Find a Hidden Beach in Resurrection Bay, Alaska
Paddle past glacier-covered peaks and lush mountainsides on this 6.5-mile out-and-back that visits a small beach in Resurrection Bay.
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.
Paddle past glacier-covered peaks and lush mountainsides on this 6.5-mile out-and-back that visits a small beach in Resurrection Bay.
This 2.6-mile loop in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve links three park trails, sandstone bluffs, and views of undeveloped coastline.
Climb to a scenic viewpoint overlooking Boulder and the Flatirons on this moderate, 3.1-mile out-and-back in Chautauqua Park.
Climb more than 2,000 feet from aspen groves near Woods Lake to the dramatic Navajo Lake basin. This 10.2-mile out-and-back is a San Juan classic that spends a dramatic mile above treeline.
Traverse a red-rock hillside on this easy 1-mile out-and-back that lands atop a cluster of sandstone pinnacles in the Colorado National Monument’s grandest canyon.
"Camp" in style on this out-and-back to a 10th Mountain Division hut just north of Leadville, CO. A full kitchen, wood-stove heat, and sprawling views of 14,421-foot Mt. Massive are just a few of the amenities.
This *2.8-mile loop swings past talus fields, wildflowers, and a falcon nesting area, capping them off with a gob-smacking view from Shenandoah's highest peak.
Five cascading waterfalls are the draw on this popular 4.2-mile out-and-back that starts with a climb and ends with a leafy streamside ramble.
Highlights along this 3.5-mile loop include whitetail deer, a 3,364-foot summit, precariously perched boulders, and a 19th-century farmhouse.
Look for blackberries and bears on this 4.4-mile loop around an activity-filled lake complex in the southern Shenandoah Valley.
Explore Silver Peak and Twin Lake on this challenging 9-mile loop.
Take this short, little-known scramble up to the top of Guye Peak in the Alpental Ski Area.
Roughly an hour from Portland, this must-do dayhike in Mount Hood National Forest skirts the Sandy River and offers spectacular views of Ramona Falls.
A great out and back that covers just over 14 miles, through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area that will be sure to not disappoint, as you will pass 4 lakes, numerous streams, and huge views of the surrounding mountains and jagged peaks that make this close in section of wilderness a fan favorite.
Think of this hike as a five-star gourmet meal for the price of a cheeseburger, the crescendo will leave you utterly speechless, yet leave you wondering how you attained so much for so little effort.
This short trail between Gorge and Diablo Lakes climbs steadily to a small pocket lake filled with floating "gardens" and great views of Pyramid Peak.
Hike this short trail between two Cascades passes to the foot of a brilliant blue lake in a stone amphitheater beneath the towering Early Winters Spires and Liberty Bell Peak.
Hike to stunning Snow Lake, one of the most popular and easily accessible lakes within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. This 8.5-mile out and back includes a side trip to Source Lake.
A challenging 3 day journey into the Chain Lakes area. On this 31 mile lollipop loop, see several lakes, cross 3 passes, and trek through forests and meadows back to the beginning.
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.
Experience this world-class, glaciated peak in a day on an 8.4-mile out-and-back that climbs 4,600 feet to a high-altitude camp above the Muir Snowfield.
Take this 10-mile trek up to Mt. Defiance, enjoying long views, access to a number of lakes, and lush alpine meadows.
Cruise huckleberry meadows and tackle steep, switchbacking turns on this 2.8-mile out-and-back to Mt. Catherine's summit and a survey-worthy perch above Keechelus Lake and Snoqualmie Pass.
Follow this hike up to the top of Kendall Peak for magnificent views of the surrounding landscape before continuing on to the popular Katwalk.
A 15 mile out and back into Big Heart Lake. Along the way, you'll pass Trout Lake, Copper Lake, Little Heart Lake, and then Big Heart. The lakes are full of large trout, and the views of the ruggedness of the Alpine Lakes area is worth the effort it takes to hike into this wild part of Washington.
Start with a casual romp through lush rainforest and a beaver pond meadow, traverse a coastal headland to an historic lighthouse, then delve down through "Middle Earth" to a mystic beach on this 6-mile loop hike.
Hike through lush coastal forest with the sounds of barking sea lions, to view a hidden cove and waterfall from atop a meadowy bluff on Oregon's rugged Pacific Coast.
Hike to Tomlike Mountain. This is a nice hike with great views of Mt. Hood.
Trail to Chinidere Mountain. This is a fairly easy trail that offers great views of Mt. Hood as well as several other Oregon and Washington mountains.
Wyeth trail to North Lake. This is a fairly steep trail that makes for a good workout. North lake is a nice destination.
Three days is all you need for this memorable, 33.2-mile circuit on the northern flanks of Rainier, which connects Natural Bridge, the Yellowstone Cliffs, and Grand Park, a string of must-see landmarks bypassed by the Wonderland Trail.
Go for a dayhike or an easy overnight to one of these quiet cascade lakes, both in the shadow of towering volcanic peaks.
Get big mountain scenery without the big mountain effort on this 6.9-mile out-and-back that visits two gorgeous alpine lakes, secluded campsites, and a 60-foot trailside waterfall.
Skirt volcanic cliffs amid hillside meadows to a pair of small alpine lakes and secluded camp spots on this 8.5-mile lollipop-loop.
Explore John Day Fossil Beds' Painted Hills unit on four short hikes, offering both up-close and panoramic views of otherworldly prehistoric volcanic landscapes.
This 3.9-mile loop in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument features panoramic views of Blue Basin and a memorable tour of 20-million-year-old fossils.
