The City of Angels: land of brunch, tanning, and of course, celebrity sightings at the local coffee shop. For hikers who want to explore trails in places that don’t start with “Runyon,” the options are as sprawling as the city.
Pity the poor Seattle hikers: On any given day, they must decide whether to explore one of three national parks, venture into the Central or South Cascades, head north into the Canadian Coast Mountains, or just stick around Puget Sound and the Pacific. But before decision paralysis sets in, try one of these can’t-miss picks.
This desert kingdom claims some of the most diverse terrain of any urban center in the country. Explore redrock canyons, cacti-studded wildernesses, and subalpine mesas bristling with Douglas firs—all within striking distance for a day outing.
The Mile High City enjoys great beer, food, and a border with the Rockies. But get beyond the foothills for grander sights: From the sheer granite faces of Rocky Mountain National Park to the underrated Tenmile Range to the high lakes in the Indian Peaks, there’s an embarrassment of riches within a few hour’s drive of the state’s capital.
While known for its lake views, modern architecture, deep-dish pizza, and those World Series champion Cubs, the Windy City is also close to some of the Midwest’s best hiking trails. Glacier-scraped terrain, hardwood forests, and meandering rivers are all within two hours of the Magnificent Mile.
Atlanta has plenty of nicknames, but the best one is The City in a Forest. Atlanta urban center boasts a higher density of tree cover than almost any other major city in the country—meaning quality trail time is hardly farther than your doorstep.
New York City may be the height of American urbanism, but that doesn’t mean you have to drive for hours to get your wilderness fix. Soaring views over rocky peaks, quiet lakes, steep scrambles, and wildflowers galore await on these nearby trails. The best part? Public transportation hits them all.
Beantown: city of colonial history, collegiate culture, and premium access to the mighty peaks of New Hampshire—but not a ton of hiking within city limits. Luckily, Hub hikers can easily go from Government Center to New England summits for the day, with hike options ranging from waterfalls to lakes to peakbagging missions—sometimes all in the same hike.