Top three hiking trails in every US state according to hikers

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We share the three best hiking trails in every US state, according to America’s most popular hiking app

The US knows how to do wilderness. Wedged between the two great oceans of the world, it is home to practically every landscape under the sun. Beaches, lakes, mountains, rainforests, deserts, canyons and glaciers all rise and fall across this continent-sized country. And thanks to the outstanding National Park Service, huge swathes of it are readily accessible.

When, in 1872, the US established Yellowstone, its first national park (and the world’s second after Bogd Khan Uul in Mongolia), it signalled the start of something truly special. Yellowstone became a global model for the preservation of biodiversity and cultural history; a model that has been replicated all over the world.

The country’s national parks – along with a multitude of other protected areas – make the US an adventurer’s dream and one of the world’s best countries for hiking.

Here at Atlas & Boots, we’re always seeking out the most thrilling hikes, the finest trails and the most diverse landscapes. But, in a country of such extremes, how does one even begin to unearth the best hiking trails in every US state?

Perhaps crowdsourcing is the answer. Home to over 100,000 trails, AllTrails is one of the world’s premier hiking apps. It has over 20 million global users and is extensively downloaded in the US.

Everyone will have an opinion on what constitutes ‘the best’, but with reviews running in the hundreds of thousands, we believe the ‘AllTrails method’ is a feasible way of selecting the best hiking trails in every US state. That said, it’s worth recognising that popularity does not necessarily equate to ‘the best’.

Best hiking trails in every US State

AllTrails user reviews are calculated using a five-star rating system with one star being terrible, two stars poor, three stars average, four stars very good and five stars excellent.

To find the three best hiking trails in every US state, we’ve selected the three highest-rated hikes according to their average rating on AllTrails.

Alabama


1. WALLS OF JERICHO TRAIL
Distance: 14.5km
Duration:
4-5 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

Sougahoagdee Falls in Bankhead National Forest  is one of the best hiking trails in every US state
Traveler Jordan/Shutterstock Sougahoagdee Falls in Bankhead National Forest, Alabama

2. CAVE CREEK TRAIL
Distance: 10.8km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. SOUGAHOAGDEE FALLS
Distance: 6.4km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty
: Easy
More info

Alaska


1. FLATTOP MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Distance: 5.3km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

The expansive Harding Icefield in the Kenai Mountains of Alaska
Attilio Pregnolato/Shutterstock The expansive Harding Icefield in the Kenai Mountains of Alaska

2. HARDING ICE FIELD TRAIL
Distance: 13.2km
Duration:
6-7 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

3. MOUNT BALDY VIA BLACKTAIL ROCKS TRAIL
Distance: 8.7km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Arizona


1. DEVILS BRIDGE TRAIL
Distance: 6.8km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Devils Bridge in Arizona one of the best hiking trails in every US state
BCFC/Shutterstock The red rock arch of Devils Bridge in the state of Arizona

2. CATHEDRAL ROCK TRAIL
Distance: 2.1km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. WEST FORK TRAIL #108 OAK CREEK
Distance: 12.1km
Duration:
3 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Arkansas


1. WHITAKER POINT TRAIL (HAWKSBILL CRAG)
Distance: 4.7km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Hawksbill Crag is one of the best hiking trails in every US state
Brandon Alms/Shutterstock The famous Hawksbill Crag on the Whitaker Point Trail in Arkansas

2. CENTERPOINT TO GOAT TRAIL
Distance: 9.5km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

3. LOST VALLEY TRAIL
Distance: 3.4km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

California


1. VERNAL AND NEVADA FALLS VIA THE MIST TRAIL
Distance: 14.2km
Duration:
5 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

Liberty Cap and Nevada Falls – one of the best hiking trails in every US state
Nyker/Shutterstock Liberty Cap looms above Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park, California

2. POTATO CHIP ROCK VIA MT. WOODSON TRAIL
Distance: 12.2km
Duration:
4 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. MISSION PEAK LOOP
Distance: 9.3km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty
: Hard
More info

