 to 30 days

Since the Long Trail Southern Terminus is located along the Vermont-Massachusetts border, be sure to consider this and any legal issues that may relate to crossing state borders. This applies in true, as it does for international borders, too, of course.

6 American Discovery Trail

The American Discovery Trail is another several-thousand-mile-long trail connecting coast to coast, from California to Washington D.C. The trail consists of a northern route with a length of about 4,830 miles and a southern route that is approximately 5,060 miles in length.

Along with the District of Columbia, the American Discovery Trail passes through 15 states, including Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, Nevada, and California.

As for the amazing hiking record set on this trail, the southern route features a mixed-gender self-supported team record set by Ken Powers and Marcia Powers in the fall of 2005. Their record, standing for almost two decades now, is recorded as precisely 231 days. There are no records associated with the northern route according to Fastest Known Time.

• Location: Unnamed Road, Lewes, DE 19958, United States
• Hike Length: 4,830 to 5,060 miles
• Record Time Completed: 231 days set by Ken Powers and Marcia Powers (Mixed-Gender Self-Supported Record)
• Usual Time to Complete: 390 days

5 Ice Age Trail

Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail is approximately 823 miles long, connecting the western and eastern edges of the Badger State. The trail passes through much of rural Wisconsin, offering plenty of scenic delight for hikers traversing some or all of this trail.

The standard route has three current records. Annie Weiss set the women's supported record (approximately 21-and-three-quarter days) in late September 2018. Meanwhile, Coree Woltering claimed the men's supported record (around 21-and-a-half days) in June 2020, and Colin Britton set a new men's self-supported record (of a little under 24-and-a-quarter days) around two years later.

The trail is considered easy to moderate, with difficulty levels varying throughout the trail. While it is certainly hilly, it is not considered a mountainous trail.

• Location: Western Terminus, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Dresser, WI 54009, United States
• Hike Length: 823 miles
• Record Time Completed: 21.75 days set by Annie Weiss (Women's Supported Record), 21.57 days set by Coree Woltering (Men's Supported Record), and 24.19 days set by Collin Britton (Men's Self-Supported Record)
• Usual Time to Complete: 7 to 12 weeks

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4 Colorado Trail

Next on this list is the some-500-mile Colorado Trail connecting the state's capital Denver to the municipality of Durango to the south. Notably, the Colorado trail traverses several wilderness areas and a total of eight mountain ranges, including the Rocky Mountains, an area home to some of the best hikes in Colorado.

There are several ways to traverse the Colorado Trail, and therefore, there are many impressive hiking records associated with this trail, namely the following:

• Location: Waterton Canyon Trailhead, 12437-12489 Waterton Canyon, Littleton, CO 80127, United States
• Hike Length: 500 miles
• Record Time Completed: Various records ranging from 7.56 days to 14.58 days
• Usual Time to Complete: 4-6 weeks

3 Mountains-To-Sea Trail

The North Carolina Mountains-to-sea Trail now traverses 1,175 miles from the Atlantic coast to the mountainous North Carolina-Tennessee border in the west. The original Mountains-to-sea Trail covered just 900 miles.

The current record holders for the 1,175-mile-route are Brandon Stapanowich (who holds the men's supported record, which is about 23-and-a-half-days) and Tara Dower (holder of the women's supported record, that being approximately 29-and-a-quarter days).

As for the old 900-mile-route, the record holders are Diane Van Deren (who, claiming the women's supported record, covered this distance in 22 days and about 5 hours) and Matt Kirk (who landed the men's supported record with a time of 24 days and almost 4 hours).

• Location: Jockey's Ridge State Park, 300 W Carolista Dr, Nags Head, NC 27959, United States
• Hike Length: 1,175 miles (new route)
• Record Time Completed for 1,175-mile Route: 23.56 days set by Brandon Stapanowich (Men's Supported Record) and 29.37 set by Tara Dower (Women's Supported Record)
• Record Time Completed for 900-mile Route: 22.10 days set by Diane Van Deren (Women's Supported Record) and 24.16 days set by Matt Kirk (Men's Supported Record)
• Usual Time to Complete: 3-4 months

2 The Arizona Trail

The Arizona Trail (also known as the Arizona National Scenic Trail) traverses 817 miles from the Arizona-Mexican border to the Arizona-Utah border in the north. Among the notable locations the trail passes through include the Huachuca Mountains, Saguaro Nationa Park, Tonto National Forest, the Catalina Mountains, and the state's iconic Grand Canyon!

The trail also comes within an hour's drive from Phoenix in and around the Pickepost Trailhead in Superior, a once mining town located in Pinal County.

The standard route has seen the following US hiking records broken:

• Location: Border Monument 102 Southern Terminus Arizona Trail
• Hike Length: 817 miles
• Record Time Completed: Various records ranging from 13.14 days to 28.13 days
• Usual Time to Complete: 6-8 weeks

As with any border region, be sure not to accidentally cross over into Mexico without the required approval. The same applies to the US-Canadian border.

1 East Coast Greenway

The East Coast Greenway traverses the US east coast, connecting southern Florida to the Maine-Canadian border. This 3,000-mile-long trail is largely concrete-based, however, dirt and crushed limestone sections also exist.

The East Coast Greenway passes through a range of natural areas as well as various towns and cities in the eastern U.S. The trail's accessibility and wide range have arguably contributed greatly to its popularity. The one associated record with this East Coast trail (according to Fastest Known Time) is Shan Riggs' men's supported record of 77 days and 7 hours.

• Location: East Coast Greenway, Jones Falls Trail, Baltimore, MD 21217, United States
• Hike Length: 3,000 miles
• Record Time Completed: 77.29 days
• Usual Time to Complete: 3-6 months (varies significantly between walkers and cyclists)