American Adventures: Epic Trails of the United States
Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes Last updated on 24th December 2024
The United States boasts an extraordinary network of long-distance trails that capture the nation’s pioneering spirit and love of wild places. From the glacier-carved landscapes of the Superior Hiking Trail to the sun-baked canyons of the Hayduke Trail, these paths showcase America’s stunning geographical diversity. Urban trails weave through cities like Boston and Chicago, while epic routes like the Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail challenge hikers with thousand-mile journeys through multiple states. Together, they represent a remarkable system of public pathways that connect communities, preserve natural corridors, and provide access to some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes.
Barr Trail is a challenging 13-mile (21 km) hiking trail located in Pike National Forest, Colorado, leading from Manitou Springs to the summit of Pikes Peak. Established in the early 20th century, it offers significant elevation gain and stunning views. Key features include: – Length: 13 miles (21 km) – Elevation Gain: Approx. 7,800 feet (2,400 m) – Highest Point: Pikes Peak summit at 14,115 feet (4,302 m) The trail is rated as difficult due to the steep ascent and high altitude. The trailhead begins in Manitou Springs, Colorado, near the Pikes Peak Cog Railway depot. Landmarks include Barr Camp at approximately 6.3 miles (10.1 km) with amenities and the Timberline A-frame Shelter around 9 miles (14.5 km). The first three miles are particularly steep, but the trail becomes less compacted after Barr Camp. It takes between 6 and 10 hours on average to reach the summit from the trailhead. Hikers should prepare for altitude sickness and varying temperatures. Wildlife opportunities exist as the trail passes through different ecological zones. Late spring to early autumn (May to October) is recommended for optimal conditions. Limited parking is available near the trailhead, with shuttles required during busy times. Good navigation skills are essential due to the well-marked but challenging terrain. Barr Trail is a popular route for hikers seeking to experience Pikes Peak’s beauty and challenge.
Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in the United States is a 3,100-mile trail that runs from Mexico to Canada, following the spine of the Rocky Mountains. The CDT passes through five states and numerous communities, offering stunning scenery and diverse ecosystems. The CDT is suitable for both day and section hikes, as well as thru-hiking.
The Crosstown Trails in San Francisco offer an opportunity to explore various parts of the city. Managed by a group of local volunteers dedicated to fostering community and promoting outdoor activities, the trails cover hidden pathways, public parks, shopping areas, tiled stairways and community gardens, connecting the four corners of the city. Participants can choose to explore the trails by walking, running, or cycling, either completing the entire route in one day or tackling it in sections. The initiative encourages people to experience the city’s beauty while engaging in healthy activities.
The Denver Orbital Trail is a 177-mile circular walking route around metro Denver, connecting existing trails, parks and greenways across four counties and over a dozen cities and towns. It is divided into 28 segments, ideal for day hikes, with available parking and some sections accessible via public transport. The trail offers a variety of landscapes, including mountain wilderness and prairie dog habitats, and is more than 85% off-road. The route has been thoroughly mapped, although trail conditions may vary.
The Empire State Trail, launched by New York State in 2017, is a 750-mile route that invites cyclists and walkers of all abilities to discover the state’s unique attractions, history, and landscapes. Stretching from New York City through the Hudson River Valley, west to Buffalo via the Erie Canal, and north to the Champlain Valley and Adirondacks, the trail aims to promote outdoor recreation, healthy living, community engagement, and tourism-driven economic growth. A free large-format map detailing the trail route is available, providing an overview of its path through urban centres, village main streets, and rural areas.
The Hayduke Trail is an 800-mile-long backcountry route in the United States, known for its extreme difficulty. It connects six National Parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon and Zion, showcasing the stunning red rock wilderness of the American Southwest.
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is an impressive hiking trail located entirely within Wisconsin, stretching approximately 1,200 miles across the state. Established as a National Scenic Trail in the US, it passes through 30 of the state’s 72 counties and boasts diverse landscapes including prairies, forests and glacial features. Following the terminal moraine from the last Ice Age, the trail is composed of 124 named sections ranging from 1 to 15.5 miles in length. Ideal for hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, this unique attraction has over 2.3 million visitors annually. Featuring glacial landforms like kettles, kames and erratics as well as wildlife viewing opportunities, the trail is primarily maintained by volunteers through the Ice Age Trail Alliance. Completion time for through-hikers ranges from 10 to 16 weeks, with a difficulty level that varies by portion.