Colorado


1. ROYAL ARCH TRAIL
Distance: 6.4km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

Quandary Peak in Colorado
nyker/Shutterstock Quandary Peak in the state of Colorado has several hiking trails

2. CHAVEZ AND BEAVER BROOK TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 8.2km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. QUANDARY PEAK TRAIL
Distance: 12.1km
Duration:
5 hours
Difficulty
: Hard
More info

Connecticut


1. BEAR MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Distance: 10.5km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Bear Mountain Trail – one of the best hiking trails in every US state
Shanshan0312/Shutterstock Bear Mountain seen in the distance on the Bear Mountain Trail

2. RAGGED MOUNTAIN BLUE AND RED BLAZED LOOP
Distance: 8.9km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. MIRROR LAKE, CASTLE CRAIG, MERIMERE RESERVOIR LOOP
Distance: 7.1km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Delaware


1. ALAPOCAS WOODS TRAIL
Distance: 2.9km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Gordon's Pond Trail – one of the best hiking trails in every US state
Brandon Hirt/Shutterstock Sunset on Gordon’s Pond in the US state of Delaware

2. GORDONS POND TRAIL
Distance: 8.4km
Duration:
2 hours
Difficulty:
Easy
More info

3. SWAMP FOREST TRAIL
Distance: 10.9km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty
: Easy
More info

Florida


1. BLACK BEAR WILDERNESS AREA TRAIL
Distance: 11.7km
Duration:
3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Little Big Econ State Forest, Florida
Greg Valle/Shutterstock The sun sets in Little Big Econ State Forest, Florida

2. WEKIWA SPRINGS ORANGE TRAIL
Distance: 10.1km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Easy
More info

3. LITTLE BIG RIVER, DIGBAT, DITCH OF DOOM AND FLAGLER TRAIL
Distance: 15.1km
Duration:
4 hours
Difficulty
: Hard
More info

Georgia


1. RAVEN CLIFF FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 9.3km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Raven Cliffs Falls –  one of the best hiking trails in every US state
Stacy Funderburke/Shutterstock Raven Cliffs Falls in north Georgia

2. MOUNT YONAH TRAIL
Distance: 7.7km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

3. BLOOD MOUNTAIN AND FREEMAN LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 9.8km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty
: Hard
More info

Hawaii


1. KOKO CRATER TRAIL
Distance: 2.9km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

The view from Koko Crater on the south shore of Oahu, Hawaii
Nataliya Hora/Shutterstock The view from Koko Crater on the south shore of Oahu, Hawaii

2. MAKAPU’U POINT LIGHTHOUSE TRAIL
Distance: 4km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Easy
More info

3. KULIOUOU RIDGE TRAIL
Distance: 6.4km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Idaho


1. SAWTOOTH LAKE
Distance: 16.1km
Duration:
5-6 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Sawtooth lake in Idaho is one of the best hiking trails in every US state
J K Floyd/Shutterstock Idaho’s Sawtooth Lake framed by snowcapped peaks and pine trees

2. MINERAL RIDGE NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL
Distance: 5.3km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. TUBBS HILL
Distance: 3.1km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty
: Easy
More info

Illinois


1. LITTLE GRAND CANYON TRAIL
Distance: 4.8km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

ock formations in the Garden of the Gods of Shawnee National Forest
anthony heflin/Shutterstock Rock formations in the Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest, Illinois

2. WATERFALL GLEN TRAIL
Distance: 15km
Duration:
4 hours
Difficulty:
Easy
More info

3. GARDEN OF THE GODS OBSERVATION TRAIL
Distance: 0.8km
Duration:
15-30 mins
Difficulty
: Easy
More info

Indiana


1. CLIFTY FALLS, HOFFMAN FALLS, TUNNEL FALLS
Distance: 11.3km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Indiana's Clifty Falls State Park
Kenneth Keifer/Shutterstock Indiana’s Clifty Falls State Park

