Hikes in the United States

This collection gathers 23 trails across the United States, from the Sierra Nevada, Cascades and Rockies to the Colorado Plateau, the Appalachians, Texas, Alaska and Hawaii. It mixes short signature loops with long out-and-back day hikes, point-to-point ridge traverses, and multi-day circuits and thru-hikes. Managing agencies include the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, state parks and a sovereign tribal nation, so rules, permits and access differ from route to route.

The routes at a glance

• Half Dome & Yosemite Valley · Sierra Nevada · California, USA

  Half Dome and Yosemite Valley is a 14–16 mile out-and-back with about 4,800 feet of gain, rated very strenuous. It suits fit, experienced hikers, and the season depends on when the cables are up, so check the National Park Service for this year's dates.

  Distance

  14–16 miles (22.5–25.7 km) round-trip

  Difficulty

  Very strenuous

  Official season

  Roughly late May to mid-October, whenever the cables are up (check NPS for this year’s dates)

  Best time to hike Half Dome & Yosemite Valley

• Zion — Angels Landing & The Narrows · Colorado Plateau · Utah, USA

  Zion pairs two out-and-back routes: Angels Landing, 5.4 miles with exposed chained sections and a required permit, and The Narrows, a river walk with current and flash-flood risk. It suits hikers comfortable with exposure or wading, in April to May or September to October.

  Distance

  Angels Landing: 5.4 mi (8.7 km) round-trip. The Narrows (bottom-up from Temple of Sinawava): up to ~9.4–10 mi (15–16 km) round-trip to Big Spring, or ~6 mi (9.7 km) round-trip if turning around at Wall Street

  Difficulty

  Angels Landing: Strenuous (exposed chained sections, permit required). The Narrows: Moderate to strenuous (wading a river with current and flash-flood risk, but no technical climbing)

  Official season

  April to May and September to October

• Grand Canyon — Bright Angel Trail · Colorado Plateau · Arizona, USA

  Bright Angel Trail drops from the South Rim to the Colorado River and Bright Angel Campground, 9.5 miles one-way. It is rated very strenuous, and the Park Service strongly discourages rim-to-river-to-rim in a single day. Spring and fall are the official seasons because summer inner-canyon heat is dangerous.

  Distance

  South Rim to Colorado River / Bright Angel Campground: 9.5 mi (15.3 km) one-way, ~19 mi (30.6 km) round-trip

  Difficulty

  Very strenuous (NPS strongly discourages attempting rim-to-river-to-rim in a single day, especially in summer)

  Official season

  March–May and September–November — summer inner-canyon heat is dangerous

• Mount Whitney Trail · Sierra Nevada · California, USA

  The Mount Whitney Trail is a 22-mile round-trip from Whitney Portal to the summit at 14,505 feet, with over 6,000 feet of gain. It is rated very strenuous and high-altitude, and it suits well-prepared hikers aiming for July to September, when the trail is snow-free.

  Distance

  22 miles (35.4 km) round-trip from Whitney Portal

  Difficulty

  Very strenuous / high-altitude

  Official season

  July to September for a snow-free trail

• John Muir Trail · Sierra Nevada · California, USA

  The John Muir Trail is a 211-mile thru-hike through the Sierra Nevada with roughly 47,000 feet of cumulative gain. It crosses several passes above 11,000 to 13,000 feet and is rated very strenuous. It suits experienced backpackers planning a multi-week trip from July to September.

  Distance

  211 miles (340 km) point-to-point

  Difficulty

  Very strenuous (multi-week wilderness thru-hike crossing several passes above 11,000–13,000 ft)

  Official season

  July to September, after most snow has melted

• Havasu Falls — Havasupai · Grand Canyon region · Arizona, USA

  Havasu Falls is a 10-mile one-way hike from Hualapai Hilltop, about 20 miles round-trip, with roughly 2,400 to 2,500 feet of descent on the way in. The climb back out in full sun is the harder direction. It is managed by the Havasupai Tribe and best in spring or fall.

