ABOUT THE THOUSAND-MILER

​I’m Melanie Radzicki McManus, freelance travel writer, speaker and author of Thousand-Miler: Adventures Hiking the Ice Age Trail. I’m also The Thousand-Miler. Someone who hikes a lot – 9,300+ miles (14,965 km) and counting – and who wants to inspire and encourage everyone to give it a try.

Scores of studies show that being in the outdoors is wonderful for your mind and body in many different ways, from lifting your spirits to speeding healing post-surgery to making you more compassionate. I can attest all of that is true, which is why I’m on a mission to spread the gospel of the trail.

So here at The Thousand-Miler, you’ll find stories and photos about my past travels, many along hiking trails, all spanning the globe. You’ll also find the trail journals I’ve kept during many of my excursions, info on my favorite gear and stories of what I’m learning as I transition from day hiker to serious backpacker.

My Thousand-Miler Goal

Today, my goal is to hike all 11 National Scenic Trails. That’s more than 18,000 miles (29,000 km), folks! As of October 2022, I’ve hiked about 6,900 (11,105 km) of those 18,000 miles (28,968 km) via thru-hikes of the Arizona, Florida, Ice Age, New England and Natchez Trace Trails, plus 2,219 miles (3,571 km) of the North Country Trail and 113 miles (181.9 km) of the Continental Divide. Sure, I’ve got a ways to go. But I’m off to a great start.

On the docket for 2023? I hope to continue my section-hikes of the NCT and CDT, and possibly hike across Luxembourg. Please follow along on my adventures via my trail journals, photos and articles. Or come to one of my in-person events. And if you see me out in the woods, my trail name is Snowshoe.

Cheers,

Honored to be a guest on the podcasts This Week in Travel and Orange Blaze, which focuses on the Florida Trail.