2. COWLES BOG TRAIL
Distance: 6.9km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. THREE LAKES TRAIL
Distance: 14.8km
Duration:
3.4 hours
Difficulty
: Hard
More info

Iowa


1. HITCHCOCK NATURE CENTER LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 10.1km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

The Maquoketa Caves in Iowa, one of the best hiking trails in every US state
John Brueske/Shutterstock The Maquoketa Caves in Iowa

2. MAQUOKETA CAVES LOOP
Distance: 2.7km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty:
Easy
More info

3. WILDCAT DEN TRAIL
Distance: 6.4km
Duration:
2 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Kansas


1. ELK RIVER HIKING TRAIL
Distance: 24.6km
Duration:
6-7 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Views along the Elk River, one of the best hiking trails in every US state
Steven Rodriquez/CC BY-NC 2.0 Views along the Elk River, Kansas

2. TURKEY CREEK STREAMWAY TRAIL
Distance: 11.6km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Easy
More info

3. SHAWNEE MISSION PARK ORANGE, VIOLET AND RED TRAIL
Distance: 10.5km
Duration:
3 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Kentucky


1. DOG SLAUGHTER FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 3.9km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Dog Slaughter Falls
Alexey Stiop/Shutterstock Dog Slaughter Falls in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky

2. VAN HOOK FALLS AND CANE CREEK VALLEY
Distance: 9.2km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. GRAY’S ARCH TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 5.5km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Louisiana


1. BOGUE CHITTO STATE PARK GORGE RUN TRAIL
Distance: 9.2km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Alligator swimming in Bayou Coquille
Trevor Rousselle/Shutterstock An American Alligator swimming in Bayou Coquille State Park

2. LONGLEAF VISTA ROAD TO BACKBONE TRAIL
Distance: 17.1km
Duration:
4-5 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. PALMETTO, BAYOU COQUILLE AND MARSH OVERLOOK
Distance: 6.8km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty
: Easy
More info

Maine


1. THE BEEHIVE LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 2.3km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

Views on the Beehive Loop Trail in Acadia National Park, one of the best hiking trails in every US state
flashbacknyc/Shutterstock Views on the Beehive Loop Trail in Acadia National Park, Maine

2. CADILLAC NORTH RIDGE TRAIL
Distance: 6.4km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. PRECIPICE, ORANGE AND BLACK AND CHAMPLAIN NORTH RIDGE TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 3.4km
Duration:
1 hours
Difficulty
: Hard
More info

Maryland


1. ANNAPOLIS ROCK VIA APPALACHIAN TRAIL
Distance: 8.2km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Maryland Annapolis Rocks
Jon Bilous/Shutterstock A sunset view from Annapolis Rocks along the Appalachian Trail, Maryland

2. CASCADE FALLS LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 3.7km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. BILLY GOAT TRAIL AND CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 11.6km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Massachusetts


1. GREAT BLUE HILL VIA SKYLINE TRAIL
Distance: 4.8km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Mount Greylock's lighthouse-like Veterans War, along one of the best hiking trails in every US state
Marc Lechanteur/Shutterstock Mount Greylock’s lighthouse-like Veterans War Memorial Tower

2. MOUNT GREYLOCK VIA BELLOWS PIPE AND THUNDERBOLT TRAIL
Distance: 8.2km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

3. MOUNT WATATIC AND NUTTING HILL VIA WAPACK TRAIL
Distance: 4.5km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Michigan


1. MOSQUITO FALLS AND CHAPEL FALLS VIA CHAPEL LOOP
Distance: 16.3km
Duration:
4-5 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Grand Portal Point on the Chapel Loop trail
Steve Lagreca/Shutterstock The view from Grand Portal Point on the Chapel Loop trail

2. THE MANISTEE RIVER LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 31.1km
Duration:
8-10 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. EMPIRE BLUFF TRAIL
Distance: 2.4km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Minnesota


1. FIFTH FALLS AND SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 4.8km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Easy
More info

