National Outdoor Badge for Hiking

Rank, then a hiking or backpacking badge and a navigation badge, then 100 miles in Scouting including the badges' own miles.

6 steps. · Version 1, published 9 October 2026 · About National Outdoor Badge for Hiking

No questions answered

This is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody.

The steps

Stage 1 of 6

1 step

Your unit leader signs it off Milestone

There is no counselor for the badge itself. You sign the application to say you have done the requirements, and your unit leader signs to affirm it. Any merit badges inside it are earned the usual way.

Stage 2 of 6

1 step

1. First Class, Apprentice, or Ranger 1 to 6 Milestone

Earn First Class rank, or the Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1 through 6.

Usually comes after Your unit leader signs it off.

Stage 3 of 6

1 step

2. Hiking or Backpacking merit badge Requirement

Or the Venturing Ranger Backpacking elective.

Stage 4 of 6

1 step

3. Orienteering or Geocaching merit badge Requirement

Or the Venturing Ranger Land Navigation core requirement.

Stage 5 of 6

1 step

4. 100 miles on foot, snowshoe or ski Requirement

Hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing under the auspices of Scouting America, including the miles from requirements 2 and 3.

Stage 6 of 6

1 step

Submit it, then get the badge Milestone

Through Internet Advancement (preferred) or a signed copy to the council service center, then buy the segment at a Scout shop. Your first National Outdoor badge comes with the center emblem.

Usually comes after 1. First Class, Apprentice, or Ranger 1 to 6, 2. Hiking or Backpacking merit badge and 2 others.

This plan is a planning aid: the current Boy Scouts of America publication is always the authority, and the sources used here are listed in full. Each step names its own.