Most Beautiful U.S. Hiking Trails

Nugget Falls Trail, Tongass National Forest, Alaska

Located at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in Juneau, Alaska, this trail offers a 0.8-mile hike with stunning views of Nugget Falls and the glacier. The forest is home to bald eagles, sockeye salmon, and black bear cubs.

Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Just 75 miles from Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park features over 500 miles of hiking trails, including 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Burroughs Mountain Trail, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

This trail in Mount Rainier National Park offers spectacular views of the iconic 14,410-foot Mount Rainier. The park has over 260 miles of trails that pass through old-growth forests, river valleys, and subalpine meadows.

Halema'uma'u Trail, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park allows visitors to experience the heat of a volcano up close. The Halema'uma'u Trail is a 0.8-mile hike descending 425 feet through a rain forest along the southern edge of the K+lauea caldera.

Charlies Bunion Hike, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

This hike offers breathtaking vistas of the mountains and valley from Charlies Bunion, a popular spot along the Appalachian Trail. The park spans two states and features diverse plant and animal life.

Billy Goat Trail, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Maryland

Just minutes from Washington, D.C., this 4.75-mile moderate hike in Maryland offers views of the Potomac River and Great Falls' rocky crags. The trail is popular, and visitors should check for closures due to flooding or trail damage.

Kalalau Trail, H 'ena State Park, Hawaii

Running 11 miles along Kauai's north shore from Ke»e Beach to Kalalau Valley, this challenging and dangerous trail requires an entrance fee and camping permit past Hanak p+»ai Beach.

Chautauqua Trail, Chautauqua Park, Colorado

Established in 1898, Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colorado, spans 80 acres and offers both strenuous and less challenging hikes. The Chautauqua Trail provides views of the Flatiron mountains and Boulder, making it a good starting point for exploring the park.