The Kalalau Trail is a challenging yet rewarding 11-mile Hawaiian hike along Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast, famous for its breathtaking beauty and intermediate to advanced difficulty. Spanning over 22 miles round trip with approximately 5,000 feet of elevation gain, the trail takes most hikers between two and four days to complete. The route traverses five valleys, including Hanakapi’ai, before culminating at Kalalau Beach. Key features include crossing three major streams and passing through diverse landscapes, offering unparalleled views of the coastline. Notable sections include the first 2 miles to Hanakapi’ai Beach and the challenging Crawler’s Ledge around mile 7. Permits are required for hiking beyond Hanakapiai Valley, and hikers should be well-prepared with proper gear and respect the trail’s potential dangers. The best time to hike is during drier months when flash floods are less common.
The Lost Coast Trail is a challenging 25-mile hiking route along the rugged Northern California coastline, passing through the King Range National Conservation Area. This mostly beach hike features pristine beaches, coastal wilderness, wildlife viewing opportunities including sea lions and tide pools and spring wildflowers. Hikers should carefully plan their trip around tide tables, as certain sections become impassable during high tide, and only hike from May through October due to weather conditions. Permits are required and released three months in advance. The trail offers a rare coastal wilderness experience for backpackers seeking an adventure along the California coast.
Spanning 235 miles, the New England Trail (NET) is a long-distance hiking trail in the United States that runs from Long Island Sound in Connecticut to the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border. The trail is a combination of three historic trail systems: the Mattabesett, Metacomet and Monadnock.
The Olympic Discovery Trail is a 135-mile multi-use recreational trail along the northern edge of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, passing through Port Townsend to La Push on the Pacific Coast. Completed sections include Port Townsend to Blyn (27 miles), Blyn to Port Angeles (26 miles) and Lake Crescent to the trail’s end (41 miles). The route offers diverse terrain, including rail trails, rural corridors, side roads and highway shoulders. Suitable for hikers, cyclists, runners and equestrians in some sections, highlights include scenic views of Puget Sound, Sequim Bay, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Olympic National Park, Elwha River, Dungeness River, forests, farmlands, coastal areas and former railroad routes such as the Port Townsend & Southern Railroad. The trail offers a unique journey through the Olympic Peninsula’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail
The Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail is an exploratory route encompassing over twenty stunning waterfalls on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, from Hood Canal to Neah Bay and Quinault Rain Forest. The trail caters to various levels of accessibility, with some waterfalls viewable from the roadside, while others require backcountry hikes. Notable waterfalls include Sol Duc Falls, offering a unique vantage point above cascading waters; Marymere Falls, a family-friendly hike of 1.8 miles round trip; Murhut Falls, a two-tiered waterfall measuring 155 feet in Olympic National Forest; and Madison Falls with its wheelchair-accessible short paved path in Elwha Valley. Due to the expansive area covered, it is recommended visitors explore the trail over multiple visits. Some trails allow dogs but are not permitted within Olympic National Park. Seasonal variations impact water flow, with spring offering the most impressive displays.
The Oregon Coast Trail, established in 1967, is a captivating 380-425 mile long-distance hiking route following the entire coastline from the Columbia River to the California border. With diverse landscapes including 39% beaches, 41% paved roads and 20% trails/dirt roads, this trail offers an extraordinary opportunity for explorers to discover rugged sea stacks, old-growth forests, marine wildlife viewing, lighthouses, coastal towns, historic sites like shipwrecks and World War II bunkers. Hikers can opt for a full thru-hike or section-hiking over time, with 10 distinct segments ranging from 35 to 45 miles in length. The best hiking season is mid-June to September due to careful logistics and tide/route planning requirements. Hiker/Biker campsites are available at most state parks; however, some sections may necessitate road walking or ferry crossings.
