  We demonstrate that cosmic rays form filamentary structures in the precursors
of supernova remnant shocks due to their self-generated magnetic fields. The
cosmic-ray filamentation results in the growth of a long wavelength
instability, and naturally couples the rapid non-linear amplification on small
scales to larger length scales. Hybrid magnetohydrodynamics--particle
simulations are performed to confirm the effect. The resulting large scale
magnetic field may facilitate the scattering of high energy cosmic rays as
required to accelerate protons beyond the knee in the cosmic-ray spectrum at
supernova remnant shocks. Filamentation far upstream of the shock may also
assist in the escape of cosmic rays from the accelerator.
