Trips

Weak-ankled hikers need not apply. This 15.8-miler descends a slow-going rock garden off Stony Mountain then runs a fairly wide trail through rhododendron forests.

Cut out a monster climb by hiking this 9.7-mile section south-to-north along Peters Mountain to two scenic outposts: Table Rock and Shikellimy Overlook.

Go from a lazy riverside to scenic outcrops to a wooded ridgeline on this 6.3-mile segment located in the state game lands of central Pennsylvania.

This popular 5.9-mile stretch crosses rolling farmlands before climbing Catawba Mountain at Beckner Gap. Bring your camera: Major viewpoints showcase magnificent views of valley.

Travel under The Guillotine--a large boulder hanging precariously over the trail--and test your mettle with a ridge climb to Highcock Knob on this 13.7-miler. Watch for seasonal blueberries and box turtles along the trail.

You'll gain 3,000 feet by the end of this 12.9-miler that runs from Jennings Creek to the top of Apple Orchard Mountain.

This 6.1-miler runs from Bearwallow Gap, traces the horseshoe-shaped ridge of Cove Mountain, and descends to a great swimming hole in Jennings Creek.

Locals say Bigfoot lives in the wooded foothills on this 14.7-mile segment. Take photos, if you see the hairy beast (evidence is weak), and camp out at Eagles Nest Shelter.

There's no shortage of scenic overlooks on this 14.8-mile section that crisscrosses the Blue Ridge Parkway four times.

Save this 11-miler for leaf-peeper season when the hills are brushed in reds and browns. Don’t miss the incredible overlook at milepoint 1.9.

Wind through mid-Atlantic woodlands and farmland to Fullhardt Knob on this 5.3-mile dayhike. Along the way, pass a collier’s pit where charcoal was made for nearby iron furnaces during the 19th century.

Highlights of this 19.8-miler include an overhanging rock ledge at McAfee Knob, spectacular views along Tinker Cliffs, and a ridgewalk above Carvin Cove Reservoir.

Watch hawks and eagles soar thermals above The Pinnacle, Pulpit Rocks, and Hawk Mountain on this 26.5-mile backpacking trip, arguably the most scenic section of the AT in Pennsylvania.

Swimming is not a common word on the AT, but a highlight on this 16.5-mile hike at Griffith Lake. There is a fun rock scramble on Baker Peak too.

This 16.4-mile leg leads to Stratton Mountain--legend says this same mountain is where Denton MacKaye conceived the idea of the Appalachian Trail.

The hotspot on this 21.1-miler is Glastenbury Mountain, a 3,748-foot summit that Native Americans believe is cursed and a place where several people went missing in the mid-1900s.

On this 27.7-mile course into Maine, you'll hike, climb--even scramble hand-over-foot--over glacial leftovers and up the rocky flanks of Goose Eye Mountain in the Mahoosuc Range.

Best done in three days, this 19.6-mile leg traces ridgelines, drops into deep-cut notches, and offers breathtaking views of nearby mountains.

The lofty goal on this 23.5-miler--more than half of which runs above treeline--is Mount Washington, the most notorious and highest peak in New Hampshire. On bluebird days, views stretch for 100-plus miles. Tip: Check the forecast before you go; weather blows in fast.

The windy skyways above this 15.4-mile section attract gliders (migrating birds, paragliders, and some hang gliders). The rocky trail attracts birdwatchers and photographers to several outcrops overlooking tawny farmlands and the Delaware River.

This 19.4-miler is a test in balance and nerve as you pick routes through mind-numbing boulder fields. The payoffs are scenic ridges with 180-degree views and toned calf muscles.

See why thru-hikers nickname this area Rocksylvania. This 13.5-mile leg runs along a knife-edge ridge, then scrambles around sedan-sized boulders, and ends at a refreshing swimming hole in the Lehigh River.

Go from muddy pastures to riverside views to rocky summits on this 26-mile segment.

Trace the peaceful banks of Little Black Branch to White Rocks Mountain on this 8.5-mile dayhike. Other highlights: Swimming at Little Rock Pond and nice vista views.

Grab some rare solitude on this 19-mile section that runs steep ridges and old forest roads to the appropriately-named vista called The Lookout (2,439 ft.).

Link the wooded summit of Hazeltop Mountain, the rugged cliffs of Blackrock, and Big Meadows (home to deer and black bear) on this 6.9-mile route in Shenandoah National Park.

This 8.5-mile hike passes vertical cliffs, weaves through spruce and fir stands, and traverses the northern slopes of Hawksbill Mountain, the highest peak in Shenandoah.

Treat yourself to far-reaching panoramas from Marys Rock—arguably some of the best views in Shenandoah National Park—before a steady descent to Thornton Gap on this 6.9 miler.

Countless views, fragrant pines, and a worthy side trip to South River Falls highlight this 11.6-mile hike in Shenandoah National Park.

On this 8.8-mile hike, you’ll wind around Big Flat Mountain and gaze at Shenandoah peaks from Ivy Creek Overlook. Kodak moment: Take the side trip down Doyles River Trail to photograph several waterfalls.

Savor postcard-worthy views of the Blue Ridge from Hightop Mountain on this 10.9-mile hike in Shenandoah National Park.

This quick 3.2-mile hike in Shenandoah National Park traverses the Blue Ridge to Doyles River Overlook, where views extend south across wooded slopes.

