Mass Transit all hikes

Albuquerque: Embudito Trail to South Sandia Peak

Dayhike 5 to 15 miles through the golden hills above the city. The longer haul leads to a peak with fine views of the Sandias.

Appalachian Trail: Mount Greylock Hike

Hit this 15-mile out-and-back on the Appalachian Trail via train and bus for sprawling views and Massachusetts' high point.

Atlanta: Stone Mountain

Wooded lakeshores. Civil War hotspots. A giant granite mountain. This 7.4-mile hike is yours via the city's mass transit.

Austin: Barton Creek Greenbelt South

Waterfalls, swimming holes, and shady lunch spots highlight this 10.4-miler, just a short bus ride from downtown.

Boston: Prospect Hill Loop

Hop off the bus for a 12.6-miler through red-maple swamps and old-growth forest filled with deer, grouse, and turkeys.

Chicago, IL: Morton Arboretum Heritage Trail

Stroll native woodlands on this 1.6-miler through the north side of Morton Arboretum, a living museum that's home to more than 3,400 species of trees and plants.

Denver, CO: Devils Thumb Lake

Leave your car at home: To explore Continental Divide country, you only need a bus ticket and your bike.

Denver: Apex Park Loop

Just a short bus ride from downtown, this 5.1-mile dayhike climbs loops around the panoramic ridgelines of Indian Mountain.

Glacier National Park: Gunsight Pass Trail

Ride Amtrak to Glacier's back door, then hike this 19.7-miler past glacial lakes and cascades and over two gorgeous passes.

Greensboro: Foot Trail Loop

Ride a bus to a 2.3-mile tour of Guilford Courthouse, scene of a turning-point battle in the American Revolution.

Harpers Ferry: Loudoun Heights via the AT

Hop a train for a weekend on Blue Ridge trails near the headquarters of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Indianapolis: Fall Creek Loop

Take a bus to the start of this 6.2-mile stroll through Fort Harrison State Park's secluded woods and creek-split hills.

Knoxville: Northwest Greenway Loop

This figure-8 connects two parks on its 3.7-mile course under hardwood canopies and past a mini-wetland teeming with life.

Los Angeles: Inspiration Point Loop

Take the Metro to this 4.8-mile loop, then soak up sunny ocean views from the foothills of Will Rogers State Park.

Minneapolis: Pike Island Loop

Catch the light rail to this loop to see the confluence of two rivers and circle a lush island in the heart of the Twin Cities.

New York City: Bear and West Mountains via the AT

This 10-mile out-and-back climbs a summit with far-reaching views and ends at a rustic Appalachian Trail shelter.

New York City: Bear and West Mountains via the AT

This 10-mile out-and-back climbs a summit with far-reaching views and ends at a rustic Appalachian Trail shelter.

New York City: Central Park (South Loop)

Deep within Manhattan's famed 843-acre greenspace, this 4.1-mile escape offers a quick break from the daily grind.

Portland: Smith and Bybee Wetlands

Your choice: Hike or paddle through a giant wetland refuge with two lakes, more than 100 bird species, and a host of native trees, including century-old Oregon ashes.

Portland: Tryon Creek Loop

Don't miss the wildflower show--it's easy to catch a city bus to the start of a 4.2-mile stroll in Tryon Creek State Park.

Salt Lake City: Red Butte Skyline Trail

Take the city's light rail to this 4-mile lollipop loop and a high point above the Great Salt Lake and Wasatch foothills.

San Diego: Cowles Mountain

Ride the bus to the rugged hills of Mission Trails Park and bag the city's high point on a 3-mile out-and-back.

San Francisco: Cowell Redwoods Loop

This Friday, skip gridlock and take mass transit to a campsite near big redwoods, then hike to views of Monterey Bay.

San Francisco: Cowell Redwoods Loop

This Friday, skip gridlock and take mass transit to a campsite near big redwoods, then hike to views of Monterey Bay.

San Francisco: Mount Tamalpais Loop

A bus drops you at the start of a 10.5-mile trail leading to overlooks with world-class views of the city and Golden Gate Bridge.

Seattle: Chuckanut Bay to Larrabee State Park

This multiday paddle tours a small island, scenic coves, and tops things off with a 4.8-mile hike to a lake in Larrabee State Park.

Seattle: Wallace Falls Loop

This mostly forested loop climbs 1,250 feet to three misty waterfalls and dynamite views of the Olympic Mountains.

St. Louis: Grant's Trail

Introduce the kids to mass transit, then hike to President Grant's Farm (zebras, horses) on this gentle 6.4-miler.

Tulsa: Ridge Trail Loop

Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area features a best-in-class overlook of the bustling city and the Arkansas River.

Washington, DC: Glover-Archbold Park Loop

Need an after-work escape? Minutes from the capital are 5.7 miles of tranquil trails along the Potomac River and C&O Canal.

Washington, DC: Perimeter Trail

Skip the tourist spots and take the bus to Greenbelt Park for a 5.4-mile loop through a quiet, leafy urban forest.

Yosemite National Park: Half Dome

For $55, you can bus-and-train from the Bay Area and hike a classic 15.7-mile route to the top of this iconic peak.

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Photos + Videos

Packing for a Backcountry Ski Day Kristin Hostetter shows you the essential gear, and how to pack it, for a day of backcountry skiing.	Adjust Your Pack Straps on the Trail Maximize your pack's comfort with a few easy, on-trail strap adjustments.

What makes a backpacker a backpacker? It's not the garage full of gear or piles of guidebooks--it's the experiences, from thru-hiking a long trail to pushing your personal envelope to inspiring a child's love of wilderness. Here we present BACKPACKER's new Life List: 10 experiences to add to your tick-listnow--and the key skills you need to nail them.

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