White Mountain National Forest: Carter Range and Wildcat Range
A two-day peak-bagging trek in the White Mountains, this 15.4-mile shuttle traces the spines of the Carter and Wildcat Ranges, cresting five 4,000-foot peaks.
Your dream backpacking trips are waiting for you. Find and explore new hiking trails and backpacking routes across the country with advice, adventure travel stories, topo maps, photography, and more from the experts at Backpacker.
Your dream backpacking trips are waiting for you. Find and explore new hiking trails and backpacking routes across the country with advice, adventure travel stories, topo maps, photography, and more from the experts at Backpacker.
A two-day peak-bagging trek in the White Mountains, this 15.4-mile shuttle traces the spines of the Carter and Wildcat Ranges, cresting five 4,000-foot peaks.
Grab your hiking boots and a swimsuit for this 7.4-mile hike along the Little North Santiam River that tours a string of crystal clear swimming holes.
Dip into hidden valleys, skirt rugged buttes, and even surprise a few wild turkeys on this 5.2-miler that loops from top to bottom of Nebraska's Pine Ridge in Chadron State Park.
The rocky recess of Fourmile Canyon offers up one of Boulder's less-traveled foothill trails. Canyon shade and a crisscrossing creek keep this 3.1-miler perfect for a summer afternoon.
You'll gain 3,700 feet of elevation in 3.4 miles--and pass a spectacular waterfall--on this stiff ascent of Mount Teneriffe, a 4,788-foot peak less than an hour from Seattle.
Invigorating 8+ mile hike up to one of the great East Bay Peaks.
Spring brings an abundance of wildflowers to the Northwest, and one of the best displays is on this moderate 8.2 mile loop in the eastern Columbia Gorge.
Explore the "Yellowstone of the Southwest" on this 28.4-mile loop that links a series of meadows, creek crossings, and a canyon in New Mexico's Valle Vidal.
This 3.5-mile out-and-back climbs into Shadow Canyon, passing an old homestead and striking views of Boulder's Flatirons.
This grueling, 7.8-mile dayhike crests two summits above the Snoqualmie River valley and features stunning panoramas of nearby peaks and mountains.
Clocking in at 36.5 miles, this trail is a fine choice for hikers to see high desert landscapes, mind-blowing rock formations, and absolutely no one.
Hike to hidden falls, summit views and a Revolutionary War-era landmark on this 6-mile loop in South Mountain Reservation.
Traverse exposed ridgelines and thick pine forests for postcard views of Rocky Mountain National Park on this 20.6-mile lollipop loop.
Follow George Washington's footsteps through swamplands and forests on this 7.6-mile trek (one-way) to Morristown National Historical Park.
Preview the Spring Creek Greenway--and pull up for a sandbar picnic--on this 12-mile paddle that cruises a lazy creek between newly protected shorelines of Montgomery and Harris county parks.
Take a walk through the woods on this tour of the Snoqualmie Forest near North Bend's Mt. Si. Access lakes and enjoy a view of Mt. Si's Moon Wall from the top of Fuller Mountain.
This easy-going, 1.9-mile section of the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail links Belknap Springs to NF-2650 past cascading creeks, moss-draped evergreens, and views of the roiling McKenzie River.
Paddle to pocket beaches, tiny Gulf islands and wide inland channels on this 50-mile loop.
Discover spectacular wildflower displays and unrivaled views across the Columbia River Gorge on this popular summit hike.
Sample sylvan forests, a beachside boardwalk, and rocky island shores on this 5.6-mile dayhike in New York City's largest park, Pelham Bay.
Traipse along the Great Swamp's boardwalk to sprawling, wildflower-speckled everglades and three world-class birding spots on this easy, two-mile loop near Morristown.
Discover 19th century hotel ruins and 360-degree views of the Hudson Valley and Catskills on this 4.5-mile out-and-back to Overlook Mountain.
Hike through a lush, eroding gorge to Kaaterskill Falls--New York's highest waterfall--on this short, 1.4-mile out-and-back in Catskill State Park.
Just a 30-minute trek from downtown, this short-and-steep trail lands at the base of Cornet Falls, an 80-footer that is one of Telluride's most accessible cascades.
Warm up to Telluride's steep ascents with this mellow 4.5-miler that climbs steadily along Bear Creek to a 100-foot falls in the Uncompahgre National Forest.
