Beyond the big cities, the eastern USA is criss-crossed with glorious hiking trails that take you from lush forests to mountain meadows, or from rugged peaks to tumbling waterfalls. Whether you’re after a day hike or a long-distance trek, Donna Dailey has the best routes for discovering America’s great outdoors.
Appalachian Trail
Best for: bragging rights
Total distance: 2,200 miles (3,540 km)
Total duration: 5–7 months
The East Coast’s most famous long-distance trail features on every keen hiker’s bucket list. Known as the A.T., it passes through 14 states on its way from Springer Mountain in northern Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.
Thru-hikers generally begin in the spring, and tackle the route from south to north. Running through green forestland or along mountain ridges, the trail is well-marked and easy to navigate, often emerging near roads and towns.
A good section for novice hikers parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park, which boasts splendid mountain-top views.
Total distance: 2,200 miles (3,540 km)
Total duration: 5–7 months
The East Coast’s most famous long-distance trail features on every keen hiker’s bucket list. Known as the A.T., it passes through 14 states on its way from Springer Mountain in northern Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.
Thru-hikers generally begin in the spring, and tackle the route from south to north. Running through green forestland or along mountain ridges, the trail is well-marked and easy to navigate, often emerging near roads and towns.
A good section for novice hikers parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park, which boasts splendid mountain-top views.
The Long Trail, Vermont
Best for: solitude
Total distance: 272 miles (438 km)
Total duration: 20–30 days
Completed in 1930, the Long Trail is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States. It runs up the spine of Vermont’s Green Mountains, from the Massachusetts state line to the Canadian border.
Known as the “footpath in the wilderness”, this backcountry route can be steep as it crosses most of the chain’s major summits, including Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield. It is especially awesome during the fall foliage season.
The southern section, which overlaps the Appalachian Trail, offers some easier terrain, while the rugged north is particularly peaceful.
Total distance: 272 miles (438 km)
Total duration: 20–30 days
Completed in 1930, the Long Trail is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States. It runs up the spine of Vermont’s Green Mountains, from the Massachusetts state line to the Canadian border.
Known as the “footpath in the wilderness”, this backcountry route can be steep as it crosses most of the chain’s major summits, including Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield. It is especially awesome during the fall foliage season.
The southern section, which overlaps the Appalachian Trail, offers some easier terrain, while the rugged north is particularly peaceful.
Presidential Traverse, White Mountains, New Hampshire
Best for: a physical challenge
Total distance: 23 miles (37 km)
Total duration: 1–3 days
You have to be fit – physically and mentally – for this challenging hike over some of the highest peaks in New England. It tackles the 10 mountains of the Presidential Range in one continuous trek, with an elevation gain of nearly 9,000 ft (2,743 m).
Most of the route is above tree line, and it’s subject to extreme weather which can make it dangerous. But if you plan accordingly and are well-prepared, the lunar landscape and sweeping vistas amplify the thrill of your accomplishment.
Total distance: 23 miles (37 km)
Total duration: 1–3 days
You have to be fit – physically and mentally – for this challenging hike over some of the highest peaks in New England. It tackles the 10 mountains of the Presidential Range in one continuous trek, with an elevation gain of nearly 9,000 ft (2,743 m).
Most of the route is above tree line, and it’s subject to extreme weather which can make it dangerous. But if you plan accordingly and are well-prepared, the lunar landscape and sweeping vistas amplify the thrill of your accomplishment.
Northville-Placid Trail, Adirondack Mountains, New York
Best for: wilderness
Total distance: 133 miles (214 km)
Total duration: 8–11 days
Following an old logging road, this trail takes you into some of the most remote wilderness areas of the Adirondacks. It traverses a high plateau strewn with lakes, rivers and streams, as well as regal stands of hardwood and spruce.
Wet weather and wilderness can make a thru-hike challenging. You can tackle easier sections of the route, leading to hermits’ camps, waterfalls and a suspension bridge over the Sacandaga River.
Total distance: 133 miles (214 km)
Total duration: 8–11 days
Following an old logging road, this trail takes you into some of the most remote wilderness areas of the Adirondacks. It traverses a high plateau strewn with lakes, rivers and streams, as well as regal stands of hardwood and spruce.
Wet weather and wilderness can make a thru-hike challenging. You can tackle easier sections of the route, leading to hermits’ camps, waterfalls and a suspension bridge over the Sacandaga River.
Ocean Trail, Acadia National Park, Maine
Best for: ocean views
Total distance: 4 miles (6.5 km)
Total duration: 2 hours
You’ll find some of the most family-friendly hiking trails in Acadia National Park, where 50 miles (80 km) of car-free carriage roads wind through the park and across quaint stone bridges.
For beautiful views of the magnificent tree-lined coast, take the Ocean Path. This largely flat, gravel trail between Sand Beach and Otter Point leads to viewpoints overlooking rocky coves, cliffs and pink-granite rock formations. There’s parking at either end of the route.
Total distance: 4 miles (6.5 km)
Total duration: 2 hours
You’ll find some of the most family-friendly hiking trails in Acadia National Park, where 50 miles (80 km) of car-free carriage roads wind through the park and across quaint stone bridges.
For beautiful views of the magnificent tree-lined coast, take the Ocean Path. This largely flat, gravel trail between Sand Beach and Otter Point leads to viewpoints overlooking rocky coves, cliffs and pink-granite rock formations. There’s parking at either end of the route.
Upper Hawksbill Trail, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Best for: fall color
Total distance: 2 miles (3 km)
Total duration: 1.5 hours
The views over the Shenandoah Valley are stupendous from the top of Shenandoah National Park’s highest mountain, Hawksbill. From Skyline Drive, the trail leading through the woods and along a fire road is a gradual climb, making it suitable for families with older children.
