If you’re looking for the best mountain hikes in America and beyond, you’re in the right place. This guide covers the top trails across seven major mountain regions in the US, plus a handful of bucket list hikes around the world that belong on every serious hiker’s radar. Whether you’re new to hiking or you’ve logged hundreds of miles on rugged trails, there’s something here for you. I’ve organized everything by region so you can find trails to explore near your next trip, or start planning an epic hike you’ve been wondering about for years.
Best Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the greatest hiking destinations in Colorado and arguably the entire country. The park sits at high elevation, with trailheads often starting above 9,000 feet, so altitude adjustment matters here. But the payoff is worth it. Alpine lakes, sweeping views, tundra meadows, and mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet are all within reach on a day hike.
Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge is the crown jewel. This 9.4-mile out-and-back trail gains about 1,750 feet of elevation gain and passes Alberta Falls, The Loch, and Timberline Falls before ending at a stunning alpine lake tucked beneath the Cathedral Spires. It’s one of the best hikes in Colorado, period. Get there early. The trailhead parking lot fills before 6 AM in summer.
Emerald Lake Trail is the park’s most popular moderate hike. It’s 3.6 miles round trip with stops at Nymph Lake and Dream Lake along the way. Great views at every turn. If you want a shorter hike with incredible views, the Bear Lake Loop is a flat, easy 0.8-mile circuit around one of the park’s most photographed spots. Alberta Falls is another quick, family-friendly option at 1.7 miles round trip.
For experienced hikers, Longs Peak via the Keyhole Route is the big one. It’s a 14.5-mile round trip with nearly 5,000 feet of elevation gain that takes most people 10 to 15 hours. This is a legitimate mountaineering route above the Keyhole, with exposure and scrambling. Not a trail hike in the traditional sense. Chasm Lake Trail offers a less intense but still challenging alternative at 8.4 miles, with spectacular views of Longs Peak’s Diamond Face. Flattop Mountain Trail gives you panoramic views from the Continental Divide. And Ouzel Falls Trail is a great day hike to a beautiful waterfall in the Wild Basin area.
What Are the Best Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park?
If you’re wondering about the best easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, start with Bear Lake Loop, Alberta Falls, or Sprague Lake (a flat 0.8-mile loop with views of mountains reflected in still water). All three are short hikes suitable for families, older hikers, or anyone just looking to enjoy the scenery without a big commitment.
What Are the Best Moderate Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Emerald Lake, Ouzel Falls, and Gem Lake are all solid moderate picks. Each offers a few miles of trail with manageable elevation gain and great views at the top or along the way.
Can You Hike Rocky Mountain National Park in Winter?
Winter hiking in RMNP is stunning but demands preparation. Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, and the trail to Emerald Lake are all hikeable in winter with microspikes or snowshoes. The hiking season for most backcountry trails runs June through October, but these lower-elevation routes stay accessible much longer.
Best Smoky Mountain Hikes
Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of Tennessee and North Carolina and is the most visited national park in the country. It has more than 800 miles of trails to explore, from quick waterfall walks to strenuous ridge hikes along the Appalachian Trail. The Smokies have many great hikes for every ability level.
Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte is the signature hike. It’s 11 miles round trip with about 2,800 feet of elevation gain. The trail passes through old-growth forest, crosses exposed rock ledges, and ends at one of the highest peaks in the Smokies. This is one of the best hikes near Gatlinburg and a favorite among experienced hikers.
Charlies Bunion follows a section of the Appalachian Trail for 8 miles round trip. The views from the rocky outcrop at the end are some of the best views in the entire park. It’s a great hike for anyone comfortable with moderate distance and a bit of elevation. Clingmans Dome Observation Trail (now officially called Kuwohi) is the shortest hike on this list at just half a mile, but it climbs to the highest point in the park at 6,643 feet. On a clear day, you can see for over 100 miles. It’s paved and steep but doable for almost anyone.
Rainbow Falls Trail is a 5.4-mile round trip to an 80-foot waterfall. It’s one of the most popular trails in the Smokies and a great option for families visiting from Gatlinburg. Abrams Falls Trail is 5 miles round trip to a powerful 20-foot cascade in Cades Cove. Laurel Falls Trail is 2.6 miles round trip on a paved path to a 60-foot waterfall, making it ideal for kids and anyone new to hiking.
What Are the Best Kid-Friendly Hikes in the Smokies?
For kid-friendly hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Laurel Falls and the Kuwohi paved trail are your best bets. Both are short, accessible, and rewarding. Grotto Falls is another good pick since kids love walking behind the waterfall.
Best White Mountain Hikes (New Hampshire)
The White Mountains of New Hampshire pack serious punch for their size. These peaks top out under 6,300 feet, but the rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, and steep trails make them feel much bigger. This mountain range has produced some of the most memorable hiking experiences on the East Coast.
Franconia Ridge Loop is the star. This 8.9-mile loop takes you over Mt. Lafayette and Mt. Lincoln along an exposed alpine ridge with 360-degree panoramic views. Elevation gain is about 3,900 feet. It’s one of the best hikes in the northeastern US and a bucket list trail for good reason.
Mt. Washington via Tuckerman Ravine is the classic route up the highest peak in the Northeast. It’s roughly 8.4 miles round trip with over 4,200 feet of elevation gain. The weather on Mt. Washington is notoriously dangerous, so check conditions before you go. Mt. Moosilauke is a slightly less intense alternative with beautiful views and a more forgiving trail. The summit sits above treeline and offers sweeping views of the surrounding peaks.
For shorter hikes, Artist Bluff Trail near Franconia Notch is just 1.5 miles with stunning views of the notch and Echo Lake below. Mt. Willard is a 3.2-mile round trip with views of Crawford Notch that are hard to beat for the effort involved.