  Distance

  10 miles (16 km) one-way from Hualapai Hilltop to Havasu Falls/campground; ~20 miles (32 km) round-trip

  Difficulty

  Moderate to strenuous (mostly downhill and shaded going in; the return climb out in full sun, plus extreme summer heat and flash-flood risk, is the harder direction)

  Official season

  Spring and fall; summer is very hot with flash-flood risk

• Rocky Mountain NP — Sky Pond & Emerald Lake · Front Range · Colorado, USA

  Rocky Mountain National Park offers two separate out-and-back hikes here. Emerald Lake is about 3.6 miles round-trip and rated moderate, while Sky Pond is about 9.4 miles with a short Timberline Falls scramble and a strenuous rating. Both are best from June to September.

  Distance

  Two separate out-and-back hikes: Emerald Lake ~3.6 mi round-trip (from Bear Lake TH); Sky Pond ~9.4 mi round-trip (from Glacier Gorge TH)

  Difficulty

  Emerald Lake: Moderate. Sky Pond: Strenuous

  Official season

  June to September for the high routes once the snow clears (autumn can also be good, but conditions change quickly)

• Appalachian Trail — McAfee Knob · Blue Ridge · Virginia, USA

  McAfee Knob is an out-and-back of about 8.8 miles from the VA-311 trailhead near Catawba, with roughly 1,740 to 1,850 feet of gain. It is rated moderate to strenuous and suits hikers wanting a well-defined Appalachian Trail objective in April to June or September to November.

  Distance

  ~8.8 miles round-trip, out-and-back (from the VA-311 trailhead near Catawba)

  Difficulty

  Moderate to strenuous

  Official season

  April–June and September–November

• Acadia National Park · Mount Desert Island · Maine, USA

  Acadia here means three distinct signature trails: Precipice Loop, Beehive Loop and Cadillac North Ridge. Precipice and Beehive involve iron-rung climbs and are not for anyone uneasy with heights, while Cadillac North Ridge is moderate to strenuous. The season runs late May to October.

  Distance

  Three distinct signature trails, not one hike: Precipice Loop ~2.1–2.5 mi; Beehive Loop ~1.4–1.6 mi; Cadillac North Ridge ~4.4 mi round-trip

  Difficulty

  Precipice & Beehive: Strenuous/exposed (iron-rung climbs, not for those uncomfortable with heights). Cadillac North Ridge: Moderate to strenuous

  Official season

  Late May to October; fall foliage is a highlight

• Bryce Canyon — Navajo & Queen’s Garden · Colorado Plateau · Utah, USA

  This 2.9-mile loop has 625 feet of gain and a moderate rating from the National Park Service. It is the shortest route in this collection and suits hikers wanting a manageable outing. The rim sits near 8,000 to 9,000 feet, with a May to October season and cold nights.

  Distance

  2.9 miles (4.6 km) loop

  Difficulty

  Moderate (NPS's own rating: "less than 1000 feet elevation gain, moderate length")

  Official season

  May to October; the rim sits near 8,000–9,000 ft with cold nights

• Grand Teton — Cascade Canyon · Teton Range · Wyoming, USA

  Cascade Canyon runs 13.6 miles round-trip from the South Jenny Lake trailhead to the Forks of Cascade Canyon, or about 8.8 miles using the seasonal Jenny Lake boat shuttle each way. With about 1,300 feet of gain, it is rated moderate to strenuous and runs June to September.

  Distance

  13.6 miles round-trip from the South Jenny Lake trailhead to the Forks of Cascade Canyon (~8.8 mi round-trip if using the seasonal Jenny Lake boat shuttle each way)

  Difficulty

  Moderate to strenuous

  Official season

  June to September

• Great Smokies — Alum Cave to Mount LeConte · Southern Appalachians · Tennessee, USA

  The Alum Cave route to Mount LeConte is a 10-mile out-and-back with roughly 2,763 to 2,800 feet of gain, rated strenuous. It suits hikers with solid fitness who want a classic Southern Appalachian climb, with spring wildflowers and fall color between April and October.

  Distance

  10 miles round-trip

  Difficulty

  Strenuous

  Official season

  April to October; spring wildflowers and fall color

• Wonderland Trail — Mount Rainier · Cascades · Washington, USA

  The Wonderland Trail is a roughly 93-mile loop around Mount Rainier with about 27,000 feet of cumulative gain and the same in loss. It is rated very strenuous and expert-level, a multi-day trek for experienced backpackers, open late July to September once the snow clears.