Cruise the high-mountain desert to a pinnacle overlook in the Curecanti National Recreation Area. This 3.8-miler offers an up-close look at the volcanic activity that shaped the natural wonders nearby.
Leave civilization behind on this 7.4-mile loop that connects mountaintop greenery, sweeping monoliths and low-lying swamps in southern Harriman State Park.
Set aside a couple of hours for this 3.3-mile loop on the north end of Telluride that climbs 1,200 feet to breathtaking views of this small mountain town.
Trek into the past on this 6-day route linking a rock arch, 5,000-foot balds, old settler homesites, and 100-year-old cemeteries.
Wander through upstate marshland into a mature conifer forest before climbing 2,000 feet to Pharaoh Mountain and summit views of the eastern Adirondacks.
Ascend 3,600 feet to Algonquin Peak, the second highest summit in New York, for top-of-the-world views of Adirondack peaks and lakes.
A peakbagger's dream, this 31-mile Smokies backpack loops across forested ridgelines, offering the opportunity to tag eight 6,000-foot summits along the way.
Scale switchbacks to scope spectacular views of Cloudland Canyon from the West Rim Trail on this 4.6-mile dayhike near the Georgia/Tennessee/Alabama border.
Trek up 1,500-foot Mount Tammany for far-reaching views of the Kittatinny Mountains and the Delaware Water Gap on this 3.6-mile loop.
Trace the eastern edge of the Catskills, tagging five 2,000-foot overlooks, en route to South and North Mountain on this 7.9-mile loop in Catskill State Park.
This 4.7-mile loop in the Squam Lake region of the White Mountains ascends Mounts Morgan and Percival and challenges dayhikers with tight caves and boulder scrambles.
On this 6-mile loop in Blue Hills Reservation, you'll see dense hardwoods, meadows, ponds, glacial leftovers, rocky hills, and sweeping views of Boston.
Rounded granite knobs and sweeping valleys in the Lost Creek Wilderness set the stage for this spectacular 27.6-mile loop that rewards with rugged panoramas and killer riverside campsites.
A stunning backcountry basin, two mountain lakes, and scores of wildflowers highlight this 7.1-mile out-and-back in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
This Front Range dayhike is short on mileage and big on payoffs. In less than a mile, you'll skirt a mountain lake and climb the snowy slopes of a Rocky Mountain glacier.
This family-friendly dayhike circles Naches Peak, passing mountain lakes, wildflower meadows, and picture-perfect views of Mount Rainier.
On this 12.7-mile section of the Oregon Coast Trail, you'll tour two coastal towns, travel to a lighthouse lookout, and skim the edge of craggy headlands.
Connect alpine lakes and tag three summits on this wildflower- and wildlife-packed loop.
The first 16-mile chunk of the Long Trail starts in Massachusetts, kicking off with a steep climb to the Vermont state line (the Trail's official start) and a rugged trek north.
This 20-mile stretch of Vermont's Long Trail tops out at a fire tower overlook on Glastenbury Mountain and offers thru-hikers four shelter options along the way.
A pair of 1,300-foot ascents bookend this 25-mile stretch of Vermont's Long Trail. In addition to Stratton and Bromley Mountains, this route also samples numerous forested brooks and Green Mountain vistas.
Even as this 19.2-mile stretch of the Vermont Long Trail loses more elevation than it gains. Plus: thru-hikers are treated to pond-side shelters, Green Mountain overlooks, and more challenging terrain.
Nearly 7,000-feet of climbing are spread over this 22-mile point-to-point on Vermont's Long Trail; the highlight is a 2,400-foot ascent to 360-degree views atop Killington Peak.
Tracking northwest along the western edge of the Green Mountains, this 19-mile section of the Long Trail skirts several peaks on an increasingly rugged path.
Heading north through the Breadloaf Wilderness, this 19-mile Long Trail section tackles rugged climbs on a route that traces ridgelines and wanders through a Vermont ski area.
A true ridgeline trek in the Green Mountains, this 15-mile point-to-point section of the Long Trail skirts classic Vermont ski areas, offering far-off vistas and several overlooks.
Ranging 23-miles through northern Vermont, this Long Trail section continues through rugged terrain and rewards thru-hikers with sweeping views of the Green Mountain range.
