The 10 Most Advanced Hiking Trails In The US & 10 Everyone Should Try
There's Something For Everyone
Many people associate hiking with days-long treks up impossibly steep forest paths, but it doesn't have to be painful. One fortunate aspect of living in the USA is that there are a multitude of world-class national and state parks sprinkled throughout, from Yosemite to Denali. These parks offer beautiful trails for people of all skill levels. Whether you love to break a sweat and have sore glutes for days or prefer a relaxed scenic meander, here are 10 of the hardest hiking trails in the US and 10 easy ones that everyone should try.
1. Angel's Landing, Zion National Park
Don't be fooled by the relatively short 4.8-mile loop that is Angel's Landing in Zion National Park. What it lacks in length it makes up for in difficulty, taking you up 5,790 feet to the summit where you're rewarded with some of the best views available of Zion Canyon.
2. Grandview Trek, Grand Canyon National Park
The Grandview Trek in the Grand Canyon National Park is a truly adventurous experience reserved for seasoned hikers. Beginning at 7,400 feet elevation, the trail brings hikers down a steep and challenging route along a historic miners' trail down to the bottom of the canyon. Those who can manage it are rewarded with gorgeous panoramic views of the Grand Canyon and the Horseshoe Mesa.
3. Camp Muir, Mount Rainer National Park
Washington State's Mout Rainer National Park is a destination for mountaineers from all over the world, renowned for its rugged trails and picturesque alpine vistas. Camp Muir's initial two miles is an easy ascent through meadows and lush green forest, but it quickly gives way to a grueling trek up 2,900 feet of elevation into unmarked, snow-covered terrain. Hikers must come prepared with snow axes, winter hiking gear, and mountain knowledge.
4. Denali West Buttress, Denali National Park
This 33-mile trail in Alaska's Denali National Park starts at 7,200 feet elevation and meanders up to its summit at 20,300 feet elevation, offering immaculate views along the way. Hikers who embark on this route will experience extreme cold and high altitude, and equipment like ice axes, crampons, and ropes are a must.
5. The Maze, Canyonlands National Park
Any hiking route called "the maze" is bound to be difficult to navigate. Sure enough, this largely unmaintained hike in Utah's Canyonlands National Park is a remote and complex trek through canyons and over slickrock. Advanced navigation skills are a must.
6. Kalalau Trail, Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park
Kalalau Trail in Hawaii's Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park is a challenging 11-mile coastal trail is known for its breathtaking views of Kauai as well as its treacherous nature. Its dangerous river crossings and rugged ocean cliffs make it only suitable for advanced hikers in good physical shape.
7. The Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim, Grand Canyon National Park
The R2R2R in the Grand Canyon National Park is a 42-mile trail that takes hikers on an 11,000-foot elevation change challenge down to the bottom of the canyon and back up to the other side, then back down and up again to the starting point. The trek is exceptionally strenuous and should only be attempted by experienced hikers.
8. Logan Pass to Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
The Logan Pass to Many Glacier day hike is a 16-mile hike through peaks, valleys, and above a glacier. It's a strenuous hike with steep descents and rocky terrain that requires you to be in good physical shape, but it offers constant, spectacular mountain views.
9. Presidential Traverse, White Mountain National Forest
The Presidential Traverse in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest is a 20-mile trek across a chain of mountain peaks, many named after presidents. Its steep ascents and descents over rocky terrain along with the unpredictable and extreme weather conditions make for a challenging hiking experience.
10. Wonderland Trail, Mount Rainier National Park
With a length of 93 miles, the Wonderland Trail in Washington's Mount Rainer National Park requires quite a bit of preparation and a high skill level. The multi-day backpacking trek circumnavigates the mountain, gaining and losing around 27,000 feet of elevation along the way, offering stunning glacier and alpine views.
Balamurugan Anbazhagan on Pexels
Now that we've talked about the most challenging hike the US has to offer, let's go over some of the beautiful ones that just about anyone can do.
1. Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Yosemite National Park
The Lower Yosemite Fall Trail is a paved, wheelchair-accessible, mostly flat 1-mile loop leading to North America's tallest waterfall. Here you get the stunning views Yosemite is renowned for without having to break a sweat.
2. Pa'rus Trail, Zion National Park
Pa'rus Trail is a paved, mostly flat 3.5-mile stroll that follows the picturesque Virgin River in Zion National Park. It's one of the only trails in the park where bikes and pets are allowed and it still offers some stunning canyon views.
3. Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Trail, Yellowstone National Park
This easy route in Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park is a 1.5-mile walk that takes 30 to 40 minutes to complete. It's a gentle uphill climb to a lookout area that offers the best panoramic view of the vibrant Grand Prismatic Spring.
4. Marymere Falls Trail, Olympic National Park
This beautiful 1.8-mile loop in Washington's Olympic National Park takes you through old-growth forest, over two gorgeous creeks, and down a mossy ravine, to the 90-foot Marymere Falls. It's the perfect activity for families or on a rainy day as an alternative to one of the more advanced hikes in the area.
5. Balanced Rock Trail, Arches National Park
Balanced Rock Trail in Arches National Park, Utah is a very easy 0.3-mile stroll around one of the park's most famous arching rock formations. It's a quick stop where you get to see a truly unique piece of geology up close.
6. Cadillac Summit Loop, Acadia National Park
This half-mile loop in Maine's Acadia National Park only takes around 15 minutes to complete, but what it lacks in length, it makes up for with its spectacular vistas. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline, islands, and Bar Harbor, and is renowned for being one of the best sunset spots in the US.
7. Boardwalk Trail, Congaree National Park
Boardwalk Trail in South Carolina's Congaree National Park is a 2.4-mile accessible wooden path beginning on a bluff and going through the largest area of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in North America. The boardwalk allows you to walk the swamplands without getting your feet wet.
8. Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park
Florida's Everglades National Park is known for its breathtaking beauty and impressive array of wildlife, and its flat elevation lends itself well to relatively easy hiking. The Anhinga Trail is a 0.8-mile paved loop that practically guarantees up-close viewings of alligators, turtles, and various wading birds.
9. Old Faithful Geyser Loop, Yellowstone National Park
The Old Faithful Geyser Loop is a network of boardwalks taking hikers around the famous Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Wait around for the legendary eruption while checking out other hot springs and steam vents.
10. Boquillas Canyon Trail, Big Bend National Park
The nice thing about Texas's Big Bend National Park for those of us who love easy hikes is that it's largely pretty flat. The Boquillas Canyon Trail is a 1.5-mile loop taking you alongside the Rio Grande, through a limestone gorge, and around one of the park's famous canyons.