  Distance

  ~93 miles (150 km) loop

  Difficulty

  Very strenuous / expert-level multi-day trek

  Official season

  Late July to September, once the snow clears

• The Enchantments · Alpine Lakes Wilderness · Washington, USA

  The Enchantments is about 18 miles one-way, typically done as one very long day or an overnight thru-hike, with a roughly 1,900-foot Aasgard Pass climb in the Colchuck to Snow Lakes direction. It is rated very strenuous and expert-level, best from late July to October.

  Distance

  ~18 miles one-way (Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead to Snow Lakes trailhead), typically hiked as a single very long day-hike or overnight thru-hike

  Difficulty

  Very strenuous / expert-level

  Official season

  Late July to October, after the snow melts

• Glacier — Highline Trail · Northern Rockies · Montana, USA

  The Highline Trail is a moderate, 11.6-mile point-to-point from Logan Pass to The Loop trailhead, with about 800 feet of gain and 3,000 feet of loss. It suits hikers who want a mostly descending traverse, and it is available July to September when Logan Pass is open.

  Distance

  11.6 miles (18.6 km) one-way, from Logan Pass to The Loop trailhead

  Difficulty

  Moderate

  Official season

  July to September, when Logan Pass is open

• Presidential Traverse · White Mountains · New Hampshire, USA

  The Presidential Traverse is a point-to-point of about 19 to 23 miles with 8,500 to 9,000 feet of gain, varying by chosen trailheads. It is rated very strenuous and expert-only, and the listing notes alpine weather is severe year-round. The season is July to September.

  Distance

  ~19–23 miles point-to-point (varies by chosen trailheads/route — not a single fixed trail)

  Difficulty

  Very strenuous / expert only

  Official season

  July to September; alpine weather is severe year-round

• Franconia Ridge — White Mountains · White Mountains · New Hampshire, USA

  Franconia Ridge is an 8.9-mile loop with about 3,900 feet of gain, rated strenuous. It climbs Falling Waters Trail, crosses Little Haystack, Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Lafayette, and descends Old Bridle Path. The ridge is exposed to fast weather, so plan for June to October.

  Distance

  8.9 miles loop (up Falling Waters Trail, across Franconia Ridge Trail/Appalachian Trail over Little Haystack, Mt. Lincoln, and Mt. Lafayette, down Old Bridle Path)

  Difficulty

  Strenuous

  Official season

  June to October; the ridge is exposed to fast weather

• Big Bend — South Rim & Chisos · Chihuahuan Desert · Texas, USA

  Big Bend's South Rim is a 12.6-mile loop, up Laguna Meadows and down Pinnacles, with about 2,800 feet of gain and a strenuous rating. A shorter 6.3-mile one-way spur to the viewpoint also exists. The season is October to April because summer is dangerously hot.

  Distance

  12.6-mile loop (Laguna Meadows Trail up, Pinnacles Trail down) is the standard full South Rim Loop; a shorter 6.3-mile one-way spur to the South Rim viewpoint also exists for those returning the way they came

  Difficulty

  Strenuous

  Official season

  October to April; summer is dangerously hot

• Kalalau Trail — Nā Pali Coast · Nā Pali Coast · Kauai, Hawaii, USA

  The Kalalau Trail runs 11 miles one-way along the Nā Pali Coast, 22 miles round-trip, with about 5,000 feet of cumulative gain across five valleys. It is rated very strenuous and expert-only: narrow, exposed, and prone to landslides and flash floods year-round. Summer is drier.

  Distance

  11 miles (17.7 km) one-way; 22 miles (35.4 km) round-trip

  Difficulty

  Very strenuous / expert only (narrow, exposed, landslide- and flash-flood-prone)

  Official season

  Drier summer months; flash floods are a year-round risk

• Harding Icefield Trail · Kenai Peninsula · Alaska, USA

  The Harding Icefield Trail is an 8.2-mile out-and-back on the Kenai Peninsula with about 3,000 feet of gain, rated strenuous. It suits fit day hikers who want a sustained climb toward the icefield, best from late June to September once the upper trail is snow-free.

