12 Beautiful Hiking Trails in the US That Will Make You Fall in Love With the Outdoors

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Home to over 60 national parks, 73,000 mountains, and 88,000 miles (141,622 kilometers) of hiking trails, it’s easy to see why the United States is considered one of the world’s best places for a walk. Whether you want to enjoy a relaxed one-mile (1.6 kilometers) or tackle a 100-mile (160-kilometer) monster, the US has something to offer.

In fact, with so many epic hikes to choose from, deciding where to hike isn’t easy. Luckily for you, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 12 beautiful hiking trails in the US. These hikes were selected because they offer breathtaking beauty and a memorable experience.

Kalalau Trail, Ha’ena State Park, Hawaii

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The Kalalau Trail in Ha’ena State Park, Hawaii, is famed for its lush scenery, rugged landscapes, and picturesque coastline. This 11-mile (17-kilometer) hike brilliantly sums up what the island state offers. It runs along the island’s north shore from Ke’e Beach to the breathtaking Kalalau Valley.

Admittedly, this path is challenging, so hiking experience is advised, but the views from along the route are worth the struggle. Hiking enthusiasts are rewarded with spectacular views of Hawaii’s crystal-blue waters, lush rainforest, and jagged mountain peaks. It’s worth noting that visitors must pay an entrance fee before tackling the trial.

The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

One of the best ways to experience the otherworldly terrain in Zion National Park is to take on the Narrows hiking trail. This 10-mile (16-kilometer) moderately complex course allows walkers to explore the park’s towering and seemingly perfectly carved sandstone walls. These walls have been created over millions of years, so walking among them is a treat.

Parts of the path also run parallel to the beautiful Virgin River. You’ll have to step into the river in sections. This is excellent fun, but be careful because the rocky river bed can be slippery underfoot. Topping things off nicely, you’ll even glimpse the magnificent Navajo sandstones.

Burroughs Mountain Trail, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

As far as scenery goes, lush landscapes and stunning mountain peaks don’t get much better than the views in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. This beautiful national park is home to many exciting hiking routes and gorgeous viewpoints, one of the best of which is the Burroughs Mountain Trail.

This 9-mile (15-kilometer) roundtrip path is pretty strenuous, but you’ll be rewarded with impressive views of dense forest, vast glaciers, and rugged peaks. Better yet, the summit of this track is the highest point in the park you can reach on foot, as you can’t reach the summit of Mount Rainier without climbing. It usually takes hikers approximately five to six hours to complete this hike.

Half Dome Day Hike, Yosemite National Park, California

You must complete the Half Dome day hike to experience the best panoramic views in Yosemite National Park. This monumental hiking trail sees experienced hikers make their way up the Half Dome, one of the United States’ most recognizable peaks. The summit of this course stands approximately 4,800 feet (1,463 meters) above the Yosemite Valley floor.

Aside from offering some of the most mesmerizing views of Yosemite National Park, this 14-15-mile (23-24-kilometer) trail is famous for its challenging summit. To reach the top, the last part of the route requires hikers to pull themselves up steel cables. We don’t know about you, but that sounds utterly terrifying. We’ll leave this one to the experts for now.

Hawksbill Summit Trail, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

If you’re searching for a more accessible hiking trail in the United States but one that still offers impressive views and scenery, look no further than the Hawksbill Summit Trail in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Starting at the Upper Hawksbill parking area, this 2.1-mile (4.4-kilometer) out-and-back route offers 360-degree views of the Shenandoah Valley.

From the summit, which takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach, you can also see the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Virginia Piedmont. The hike only sees you gain 520 feet (158 meters) in elevation. We recommend taking a picnic with you to enjoy at the summit and admire the views.

Highline Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana

The following beautiful hiking track on our list is the Highline Trail, one of the best hiking courses in Glacier National Park, Montana. Beginning in Logan Pass, this moderate 15-mile (24-kilometer) looped path passes some of the national park’s most iconic locations, including the vibrant Garden Wall, which explodes with wildflowers in spring.

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You’ll also pass lush meadows, stroll through dense forests, and walk along mountain paths with jagged peaks. Another highlight of the Highline Trail is the wildlife you can potentially spot. Bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and grizzly bear sightings aren’t uncommon in Glacier National Park. That said, be cautious and follow park rules and regulations when hiking in the national park.

Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Hike, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Unique outdoor honeymoon ideas Backpacking in The Grand Canyon — © kravka / Adobe Stock

There are many ways to witness the incredible natural beauty and sheer size of Grand Canyon National Park, including helicopter and river raft. However, hiking is the best way to get close and personal to one of America’s most famous landscapes. If you want to take on a serious challenge, hike from rim to rim.

You can follow several postcard-perfect hiking tracks to complete the rim-to-rim hike, such as the South Kaibab, the North Kaibab, and the Bright Angel Trails. Whichever you choose, north to south or south to north, you’ll hike approximately 20-24 miles (32-39 kilometers). These routes aren’t easy, but the views are phenomenal. You can also split the tracks up by camping within the park overnight.

Mount Whitney Trail, California

If you’re an experienced hiker looking for a serious hiking challenge in the California mountains, we strongly recommend taking the Mount Whitney Trail. Many of the tracks up to now feature lush meadows, vibrant rock formations, and easy walking paths. The Mount Whitney Trail is very different.

Instead, this 22-mile (35-kilometer) round-trip route leads hikers up a steep, rocky, and barren mountain path to the summit of Mount Whitney, which stands at 14,505 feet (4,421 meters) tall. Along the path, you’ll see mesmerizing alpine lakes, jagged granite cliffs, dense pine forests, and vast canyons. Unsurprisingly, this trail calls for proper training before you tackle it.

Nugget Falls Trail, Tongass National Forest, Alaska

The Nugget Falls Trail in Tongass National Forest, Alaska, shows that you don’t have to hike for miles and miles to find the best views in the United States. This scenic and super-easy route is only 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometers) long but offers breathtaking views of Mendenhall Lake and Glacier.

The trail’s surrounding area is also home to some of America’s most magical wildlife, including bald eagles, salmon, and black bears. This short hiking path starts halfway down the Photo Point Trail and ends at Nugget Falls, a powerful waterfall alongside Mendenhall Glacier. If you decide to explore Tongass National Forest more, you’ll be pleased to hear there are more than 700 miles (1,126 kilometers) of hiking tracks.

Charlies Bunion Hike, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, and Tennessee

12 Beautiful Hiking Trails in the US Charlies Bunion Hike, Great Smoky Mountains, N. Carolina, and Tennessee — © Norris / Adobe Stock

With a name like Charlies Bunion, the next hike on our list doesn’t sound particularly exciting, but it’s one of the most beautiful hiking routes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Split between North Carolina and Tennessee, this national park is famed for its backcountry paths, lush forests, and stunning waterfalls.

Along the Charlies Bunion trail, you can see the national park in all its glory. However, this isn’t the easiest of hikes, so you’re in for a challenge. The Charlies Bunion Hike is 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) long, with an elevation of 1,600 feet (488 meters). It’s also worth noting that pets aren’t allowed on the path.

Delicate Arch Trail, Arches National Park, Utah

The Delicate Arch Trail is a scenic 3-mile (5-kilometer) out-and-back route in Arches National Park. It allows hiking beginners to admire the park’s otherworldly rock formations and take in panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. It’s an excellent hike for children. Along the track, stop to take photographs of the desert landscape, rock formations, and the La Sal Mountains.

Thanks to its accessibility and short length, the Delicate Arch Trail is popular at sunrise and sunset. If you time your visit right, you’ll capture photographs of the sun shining through the national park’s iconic arch. This route usually takes under two hours to complete, although that doesn’t allow time to stop and admire the views.

Cadillac North Ridge Trail, Acadia National Park, Maine

The final American hiking trail on our list is the Cadillac North Ridge Trail in Acadia National Park, Maine. Acadia National Park is home to many picturesque hiking paths, some of which are easy and others that are strenuous. Luckily, the 4.4-mile (7-kilometer) Cadillac North Ridge Trail is relatively easy.

This track is a big hit with hikers wanting to take in the best views of Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay, and the Schoodic Peninsula. The course is a roundtrip, so you don’t have to return the same way. The path is mainly well-maintained, but there are also various uneven and rocky sections and steep slopes to tackle.