Fifth Falls in Minnesota
CK Foto/Shutterstock Fifth Falls in Minnesota

2. LEBANON HILLS LOOP
Distance: 8.5km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL: SPLIT ROCK RIDGE
Distance: 8km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Mississippi


1. BEAR CREEK OUTCROPPING TRAIL
Distance: 2.9km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Bear Creek in Mississippi
Fredlyfish4/Shutterstock Bear Creek in Mississippi

2. CLARK CREEK PRIMITIVE TRAIL
Distance: 6.9km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. RICHARDSON CREEK TRAIL
Distance: 15.6km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Missouri


1. RIVER SCENE TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 5km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Lewis & Clarke Trail in Missouri
Rob Neville Photos/Shutterstock The Lewis & Clarke Trail in Missouri

2. LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL AND LEWIS TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 13.4km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. PICKLE SPRINGS NATURAL AREA
Distance: 3.1km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Montana


1. AVALANCHE LAKE VIA THE TRAIL OF THE CEDARS
Distance: 10.8km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Avalanche Lake in Montana
RyanTangPhoto/Shutterstock Avalanche Lake in the state of Montana

2. HIGHLINE TRAIL: LOGAN PASS TO GRANITE PARK CHALET
Distance: 24km
Duration:
7-8 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

3. HIDDEN LAKE TRAIL
Distance: 8.5km
Duration:
3 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Nebraska


1. PLATTE RIVER STATE PARK TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 10.8km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Platte River State Park in Nebraska
Daniel Stephen Hakes/Shutterstock Platte River State Park in the state of Nebraska

2. HACKBERRY, HAWTHORN, CHICKADEE, HICKORY AND RIDGE TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 3.5km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. FLANAGAN LAKE TRAIL
Distance: 8.4km
Duration:
2 hours
Difficulty
: Easy
More info

Nevada


1. CALICO TANKS TRAIL
Distance: 3.5km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Red Rock Canyon's Calico Tanks in Nevada
marevos imaging/Shutterstock Red Rock Canyon’s Calico Tanks in Nevada

2. HUNTER CREEK TRAIL
Distance: 10.3km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. MOUNT ROSE TRAIL
Distance: 19km
Duration:
5-6 hours
Difficulty
: Hard
More info

New Hampshire


1. MOUNT LAFAYETTE AND FRANCONIA RIDGE TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 13.8km
Duration:
6 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

A hiker on the Franconia Ridge
Montana Isabella/Shutterstock A hiker on the Franconia Ridge in the New Hampshire Appalachians

2. WELCH AND DICKEY LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 6.9km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

3. MOUNT WILLARD TRAIL
Distance: 5.1km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

New Jersey


1. MOUNT TAMMANY: RED DOT AND BLUE DOT LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 8.7km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Sunset on Mount Tammany
Brian P Hartnett Jr/Shutterstock Sunset on Mount Tammany

2. WHITE SHORE AND LONG PATH LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 6.6km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

3. STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN TRAIL
Distance: 4.7km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

New Mexico


1. WHEELER PEAK VIA WILLIAMS LAKE TRAIL
Distance: 15.3km
Duration:
5-6 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

Williams Lake in New Mexico
Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock Williams Lake in New Mexico

2. NAMBE LAKE TRAIL
Distance: 10.5km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

3. WILLIAMS LAKE TRAIL
Distance: 6.4km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

New York


1. CASCADE MOUNTAIN AND PORTER MOUNTAIN VIA CASCADE MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Distance: 10.5km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

The Adirondacks from Cascade Mountain
Andy Williams photos/Shutterstock The Adirondacks from Cascade Mountain

2. BEAR MOUNTAIN
Distance: 6.1km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. GERTRUDE’S NOSE TRAIL
Distance: 12.6km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

North Carolina


1. CLINGMANS DOME OBSERVATION TOWER TRAIL
Distance: 1.9km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Walkers at the Clingmans Dome observation tower
Kemboslice/Shutterstock Walkers at the Clingmans Dome observation tower in the Great Smokies