This 21-mile homestretch of Vermont's Long Trail conquers one more mammoth Green Mountain summit (Jay Peak) before trekking north to the Canadian border and Journey's End.
One of the toughest stretches on the Long Trail, this 23-miler tackles an exposed, boulder-scrambling climb to Camels Hump while enjoying views of the Greens, Whites, and Adirondacks.
A 25.7-mile point-to-point across some of the toughest terrain in the Green Mountains, this Long Trail section scrambles up Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak.
Follow this 3-miler through glacial moraine and across a man-made dam for panoramic views of Johnson Lake, a snack-bar pit stop, and a sampling of this state recreation area's year-round attractions.
Stop for a bluff-top look at the Sangamon River on this 4.1-miler that loops through lush forests in a designated National Natural Landmark—and one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois.
One way hike to summit three 4,000 foot peaks along the Southern Presidentials
Don't be fooled by the low mileage: This challenging trek to a cluster of rock spires climbs nearly 4,000 feet in 3 miles, passing wildlife and breathtaking views across Denali National Park.
Tour sprawling, green meadows, wetlands lined with tall grass, and quiet forests on this 3.3-miler in Brooklyn's Prospect Park.
Explore a supersized wilderness that's home to Idaho's densest population of gray wolves.
Take a stroll above the bustling streets of Manhattan on the High Line, an elevated walkway with picturesque gardens and views of the city skyline.
Explore the once-bustling Carbon River Road by foot on this 11.2-mile hike that winds through mossy forest and visits a multi-tiered waterfall in Mount Rainier National Park.
This 5.4-miler in the Blue Ridge Mountains climbs through poplars and oaks to the 4,001-foot summit of Flat Top Mountain, the tallest of the Peaks of Otter.
A classic trek in Glacier National Park, this 14.7-miler crosses the Continental Divide, skirts turquoise pools, and skims wildflower fields.
A classic waterfall hike in Silver Falls State Park, the Trail of Ten Falls visits 11 cascades and tours lush forests sprinkled with vibrant wildflowers.
This well-trodden route passes fishermen, cyclists, and AT thru-hikers before ascending the quiet, sun-dappled slopes of southwest Virginia's Iron Mountain.
Massive, mossy trees lend a fairy tale air to this 7.1-mile out-and-back through the Drift Creek Wilderness and one of the Oregon coast's last remaining stands of old growth.
Bring your binoculars and circle Barr Lake on this easy 9.3-mile loop in prime birding territory. You may spot one of the Front Range's only pair of nesting bald eagles.
An introduction to Texas' second-largest lake, this 13.25-mile round-trip paddle on Lake Livingston's western shore will have you rubbing elbows with the locals--turtles, snakes and alligators included.
Hike, push a stroller, or even roll a wheelchair into a mining relic from 1859. This former aqueduct above the South Yuba River offers easy access to rugged wilderness and amazing mountain views.
Spot abundant wildlife and wide open vistas from the shores of Lake Texoma on this easy, 3.2-mile lollipop loop in the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge just 90 minutes north of Dallas.
Not ready to tackle a 14er (yet)? Try this 2.5-mile gem in Golden Gate State Park.
Worth the 2,200-foot climb out of Two Medicine, this 7.3-mile out-and-back rewards with wildlife viewing on the slopes of Mount Henry and a panoramic vista of Glacier National Park.
Five-star mountain views, two alpine lakes, and gold mine relics highlight this 4.5-mile out-and-back near Breckenridge, Colorado.
Take the secluded route up Larch Mountain to a popular pinnacle on this 7-mile loop that features shady woods, vibrant wildflowers, and huge, 5-mountain views.
This 6.6-mile out-and-back visits an old fire lookout site and two wildflower-strewn meadows with postcard-worthy views of Mount Hood.
Explore Little Fisherman's Cove and Two Harbors' popular campground on this easy 1.4-miler that is a perfect escape for boat-bound island guests.
This challenging 4.8-miler in the Black Mountains features a stiff climb past rhododendron and rocky outcrops to a windswept ridge connecting Celo Knob and Gibbs Mountain.
Follow a primitive trail--and keep an eye out for alpine-loving marmots and big horn--on this 11.5-mile overnight to Horseshoe Lake in the Carson National Forest's Pecos Wilderness.