Nothing beats a day or maybe two of hiking in the great outdoors. There are more than 21,000 combined miles of hiking trails across the US. So, if you are a hiking enthusiast, then you’ll always have somewhere to go. If you are having a hard time deciding for your next hiking destination, here are some of the best trails here in the US.
Mount Whitney
Mount Whitney is a challenging hike but everything you’ll experience throughout the entire time will surely make up for that. Lakes, valleys, rock formations, mountain peaks, and scenic sublime all over await you. Located in California, Mount Whitney has a 6,000-foot elevation gain of 14,494 feet. Despite the out-and-back trail distance of 22.5 miles, Mount Whitney can be conquered in a day. However, to experience it to the fullest, you might want to consider hiking for a couple of days. If hiking the entire trail is not your thing, you can also take the Mount Whitney Shuttle, which will take you up and down the trail. You can also choose to stay in one of the many Mount Whitney lodging facilities that are scattered throughout the area.
Hot Springs Mountain Trail (beginner hiking trail)
Hot Springs Mountain Trail in Arkansas is perfect for people who just started hiking. Despite it being a beginner’s hike, this trail offers scenic overlooks surrounded by a green forest. As the name suggests, Spring is the best time to take on this trail.
Badlands
Don’t let the name fool you, Badlands is a must-experience hike. Make your way to the Badlands National Park in South Dakota and prepare for exciting outdoor exploration. Badlands has several trails, some short and some not so short. Badlands offer beautiful vistas all over and not to mention amazing wildlife. Don’t miss the chance to see the mesmerizing night sky while camped out along the Badlands. Many people prefer taking on this trail during the winter because there are fewer people.
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is something one needs to see and experience at least once. It doesn’t matter if you are from the US or not. The Grand Canyon isn’t just for hiking. There are loads of areas and places to visit there including the Grand Canyon Village, Desert View Drive, Hermit Road, Mojave Point, and Monument Creek Vista. The Horseshoe Bend, which you can see from the Grand Canyon is out of this world. If you are also travelling with kids, no need to worry. There are kid-friendly trails throughout and even some fun activities.
Mount Rainier
You must take on a 9 miles roundtrip to really see the wonder that is Mount Rainier in Washington. According to several hikers, Mount Rainier offers the best view out of all the hiking trails in the US. The Burroughs Mountain Trail offers you a complete view of Mount Rainier and the glaciers that surrounds it. You will surely be speechless once you reach the highest point and look around. If you are planning on taking this trail, make sure to prepare and check weather conditions. The trail gets dangerous at times with the possibility of snowdrifts.
These trails or hiking destinations are sure to fire up your adventurous spirit. You can take on these trails on your own, but it is always better to have someone with you in case you’ll ever need help or the other way around.
If you are a beginner, then make sure to prepare everything you need and most important of all, prepare your body because you’re going to need a lot of strength to hike.
If you are thinking of giving hiking a try, go for it. It is an activity that can bring so much energy and joy into your life. It’s not easy for sure. But, if you take it on and succeed, it is very rewarding.
