Key takeaways
- A spur trail is a short side trail off the main trail to a specific destination.
- It usually dead-ends at the destination (a viewpoint, summit, water, camp), so you backtrack.
- Don't mistake a spur for the main trail — a navigation error at junctions.
- Spurs let you reach features without rerouting the whole main trail.
What a spur trail is
A spur trail is a short side trail that branches off a main trail to reach a specific destination — a viewpoint, summit, water source, campsite, or point of interest — and typically dead-ends there. To continue your hike, you return back along the spur to rejoin the main trail.
Why trails have spurs
Spurs let hikers access worthwhile destinations or resources that lie just off the main route without rerouting the whole trail through them. A spur might lead a few minutes to an overlook or a spring, giving you the option to visit while keeping the main trail efficient and direct.
At a signed junction, a hiker takes a short spur trail to a clifftop viewpoint, enjoys the view, then backtracks to the junction and continues on the main trail — careful to note the junction so they rejoin the right path rather than wandering down another spur.
Navigating spurs
Pay attention at junctions, read any signs, and check your map: a spur is usually shorter and leads to a specific feature, while the main trail continues onward. The main pitfall is mistaking a spur for the main trail (or vice versa). Spurs are often marked differently from the main trail’s blazes, and noting the junction helps you find your way back, whether on a loop or an out-and-back.
The bottom line
A spur trail is a short side branch off the main trail to a specific spot — a viewpoint, summit, water, or camp — that usually dead-ends, so you backtrack to continue. They're a convenient way to reach worthwhile features, and recognizing them at junctions (so you don't mistake a spur for the main route) is a simple but important navigation habit.
Frequently asked questions
What is a spur trail?
A spur trail is a short side trail that branches off a main trail to reach a particular destination — like a viewpoint, a peak, a water source, a campsite, or a notable feature — and usually dead-ends there. To continue your hike, you return back along the spur to rejoin the main trail.
Why do trails have spurs?
Spur trails let hikers access worthwhile destinations or resources that lie just off the main route without having to reroute the entire main trail through them. For example, a spur might lead a short distance to an overlook or a spring, giving you the option to visit while keeping the main trail efficient and direct.
How do you avoid getting confused by spur trails?
Pay attention at junctions, read any signs, and consult your map — a spur is usually shorter and leads to a specific feature, while the main trail continues onward. The risk is accidentally following a spur and then a dead-end, or mistaking the main trail for a spur. Noting the junction so you can find your way back is good practice.
Sources
- Trail systems & navigation — American Hiking Society
- Trail signs — National Park Service