5 Great hiking spots you must see
Hiking is an activity enjoyed by many people looking for adventure, exercise, and an invigorating way to enjoy the great outdoors. While your local trails and forests are great for introducing yourself to the hobby, seasoned hiking enthusiasts may want a new challenge. No matter what your interest level is, you will want to add these five fantastic hiking destinations to your bucket list.
Appalachian Trail, Eastern United States. This seemingly ever-changing trail spans a massive 2,200 miles. Passing through 14 states on the east coast, you can start as far north as Maine, and as far south as Georgia, or at any point in between. As you hike the trail, you may find towns, rivers, and roads, but the vast majority of the time on it is spent in the wilderness, making it a great option for getting away from it all.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. One of the most famous natural marvels found in the United States, the Grand Canyon is a wonderful place to hike. Eager beginners and veterans alike flock here for the trails along the South and North Rims, which offer beautiful views of the scenery. For a more comprehensive and demanding hike, you can spend about a week here going from one rim to the next. The ultimate adventure, though, is to hike to the bottom of the canyon and camp for a night or two, then hike back up.
Yosemite National Park, California. Hiking aficionados think of the Half Dome trail when Yosemite comes to mind. This arduous trail, ranging from 14 to 16 miles in length, takes you up thousands of feet above sea level and is a true foray into the wilderness. Those who want something a little less daunting will be pleased to find that there are more paths through it to enjoy, all of which help travelers experience the stunning landscape up close and personal.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Yellowstone has over 1,000 miles of hiking trails across its whopping 2.2 million acres of land. To take most of these paths on is to venture out into the wild, and, while offering spectacular experiences with nature, is not for the faint of heart. Fortunately, there are ranger stations and and visitor stations throughout the park to keep you updated on trail and weather conditions, to help your trip be as safe as possible. There are also several businesses that offer guided hikes for those less experienced with hiking long distances.
The Big Island, Hawaii. This Hawaiian Island stands out on this list not just because it is off the United States mainland. From encountering exotic creatures, to seeing awesome waterfalls, and of course, imposing volcanoes, it has so much to offer hikers, across thousands of miles of wide-ranging types of terrain.
Best Places to Hike in North America [US News & World Report]
Top 10 Most Amazing Hikes in North America [Discovery]
World’s Best Hikes: 15 Classic Trails [National Geographic]