Best Hiking Destinations

This list represents the most popular hiking in North America (learn more about Top Trails). Use this list to plan your next hiking trip. Select a state and/or activity below to find even more top trails.

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#1. Breakneck Ridge Trail

In Hudson Highlands State Park, this trail makes a rugged ascent from river-level to roll along a knobby ridge, gathering vistas and reaching a lookout. Special Attractions: Hudson river, Shawangunk,…

From the guidebook "Hiking New York"
Beacon , NY - Hiking - 9.6 miles

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#2. Glacier Gorge

In my opinion this is the most beautiful spot in Rocky Mountain National Park. Spectacular scenery, beautiful wildflowers, cascading waterfalls, and beautiful alpine lakes are what you will find on yo…

From the guidebook "Hiking Colorado's Front Range"
Estes Park , CO - Hiking - 9.6 miles

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#3. Appalachian Trail: The Pinnacle

Walk the Appalachian Trail for spectacular views of Hawk Mountain, the Lehigh Valley, and Blue Rocks. Many Appalachian Trail thru-hikers claim the views at the Pinnacle are the best views on the Penns…

From the guidebook "Hike America: Pennsylvania"
Hamburg , PA - Hiking - 8.7 miles

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#4. Mount Whitney

This expedition takes you to the top of the highest peak in the contiguous United States, and to unparalleled views.…

From the guidebook "Hiking Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks"
Lone Pine , CA - Hiking - 22 miles

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#5. Bear Mountain Loop

A demanding all-day or overnight loop rolls through steep wooded terrain, topping Bear and West Mountains, offering views of the lower Hudson River area. Special Attractions: vistas, Perkins Tower, l…

From the guidebook "Hiking New York"
Highland Falls , NY - Hiking - 9.7 miles

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#6. Furnace Mountain / Trayfoot Mountain Overnight Loop

If you like mountaintop views and camping along streams, this loop is for you. Head north on the Appalachian Trail (AT) and turn west toward Austin Mountain, with many views of your destination. Camp…

From the guidebook "Day & Overnight Hikes in Shenandoah National Park"
Grottoes , VA - Hiking - 20.6 miles

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#7. Appalachian Trail: Sunfish Pond & Mount Mohican

Sunfish Pond is one of the most popular hiking destinations in New Jersey, with good reason. The rocky shores of this crystal clear glacial lake are postcard perfect. Get an early start for this hik…

From the guidebook "Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Mid-Atlantic States"
Columbia , NJ - Hiking - 8.8 miles

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#8. Appalachian Trail: Springer Mountain to Hightower Gap

The summit of Springer Mountain, a broad dome with thin oak woods and a rock outcrop, has excellent northwest views of the Cohutta Mountains. Two bronze plaques mark this as the terminus of the AT.…

From the guidebook "Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians"
Suches , GA - Hiking - 9 miles

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#9. Big Creek Falls (Taylor River)

It seems impossible: Finding quiet solitude on a backcountry trail leading through ancient cathedral forests and past magnificent waterfalls less than a hour from Seattle. Yet the Taylor River Trail o…

From the guidebook "Best Hikes with Dogs in Western Washington"
North Bend , WA - Hiking - 10 miles

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#10. Appalachian Trail: Crampton Gap to Harpers Ferry, WV

The 9.8-mile stretch of Appalachian Trail leading from Crampton Gap to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, is one of the most popular and rewarding AT day hikes in this region, with good reason. It feature…

From the guidebook "Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Mid-Atlantic States"
Burkittsville , MD - Hiking - 10.2 miles

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#11. Half Dome

Half Dome is the symbol of Yosemite, its summit the goal of just about everybody who has ever donned a pair of hiking boots. It is a grueling workout, especially if you do it in one day, but if you sp…

From the guidebook "Hiking Yosemite National Park"
Merced , CA - Hiking - 16 miles

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#12. Dolly Sods Wilderness

Make this loop in the renowned Dolly Sods Wilderness. This slice of the Monongahela has nearly everything: rocky vistas, open glades resembling the western United States, thick spruce, northern hardwo…

From the guidebook "Day & Overnight Hikes in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest"
Petersburg , WV - Hiking - 19.4 miles

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#13. Hut to Hut Presidential Traverse

Hiking the Presidential Range from end to end is one of the United States’ classic treks. Of course, numerous trails can be used to accomplish this trip, although the main route between Madison Hut an…

From the guidebook "Discover the White Mountains of New Hampshire"
Gorham , NH - Hiking - 25.5 miles

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Published by Appalachian Mountain Club Books

#14. American River Confluence to Lake Clementine

Contrasting dynamics and a wild-river canyon take center stage on this hike. You’ll encounter raging rapids, soothing pools, a loud waterfall at a dam, and a tranquil lake. Start near the confluence o…

From the guidebook "100 Hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area"
Auburn , CA - Hiking - 6 miles

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#15. Cottonwood Lakes to Upper Rock Creek (Backpacking)

I’m always looking for trips with huge dividends per hiking mile. This one nears the top of my list. Magnificent alpine basins defined by sculpted peaks cradle shining blue lakes and are linked by hig…

From the guidebook "Backpacking California"
Lone Pine , CA - Hiking - 23.8 miles

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#16. Mount Marcy - New York Highpoint

Highpoint rank by height: 21st. We will use the trail that starts near Heart Lake and the Adirondak Loj. No, this is not a spelling error – it was named by Henry Van Hoevenberg, who opened the Loj – e…

From the guidebook "Highpoint Adventures: The Complete Guide to the 50 State Highpoints"
Lake Placid , NY - Hiking - 14.8 miles

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Published by Winger Books

#17. Bear Mountain - Mount Riga State Park Trail

Bear Mountain is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the state. A grand stone pyramid crowns its summit, offering unrestricted views which include broad valleys, shimmering lakes, and rugge…

From the guidebook "AMC's Best Day Hikes in Connecticut"
Salisbury , CT - Hiking - 6 miles

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#18. Appalachian National Scenic Trail - Pennsylvania Section

This 2,155-mile national scenic trail from Maine to Georgia cuts across southeastern Pennsylvania between New Jersey and the Mason-Dixon Line at Maryland. The Appalachian Trail (AT) traverses ridges a…

From the guidebook "Hiking Pennsylvania"
Rouzerville , PA - Hiking - 232 miles

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#19. Mount Mitchell

Mt. Mitchell—the highest peak east of the Mississippi—is a crowning part of the Blue Ridge Parkway experience. The only motorized access to the mountain is from the Parkway, at Milepost 355.3, and the…

From the guidebook "Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway"
Asheville , NC - Hiking - 12 miles

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