Trips

Just 20 minutes outside of Durham, take this 3.9-mile loop to get a good look at an old mill as you traipse through bluffs, banks, and boulders along the Eno River.

In a mere 3.2 miles, reach the top of Occoneechee Mountain—the tallest point between the North Carolina Triangle and the Atlantic Ocean.

This little-known 8.8-mile trail an hour outside of Seattle weaves through lush forest to the stunning and secluded Rainy Lake beneath the east face of Preacher Mountain.

Stroll through root-wrapped rocks, venerable hemlocks, and moss carpeted undergrowth on this 4.4-mile hike to Barclay Lake in the Washington Cascades' new Wild Sky Wilderness.

Take this beloved and well-maintained 6.6-mile trail through abundant greenery and past the enchanting Bridal Veil Falls to arrive at the snowy peaks of Mount Index reflecting in Lake Serene.

Pack for a quick overnight in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and discover hidden alpine lakes and the stunning panorama of peaks that is the Central Cascades.

Hike this 13.2-mile there-and-back just outside of Seattle to summit Green Mountain along a path where vibrant magentas and yellows bloom between your feet.

Take a walk though Washington's mining and logging history by exploring the area once known as Mineral City on this 15-mile out-and-back.

Get near-instant mountain view gratification from the top of this steep, one-mile trail to a still-operational fire lookout near Stevens Pass.

Exercise your route-finding skills on this steep fiver-miler up a little-known peak named for a Seattle-area mountaineer offering wide panoramas over the Snoqualmie Pass area.

If you like splendid isolation with a little challenge, try this messy 11-mile out-and-back to the Blethlen Lakes along Quartz Creek.

This short but challenging 1.3-mile route climbs 1,300' above an old mining quarry to a scenic viewpoint high above the small town of Index, WA.

Massive stands of old growth forest, an abundance of cascading waterfalls, and an azure alpine lake resting below the sheer cliffs of Mt. Pilchuck await on this 6.2-mile lollipop loop.

This two-mile walk up an old mining road visits the remains of the Sunset Copper Company. Exercise extreme caution when exploring in or around mine openings.

Try this less-crowded alternative to the top of popular Mount Si on the original, steeper 2.7 mile route.

Climb two miles up the switchbacked flanks of Greider Peak to a pair of lovely lakes in a deep, glacier-carved basin.

Take this unofficial two-mile trail to the top of a little-known mountaintop offering views over Annette Lake and several Snoqualmie Pass peaks.

This short (1.5 miles) but steep (more than 3,000 feet elevation gain) ends atop one of the highest peaks in Snoqualmie Pass.

Hike or bike this former forest road to the Dingford Creek trailhead.

Tackle tricky terrain to gain a solitary alp.

Summit the Southwest's most European mountain.

Spend three days circling the jagged, gaping remains of one of Central Oregon’s peaks on this 22.6-mile loop in the Three Sisters Wilderness.

Walk a scary-narrow rock fin to an airy summit.

Claim a rare feat on this classic-in-waiting loop.

Feel like you've notched a first ascent.

Top a Yosemite-like dome in a sea of green.

Cross deep, vine-laced forests to bluff-top views over rivers and prairie.

Trace the watery divide between the Carolinas.

Discover a pocket of wildlife beyond Yellowstone’s borders.

Vista Point Trail in the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area presents an easy 3-mile loop past quiet coves, lookout points, and the habitat of one of the largest bald eagle populations in the eastern U.S.

Looking to stretch your legs and get back to the outdoors? This 6-mile loop winds through the lowlands and hills of Lake Crabtree Park in the middle of Morrisville, less than 20 minutes from Raleigh.

Navigate a vertical sandstone maze to guaranteed solitude on a high-desert summit.

Enjoy cool, lush forest along and above the banks of the Sandy River on this 5.6-mile double loop trail in Gresham's Oxbow Regional Park.

Go to hiker heaven on Canada’s finest high-country path.

Climb without crowds to the state's top mountain view on this 9.6-mile out-and-back in Sequoia National Park.

See Enchanted Rock's pink granite dome, one of the most famous landmarks in Texas on this overnight loop and side trip to the 1,825-foot summit.

Climb to an expansive view of green rollers that inspired two long trails on this 22-mile loop in the Lye Brook Wilderness.

Rock-hop and wade your way down a wild sandstone corridor.

Circle an upland swamp rich with views, solitude, and wild edibles.

Climb to West Virginia's highest peak (and pass Seneca Falls) on this 11.5-mile point-to-point located in Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area.

Climb through towering evergreens to in-your-face Cascade views.

Leave the crowds behind on this secluded 5.2-mile forest hike to the top of Washington's Larch Mountain, with views of Silver Star, the Columbia Gorge and Mt. Hood.

Overlook the battlefield where the Modoc made their last stand, and a nearby spatter cone displaying unusual frozen rock formations on this 2.6-mile out-and-back.

