Best Hiking Trails – From desert soils to ancient forests, panoramic vistas to submerged canyons, there is no shortage of exciting hiking destinations in the United States. I’ve hiked in many of the best hiking destinations around the world, but in general the United States has the most variety, views, and rewards of anywhere I’ve been.
I’ve rounded up the best hikes in the US, places from coast to coast, for all levels and abilities. Whether you’re looking for a day trip, a weekend adventure, or a six-month long-distance trek, there’s something for you.
Best Hiking Trails
The Appalachian Trail runs 2,190 miles along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains from Georgia to central Maine. It crosses 14 states and is the most popular of the three “Triple Crown” trails in the US. AT spends most of its time in deciduous forests, the difficulty of the terrain varies from region to region. Day hike sections and options abound, and each year thousands of hikers attempt the hike, hiking the entire trail in one push. I hiked the entire Appalachian Trail from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine in the spring/summer of 2015, taking just over five months to complete. The mental challenge outweighs the physical challenge of climbing, but this is an achievement I will hold for the rest of my life.
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A view of the Delaware Water Gap in New Jersey along the Appalachian Trail. Photo by Maggie Slepian
For those who don’t want to do the entire Appalachian Trail, there are endless options for section hikes, day hikes, and weekend hikes, with access to other trails that lead off the famous White Fire. The Appalachian Trail is accessible from hundreds of trails and trailheads, with the most popular sections including Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Shenandoah National Park, and White Mountain National Forest.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but experiencing the East Coast from Georgia to Maine on foot is something I’ll never forget.
The Grand Canyon is a destination for travelers from all over the world, but many never leave its rim. While just staying at the rim of the canyon may be enough for some, hiking down and up the Grand Canyon is something every adventurous (and fit) person should do in their lifetime. The Bright Angel Trail is the most popular way down from the South Rim to the Colorado River, and hikers can choose to backtrack the trail or take the South Kaibab Trail to the South Rim. This hike is no joke: the descent takes hikers over 4,000 meters from the edge to the river, and all of that is a return distance.
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Hikers on the Bright Angel Trail: Which gives hikers the option of returning the way they came or taking the South Kaibab Trail back to the South Rim.
Before you walk from bank to river, make sure your fitness and preparation are on point. Every year, hikers run out of water, underestimate the difficulties of the trail, and encounter dangerous or deadly situations. I climbed from rim to rim during the shoulder season, and I was surprised by the challenge of the climb. I thought I was in good shape when I came out, but I felt the effects of thousands of feet of climbing for weeks after the climb. That said, the Grand Canyon is truly a bucket list hike of a lifetime, and hiking from river to river or from rim to rim is something you’ll never forget. Overall, Grand Canyon National Park has five ecosystems. People walking from the South River to the North River will pass everything from the riverbank to the desert to the boreal forest.
People’s favorite trick when visiting the Grand Canyon is that the best view isn’t from the top. The Grand Canyon is big, you have to go there to know the true extent of its size and beauty.
Read pro hiker Liz Thomas’ review of 5 Grand Canyon hikes that will take your breath away
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Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is the closest international airport. The South Rim is a 3-hour drive from there.
From trail rides to multi-day high country expeditions, hiking in Yosemite National Park does not disappoint. As you enter the valley, 3,000 meter granite walls dominate the horizon. John Muir felt so beguiled by Yosemite Valley that he lobbied Congress for the act that would eventually create Yosemite National Park in 1890. The proliferation of rock climbing and backcountry exploration in the 1970s attracted many people and increased the popularity of visits to Yosemite Valley, and today. The park receives an average of four million visitors a year. The hiking terrain ranges from open meadows, granite peaks, deciduous and coniferous forests, and everything in between.
400 foot cable climbing base. Bring your camera because the view from the top is breathtaking.
Plan your visit and route in advance in Yosemite. My dad and I started planning a six-day backpacking trip a year before we left. Hiking in Yosemite requires an overnight permit, and even staying in a tent or other lodging in the valley requires advance reservations. We knew we wanted to climb Half Dome, which also requires a separate permit, and planning campsites and permits is a logistical challenge. Even with all our planning, we ended up with only one of three possible itineraries, so be sure to have a backup plan (or two) when planning your trip to Yosemite.
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Some of the more famous and rewarding hikes include climbing the Half Dome cable car (not for the faint of heart) or making the steep climb to the top of Yosemite Falls. Hikers looking for overnight or longer backcountry hikes should begin exploring the Tuolumne Meadows area as a classic launch point. Remember that a bear container is required for all trips in the country.
If visiting Yosemite isn’t on your bucket list, it should be. As a professional hiker, I have ventured all over the world and Yosemite is one of my favorite hiking destinations anywhere.
Read professional hiker and California local Liz Thomas’ complete guide to the best places to hike in Yosemite National Park
If you plan ahead, motivated visitors can pack several days of trails into a day of hiking in Big Sur. Make the most of the area by choosing several hikes of different lengths and types: some trails like the McWay Waterfall Trail will take you less than a mile to reach the falls, while others like the Limekiln Trails will have you walking on a flat path . . through a tall redwood forest. The Stone Ridge Trail in the Ventana Wilderness is a great loop trail that gives you a taste of the Big Sur ecosystem with several camping options.
Hiking Trails In The Bay Area
Now closed, the Cone Peak Trail will take you to the highest coastal mountain in the nearby United States (you should check back for updates). Take in two of Big Sur’s most popular and scenic trails by hiking the Buckeye Trail to Alder Creek Campground in the Silver Peak Wilderness Area. And Salmon Creek Falls offers a great place to cool off on a hot day.
With few exceptions, the trails around Big Sur are perfect for families and hikers who don’t need to venture into the interior for fun. The reward for the relatively short hike is high, and exploring the redwood forest is something nature enthusiasts should experience. While hiking here is glorious year-round, the coastal weather changes in the winter months are just as crazy as what you’ll find hiking in New Zealand’s North Island. Bringing extra layers isn’t a bad idea as fog and rain can roll in and drop the temperature quickly.
Big Sur is one of California’s natural treasures: a spectacular coastline where redwood forests grow in ocean bays.
The Upper Trail is a great option for hikers looking for easy access, moderate terrain, a forgiving hiking season, and the option to complete shorter hikes. The entire trail can be completed in three to four weeks and passes through old growth forests.
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The trail starts about three hours from Minneapolis at Jay Cooke State Park and ends at the Canadian border. The southern section is 52.8 miles along the Minnesota/Wisconsin state border to the coastal city of Duluth, which is open to hikers only. The north side runs from Duluth to the Canadian border, with 269 miles of main trail with plenty of additional trails for hiking and camping.
The best time to hike the upper trail is late spring to early fall, but be prepared for humidity, bugs, and rain during the hiking season. Climbers looking to enter the SHT in the fall will be rewarded with beautiful colors.
There are many campsites along with most
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