Outerbelt Alliance NFP welcomes you to explore the 210-mile hiking trail around Chicago and its neighbouring suburbs. The trail offers a variety of landscapes, including lakefront, forests, parks and green spaces. Hikers can enjoy multiple campsites along the way and even participate in group thru-hikes. They also need to be aware that the Forest Preserves offer a range of designated trails with varying levels of danger, and users should exercise caution while using these trails. Non-designated trails may pose additional hazards, so hikers are encouraged to use them at their own risk.
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a renowned long-distance hiking route spanning approximately 2,650 miles (4,265 km) from California’s border with Mexico to British Columbia’s boundary with Canada. The trail traverses through diverse landscapes including deserts, mountains and forests, showcasing California’s longest segment marked by various ecosystems and notable landmarks, Oregon’s lush forests and volcanic landscapes and Washington’s stunning mountain scenery in the North Cascades. Hikers require permits for certain sections due to national park and forest passage. The trail presents significant challenges such as steep inclines, severe weather conditions, dehydration risks and wildlife encounters while offering opportunities for personal growth and connection with nature. Ideally hiked from late April to September, the PCT is well-marked but can require navigation skills in some areas. With strong community support from hikers and volunteers, the trail represents a significant challenge and an unforgettable adventure.
The Providence Crosstown Trail is a 13-mile walking route established in 2024, inspired by the San Francisco Crosstown Trail, offering a journey through diverse areas of Providence, from bustling urban landscapes to serene parks. It begins at the Igliozzi Recreation Centre and concludes at Fields Point, with an option to shorten the walk by starting or ending at the Van Leesten Memorial Bridge. Walkers can explore various neighbourhoods like Silver Lake and Smith Hill and enjoy off-road paths within parks such as Neutaconkanut Hill, Waterplace Park and Roger Williams Park.
Located in the United States, the River’s Edge Trail is a nearly 60-mile trail that stretches along both sides of the Missouri River. Suitable for activities like walking, hiking, jogging, skating, cycling and mountain biking, the trail features paved and single track options. Visitors can enjoy views of mountains, prairies, river canyons, waterfalls, reservoirs and five hydroelectric dams.
The Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) is a 310-mile (500 km) long-distance hiking trail in northeastern Minnesota, traversing from the Minnesota-Wisconsin border near Jay Cooke State Park to the Canada-US border. The SHT offers diverse landscapes, including Lake Superior views, boreal forests, Sawtooth Mountains, waterfalls and wildlife. Its length, moderate difficulty and scenic beauty make it an excellent preparation for longer thru-hikes like the Appalachian Trail. The trail is well-marked with blue blazes and SHT tags, featuring 94 backcountry campsites, passing through seven state parks and adhering to Leave No Trace principles. Hikers can expect constant elevation changes, diverse landscapes and regulations against motorised vehicles, mountain bikes, horses (except in limited shared corridors) and dogs off-leash. The best time to hike is late summer and fall, when the weather is favourable for a 2-4 week thru-hike.
The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in the United States is a popular 11-mile trail that runs along the coast from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park, all in Alaska. The trail, which can be enjoyed year-round, is considered easy and is suitable for a variety of activities such as hiking, biking, skiing, running and rollerblading. Along the trail, visitors can observe the fault line of the 1964 earthquake, explore forests and look for moose. The trail also offers sweeping views of beluga whales and Denali.
The Walking City Trail is a 27-mile urban hiking route in Boston, inaugurated in 2022 by local enthusiasts. It connects 17 neighbourhoods from the Neponset River Reservation to Bunker Hill Monument, incorporating parks, urban forests, gardens and residential areas. The trail is divided into four sections, ranging from 5.7 to 8.3 miles, with accessible points for public transport, restrooms and refreshment stops. It celebrates Boston’s historical and natural landscapes, inspired by the vision of figures like Frederick Law Olmsted, and invites exploration on foot. Hikers can traverse urban paths, the city’s historic parks and streets, experiencing diverse vistas and Boston’s rich ecosystem. They are encouraged to explore at their own pace, using detailed maps and directions.
