Available for: Life, Forward, Endure, and Advanced
The Hiking Ruck Challenge requires rosters to complete a series of marked trail hikes on blazed trails in regional, state, or national park systems. The focus is on gaining experience and endurance over natural terrain while testing your gear, pacing, and preparation.
Challenge Purpose
This Challenge is designed to:
-
Develop your ability to move efficiently and consistently over trail terrain
-
Test your body, ruck weight, footwear, and gear in more variable conditions
-
Encourage time off pavement to improve joint health and overall durability
-
Provide an opportunity to practice route-finding and navigation basics
-
Build mental and physical resilience through purposeful time outdoors
Distance Requirements
Rosters must complete each of the following hikes once during their PATHFINDER Class. Hikes may be completed in any order:
-
2 miles
-
3 miles
-
4 miles
-
5 miles
All hikes must take place on marked, blazed trails. Sidewalks, paved paths, or unmarked routes do not qualify.
Weight Requirements
Life, Forward, Endure
There is no fixed weight requirement. Rosters should carry a load that is appropriately challenging for their current level of conditioning.
Advanced
-
Bodyweight 150 lbs or more: 45 lbs dry ruck weight
-
Bodyweight under 150 lbs: 30 lbs dry ruck weight
Not Available For
This Challenge is not approved for Advanced: Ocala, Stirling, Compete, or Horizon.
Time Requirements
There are no time restrictions for this Challenge. Hikes should be completed at a steady, sustainable pace with a focus on good form, safe footwork, and attention to terrain.
Challenge Parameters
Conditions
To complete this Challenge, each roster must hike the following distances on marked, blazed trails:
-
2 miles
-
3 miles
-
4 miles
-
5 miles
Hikes can be completed in any order, at any point during the 12-week PATHFINDER Class. All four distances must be completed.
All trail rucks must be completed on clearly marked, blazed trails. Unmarked or bushwhacked routes are not eligible. We recommend the AllTrails app to locate qualifying trails in your area, whether you’re in a city park or deep in the country.
Each distance must be completed in a single continuous movement. These hikes are structured similarly to other PATHFINDER distance ruck Challenges. Your ruck must be worn the entire time and should meet your program's weight requirements.
Considerations
Choose trails that match your current skill level. If you're new to hiking, stick to well-maintained, easy routes and work your way up. As your comfort and endurance improve, you can graduate to more technical terrain. Always factor in:
-
Trail distance
-
Elevation gain
-
Weather and seasonal conditions
-
Your personal fitness level
-
Time of day (and how much daylight you have left)
Avoid hiking in unsafe conditions. Mud, ice, and standing water can increase injury risk and damage the trail itself. Respect both your safety and the environment.
Navigation matters. If you're unfamiliar with the route, carry navigation tools. Download trail maps for offline use. Take a photo of the trailhead map, and bring a backup power source for your phone. On harder or more remote trails, a paper map is smart insurance.
Solo or with a buddy? Hiking alone is allowed, but not always recommended. Let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return. Hiking with a friend or ruck club is always safer (and often much more fun).
What to pack:
For short and familiar hikes, you may not need much beyond your ruck. For longer or unknown routes, come prepared:
-
Water (or a water filtration system like a LifeStraw)
-
Snacks
-
Extra socks
-
Weather-appropriate layers
-
Optional: a dry shirt for afterward and comfortable shoes in the car
Logging Your Challenge
Log each distance individually in your Notes section (e.g., “3-mile trail ruck for Hiking Challenge”). Only after completing all four segments - 2, 3, 4, and 5 miles - should you mark the Challenge as complete in your log.
Challenge FAQ
Can I do all the miles in one hike?
We appreciate the drive - but for this Challenge, the goal is different. This is an opportunity to explore new trails, pace yourself, and experience the rhythm of hiking across multiple outings. The spirit of the Challenge is to complete four distinct hikes over time, not one long haul. Shorter hikes have unique demands, and if you’re not a seasoned hiker, this is a smart way to develop trail confidence without overreaching.
Do I need to find a trail that’s exactly 2, 3, 4, or 5 miles long?
No. You can hike any trail and simply turn around when you hit your target distance. What matters is the mileage, that it's done in one continuous outing, and that it’s on a blazed, marked trail. The experience is yours to shape.
Does the trail have to be dirt or gravel?
Not necessarily. We encourage rosters to experience varying terrain, especially unpaved trails, but we understand that's not always possible based on where you live. If your only option is a paved or partially paved trail within a regional or state park system, it’s still valid as long as it’s a designated hiking trail and meets all other requirements.
Final Notes
This Challenge is about more than mileage. Get outside of your routine (literally) and finding new ways to connect with movement, terrain, and yourself. Use it to test your gear, fine-tune your pace, and build confidence in less predictable environments.
When logged correctly and approached with curiosity, this Challenge will expand your understanding of what it means to ruck, and remind you that not all progress happens in a straight line.
Challenge Safety & Restrictions
-
Always carry a basic first aid kit.
-
Ruck safely. Share your route and estimated return time with someone who can assist in an emergency.
-
Obey all laws. Do not trespass. If unsure about access to any facility, consult management for permission.
-
You assume all risks. PATHFINDER is not liable for any injury, damage, or death resulting from participation in its programming.
All PATHFINDER Challenges are © PATHFINDER Ruck Training. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.
Loved the tips. I took a proof of life photo and one of the trailhead maps to send to my husband. Asked a neighbor to join me for safety and packed the extra items suggested + my firearm ;-)