2. LOOKING GLASS ROCK TRAIL
Distance: 9.8km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. CATAWBA FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 3.4km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty
: Easy
More info

North Dakota


1. CAPROCK COULEE LOOP
Distance: 7.1km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota
Gestalt Imagery/Shutterstock Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota

2. WIND CANYON TRAIL
Distance: 0.8km
Duration:
0.5 hours
Difficulty:
Easy
More info

3. PAINTED CANYON NATURE TRAIL
Distance: 16.4km
Duration:
4-5 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Ohio


1. LEDGES TRAIL
Distance: 4.2km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Ritchie Ledges in Ohio
Jeff Holcombe/Shutterstock Ritchie Ledges in Ohio

2. BRANDYWINE GORGE TRAIL
Distance: 2.3km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. STANFORD HOUSE TO BRANDYWINE FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 6.3km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Oklahoma


1. ELK MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Distance: 3.7km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Elk Mountain in Oklahoma
Richard G Smith/Shutterstock Elk Mountain in Oklahoma

2. BISON TRAIL
Distance: 9.8km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. FRIENDS TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 2.4km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Oregon


1. TRAIL OF TEN FALLS
Distance: 14km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Silver Falls in the Willamette Valley of Oregon
Michael Warwick/Shutterstock Silver Falls in the Willamette Valley of Oregon

2. RAMONA FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 11.4km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. TAMOLITCH BLUE POOL VIA MCKENZIE RIVER TRAIL
Distance: 6km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Pennsylvania


1. MOUNT MINSI VIA APPALACHIAN TRAIL
Distance: 8km
Duration:
2 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Delaware Water Gap on the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border is one of the best hiking trails in every US state
Mihai_Andritoiu/Shutterstock Delaware Water Gap on the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border

2. RICKETTS GLEN FALLS LOOP
Distance: 10.6km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. APPALACHIAN TRAIL, PINNACLE TRAIL, VALLEY RIM AND PULPIT ROCK
Distance: 14.6km
Duration:
4-5 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Rhode Island


1. CLIFF WALK
Distance: 10.6km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

The seaside city of Newport along the Cliff Walk, Rhode Island
Sarah Quintans/Shutterstock The seaside city of Newport along the Cliff Walk, Rhode Island

2. LONG POND WOODS TRAIL
Distance: 7.2km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. CARR’S POND AND TARBOX POND
Distance: 6.4km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty
: Easy
More info

South Carolina


1. TABLE ROCK TRAIL
Distance: 10.8km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

The view from Table Rock in South Carolina is one of the best hiking trails in every US state
Red_Rock_Gal/Shutterstock The view from Table Rock in South Carolina

2. RAINBOW FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 6.9km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. RAVEN CLIFF FALLS AND DISMAL TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 14.2km
Duration:
5 hours
Difficulty
: Hard
More info

South Dakota


1. BLACK ELK PEAK SOUTH DAKOTA HIGHPOINT TRAIL
Distance: 11.9km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Harney Peak Fire Lookout Tower in the Black Hills of South Dakota
HTurner/Shutterstock Harney Peak Fire Lookout Tower in the Black Hills of South Dakota

2. NOTCH TRAIL
Distance: 2.1km
Duration:
1 hour
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. SUNDAY GULCH TRAIL
Distance: 6.3km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty
: Hard
More info

Tennessee


1. ALUM CAVE TRAIL TO MOUNT LECONTE
Distance: 17.1km
Duration:
5-6 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee  is one of the best hiking trails in every US state
Yuan Yue/Shutterstock The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has nearly 800 miles of hiking trails

2. CHIMNEY TOPS TRAIL
Distance: 7.2km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

3. RAINBOW FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 8.9km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty
: Hard
More info

Texas


1. GUADALUPE PEAK TEXAS HIGHPOINT TRAIL
Distance: 14.5km
Duration:
5-6 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

The Summit of Guadalupe Peak in Texas
Grahof/Shutterstock The Summit of Guadalupe Peak in Texas

