2026 Spring Hiking Challenge

The 2026 Spring Hiking Challenge is an initiative by the Independent Herald that encourages participants to take part in 14 hikes over a 14-week period, beginning the first day of spring in March 2026 and ending the last day of spring in June 2026.

The challenge takes part primarily in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, but has also visited the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Colditz Cove State Natural Area.

The hiking challenge is modeled after the 20 Week Hiking Challenge that the Independent Herald presented in 2015. Subsequent 20 Week Hiking Challenges were presented in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023. In 2025, there was a Winter Hiking Challenge.

Each hike takes place on a hiking trail (no equestrian trails or multi-use trails) with a payoff of views, rock formations, waterfalls, or a combination of the three, and includes a trail guide that describes points of interest along the route. Each hike includes a virtual scavenger hunt that invites participants to snap a photo of a point of interest and post it to social media with the hashtag #SpringHikingChallenge to be entered into a random prize drawing. Each hike also includes a “Make It Better” option that adds additional mileage on a nearby trail.

Hike #1: Sunset Overlook
Hike #2: Angel Falls Rapid
Hike #3: Yahoo Falls
Hike #4: O&W Bridge
Hike #5: Northrup Falls
Hike #6: Burnt Mill
Hike #7: Buzzard Rock
Hike #8: Cracks in the Rock
Hike #9: Angel Falls Overlook
Hike #10: Kellogg’s Crack
Hike #11: Slave Falls
Hike #12: John Litton Farm
Hike #13: Gentlemen’s Swimming Hole
Hike #14: Twin Arches