This rolling Blue Ridge hike travels 5.2 miles and features bird's-eye views from Bear Den Mountain before its descent to Beagle Gap.

Find your rhythm as you ascend, descend—again and again—between rocky overlooks and deeply cut gaps on this 15-mile trek in Shenandoah National Park.

Roll over piney ridges into lovely valleys and lonely pastures on this 21.3-mile leg. Don't miss: Take side trip to Cloudland Farm where organic ice cream is only a few bucks away.

This challenging 27.7-mile section traverses the Willey Range, and the Zealand, Garfield and Franconia Ridges. The payoff: Postcard mountain views, beautiful mountain huts, and the longest stretch of roadless wilderness in New Hampshire.

This 15.8-miler climbs more than 3,500 feet past mountain lakes and waterfalls--all deserving of a lunchtime break or a pause for photographs.

Travel through white ash and yellow poplar, skid down steep ridges, and sing Hallelujah at the scenic outposts on this 12.3-mile leg in Shenandoah National Park.

Frequent overlooks, lush landscapes, and three Blue Ridge summits highlight this 14.3-mile section in Shenandoah National Park.

This 18.8-miler traverses High Knob’s southern slopes, passes three shelters and ends with an optional side trip into Sky Meadows State Park.

Go up, down, and around several geological obstacles and into shady stream hollows on this 6.8-mile dayhike.

Pass the 1,000-mile-marker on the AT (for northbound hikers) on this 13.4-mile trip to Raven Rocks promising breathtaking views of Shenandoah Valley. Don't miss the bench swing at David Lesser Shelter.

Perfect for a day hike or longer out-and-back, this 6.1-miler rolls through mid-Atlantic woodlands then descends into Harpers Ferry, the merging point of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.

On this 11.8-mile stretch, you’ll climb a seven-foot stile (arguably the AT’s tallest), cruise cow-filled fields, pass a centuries-old cemetery, and briefly trace the North Fork Holston River.

Go from flat lowlands to high ridgetops--you'll gain more than 2,000 feet--on this 17.1-miler that traverses wildflower-laced Chestnut Ridge and the rocky backbone of Garden Mountain.

Plunge from Island in the Sky to the Colorado River on this 3-day slickrock adventure.

Outrageous spires and hidden springs highlight this 3-day loop through the Maze District.

Put your quads and endurance to the test on this 6.6-mile hike that features steep scrambles, boulder-strewn canyons, and dramatic views from Bear Peak.

Hike through mixed forest to a sparkling alpine lake and crest a rocky ridgetop with panoramic views on this 6.1-mile trek in the North Cascades.

You'll climb 2,000 feet in 2 miles on this strenuous hike to Turtlehead Peak where rewarding summit views stretch for miles across the Las Vegas Valley.

Sparkling gypsum deposits, weathered mining ruins, and a twisted slot canyon highlight this scenic 6-mile hike—less than an hour from Las Vegas.

Take a springtime ramble through the red rocks of Mojave National Preserve.

See towering forests, ocean waves, and fern-covered canyons at Redwood National and State parks

Savor backcountry solitude on a ridgetop snowshoe hike in Chugach State Park.

Splash through canyon waterfalls to an 1870's ghost town in Death Valley National Park.

Scramble up a forgotten peak in the Lost Creek Wilderness.

Delve into a secluded river canyon in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.

Visit Mount Seymour Provincial Park for bird's-eye views of a classic Canadian city.

Crane your neck at an ultra-secluded, towering Idaho canyon.

Trace a rushing river in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Explore a century-old mining camp in the Coronado National Forest.

Sample the mesas and meadows of the Gila Wilderness.

Go from grasslands to mountains along a little-known creek in Big Bend National Park.

Climb an ancient ridge for views of a dramatic unglaciated Wisconsin landscape.

Hike a blooming stretch of Indiana's hills.

Wander through the rocky wildlands of the Smoky Hills.

Escape the crowds at the Nature Conservancy’s largest Connecticut preserve.

Link meadows to hilltops across Westborough’s open spaces.

Bag four summits on a weekend Northwoods traverse.

Drink in the Appalachian scenery along a cascading mountain river in the Monongahela National Forest.

Discover one of Pennsylvania’s wild secrets in the Elk State Forest.

Sample the highlights of the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.

Reach waterfall nirvana in the Jefferson National Forest.

Wander among the big trees and rocky ridges of the Old South's Sumter National Forest.

Explore wooded bluffs and a dramatic limestone canyon on the way to a waterfall on this 4.8-mile riverside hike in Kankakee River State Park.

This leg runs through wild pig country, up Tray Mountain, and past the site of an old cheese factory.

This 4.3-mile hike starts at Three Ridges Overlook, then contours wooded Blue Ridge slopes to Dripping Rock—a prime spot to watch the sun drop over pastoral landscapes.

This relocated section avoids frequent stream crossings along Little Wolf Creek. Instead, you’ll cruise an old road and railroad grade, then contour the slopes of Brushy Mountain (covered in seasonal mountain laurel blooms).

Ride the Sandia Crest on this 5.8-mile loop that connects a scenic ridgetop, fragrant evergreens, and postcard views above Albuquerque.

This 4.1-mile dayhike tours countless cascades and tags a wooded hill with swell views of Lake Superior.