2. RIVERPLACE NATURE TRAIL
Distance: 8.9km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. LOST MINE TRAIL
Distance: 6.8km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Utah


1. ANGELS LANDING TRAIL
Distance: 8km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

Angel's Landing in Zion National Park  is one of the best hiking trails in every US state
Calin Tatu/Shutterstock Angel’s Landing is one of the best hiking trails in the US state of Utah

2. LAKE BLANCHE TRAIL
Distance: 11.1km
Duration:
4-5 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. NAVAJO LOOP AND QUEEN’S GARDEN TRAIL
Distance: 4.7km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Vermont


1. CAMEL’S HUMP TRAIL
Distance: 9.7km
Duration:
4-5 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

The Camel's Hump in Vermont is one of the best hiking trails in every US state
drewthehobbit/Shutterstock The Camel’s Hump in Vermont

2. MOUNT MANSFIELD LOOP TRAIL
Distance: 11.7km
Duration:
4-5 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

3. LYE BROOK FALLS TRAIL
Distance: 7.6km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Virginia


1. OLD RAG MOUNTAIN LOOP
Distance: 16.4km
Duration:
5-6 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

The rocky summit of Old Rag Mountain in Virginia
Jonathan A. Mauer/Shutterstock The rocky summit of Old Rag Mountain in Virginia

2. MCAFEE KNOB VIA APPALACHIAN TRAIL
Distance: 13km
Duration:
4-5 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

3. WHITE OAK CANYON AND CEDAR RUN TRAILS LOOP
Distance: 14.5km
Duration:
5-6 hours
Difficulty
: Hard
More info

Washington


1. LAKE 22 TRAIL
Distance: 11.3km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Lake 22 in Washington
Natasha Blake PNW/Shutterstock Lake 22 in Washington

2. SNOW LAKE TRAIL
Distance: 10.3km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. SKYLINE TRAIL
Distance: 9.7km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

West Virginia


1. MARYLAND HEIGHTS LOOP
Distance: 10.6km
Duration:
3-4 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

Harpers Ferry from Maryland Heights in West Virginia is one of the best hiking trails in every US state
MarkVanDykePhotography/Shutterstock Harper’s Ferry from Maryland Heights in West Virginia

2. ENDLESS WALL TRAIL
Distance: 3.7km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Easy
More info

3. MARYLAND HEIGHTS VIA HARPER’S FERRY
Distance: 6.9km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty
: Hard
More info

Wisconsin


1. DEVIL’S LAKE VIA WEST BLUFF TRAIL
Distance: 7.6km
Duration:
2-3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Devil's Lake from Devil's Doorway in Wisconsin
MarynaG/Shutterstock Devil’s Lake from Devil’s Doorway in Wisconsin

2. EAST BLUFF AND EAST BLUFF WOODS TRAIL LOOP
Distance: 4.2km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

3. MEYERS BEACH SEA CAVE TRAIL
Distance: 7.4km
Duration:
2 hours
Difficulty
: Moderate
More info

Wyoming


1. CASCADE CANYON TRAIL
Distance: 5.6km
Duration:
4-5 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
More info

Cascade Canyon in Grand Teton National Park is one of the best hiking trails in every US state
Dezso Matyas/Shutterstock Cascade Canyon in Grand Teton National Park

2. DELTA LAKE VIA LUPINE MEADOWS ACCESS
Distance: 14.2km
Duration:
5-6 hours
Difficulty:
Hard
More info

3. TAGGART LAKE LOOP
Distance: 6.6km
Duration:
1-2 hours
Difficulty
: Easy
More info


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Discover more of the best hiking trails in every US state in America’s Best Day Hikes, a beautifully illustrated best-of compendium featuring the most memorable day hikes across every region of the United States.

Lead image: Edmund Lowe Photography/Shutterstock

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Atlas & Boots is an award-winning outdoor travel blog, founded by bestselling author Kia Abdullah and travel writer Peter Watson. They have been to over 100 countries and all seven continents.