Where to hike

HIKING DESTINATIONS

In-depth guides to the places worth the trip, and an Adventure Score for every US town: 0 to 100 for how much quality outdoor sport is close by.

447
In-depth guides
8,179
Places for hiking
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IN-DEPTH GUIDES

Spots, seasons, travel and budget for hiking. Highest Adventure Score first.

★ Guide90

Hurricane

UT, US · Desert

Slickrock riding above Zion — sandstone lines and painted desert panoramas

  • Mountain Biking 100
  • Hiking 100
  • Climbing 80

Known for: Phil World Trail, The Narrows, Tetas De Cabre

Destination guide →
★ Guide87

St. George

UT, US · Desert

St. George: Utah's red-rock mecca with world-class climbing, slickrock biking, and year-round sunshine.

  • Hiking 100
  • Climbing 100
  • Mountain Biking 83

Known for: Moe's Valley, Phil World Trail, Bluff Street Cracks

Destination guide →
★ Guide94

North Conway

NH, US · Forest

White Mountains climbing and forest singletrack an hour from Boston.

  • Hiking 100
  • Skiing 100
  • Climbing 100

Known for: Presidential Traverse, Mount Washington Valley Ski Touring & Snowshoe Foundation, Whitehorse Ledge

Destination guide →
★ Guide90

Flagstaff

AZ, US · Forest

Northern Arizona rock climbing, trail running, and mountain biking at 7,000 feet in the world's largest ponderosa forest.

  • Hiking 100
  • Climbing 100
  • Mountain Biking 94

Known for: West Fork Trail, Upper Skyline, Arizona Snowbowl Bike Park

Destination guide →
★ Guide80

Asheville

NC, US · Forest

Blue Ridge hub for climbing, mountain biking, and waterfall hiking in a vibrant arts and food scene.

  • Hiking 100
  • Kayaking 100
  • Mountain Biking 96

Known for: Cataract Falls Trail, French Broad River Greenway Access, Bent Creek Experimental Forest - Green Lick Trail

Destination guide →
★ Guide76

Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP

CA, US · Alpine

Climbing among the world's largest trees — granite walls and boulders inside a national park

  • Hiking 100
  • Climbing 100
  • Mountain Biking 50

Known for: Nature Center Boulder, Tokopah Falls Bouldering, Hospital Rock Boulders

Destination guide →
★ Guide81

Acadia

ME, US · Water

Mountain-ringed coastal park with technical climbing, rugged hiking, and pristine island seascapes.

  • Hiking 100
  • Climbing 100
  • Kayaking 90

Known for: Cadillac Mountain South Ridge, Beech Cliff Bouldering, Acadia National Park Sea Kayaking

Destination guide →
★ Guide82

Yosemite West Gateway: Merced Canyon & Wawona

CA, US · Water

Yosemite's lower gateway — classic California granite on the road to the Valley

  • Hiking 100
  • Climbing 100
  • Mountain Biking 38

Known for: Mist Trail, Wilde Pinnacle, The, Half Dome Cables

Destination guide →
★ Guide89

Mammoth Lakes

CA, US · Water

Sierra Nevada base camp: alpine hiking, world-class climbing, high-elevation mountain biking.

  • Hiking 100
  • Climbing 100
  • Mountain Biking 90

Known for: Duck Pass Trail, Hail Mary Boulder, Mammoth Mountain Bike Park

Destination guide →
★ Guide76

Baraboo

WI, US · Forest

Midwest climbing at its finest — quartzite bluffs rising above a glacial lake

  • Hiking 100
  • Climbing 100
  • Skiing 67

Known for: Devil's Lake State Park East Bluff, Devils Lake, Mirror Lake State Park

Destination guide →
★ Guide76

Buttes

AZ, US · Desert

Classic Arizona butte climbing on freestanding desert towers

  • Hiking 100
  • Climbing 99
  • Mountain Biking 53

Known for: Bright Angel Trail to Phantom Ranch, Buddha Temple, Rainbow Rim Trail

Destination guide →
★ Guide79

Munising

MI, US · Water

Paddle beneath soaring sandstone cliffs where waterfalls spill into Superior

  • Hiking 100
  • Kayaking 51
  • Mountain Biking 49

Known for: Pictured Rocks Lakeshore Trail, Michigan Pictured Rocks Miners Beach, Munising Mountain Bike Park

Destination guide →
★ Guide93

Sedona

AZ, US · Desert

Red rock desert trails carved through some of the most dramatic scenery on Earth.

  • Mountain Biking 100
  • Hiking 100
  • Climbing 100

Known for: Sedona Mountain Bike Trails, Bell Rock Trail, Beef Lord Spire

Destination guide →
★ Guide84

Bryson City

NC, US · Forest

Smoky Mountain singletrack and cold-water gorge — adventure runs deep here

  • Hiking 100
  • Mountain Biking 78
  • Kayaking 64

Known for: Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte, Tsali Recreation Area, Nantahala Gorge Kayaking

Destination guide →
★ Guide75

Ashford

WA, US · Alpine

Gateway to the legendary circuit around the Cascade's great glaciated volcano

  • Hiking 100
  • Mountain Biking 51
  • Climbing 37

Known for: Mount Rainier Skyline Trail, Eagle Peak, Spray Park Trail Mount Rainier

Destination guide →
★ Guide79

Issaquah

WA, US · Forest

Seattle's backyard trails — Pacific Northwest flow, roots, and forest deep

  • Mountain Biking 100
  • Hiking 100
  • Running 100

Known for: Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park, Rattlesnake Ledge, Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park

Destination guide →
The directory

EVERY PLACE

Every guide and every US place we score, highest Adventure Score first for hiking. Switch to “Guides first” to see the in-depth guides on top.

8,179 places