In fall, during peak foliage season, the slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains are an undulating blanket of red, orange, and gold stretching west as far as the eye can see.
Total distance: 2 miles (3 km)
Total duration: 1.5 hours
The views over the Shenandoah Valley are stupendous from the top of Shenandoah National Park’s highest mountain, Hawksbill. From Skyline Drive, the trail leading through the woods and along a fire road is a gradual climb, making it suitable for families with older children.
In fall, during peak foliage season, the slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains are an undulating blanket of red, orange, and gold stretching west as far as the eye can see.
Mount Cammerer Trail, Great Smoky Mountains
Best for: panoramic views
Total distance: 12 miles (19 km)
Total duration: 6–7 hours
Out of more than 800 trails in this vast national park, many hikers rate this one as their favorite. It’s a steep and strenuous climb up through hardwood forests, past bubbling creeks and, in season, blankets of wildflowers.
At the 4,928-ft (1502-m) summit of Mount Cammerer, you can look out over the Pigeon River Gorge, beyond which the Smokies seem to stretch on endlessly. For the most amazing panoramic view, go up on the deck of the old wood-and-stone fire tower.
The Great Smoky Mountains contain the highest peaks in the eastern USA. There are also dozens of easy-to-moderate trails that lead to the mountaintop meadows (called balds), and even more great views.
Total distance: 12 miles (19 km)
Total duration: 6–7 hours
Out of more than 800 trails in this vast national park, many hikers rate this one as their favorite. It’s a steep and strenuous climb up through hardwood forests, past bubbling creeks and, in season, blankets of wildflowers.
At the 4,928-ft (1502-m) summit of Mount Cammerer, you can look out over the Pigeon River Gorge, beyond which the Smokies seem to stretch on endlessly. For the most amazing panoramic view, go up on the deck of the old wood-and-stone fire tower.
The Great Smoky Mountains contain the highest peaks in the eastern USA. There are also dozens of easy-to-moderate trails that lead to the mountaintop meadows (called balds), and even more great views.
Art Loeb Trail, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
Best for: big skies
Total Distance: 30 miles (48 km)
Total Duration: 2–4 days
Pisgah National Forest is known as the land of waterfalls, but this challenging and popular route climbs far above them to cross four of the area’s highest peaks, at more than 6,000 ft (1829 m) high.
The trail runs along peaks and ridges, through miles of the Appalachian balds – a treeless yet diverse landscape that offers big skies and sweeping views. There are lots of shorter options for day hikes or loop trails to scenic spots, such as the trail’s high point at Black Balsam Knob.
Total Distance: 30 miles (48 km)
Total Duration: 2–4 days
Pisgah National Forest is known as the land of waterfalls, but this challenging and popular route climbs far above them to cross four of the area’s highest peaks, at more than 6,000 ft (1829 m) high.
The trail runs along peaks and ridges, through miles of the Appalachian balds – a treeless yet diverse landscape that offers big skies and sweeping views. There are lots of shorter options for day hikes or loop trails to scenic spots, such as the trail’s high point at Black Balsam Knob.
Mountains-to-Sea Trail, North Carolina
Best for: scenic variety
Total distance: 1150 miles (1850 km)
Total duration: 2–3 months
From the lofty heights of the Great Smoky Mountains to the tranquil shores of the Outer Banks, this trail across North Carolina has it all. Sections are still being built, but it’s already one of the country’s most celebrated long-distance hiking routes.
The trail starts at Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Smokies’ national park at 6,643 ft (2,025 m), and ends at Jockey’s Ridge, the tallest natural sand dune on the Atlantic coast. In between are hardwood forests, waterfalls, swamps, farmlands and beautiful coastal scenery.
Scenic sections of this trail are perfect for gentle, family day-hikes, as well as weekend backpacking trips.
Total distance: 1150 miles (1850 km)
Total duration: 2–3 months
From the lofty heights of the Great Smoky Mountains to the tranquil shores of the Outer Banks, this trail across North Carolina has it all. Sections are still being built, but it’s already one of the country’s most celebrated long-distance hiking routes.
The trail starts at Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Smokies’ national park at 6,643 ft (2,025 m), and ends at Jockey’s Ridge, the tallest natural sand dune on the Atlantic coast. In between are hardwood forests, waterfalls, swamps, farmlands and beautiful coastal scenery.
Scenic sections of this trail are perfect for gentle, family day-hikes, as well as weekend backpacking trips.
Jacks River Trail, Cohutta Wilderness, Georgia
Best for: swimming holes and waterfalls
Total distance: 16 miles (26 km)
Total duration: 1–2 days
For the most part, the Jacks River Trail offers a moderate hike through dense, wild forest with patches of old-growth trees and a gorge overlook. But you’ll also wade through creeks and cross the river more than 40 times on this north Georgia wilderness trail, so be prepared to get wet.
The reward is crystal clear swimming holes to cool off in, especially below the stunning, double-tiered Jacks River Falls with its 80-ft (24-m) drop. If you’ve only got a day to spare, the Beech Bottom Trail offers a shorter, easier route to the falls.
Total distance: 16 miles (26 km)
Total duration: 1–2 days
For the most part, the Jacks River Trail offers a moderate hike through dense, wild forest with patches of old-growth trees and a gorge overlook. But you’ll also wade through creeks and cross the river more than 40 times on this north Georgia wilderness trail, so be prepared to get wet.
The reward is crystal clear swimming holes to cool off in, especially below the stunning, double-tiered Jacks River Falls with its 80-ft (24-m) drop. If you’ve only got a day to spare, the Beech Bottom Trail offers a shorter, easier route to the falls.