Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trail Hikers: A Comparison of Benefits and Motivations

The Appalachian Trail (AT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) are two scenic trails named in the National Trails System Act of 1968. Recently, trails and footpaths have been used to promote such benefits as healthy lifestyles, sense of community, and an increased quality of life. The purpose of this study was to compare the motivations and benefits from hikers of the AT and the PCT. Grounded in Driver’s benefits model and means-end theory, and using an Internet questionnaire, 766 usable questionnaires were collected. Significant differences were found between AT and PCT users who: hike to prevent a worse health condition; seek motivational attributes (e.g. scenic beauty); pursue motivational consequences (e.g. physical activity); and perceive motivational values (e.g. increasing self-esteem)