Aspen, CO: Buckskin Pass to Snowmass Lake
There is fierce competition for the finest scenery on this challenging trek to Snowmass Lake: alpine lakes, rocky chasms, and 14,000-foot peaks.
Got the itch to go hiking? Whether it’s prepping for the trip of a lifetime or finding local hikes, these picks from the editors of Backpacker will help you get out more. Find day hikes, multi-day trips, and more.
Got the itch to go hiking? Whether it’s prepping for the trip of a lifetime or finding local hikes, these picks from the editors of Backpacker will help you get out more. Find day hikes, multi-day trips, and more.
There is fierce competition for the finest scenery on this challenging trek to Snowmass Lake: alpine lakes, rocky chasms, and 14,000-foot peaks.
This moderate 12.7-mile out-and-back climbs a glacial valley under America's most photographed peaks, where sweeping views from 12,480-foot West Maroon Pass are more than picturesque.
Catch a bird's-eye view of eastern Indiana's Whitewater Lake on this easy 2.3-mile out-and-back skirting a nature preserve and the a remote wooded shoreline.
Dip into Whitewater Lake and the wooded heart of Indiana's 3rd largest state park with this 2.6-mile loop an hour and a half from Indianapolis.
It's a multi-use magnet! This 15.5-mile path through Indianapolis has a smooth, paved, and traffic-free surface perfect for an evening ride or family outing--just watch out for runaway rollerbladers!
Climbing granite slickrock to a highpoint above DuPont State Forest, this 4.4-mile loop jogs back down into a dense forest toward a trailside swimming hole.
From bluffs to beaches to a bluebird trail, this 3.5-mile lollipop loop samples Afton State Park and the shores of the federally-designated wild and scenic St. Croix River.
Rolling up and down 150-foot bluffs along the Apalachicola River, this 6.1-mile loop offers a uniquely hilly Florida hiking experience.
Find a sparkling waterfall at the end of Shawangunk Ridge.
Take a ridgeline walk to views of the Boston skyline.
End your day with a splash in Adirondack Park.
Four 12,000-foot passes, classic alpine views and a rugged loop around Colorado's most-photographed peaks make this 26.5-mile backpack a Rocky Mountain epic.
See a different side of North Jersey from the Grand Tour Trail.
Bag 2 summits in a 4-hour day of New Hampshire climbing.
Follow in the footsteps of one of the region's earliest explorers.
See how weather and geology conspire to make topography.
Hike a ridgetop trail into the heart of the North American Alps.
Take an otherworldly trek to the source of an ancient lava flow.
An eclectic mix of trailside finds--from blooming cactus to abandoned cars and hot tubs to wandering coyotes--pepper this 7.5-mile hike to a summit overlooking Las Vegas.
Trace lava flows through wildflower meadows on this moderate 9.3-mile loop (famous for its singletrack mountain biking) around a subalpine lake.
Experience Tahoe scenery without Tahoe crowds on this 12-mile riverside out-and-pack path which passes under rugged crags en route to the lake shore.
Climb over the picturesque north face of Mount Wilson, the site of a historic observatory, on this 11-mile loop in L.A.'s San Gabriel Mountains.
Splash through a pink slot canyon in the Salome Wilderness Area on this fun canyoneering route.
Explore log bridges, pine forest, and white sand dunes in one of Florida's most pristine wetlands.
Take your pick of campsites near several spectacular tarns.
Test yourself with a thigh-busting 12.7-mile hike to Coosa Bald and back.
Escape to solitude and panoramic ridge views on this 12-mile loop in Talladega National Forest.
Waterfalls, wildflower caches, stunning limestone canyons: this 7-miler hits the highlights of a unique Alabama backcountry preserve.
Wander a ridgetop trail through peaceful Cascades meadows.
Link lush, mossy forests with alpine lakes and meadows on this 35.2-mile backpacking trip in Olympic National Park.
Sea turtles, white-tailed dear, and snow geese are just a few of the diverse wildlife species you might spot on this 7.6-mile coastal hike.
Disappear into deciduous forest outside Asheville on this 7.5-mile bird-watching loop that wanders past a Civil War-era cemetery and hidden cascades.
Waterfalls, lush forests, and magnificent creekside views make this 5-mile out-and-back through Cliff Falls Wilderness a superb dayhike in northern Georgia.
Explore the ruins of historic taverns and watch clouds roll over two 8,000-foot San Gabriel peaks on this 14-mile out-and-back in the Cucumonga Wilderness.
Hammer up a steep ravine in Wenatchee National Forest to the stunning, upper reaches of Icicle Ridge where grand views, rocky mountains, and a sparkling lake await.
Brilliant wildflowers, a rugged gorge, and two mountain lakes highlight this 6.6-mile out-and-back in Wenatchee National Forest.
From coniferous forests to intimate alpine lakes to views of the Continental Divide, this 12-miler offers classic Rocky Mountain scenery.
Tour Rainbow Lakes' subalpine waters before climbing through pine forests, past hidden lakes, and over 13ers en route to the Continental Divide.
A towering pile of weathered granite is the cornerstone of this easy-access loop that rolls over 3.2 miles of trail in the Medicine Bow National Forest.
Hidden deep inside the Santa Cruz Mountains, this 2.4-mile out-and-back wanders through old-growth forests and past meandering creeks to century-old limestone kilns.
This quick (and scenic) 0.3-mile jaunt loops around the base of Balanced Rock, a teetering sandstone rock formation in Arches National Park.
Stunning views of Weavers Needle and a fun, route-finding slickrock descent make this 4.6-mile Superstition Wilderness loop a Phoenix-area favorite.
Climb a massive slickrock ribbon and stand beneath one of Arches National Park's most iconic landmarks on this 3.1-mile out-and-back.
