14 Hiking Trails You Need to Add to Your Hiking Bucket List
It's more important than ever to get out, stretch your legs, and breathe in some fresh air. All over the country, there are endless opportunities to connect with nature, including hiking trails where you don't need any fancy equipment. We rounded up a bucket-list-worthy, best-of-the-best guide of hiking trails in the United States to get you inspired to head out on your own adventure (safely!).
The coastline of the Lost Coast Trail is rugged and remote. It is so rugged, in-fact, that the state of California was unable to continue Highway 1 along the stretch of the California coastline. The only true way to experience the magic of this area if by exploring on foot. Because it is so remote, it is perfect for one to backpack this trail and the beauty of nature. Be prepared to backpack along miles of isolated, but gorgeous California coastline. This is not a trail for those seeking an easy backpacking experience.
Mount Katahdin is the legendary peak where Appalachian Trail thru-hikers either begin or end their bucket list. The hike up Katahdin may not be far in distance, but it’s a tough one to hike. Along the hike you’ll see breathtaking views in all directions from Maine’s tallest mountain. The trail is steep, so you must take it slow. If you are looking for a challenge, this is the trail for you.
If you ever find yourself in the northeast, and you are looking for a challenge, The Long Trail is the place to hike. The name says it all; The Long Trail runs the length of Vermont. Throughout your hike you will get to know the state of Vermont well! You will see the gorgeous Green Mountains and all the beauty Vermont has to offer.
Out of all the trails in Colorado, Long’s Peak is one of the states most impressive. You’ll be able to challenge yourself on climbing 14,000-foot peaks. The hike is difficult, but just as rewarding. If you plan a hike, it is recommending leaving early in the morning so you can see the breathtaking views of the sunrise above the tree line.
This 12-mile trail is one of the most beautiful hikes in Glacier National Park. Although it’s a long hike, the scenery is of the blue lake is breathtaking. You will truly experience it all, from crossing creeks on log bridges, walking through the woods, and the beautiful Cracker Lake.
Half Dome is known as one of America’s most iconic natural formations. Standing at over 2,500 feet, Half Dome is an enormous slab of granite towering over Yosemite Valleys. This is one of the more challenging hikes, so make sure you are ready if you choose to tackle this hike.
Length: 36.2 miles
Denali National Park is filled with adventure opportunities, such as the Kesugi Ridge Trail. This trail offers up beautiful views and gives you a look at what Denali is all about. This is one of the most challenging hikes in Alaska, so be prepared if you go.
Length: 8.5 miles
Grayson Highlands is filled with wildlife, tunnels, rolling hillsides and the tallest mountains in Virginia. The scenery along the way is breathtaking. A day spending hiking through the Grayson Highlands is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. Along the way you’ll see wild ponies wandering through the trails.
Length: 9.4 miles
North of San Francisco, you will find the beautiful Tomales Point Trail. As you hike through Tomales Point, you’ll get the full experience of the beautiful coastline, wild animals, and green hills that will take your breath away. This is a perfect hike for a first-time hiker and can be completed in one day.
Length: 10.6 miles
If you ever find yourself in North Dakota, the Petrified Forest Loop is a place you need to visit. It is unlike any other place you have ever seen. The land is filled with beautiful stone and one of the country's largest collections of petrified wood (you can find this is the north trail). You’ll also get your wildlife fill as you’ll pass by American buffalo, elk, and antelope. The Petrified Forest Loop is mainly grassland and can be hiked and enjoyed in one day. Just be sure to pack lots of water because there isn’t a reliable water source to be found.
Length: 71 miles
There is no better way to experience the Smokey Mountains than on foot. You can spend days hiking and find huts along the way. It is recommenced to travel with a tent. The view is stunning along the way, especially if you see the sunset and sunrise among the Smokey Mountains.
Length: 211 Miles
As you hike, you will pass through three of the best national parks in California: Yosemite, King’s Canyons, and Seqouia. You will finish your hike at the highest mountain in the continental United States, Mt. Whitney. Be sure that you travel with enough supplies – resupply points are few and far between.
Length: 8.4 miles
If you are looking for a challenge, this is the trail to hit. This will make athletes feel the burn as they travel up the northeast summits and the White Mountains. The distance may not seem incredibly long, but the hike is intense. It is recommended that you avoid this trail during winter, as it is known for erratic weather.
Length: 11.4 miles
As you hike up Mt. Mitchell, you’ll reach the highest point in the US east of the Mississippi River. As long as you get an early start, the hike can be completed in one day. Throughout the hike, you’ll see quite a difference in elevation. You can enjoy the views all throughout the year.
Lost Coast Trail, California
Length: 24.6 miles
The coastline of the Lost Coast Trail is rugged and remote. It is so rugged, in-fact, that the state of California was unable to continue Highway 1 along the stretch of the California coastline. The only true way to experience the magic of this area if by exploring on foot. Because it is so remote, it is perfect for one to backpack this trail and the beauty of nature. Be prepared to backpack along miles of isolated, but gorgeous California coastline. This is not a trail for those seeking an easy backpacking experience.
