TCT Virtual Hike-a-Thon
Join the TCT Virtual Hike-a-thon! From May 1 – 31, we’re hosting the first TCT Hike-a-thon, a global hiking challenge to bring together supporters of the Transcaucasian Trail and raise $15,000 to support the building and maintenance of the trail.
In January 2025, the TCT suffered a major funding loss: Our U.S. Forest Service funding was abruptly frozen, forcing us to cancel our Caucasus Conservation Corps program this season. For the past several years, the majority of our trail maintenance work has been conducted through this program, so this funding loss means direct impacts for trail conditions and hikers on the ground. It also forced us to cut our entire team to half-time while we seek other funding to allow our essential team members to continue their work building, maintaining, and advocating for the TCT.
At this critical time, we need to lean on the TCT community more than ever to ensure the trail’s survival. But we plan to have some fun while doing it.
All funds raised through the hike-a-thon will go directly to support essential operating costs of building and maintaining the TCT.
Why Participate?
Raise essential funds to support, build, and maintain the TCT.
Connect with fellow hiking enthusiasts.
Challenge yourself to complete a personal hiking goal.
Win a raffle prize through participating in fun weekly challenges.
Goals and Challenges
Community Challenge
You’ll have your own hiking goal, but as a greater TCT community, we will aim to hike a collective 3,000km — the distance of the TCT once it’s complete! Submit your hiking log at the end of each week, so we can track our progress and drop a pin on our virtual world map to show where you’ve been hiking.
Weekly Challenges
Each week, we will host a themed challenge, which will be announced each Thursday and run through the following Wednesday. Keep an eye out on your email and social media to hear the week’s theme! Every participant who completes each challenge will be entered into a raffle to win a brand-new book, Green Mountains: Walking the Caucasus with Recipes, by Caroline Eden. The drawing takes place at the end of the Hike-a-thon. 4 weeks + last push challenge = 5 entry raffles!
How to Participate
Ready to Join the Hike-a-Thon?
Awesome! Here’s everything you need in one place:
- Register here and pay the $20 participation fee to make it official and qualify for raffle prizes. If you donate more than $20, your donation includes registration.
- Create your fundraising page to collect donations. Need help? Follow this step-by-step guide.
- Log your hikes with our PDF log sheet or online form throughout May so we can track our 3,000 km goal—and add you to our global TCT hiker map!
FAQs
Who can participate?
Anyone! The event is open to all ages and fitness levels.
Do I need to register?
Yes, if you want to officially join, registration is required.
Where do I hike?
Anywhere! This is a virtual event, so there is no set location; hike in your own area.
I want to challenge myself, but I can’t think of any good way to do that. Do you have any suggestions?
Oh yes, we’ve got a bunch of suggestions for you!
Distance-Based Goals
- hike 100 miles in May for the TCT
- complete the challenging 31-mile Pemi Loop
- run a half marathon in support of the TCT
Elevation Gain Goals
- climb the equivalent of Mt. Ushba (4,690m) in May
- log 10,000 meters of elevation gain this month
- do your city’s steepest staircase 50 times
Destination-Based Goals
- run to every pizza place within a 10-mile radius of your house
- summit your dream peak
- visit 10 different local trails
Consistency Challenges
- hike every day in May– even if it’s just a kilometer
- walk 15,000 steps every day this month
- explore a new trail every weekend
How do I track my hikes and share them with the TCT?
Keep a personal log of your hikes. You can use a fitness app like Strava or simply track manually. To be included in our global community map and have your hikes count towards our collective 3,000km hiking goal, complete your hiking log online or through the PDF log.
How do I share my hikes with others?
We encourage you to post on social media using the event hashtag #HikeforTCT. To make your posts more impactful, share about both your adventure as well as why you care about the TCT and are hiking to support it!
Do I have to hike alone?
Absolutely not! Of course you can hike alone, but it might be more fun with a buddy. Invite a friend to go on a Saturday hike with you, or if you already have plans to grab coffee, go for a walk afterwards!
I still have questions! Who do I contact?
For any additional inquiries, contact our team at [email protected].
