Best hiking trails in USA

Hikes in United States

Country in North America

What are the best hikes in the United States? There are simply so many incredible hikes in the USA that it’s almost impossible to answer. Many of the best hikes in the United States can be found in the mountain chains that cover the American West. Here you’ll find hikes that take you through untouched wilderness, up high above the forests and to beautiful mountain lakes. The American Southwest offers a different hiking experience in wonderful arid regions that are best explored on foot.

The US is so vast that you can’t even dream of seeing everything in one visit. The country contains a huge variety of hiking terrain, from protected National Parks to cool mountain towns like Aspen or Vail.

To help you plan your hiking holiday, we have found the best hikes in most of the Western US states. We find the best hikes in National Parks, National Forests and Wilderness Areas across California, Oregon, Washington State, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Nevada. We share the best hikes for world-famous National Parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches, Olympic and Glacier. We also help you plan your trip to other great places, like Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, Salt Lake City, Vail and Aspen.

Download the 10Adventures App

View Hikes in United States on Map

View Map

Hiking regions in United States

    Best Hikes in United States

    Open details for Chicago Lakes Hike

    Chicago Lakes Hike

    Hard
    17.1 km
    846 m
    5.5-7.5h

    The Chicago Lakes Hike, near Denver, takes you to Colorado’s high country! The trail winds though the wilderness to beautiful alpine lakes nestled in a glacier cut valley at the base of Mt Evans!

    User Ratings
    Overall Rating
    10.0
    Technical Difficulty
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
    Physical Difficulty
    Intermediate (Square)
    Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
    Open details for Flattop Mountain

    Flattop Mountain

    Hard
    6.1 km
    403 m
    2-3h

    The Flattop Mountain trail is a great day-hike near Anchorage. Short, but steep this trail takes you to the top of Flattop Mountain with great views of surrounding Chugach State Park. This hike is very popular among locals and includes some fun, but challenging scrambling near the top.

    User Ratings
    Overall Rating
    10.0
    Technical Difficulty
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
    Physical Difficulty
    Intermediate (Square)
    Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
    Open details for Lone Eagle Peak Hike

    Lone Eagle Peak Hike

    Very Hard
    24.4 km
    624 m
    6-8.5h

    Lone Eagle Peak is a rugged hike, but it’s also one of the best hikes in Colorado. You’ll walk past many waterfalls including Cascade Falls. At the end, you’ll see Lone Eagle Peak towering over Mirror Lake and dominating the mountain landscape. This beautiful reflection makes it one of the most scenic views in Colorado.

    User Ratings
    Overall Rating
    10.0
    Technical Difficulty
    Intermediate (Square)
    Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
    Physical Difficulty
    Advanced (Diamond)
    Suitable for advanced experience level looking for a solid adventure.
    Open details for Buckskin Pass

    Buckskin Pass

    Hard
    16.1 km
    1,020 m
    5.5-8h

    This hike starts from one of the most photogenic lakes in the entire Rocky Mountains. The gruelling climb up to Buckskin Pass is definitely worth the effort. From its lofty heights you will be completely surrounded by panoramic views.

    User Ratings
    Overall Rating
    9.9
    Technical Difficulty
    Intermediate (Square)
    Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
    Physical Difficulty
    Advanced (Diamond)
    Suitable for advanced experience level looking for a solid adventure.
    Open details for Panorama Trail

    Panorama Trail

    Very Hard
    23.5 km
    1,275 m
    7.5-11h

    If we only did one hike in Yosemite, the Panorama Trail would be it. We think it's one of the best hikes in the USA. The route up the Mist Trail, along the Panorama Trail to Glacier Point and then down the 6.4 km path is the best hike in all of Yosemite National Park.

    User Ratings
    Overall Rating
    9.9
    Technical Difficulty
    Intermediate (Square)
    Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
    Physical Difficulty
    Advanced (Diamond)
    Suitable for advanced experience level looking for a solid adventure.
    Open details for Fletcher Peak hike

    Fletcher Peak hike

    Moderate
    11.3 km
    688 m
    4-5.5h

    Fletcher Peak is not only one of the easiest mountains to climb in the park, but also the sixth highest point in all of Nevada. Here, you will experience spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, including the Spring Mountains. This is truly a beautiful half-day hike that is nothing short of fantastic!

    User Ratings
    Overall Rating
    9.8
    Technical Difficulty
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
    Physical Difficulty
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
    Open details for Clayton Peak

    Clayton Peak

    Moderate
    4.2 km
    455 m
    2-3h

    The steep hike up to Clayton Peak yields unbelievably stunning views. One of the easier summits to walk in the area, it’s surprising very few people make the trek!

    User Ratings
    Overall Rating
    9.8
    Technical Difficulty
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
    Physical Difficulty
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
    Open details for Hill 88 Loop

    Hill 88 Loop

    Moderate
    8.6 km
    404 m
    2.5-3.5h

    Hill 88 Loop, located in the Golden Gate Recreation Area in Marin County, is an excellent choice for dog lovers who wish to take their four-legged friends on hiking adventures near the beach. This is a great trail with amazing views, but if you do not like dogs be sure to avoid the busy times of day!