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Mount Katahdin, Maine
Length: 2.4-9 milesMount Katahdin is the legendary peak where Appalachian Trail thru-hikers either begin or end their bucket list. The hike up Katahdin may not be far in distance, but it’s a tough one to hike. Along the hike you’ll see breathtaking views in all directions from Maine’s tallest mountain. The trail is steep, so you must take it slow. If you are looking for a challenge, this is the trail for you.
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The Long Trail, Vermont
Length: 272 milesIf you ever find yourself in the northeast, and you are looking for a challenge, The Long Trail is the place to hike. The name says it all; The Long Trail runs the length of Vermont. Throughout your hike you will get to know the state of Vermont well! You will see the gorgeous Green Mountains and all the beauty Vermont has to offer.
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Long’s Peak, Colorado
Length: 15 milesOut of all the trails in Colorado, Long’s Peak is one of the states most impressive. You’ll be able to challenge yourself on climbing 14,000-foot peaks. The hike is difficult, but just as rewarding. If you plan a hike, it is recommending leaving early in the morning so you can see the breathtaking views of the sunrise above the tree line.
View this post on Instagram
Cracker Lake, Montana
Length: 12.6 milesThis 12-mile trail is one of the most beautiful hikes in Glacier National Park. Although it’s a long hike, the scenery is of the blue lake is breathtaking. You will truly experience it all, from crossing creeks on log bridges, walking through the woods, and the beautiful Cracker Lake.
View this post on Instagram
Half Dome, California
Length: 17 milesHalf Dome is known as one of America’s most iconic natural formations. Standing at over 2,500 feet, Half Dome is an enormous slab of granite towering over Yosemite Valleys. This is one of the more challenging hikes, so make sure you are ready if you choose to tackle this hike.
View this post on Instagram
Kesugi Ridge Trail, Alaska
Length: 36.2 miles
Denali National Park is filled with adventure opportunities, such as the Kesugi Ridge Trail. This trail offers up beautiful views and gives you a look at what Denali is all about. This is one of the most challenging hikes in Alaska, so be prepared if you go.
View this post on Instagram
Grayson Highlands, Virginia
Length: 8.5 miles
Grayson Highlands is filled with wildlife, tunnels, rolling hillsides and the tallest mountains in Virginia. The scenery along the way is breathtaking. A day spending hiking through the Grayson Highlands is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. Along the way you’ll see wild ponies wandering through the trails.
View this post on Instagram
Tomales Point Trail, California
Length: 9.4 miles
North of San Francisco, you will find the beautiful Tomales Point Trail. As you hike through Tomales Point, you’ll get the full experience of the beautiful coastline, wild animals, and green hills that will take your breath away. This is a perfect hike for a first-time hiker and can be completed in one day.
View this post on Instagram
Petrified Forest Loop, North Dakota
Length: 10.6 miles
If you ever find yourself in North Dakota, the Petrified Forest Loop is a place you need to visit. It is unlike any other place you have ever seen. The land is filled with beautiful stone and one of the country's largest collections of petrified wood (you can find this is the north trail). You’ll also get your wildlife fill as you’ll pass by American buffalo, elk, and antelope. The Petrified Forest Loop is mainly grassland and can be hiked and enjoyed in one day. Just be sure to pack lots of water because there isn’t a reliable water source to be found.
View this post on Instagram
Smokey Mountain National Park, Tennessee
Length: 71 miles
There is no better way to experience the Smokey Mountains than on foot. You can spend days hiking and find huts along the way. It is recommenced to travel with a tent. The view is stunning along the way, especially if you see the sunset and sunrise among the Smokey Mountains.
View this post on Instagram
John Muir Trail, California
Length: 211 Miles
As you hike, you will pass through three of the best national parks in California: Yosemite, King’s Canyons, and Seqouia. You will finish your hike at the highest mountain in the continental United States, Mt. Whitney. Be sure that you travel with enough supplies – resupply points are few and far between.
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Washington Summit via Tuckerman’s Ravine, New Hampshire
Length: 8.4 miles
If you are looking for a challenge, this is the trail to hit. This will make athletes feel the burn as they travel up the northeast summits and the White Mountains. The distance may not seem incredibly long, but the hike is intense. It is recommended that you avoid this trail during winter, as it is known for erratic weather.
View this post on Instagram
Mitchell Summit, North Carolina
Length: 11.4 miles
As you hike up Mt. Mitchell, you’ll reach the highest point in the US east of the Mississippi River. As long as you get an early start, the hike can be completed in one day. Throughout the hike, you’ll see quite a difference in elevation. You can enjoy the views all throughout the year.
View this post on Instagram
