Weekly Blog #24 - Spur Trails: a short guide to the baby brothers of the "main" trail
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posted: Saturday, October 11th, 2026
Any hiker that puts in serious miles has seen them: but should "Spur" trails be taken seriously?
Ah Spur Trails. They have a special place in Sponge's heart. And also somewhere around his rectum.
Hate em' or love them. But which depends almost entirely on the spur involved.
So what exactly is a 'Spur' trail?
Put simply, a spur trail is a smaller trail that extends from the main trail to a point of interest (campground, lookout view, trailhead, etc.) and goes nowhere else. To return to the main trail, you must return exactly the way you just came. Some spur trails use separate blazes (or colored markings) to distinguish it from the main trail. Some have no markings whatsoever.
What makes them potentially 'good guys'?
Much like a lottery ticket, there's always a chance a spur trail can lead to something amazing. Some of Sponge's most impressive photos on the Appalachian Trail and Superior Trail came via spur trails - most of which led to high-up lookouts clear of trees. He's also found a few useful spurs leading to lakes, connecting trails and trailheads with amenities (like toilets or trash containers).
And what makes them stinking 'villains'?
Simply put: hellish effort for a poor payoff. Especially on the Superior Trail, Sponge found himself a victim on several spurs: each of which was a winding, grueling climb leading to a lookout point too overgrown to offer a good view, let alone anything worth photographing.
Some of these 'sucker spurs' come with a nasty bonus: most spur trails are seldom as well-maintained as the main trail. This means you'll likely bushwhack more to make it to the destination, and then bushwhack again all the way back.
So how is a hiker to decide if a spur is worth it?
Flip a coin? Just kidding. There are a few good indicators that can help...
First: check the length and elevation changes. If it's a half mile or more, seriously pause your enthusiasm. Unless you're looking to tack serious miles onto your journey, you will likely find plenty of scenic opportunities closer to the main trail. And remember, if you descend or climb serious elevation (such as dropping to get to a waterfall or climbing to get to a lookout), you must navigate that elevation change on the reverse trip.
Second: consult the guide(book). Chances are, if it's a REALLY good detour, there will be some strong literature backing this up - be it guidebooks, maps or apps. Some may even have potential pictures to show what you can expect. The Superior Trail guide did a great job pointing out which views were the best - especially when several were on the same map section.
Last: hit up hikers in reverse. You'll likely come across those sharing the trail with you, but heading the opposite direction. While some may just wave and walk by, Sponge always stops for a few moments to get intel on what is ahead. And if a spur or interest point is coming up, Sponge asks specifically about it. Sometimes you strike out, but you'd be surprised how often a fellow hiker wants to give a detailed play-by-play. Their fruitless detour can save you the same fate...just as much as their triumph can be yours for the taking just ahead.
One final cautionary word on spurs...
Sponge has already mentioned that spurs are seldom as well-maintained as the main trail. Likewise, they can also have more infrequent blazes and clear markings. And unlike the main trail, if you get lost, it's far less likely hikers will come across you. So be careful to stick to where a trail is. If it disappears, cut bait and retreat. No view is worth your safety.
So long spurs!