Key takeaways
- A blaze is a marker (usually painted) on a tree, rock, or post that marks a trail's route.
- Follow blazes from one to the next to stay on the trail; a missing blaze for a while may mean you're off-route.
- Blaze colors distinguish different trails (e.g., the Appalachian Trail uses white).
- A double blaze signals a turn, junction, or change in direction ahead.
From an old meaning of 'blaze' — a white mark, originally cut into tree bark.
What a blaze is
A blaze is a mark that marks a trail’s route — most commonly a painted rectangle on a tree or rock, but also a carved notch, plastic marker, or painted post. Hikers navigate by following blazes from one to the next, which keeps them on the correct path where the trail is faint or junctions are confusing.
How to follow them
Spot the next blaze before you lose sight of the last, and treat a long stretch with no blazes as a warning that you may have wandered off-route — stop and backtrack to the last one. Pay special attention at junctions.
Double blazes and colors
- Double blaze — two markers signal a turn, junction, or direction change ahead; the offset can indicate which way.
- Colors — distinguish different trails; e.g., the Appalachian Trail uses white blazes, side trails blue.
Hiking a forested trail, a hiker keeps each white blaze in sight until spotting the next; when they reach a double blaze with the top mark offset right, they slow down and find where the trail turns sharply right at an unmarked-looking junction.
Blazes vs cairns
Blazes work where there are trees and rocks to mark; above treeline, stacked-stone cairns take over. See cairn vs blaze.
The bottom line
Blazes are the trail's painted signposts — markers on trees, rocks, and posts that you follow one to the next to stay on route. Learn the local blaze color, watch for double blazes signaling turns, and pay attention when you haven't seen one in a while (a sign you may be off-trail). Above treeline, where there's nothing to paint, cairns take over.
Frequently asked questions
What is a blaze on a trail?
A blaze is a marker — most often a painted rectangle on a tree or rock, but sometimes a carved notch, plastic marker, or post — that marks the route of a trail. Hikers navigate by spotting and following blazes from one to the next, which keeps them on the correct path where the trail might otherwise be unclear.
What does a double blaze mean?
A double blaze — two markers, often with the top one offset to the left or right — signals an upcoming change: a turn, a junction, or a direction change in the trail. The offset of the top blaze sometimes indicates the direction of the turn. It's a 'pay attention here' signal to slow down and find the next blaze.
What do blaze colors mean?
Blaze colors are used to distinguish different trails, especially where several trails cross or share a corridor — each trail has its own color so you can follow the right one. The famous Appalachian Trail, for example, is marked with white blazes, while connecting side trails use blue. Always check the local trail's blaze color before you start.
Sources
- Trail marking & navigation — American Hiking Society
- Trail signs — National Park Service