Discover budget-friendly historical trails for a cost-effective journey through time. Explore the past without straining your finances.
According to global statistics, as many as 118+ million people practice hiking. This kind of activity has a wealth of undeniable benefits. It helps you strengthen your heart health, build stronger bones and muscles, eliminate the risks of respiratory issues, and otherwise help you feel stronger, healthier, and more enduring.
While in college, hiking can be an excellent opportunity to stay fit and healthy while also having lots of fun with your friends in nature. On top of that, apart from obvious perks, you can benefit from hiking in terms of your studies, too.
Did you ever think that hiking could help you study history, for example? If you are struggling with this subject, one way to boost your knowledge and performance is to take a real hike through time and touch different historical events in reality. If you are up for the adventure, find yourself reliable college essay writers for hire to save a bit of time, and let us help you plan an inspiring historical hike without breaking the bank. Read on, and we will tell you about the best budget historical trails out there!
1. Nez Perce Trail
Entrance cost: Free
The story of the Indigenous people of the Plateau and their bravery takes an important place in US history. Back in 1877, the chief of the Nez Perce, Joseph, was ordered to relocate his people from their native lands in Oregon to the specialized reservation in Idaho. People of all ages were forced to walk many miles and cross the Snake River during their runoff, which has taken away many lives.
Now, you can take a spectacular yet challenging 1,170-mile-long trail to recreate the Nez Perce route and deep-dive into the history of that time. This exciting trail is free of charge, and it spans a whopping 38 interesting historical and cultural sites in four states: Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.
2. The Oregon Trail
Entrance cost: Free
The Oregon Trail must be one of the most important and famous national historic trails. It memorializes one of the central routes in one of the biggest mass migrations of people in US history. It’s estimated that around 300,000 to 400,000 travelers took this enormous path on covered wagons between 1840 and 1860.
If you want to experience an exhausting 2,000-mile route to the West, you should definitely put the Oregon Trail on your bucket list. The route is free to access, and it covers as many as 125+ exciting historic sites and interpretive facilities. If you decide to hike it, though, do some research using an interactive map to plan which sites you want to visit and calculate the budget you’ll need for them because, unlike the trail, some sites will require you to pay fees to access them.
3. Donner Party Trail
Entrance cost: Free
The next item on our list is a trail devoted to one of the most tragic and harrowing moments in the US history of the 19th century. The Donner Party (or the Donner-Reed Party) was a group of US pioneers who relocated from the Midwest to California in a wagon train. Having faced a huge number of disasters, the group of people got stuck in the Sierra Nevada mountains for the entire winter of 1846–1847. Eventually, 44 of the 91 people in the group tragically died, leaving a huge legacy in history.
If you are a history buff, you can take the same route that the Donner Party took. Entering the route is free. However, you should be ready to pay for parking spots, campsites, and access to various historic sites on your way. Also, keep in mind that this route is very extensive (2,500 miles), so be sure to prepare well for it.
4. Towpath Trail
Entrance cost: Free
The Towpath Trail is marked in US history as a place that brought prosperity to Ohio and the rest of the nation. Between the 1820s and early 1830s, the construction of the well-known Ohio & Erie Canal was carried out. The canal was supposed to connect Akron with the Cuyahoga River. After it opened, the Ohio & Erie Canal initiated trade between the Coast and Midwest, which ensured higher accessibility of crucial domestic goods and made the region thrive.
This historical trail is a perfect option for students looking for a simple hike. It is only 98 miles long. The route spreads out along the canal and takes you to the 19th century, helping you discover one of the major events that affected Ohio.
5. Pueblo Alto Trail
Entrance cost: $15 per person (if walking or using a bike) or $25 per vehicle
Located in New Mexico, the Pueblo Alto Trail is one of the most ancient historical trails in the US. Taking a walk here will take you back to 850 and 1250 CE. During that time, the Chaco Canyon was dominated by the Chacoan civilization. The route still has the remains of the ancient civilization, with its administrative, ceremonial, and cultural sites, including 150 houses. So, if you are interested in ancient history, be sure to consider Pueblo Alto as the next trail for your hiking adventure.
The trail is very small; it’s only 5.1 miles long, which makes it literally a walk in the park. It’s located in Chaco Culture National Historical Park, which also has plenty of exciting sites to look at. Unfortunately, unlike other trails on this list, attending this one will cost you some money. But it’s definitely worth it!
In Conclusion
Choosing historical trails for your hiking adventures is an excellent way to learn more about history and memorialize key historical events. After reading this article, you will know about the top five free (or very affordable) hiking trails that you can choose for this journey. So don’t wait any longer! Enlist the help of the best assignment writing service to save time for planning and going on your adventure, and take an exciting walk through time!
