Top Hiking Destinations
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Top Hiking Destinations
Ready to hit the trail? Whether you’re in the mood to climb a mountain or stroll along the banks of a river, you’ll find plenty of pretty views and picturesque spots along the trails on this list. Send us an email and let us know about your favorite hiking trails!
Glacier Gorge, Colorado
No place on earth can match the beauty of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. This trail will lead you to incredible views as it winds through fields of wildflowers. Keep your camera handy for shots of the waterfalls and bring your fishing rod along for fishing in the clear alpine lakes.
Mount Whitney, California
This highest peak in the continental U.S. deserves plenty of respect, and it also makes a very nice hike. With its western slop in the Sequoia National Park, this peak offers views that can’t be matched. At 14,505 feet, Mount Whitney is a steep challenge, but the summit is quite achievable for committed hikers.
Breakneck Ridge Trail, New York
You’ll get terrific views of the Hudson River, Shawangunk, and Catskill Mountains from this trail that begins in Hudson Highlands State Park. The route winds over ridges and through deep forests, fields of wildflowers, and rocky areas. You’ll also pass an old fire lookout tower.
Appalachian Trail: Sunfish Pond, New Jersey
Set in the Mount Mohican wilderness area, Sunfish Pond is an idyllic destination. Take a section of the Appalachian Trail to reach this stunningly clear alpine lake. If you get an early start, you might find wildlife drinking at the water’s edge.
Big Creek Falls, Washington
Hike through massive and ancient forests, passing by the fast-rushing Taylor River, as you climb to these phenomenal falls. Amazingly, this secluded trail is just an hour from Seattle in North Bend. Experience the pure beauty of the Cascade Mountains’ deep forests, fields of wildflowers, and wildlife.
Half Dome, California
Yosemite National Park is a hiker’s paradise. If you’re up for a steep climb, you won’t want to miss the chance to summit Half Dome, a massive boulder-like formation in the heart of the Yosemite forests. Parts of the trail are stair-steep, so start your hike early, bring plenty of water, and pack snacks for breaks. The final assault is made with the use of cables that are fixed in the rock.
Mount Marcy, New York
Nestled in the heart of the Adirondack’s, you’ll find majestic Mount Marcy, the destination of every serious hiker in New York. Take the scenic Van Hoevenberg Trail that begins near Lake Placid, and congratulate yourself for climbing to the state’s highest point.
Mount Mitchell, North Carolina
As you drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, be sure to stop and climb Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi. Set in the 1,700-acre Mt. Mitchell State Park, this lovely peak is the tallest of North Carolina’s Black Mountains.
