Stretching more than 2,190 miles across 14 different states, the Appalachian Trail may be the best long-distance hiking route in the entire world. Each year, 3 million people trek at least a portion of the trail, with just a fraction of those walking its entire length.

Those “thru-hikers” learn a lot during early days of their journey, and most will tell you there is no way to fully prepare for the challenge of walking the AT end-to-end other than just doing it. Still, there are some pearls of wisdom that can prepare you for the challenges ahead.

One of the biggest decisions you’ve got to make is when to start hiking the Appalachian Trail and which direction to go. Those two questions are closely related, as the time of year you begin your hike could dictate whether you travel north to south or vice versa.

Ultralight hiking is all the rage these days, and everyone is looking for ways to cut ounces from their packs. This helps you travel faster and reduces wear and tear on your body over the course of the days and weeks you’ll spend out on the trail.

The Appalachian Trail is no place to test new gear for the very first time. Be sure to give all of your equipment a try before you set out on your hike. If you can, take a weekend backpacking excursion along a local trail to make sure everything performs up to your expectations.

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Itching for adventure and seeking a break from their D.C. jobs, Elise Mann and Will Stowe figured it was time to go for a walk.

In 2015, that’s exactly what the couple did, hiking roughly 2,190 miles from Georgia to Maine through woods and mountains, snow and rain on the Appalachian Trail.

It took 146 days, four pairs of hiking boots each and more nonperishable food than either wants to think about, but the couple became two of the approximately 19,000 in history who have “thru-hiked” the trail, meaning they completed the entire length on foot.

To get prepared, they did a lot of Googling and finding forums online. There’s one called whiteblaze.net. There are a lot of former thru-hikers on there — Stowe used it a lot to figure out what equipment they should take.

They also took a day trip from D.C. out to Harpers Ferry, WV and visited the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Their favorite advice was, “Just don’t be stupid.” It was a lot of talking to people and hearing what their experiences were like. There’s a really great network to plug into.

Mann, 28, and Stowe, 30, shared the secrets of how they completed such an undertaking — and how you can, too.

Each of the National Park Service’s 417 locations, from national parks and monuments, has unique sights and activities — that can be best appreciated with a few insider tips.

For example, a hidden gem at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan is Port Oneida Rural Historic District, which is filled with turn-of-the-century farmhouses, beautiful views of Lake Michigan, and secluded beaches.

Nothing compares to the jaw-dropping beauty of watching the sun rise over the Kilauea Caldera from the Jaggar Museum overlook at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, with the erupting lava lake glowing a mile and a half away.

Within Olympic National Park, the 3.2-mile-long Hurricane Hill Trail will bring you past views of Mt. Olympus, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and of Vancouver Island.

For those in search of quiet relief in the Great Smoky Mountains, a public affairs representative recommends the many “quiet walkways” that line the Newfound Gap Road and Little River Road.

To help travelers get the most of out their next visit to one of the sites, Travel + Leisure spoke to National Park Service representatives for the inside scoop on 26 locations. From the hidden gems you won’t want to miss, the best time of year to visit and the biggest mistakes to avoid, here are tips from park rangers, chiefs, and public affairs officers.