Impressive mountain views and thick aspen stands await backpackers on this 30-mile section of the Colorado Trail perfect for a two or three day trip.
The very best section of the 483-mile Colorado Trail lies along this 40-mile San Juans stunner. Start at 12,500 feet and drop past hidden waterfalls into the Animas River Valley, where the Grenadier Peaks tower overhead.
Link a DuPage county high point, oak and hickory woodlands, a marshy pit-stop for migrating birds, and the hiding spot for a woolly mammoth on this 6.1-miler west of Chicago.
Link Morton Arboretum's gently rolling east side loops for a 3.4-mile tour cruising ornamental rhododendrons, an autumn rainbow of beech, and 500 acres of oak and sugar maple woodlands--a veritable smorgasbord for tree lovers.
Wander amid shaded forest filled with fern and wildflowers on one of the longer trails in Oregon's newest state park.
Get beyond the crowds on this 5.4-mile loop hike that visits 6 waterfalls - one of them "secret" - and tops out above 620' Multnomah Falls, the 2nd-highest year-round waterfall in the U.S.
Get a quick hiking fix without leaving town by exploring the network of trails that crisscross this extinct volcano in southeast Portland.
Granite Mountain is the classic Snoqualmie Pass summit hike. Popular for it's plentiful and rewarding views, this trail switchbacks up the mountainside to an active fire lookout.
Follow this fledgling trail under Deception Crags to find great views of the Snoqualmie Valley from Hall Point. Continue on to the summit of Mt. Washington.
Take this 5-mile route to the top of McClellan's rocky spire for 360-degree views of the surrounding Cascades.
This challenging climb to the summit of Mt. St. Helens leads hikers past waterfalls and lava flows to the edge of a smoldering crater.
This short hike is a great introduction to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, see two of the most popular of the 700 lakes in the region; Talapus and Olallie Lakes.
This challenging trek follows winding logging roads to a 5,028-foot summit overlooking the Cascades.
Snake 17 miles through beach communities and pristine shorelines to the Sunken Forest on the east side of Fire Island National Seashore.
Explore bayside birding spots, forest-lined beaches, a historic army base, and the nation's oldest standing lighthouse on this 13-miler at Sandy Hook.
Discover New York City's best birding on this 2-mile loop along bay shores and wetlands at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.
Walk along the East River waterfront for views of Mill Rock Park and the New York City skyline on this TK-miler on Ward's Island.
Loop around Roosevelt Island for unmatched views of the East River and Uptown on this 4-miler in New York City.
Dip into a towering woodland full of vines, brush, and solitude on this 2-mile loop through Van Cortlandt Park's Northwest Forest.
Experience chromatic rose gardens, exotic conifers, and old-growth forest on the most beautiful 4-mile walk in New York City.
Walk between a vast everglade, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island on this 5-mile loop through New Jersey's largest urban park.
Amble through verdant woodlands in New York City's fourth-largest park, Van Cortlandt, on this 4-mile out-and-back.
Hike to mussel-covered bay shores, rocky beaches, and lagoons on this 3-mile loop around Hunter Island in Pelham Bay Park.
Walk from the shores of Bear Mountain State Park's most popular lake to a Hudson River lookout on this 2-mile lollipop.
Wrap around a 17th-century, country estate, wetlands, woods, and stunning lagoons on this 1.5-mile loop in Pelham Bay Park.
Trace the shoreline of Mohonk Lake before scrambling through limestone crevices to a memorial tower with views of the Shawangunks on this 3-mile lollipop.
Connect quiet forests, wetlands, and an 18th century landmark on this 2.1-mile loop in Van Cortlandt Park.
On this 6.1-mile lollipop loop, you'll crest two summits on Burroughs Mountain, trace the Sourdough Mountains' ridgeline, and take in views of Mount Rainier, the Emmons Glacier, and 11,138-foot Little Tahoma Peak.
Pack a week's worth of classic Northwest scenery (coastal rainforest, glittering lakes, thundering falls, and toothy peaks) into just three days on this 23.1-mile loop.
A 33 mile loop around the Middle and South Sisters, in Central Oregon.
Find primo lakeside camping on a rainforest-to-alpine loop.
Thru-hike America's highest trail.
Ogle fiery color in the Green Mountains.
Easily accessible loop hike to two waterfalls in the Mt. Hood National forest.
The Maple Pass Loop starts at Rainy Pass and crests the 7,000-foot ridge above the lake for eagle-eye views of the glacier-topped Cascades.
Scramble over granite faces, clamber past cacti-peppered rock gardens, and wind your way through Texas Hill Country on this 4.9-mile loop on the south side of Inks Lake State Park.
Tag two summits in the Pliny Range (including a White Mountain 4,000-footer) on this moderate, 6.3-mile out-and-back.
Like peaks, lakes, and wildflowers? You’ll love this Rockies classic.
Witness the effects of climate change on a challenging trek in the Delta Mountains.
Easy routefinding and life-list sights make this hike from Devils Creek to Summit Creek a must for Alaska novices.
Stroll native woodlands on this 1.6-miler through the north side of Morton Arboretum, a living museum that's home to more than 3,400 species of trees and plants.
Circumnavigate a 425-foot monolith on this 4.9-miler that crosses a sandy creek and cruises classic Texas Hill Country west of Austin.
Hike a historic, kid-friendly trail to wildflower meadows and fish-filled lakes.
Just minutes from Anchorage, score big scenery fast on the South Fork of Eagle River.