This easy 2-mile out-and-back visits two collapsed sections of a wide lava tube with Native American pictographs and natural bridge walls.

Walk an old homestead route that crosses sagebrush plains and passes lava flows and collapsed tubes on this 9.5-mile point-to-point trail.

This easy, 3-mile trail (out and back) visits Lassen's largest geothermal area—a steaming basin filled with boiling mud pots, belching fumeroles, and colorful hot springs.

Spend a few days wandering through Necklace Valley's chain of lakes on this 18-mile trek through a remote section of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. For more adventure, peak bag nearby Mt. Hinman and Mt. Daniel.

Hike to the edge of a glacier through some of the best views in the North Cascades.

Only have a day to see the North Cascades? Then, this should be at the top of your priority list. Hike to a base camp for climbers, at the base of Sahale Peak, in 5 ½ miles, and 3966ft of elevation gain, and marvel at the best view the North Cascades has to offer.

A classic out and back hike that encompasses all that is wild and original in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Difficult trails, an abundance of beautiful alpine lakes surrounded by massive granite outcroppings, jagged peaks, and an attendant herd of Mountain Goats. What’s not to love?

This easy mile and a quarter loop gets high enough to get a nice view of Boulder, and lots of linking trail options easily lengthen the hike.

A gentle 7.5-mile hike with moderate uphill through the canyon.

One of the best and most accessible backcountry ski day trips.

The White Mountains Recreation Area is one of the most extensive winter trail systems in Alaska. With well maintained cozy cabins roughly 10 miles apart, skiers, ski-jourers, dog mushers, snowshoers, snowmachiners and even cyclists easily share the trails.

A gentle 1.8 mile climb to an intimate view of the popular Maroon Bells from the lapping shores of Crater Lake.

Camp next to forest lakes and rock-hop across clear streams.

Ski (or snowshoe) hut-to-hut in the East’s wildest preserve.

Score quiet views of the southern Virginia highlands on this lush loop.

Washington's iconic 14,411-foot peak rises just five miles southwest of this route, and you'll get in-your-face views of it on this 12.5-mile loop in Mount Rainier National Park.

This 11-mile loop trail circles the new lake created by the 1980 eruption. Start along the northern lakeshore where summer wildflowers abound, then climb to the south ridge traverse for big views and to witness the effects of nature's fury—and recovery.

Score Lakeside camping at its best on this 19.2-mile, multi-day loop in the Adirondacks.

Follow the Big Sur River to a group of hot pools on this 19.3-mile out-and-back half an hour from Carmel.

This 10-mile loop in the heart of Washington's Indian Heaven Wilderness is overflowing with wildflower meadows, summer huckleberries, and sparkling lakes. Do it as a dayhike, or backpack it with several side trip options.

This weeklong loop in the Cathedral Range is the epitome of Yosemite high country hikes: you'll climb past craggy granite, listen to babbling streams, and gaze at vibrant summer wildflowers.

Climb to views of the Pacific Ocean and major Cascade Range peaks on this 5-mile hike to Saddle Mountain.

Is this 15-mile shuttle hike in the Catskills the hardest dayhike in America? You decide.

Climb to an under-the-radar peak in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness on this 11.4-mile out-and-back an hour southeast of Portland.

360 degree views of the mighty Colorado River sound breathtaking? How about a soak in natural hot springs? This hike has it all! Stay for an hour or set up camp on a nearby beach to take full advantage of this easy hike just one hour from Las Vegas.

Leave the glitz of the Las Vegas Strip for dazzling views on top of Griffith Peak, an 11,060-foot peak an hour northwest of the city.

Link waterfalls, rushing creeks, and a refreshing swimming hole on this 14.6-miler in Jocassee Gorges.

Enjoy “the best waterfall hike in the East” on this 3.4-mile loop in Ricketts Glen State Park, which travels past 21 named cascades.

This 83-mile, week-long transect of Glacier National Park on the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail features turquoise pools, ragged peaks, and vibrant wildflowers.

Get all the red rock magic without the crowds on a kid-friendly, 5.2-mile out-and-back in Zion’s off-the-radar Kolob Canyons area.

Meander through Civil War history on this 10.5-mile section hike of the Appalachian Trail.

Visit the highest lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness on this 6.9-mile out-and-back through steep alpine terrain.

Snag views of a red-cliffed valley and stand toe-to-rock with iconic 1,000-foot sandstone towers on this 4.9-mile, half-day adventure.

Summit Maine's highest mountain on this 10-mile loop in Baxter State Park.

Multiple peaks, steep climbs, and open meadows highlight this weeklong trip in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Appalachian Trail.

This 10.5-mile out-and-back in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness leads to Larch Lake, a backcountry pool rimmed with larch trees and 7,000-foot peaks.

This 18-mile loop hike through the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness follows parts of the PCT, with a bonus scramble up Summit Chief Mountain’s south side.