  Distance

  8.2 miles (13.2 km) round-trip

  Difficulty

  Strenuous

  Official season

  Late June to September, once the upper trail is snow-free

• PCT — Goat Rocks & the Knife’s Edge · Cascades · Washington, USA

  This Goat Rocks route is most often a 20 to 25 mile out-and-back day hike that joins the PCT past Old Snowy Mountain and across the Knife's Edge. It is rated strenuous to very strenuous, with an exposed narrow ridge and snowfields common into midsummer. Late July to September is the season.

  Distance

  Most often hiked as a ~20-25 mile out-and-back day hike from the Snowgrass Flat or Berry Patch trailhead, joining the PCT past Old Snowy Mountain and across the Knife's Edge; on the PCT itself this section runs roughly 28-30 miles point-to-point between White Pass and Walupt Lake. The narrow 'Knife's Edge' ridge proper (PCT mile marker ~2284.5-2287) is only about 2-2.5 miles long.

  Difficulty

  Strenuous to very strenuous — high alpine, exposed narrow ridge with steep drop-offs, snowfields common into midsummer, hypothermia-death incidents on record

  Official season

  Late July to September, once the snow clears

• PCT — High Sierra & Forester Pass · Sierra Nevada · California, USA

  Forester Pass, at 13,153 feet, is the highest point on the PCT. The direct climb from the Bubbs Creek Trail junction is 7.9 miles one-way, while most hikers reach it on 46 to 49 mile backpacking trips via Kearsarge Pass. It is very strenuous and can hold snow into July.

  Distance

  Forester Pass (13,153 ft) is the single highest point on the entire 2,650-mile PCT. The direct PCT climb to the pass from the PCT/Bubbs Creek Trail junction is 7.9 miles one-way. Most hikers experience it as part of a multi-day High Sierra trip via the Kearsarge Pass Trailhead (Onion Valley) — round-trip backpacking routes to and past the pass run roughly 46-49 miles.

  Difficulty

  Very strenuous / high alpine — the PCT's highest and one of its most exposed passes, often holds snow/ice into July

  Official season

  July to September (later in heavy snow years)

• CDT — Wind River Range · Rockies · Wyoming, USA

  The CDT through the Wind River Range runs roughly 100 miles point-to-point from South Pass City to Togwotee Pass. Thru-hikers often detour onto alternates such as the Cirque of the Towers or the Knapsack Col route. It is very strenuous, remote and high-alpine, with limited resupply, from July to September.

  Distance

  The CDT runs roughly 100 miles through the Wind River Range, point-to-point from South Pass City to Togwotee Pass, crossing the Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests. Many thru-hikers detour onto high-alpine alternates within this stretch, such as the Cirque of the Towers alternate (~9 miles one-way via the Big Sandy Trailhead and Jackass Pass, or 17-40+ mile loop variants) and the Knapsack Col cross-country route (crossing the crest at ~12,200 ft).

  Difficulty

  Very strenuous / high alpine — remote, high-elevation wilderness with multiple passes at or above treeline, limited resupply

  Official season

  July to September

How to choose between them

Start with effort and time. Bryce Canyon's Navajo and Queen's Garden loop is rated moderate at 2.9 miles, while Half Dome, Mount Whitney and the Grand Canyon's Bright Angel Trail are very strenuous. If you want a point-to-point day, the Glacier Highline Trail is moderate. For exposure, note Angels Landing, Acadia's Precipice and Beehive, and the Goat Rocks Knife's Edge. Multi-day commitments include the Wonderland Trail and John Muir Trail. Check permit needs, which apply to Angels Landing, and managing agencies before committing.

When to go

Official seasons cluster between late spring and fall. Desert and canyon routes such as Bright Angel Trail, Havasu Falls and Zion favor spring and fall, and Big Bend runs October to April because summer is dangerously hot. High-alpine routes like the Wonderland Trail, John Muir Trail, Enchantments and Forester Pass generally open from July or later once snow melts. Acadia and Bryce Canyon run from May or late May. Confirm current dates, closures and conditions with each managing authority before you go.

Common questions