This St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge loop swings through salt marshes and forested swamps flush with birds, butterflies, and gators.
Sampling the best of the Indian Peaks Wilderness, this 5-miler traverses alpine meadows up to a sparkling lake perched below the Continental Divide.
Sweeping views and a memorable elk-spotting traverse at 11,000 feet await on this 22.3-mile multi-day loop in the Rio Grande National Forest.
Cruise, walk, run, blade, or skate this 5-mile out-and-back with views of world-class surfers, jagged coastline, and jaw-dropping sunsets.
An isthmus crossing and a killer climb reward with cross-channel views and a glimpse of Catalina Island's rugged backside on this 5.4-mile loop above Two Harbors.
Travel through the volcanic wasteland of Mount St. Helens, marveling at the rock/boulder deposits from the 1980 eruption that stripped the mountainside of any and all trees and vegetation. From the summit, get an up close perspective of the ever growing lave dome within the crater.
This strenuous 16-mile trek weaves past golden meadows to the crumbling crown of Broken Top, a glacier-scraped volcano in Three Sisters Wilderness.
Climb to the top of a glacier-scraped volcano for dramatic views of the Cascades on this difficult, 12.5-mile out-and-back in Three Sisters Wilderness.
One of the Gorge's steepest and most enjoyable trails, the path to Munra Point features several challenging scrambles and five-star views across the Columbia River.
Rushing rivers, brilliant wildflowers, and high mountain meadows are abundant on this moderate, 14.4-mile lollipop loop in the Entiat Mountains.
An ideal family trip, this 2.6-mile hike is short on miles, but big on scenery. You'll encounter spectacular rock formations, spring wildflowers, and two peaceful lakes.
Sample the paved hike-and-bike path in Houston's George Bush Park with this flat and easy 4.2-miler that's perfect for a run or a family bike ride.
Only 20 miles north of Atlanta, Sawnee Mountain Preserve offers a maze of wooded trails that wander past abandoned gold mines to overlooks of Blue Ridge peaks.
Wander a 4.2-mile figure 8 that tours rhododendron clusters, rock formations, and serene cascades in a diverse hardwood forest near the Alabama-Georgia state line.
Gaining 1,500 feet in 2.5 miles, this Adirondack summit push rewards with expansive views out to neighboring High Peaks and beyond.
This 4.1-mile loop on the southwestern slopes of Mount Mansfield offers dayhikers a healthy dose of elevation, fun rock scrambling, and Champlain Valley vistas.
Explore the unique glacial geology of Block Island and wander past Atlantic Ocean overlooks on this 3.5-mile amble through an idyllic nature preserve.
Weave between hardwoods and farmlands on this quick, 5-mile leg of the Finger Lakes Trail.
Hike this gentle, 6.1-mile out-and-back in midsummer when an explosion of wildflowers dominates the climb to this grassy pass in the Indian Peaks.
This popular loop through Boulder's Chautauqua Park tops out at a stunning rock arch framing views of Front Range foothills and the plains.
Look for banana slugs, newts, and canyon tree frogs on this 2.5-mile hike to Tangerine Falls, the largest cascade in the Santa Barbara frontcountry.
Marvel at Pacific coast views, tree-lined canyons, snowy peaks and tumbling waterfalls on this 7.5-mile highlight reel of Santa Barbara's frontcountry.
Delve deep into the Santa Ynez Mountains on this 4.7-mile, creek-hopping, canyon traverse to rock climbing walls and a hang glider launch pad.
Don't forget to pack a swimsuit: This 2.4-mile out-and-back leads to a multi-tiered cascade with sandstone swimming holes and views of the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Sample suburban recreational trails on this easy 3.8-mile Niwot route that showcases views of the Front Range along it's eastern fringe.
Cruise through oak-filled canyon country and shrubland meadows to overlooks of the Channel Islands, city lights, and the Pacific coast on this 7-mile out-and-back.
Hike or run past oak forests, vernal pools, rock climbing walls, and fields of chaparral on this 9-mile out-and-back to the Santa Ynez Ridge.
Ascend razor-thin ridgelines and scramble up sheer rock faces on this 10.7-mile loop to Strawberry Peak, one of the most challenging summits in the San Gabriel frontcountry.
You'll find postcard-worthy views atop a rocky lookout on this 9.6-mile lollipop loop touring the lush forests and ravines of the Columbia River Gorge.
Paving the way for a traffic-free park, this 1.8-mile trail connects the Zion Visitor's Center and Canyon Junction. Don't miss a foot-soak in the Virgin River on your way!
Scale Zion National Park's skyscraping sandstone walls and dip into a water-carved slot on this epic 8-mile out-and-back that climbs 2,148-feet to classic canyon views on Observation Point.
Cruise the northern reaches of Zion's monumental canyon on this 2-mile out-and-back that skirts the Virgin River, winds past hanging gardens, and touches the crimson-stained cliffs of the Narrows.
This easy, 1.5-mile dayhike skirts the canyon-carving Virgin River en route to an algae-tinted desert oasis and a dripping, 100-foot waterfall.
From cacti to cottonwood, this easy, 0.5-mile loop climbs nearly 100 feet to a hanging garden, a dripping rock, and a peek at Zion National Park's biodiversity.
Perfect for an after-work trail run or leisurely stroll, this 2.7-mile lollipop loop explores wide-open meadows in the shadow of Boulder's iconic Flatirons.
Climb past ponderosa stands, golden meadows, and Boulder's iconic Flatirons to a hidden cave in Chautauqua Park on this 6.8-mile out-and-back.
Escape the heat of the Las Vegas Valley by trekking through a forested alpine canyon en-route to a waterfall, caves, and stunning vistas on this out-and-back 3.5-mile hike.