Best Hiking and Backpacking Trails in the US

admin September 3, 2007

1. Breakneck Ridge Trail : Beacon, NY

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,…

Trail Distance: 9.6 miles
From the guidebook Hiking New York

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2. Harriman State Park Bear Mountain , NY

Old iron mines in one of the metropolitan region’s largest, oldest, and most popular parks. Only thirty-five miles from New York City, Harriman State Park is one of the most popular recreation areas i…

Trail Distance: 3.8 miles
From the guidebook Nature Walks in and around New York City

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3. Cohutta Wilderness Area Trails Ellijay, GA

The wilderness area lies on the Georgia-Tennessee state line. More than seventy-five miles of backcountry trails lead to grand forests, scenic beauty, fishing, hunting, and exploring. Special attract…

Trail Distance: 75 miles
From the guidebook Hiking Georgia

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4. The Pinnacle Hamburg, PA

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…

Trail Distance: 8.7 miles
From the guidebook Hike America: Pennsylvania

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5. Appalachian National Scenic Trail - Pennsylvania Section Rouzerville, PA

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…

Trail Distance: 232 miles
From the guidebook Hiking Pennsylvania

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6. Appalachian Trail: Springer Mountain to Hightower Gap Suches, GA

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. …

Trail Distance: 9 miles
From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians

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7. Amicalola Falls State Park Trails Dahlonega, GA

Located about 20 miles east of Ellijay and fourteen miles west of Dahlonega. About 3.5 miles of easy to moderate hikes in three trails and the approach to the famous, 2,160 mile Appalachian Trail. Sp…

From the guidebook Hiking Georgia
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8. Appalachian Trail: Hightower Gap to Woody Gap Suches, GA

If you’re looking for a good introduction to north-Georgia hiking, with several steep climbs and descents, this section of the AT provides it. The trail is good though rocky in spots, and primarily t…

Trail Distance: 11.9 miles
From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians

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9. Silver Dollar Lake Georgetown, CO

This short, fairly easy trail to a pristine mountain lake surrounded by soaring cliffs is one of the best trails on Guanella Pass, within easy driving distance of Denver. The only disadvantage is the …

Trail Distance: 4 miles
From the guidebook Snowshoe Routes: Colorado’s Front Range

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10. Camelback Mountain Summit Trail Phoenix, AZ

Camelback Mountain, towering above Phoenix and Scottsdale, is a well-known and prominent landmark. The 2,704-foot peak, the highest point in the Phoenix Mountains, is a two-summited mountain that look…

Trail Distance: 2.32 miles
From the guidebook Best Easy Day Hikes: Phoenix

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11. Anthony’s Nose Bear Mountain Bridge, NY

Glorious views up and down the Hudson River from the east bank. Anthony’s Nose is a steep, 900-foot mountain on the eastern bank of the Hudson River in the dramatically beautiful portion known as the …

Trail Distance: 2.5 miles
From the guidebook Nature Walks in and around New York City

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12. Ramsey’s Draft Wilderness Staunton, VA

Welcome to a wilderness smorgasbord. Ten Appalachian knobs surround the rugged valley through which Ramsey’s Draft courses—the highest of which, Hardscrabble Knob, reaches 4,282 feet. Ramsey’s Draft T…

Trail Distance: 14.8 miles
From the guidebook Hiking Virginia (Burnham)

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13. Slide Mountain Loop Woodstock, NY

Traveling hemlock-deciduous and fir-birch forests, this popular trail tags the highest point in the Catskills and passes Burroughs Plaque and Curtis Monument. Special Attractions: vistas, rare high-e…

Trail Distance: 7 miles
From the guidebook Hiking New York

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14. Furnace Mountain / Trayfoot Mountain Overnight Loop Waynesboro, VA

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 …

Trail Distance: 20.6 miles
From the guidebook Day & Overnight Hikes in Shenandoah National Park

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15. Appalachian Trail: Dicks Creek Gap to Deep Gap (NC) Hiawassee, GA

In May and June, rhododendron, flame azalea, and mountain laurel bloom on the ridgetops of this trail section, while in fall and winter, hikers can enjoy the good views. At any time of year, this hik…

Trail Distance: 15.6 miles
From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians

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16. Appalachian Trail: Woody Gap to Neels Gap Suches, GA

Take a hike to Blood Mountain, the highest peak on the Georgia AT, now usually a quite peaceful place except when invaded by swarms of weekend hikers. Sometime before 1600, however, the aptly name Bl…

Trail Distance: 10.7 miles
From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians

Access thousands of hiking trails and unlimited topo maps. Try it free!

17. Glacier Gorge Estes Park, CO

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…

Trail Distance: 9.6 miles
From the guidebook Hiking Colorado’s Front Range

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18. Mount Marcy - New York Highpoint Lake Placid, NY

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…

Trail Distance: 14.8 miles
From the guidebook Highpoint Adventures: The Complete Guide to the 50 State Highpoints

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19. Kauai: Kalalau Valley & The Na Pali Cliffs Hanalei, HI

The Kalalau Trail is very different from its Waimea Valley cousin, yet it still hosts some of the most spectacular views in the Hawaiian Islands. The Kalalau Valley stretches more than 4,000 feet up f…

Trail Distance: 22 miles
From the guidebook Hawaii: A Walker’s Guide

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20. Appalachian National Scenic Trail: CT & MA North Adams, MA

This 2,155-mile national scenic trail, journeying from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin, Maine, traverses the northwest corner of Connecticut and western Massachusetts, touring forest, fie…

Trail Distance: 138 miles
From the guidebook Hiking Southern New England

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