    User Ratings
    Overall Rating
    9.8
    Technical Difficulty
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
    Physical Difficulty
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
    Open details for Upper Piney River Falls Trail

    Upper Piney River Falls Trail

    Moderate
    9.3 km
    213 m
    2-3h

    Upper Piney River Falls Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the Vail Region. The trail, which rewards hikers with stunning views of the Gore Range, slowly climbs up 213 m, spread over 4.6 km, to a cascading waterfall. This trail is commonly used as the approach to Mt. Powell - the highest summit in the Gore Range at 4,141 m.

    User Ratings
    Overall Rating
    9.8
    Technical Difficulty
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
    Physical Difficulty
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
    Open details for Dead Horse Point Hike

    Dead Horse Point Hike

    Easy
    8.3 km
    144 m
    2-2.5h

    The Dead Horse Point hike knocks you out of your boots straight from the trailhead. This scenically dense hike puts you in the heart of the action. Expect fantastic views down to the winding Colorado River and across the expansive valley to the La Sal Mountains throughout the entire route.

    User Ratings
    Overall Rating
    9.8
    Technical Difficulty
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
    Physical Difficulty
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.

    Change happens, fees shouldn't

    Suggested Tours

    Open details for Summit Mount Olympus Trekking Tour

    Summit Mount Olympus Trekking Tour

    Greece
    Trekking
    Self-Guided
    4 days
    From $195
    Months Tour Operates
    J
    F
    M
    A
    M
    J
    J
    A
    S
    O
    N
    D

    This tour is your chance to trek one of the most mystical mountains on earth: Mount Olympus. This self-guided journey starts in Litochoro, an enchanting town at the foot of Greece’s highest peak. Then you’ll spend two days on the mountain, sleeping in a mountain hut on the second night. You should be comfortable hiking up some serious elevation on this tour to reach the summit, a worthy reward for your effort.

    View More
    Open details for Jericho to Jerusalem through Wadi Qelt Tour

    Jericho to Jerusalem through Wadi Qelt Tour

    Israel
    Trekking
    Self-Guided
    2 days
    From $190
    Months Tour Operates
    J
    F
    M
    A
    M
    J
    J
    A
    S
    O
    N
    D

    The incredible Jericho to Jerusalem through Wadi Qelt Hiking journey from Jericho to Jerusalem is the perfect introduction to the natural beauty of the West Bank region that spans Palestine and Israel. Journeying on foot, you’ll experience these iconic areas in a truly unique and spectacular way.

    View More
    Open details for Avalanche Skills Training 1 in the Canadian Rockies

    Avalanche Skills Training 1 in the Canadian Rockies

    2 days
    From $225
    Months Tour Operates
    J
    F
    M
    A
    M
    J
    J
    A
    S
    O
    N
    D

    Avalanche safety is a must-have tenet of backcountry adventure and a critical step in keeping yourself and your adventure partners safe in the wintertime and shoulder season. The Avalanche Skills Training 1 in the Canadian Rockies tour is a practical chance to learn the basics of avalanche safety in one of the most beautiful mountain environments in the world.

    View More
    Open details for Self-Guided Mount Triglav Trek

    Self-Guided Mount Triglav Trek

    Slovenia
    Walking
    Self-Guided
    3 days
    From $250
    Months Tour Operates
    J
    F
    M
    A
    M
    J
    J
    A
    S
    O
    N
    D

    Take on a quintessential Slovenian trekking adventure to the summit of its highest mountain! The Self-Guided Mount Triglav Trek allows you to hike at your own pace and enjoy the incredible scenery of Triglav National Park.

    View More

    Other Activities in United States

    Trip Planners

    Essential Tools for Any Adventure

    Find a hotel in some of the most beautiful locations on earth.

    Book your own car to have complete freedom on your next adventure.

    Gear-up for your next adventure.

    This page may include affiliate links. We may get a small commission for the purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
    We only recommend tools we personally think are great.

    Change happens, fees shouldn't

    Recent Stories

    Open details for 10 Best Backpacking Trips in the US to Rediscover the Importance of Nature

    10 Best Backpacking Trips in the US to Rediscover the Importance of Nature

    By Richard Campbell
    February 23rd, 2023
    Open details for Yosemite in Winter: Plan your Perfect Weekend

    Yosemite in Winter: Plan your Perfect Weekend

    By Lynn W
    November 3rd, 2019
    Open details for Yellowstone National Park Guide For 2021

    Yellowstone National Park Guide For 2021

    By Lukas Saville
    August 1st, 2019
    Open details for The Extensive Guide to Zion National Park For 2021

    The Extensive Guide to Zion National Park For 2021

    By Lukas Saville
    July 30th, 2019
    Detailed Route Guides
    Real GPS Coordinates
    Reliable Trail Reports
    Experienced-Based Travel Tips
    GPS App
    Extensive Travel Guides

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Get a weekly dose of discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers

    Tours

    Routes

    Blogs