Best Bear Mountain Hikes (New York)
Bear Mountain State Park sits about an hour north of New York City and draws huge crowds for good reason. It’s one of the most accessible mountain hiking areas on the East Coast, and the Appalachian Trail runs right through it.
Bear Mountain Summit Loop is the most popular route. It’s roughly 4 miles with moderate elevation gain and delivers great views of the Hudson Valley from the summit. The Major Welch Trail is a more challenging loop at about 4 miles with steeper, more rugged sections and impressive views of Hessian Lake from above.
Anthony’s Nose Trail is across the river and offers one of the best viewpoints of the Bear Mountain Bridge and the Hudson Highlands. It’s about 3.5 miles round trip. And the Appalachian Trail section at Bear Mountain is a classic stretch that includes a recently rebuilt stone staircase, making it one of the most scenic and well-maintained portions of the AT anywhere. This is a park that is a great option for hikers looking for a hike near the city.
Best Superstition Mountains Hikes (Arizona)
The Superstition Mountains sit just east of Phoenix and offer some of the most dramatic desert hiking in the US. The landscape is all jagged peaks, towering saguaro cacti, and rugged canyon walls. These aren’t gentle green-mountain trails. This is raw, exposed terrain.
Peralta Trail to Fremont Saddle is the must-do hike. It’s about 4.4 miles round trip with 1,350 feet of elevation gain. The payoff is an incredible view of Weaver’s Needle, an iconic volcanic spire. Flatiron via Siphon Draw is one of the hardest day hikes in the Phoenix area at 5.7 miles round trip with over 2,800 feet of elevation gain, including exposed scrambling near the top. The summit views are epic.
Hieroglyphic Trail is on the easier end at 2.8 miles. It leads to a set of ancient petroglyphs and seasonal pools tucked into the rock. A great short hike for families or a warm-up before tackling the bigger trails. Weaver’s Needle Loop is a longer hike that circles the famous rock formation, offering views from multiple angles across rugged desert terrain.
Best Green Mountain National Forest Hikes (Vermont)
Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest offers beautiful hikes through hardwood forests, along rocky ridgelines, and up to summit views that stretch across the state. The Long Trail, America’s oldest long-distance hiking trail, runs the length of the Green Mountains and provides access to most of the best routes.
Mt. Mansfield via Sunset Ridge is the top pick. Vermont’s highest peak at 4,393 feet, the trail gains about 2,500 feet over 5.6 miles and delivers stunning views from the exposed ridge. Camel’s Hump Trail is another classic. It’s one of only a few peaks in Vermont with alpine tundra and the 360-degree views at the top are among the best in the state.
Sterling Pond Trail is a shorter hike (about 2.4 miles round trip) that climbs to the highest elevation pond in Vermont. Beautiful views of the surrounding peaks and a great option for hikers looking for something moderate. Mt. Abraham Trail takes you to another above-treeline summit with scenic trails through birch forests and views of mountains in every direction.
Best Mountain Hikes Near Black Mountain and Charlotte, NC
North Carolina’s western mountains hold some of the most beautiful trails on the East Coast. The area around Black Mountain and Asheville is packed with high-elevation hikes, many of them along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Black Mountain Crest Trail is a beast. It traverses six peaks above 6,000 feet along a rugged, rocky ridge. It’s about 12 miles one way and includes the trail to Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi at 6,684 feet. You can also drive to the Mt. Mitchell summit and hike the shorter Mt. Mitchell Trail from the parking area for amazing views without the full ridge commitment.
Craggy Pinnacle Trail is a quick 1.4-mile round trip off the Blue Ridge Parkway with spectacular views in all directions. It’s one of the favorite trails in the region for a reason. Lookout Mountain Trail in Montreat is a moderate 2-mile hike with great views of the Swannanoa Valley. These trails put North Carolina firmly on the map as one of the best mountain hiking destinations in the eastern US.
What Are the Best Mountain Hikes in the US Overall?
Beyond the regions above, there are too many amazing hikes in this country to fit into one article. Here are a few more favorite hikes that deserve mention.
Angels Landing in Zion National Park is one of the most famous trail hikes in America. It’s a 5.4-mile round trip with chains bolted into the rock along exposed ridgelines. Not for the faint of heart, but the views of Zion Canyon are unreal.
Half Dome in Yosemite National Park is another iconic bucket list hike. The cable section at the top is legendary. Permits are required and hard to get. The Mist Trail in Yosemite is a beautiful alternative with epic views of Vernal and Nevada Falls.
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park on the coast of Maine is one of the first places to see sunrise in the US. It’s a short hike to the top with stunning views of the Atlantic and the surrounding islands.
Katahdin in Baxter State Park is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and one of the most challenging and rewarding day hikes in the Northeast. Multiple routes lead to the summit, with the Knife Edge being the most famous.
Cascade Pass in North Cascades national park offers alpine meadows and glacier views. Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska has the Harding Icefield Trail, one of the most breathtaking hikes in North America. And if you’re looking for amazing hikes in a national recreation area, check out North Adams and the trails around Mt. Greylock State Reservation in Massachusetts, which also connects to a national historical park site.
What Are the Top 10 Hikes in the US?
This is tough to narrow down, but here are 10 that consistently land on best-of lists for good reason. Sky Pond in Rocky Mountain National Park. Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Franconia Ridge Loop in the White Mountains. Angels Landing in Zion National Park. Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. The Highline Trail in Glacier National Park. Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park. Knife Edge on Katahdin in Baxter State Park. Black Mountain Crest Trail in North Carolina. And Flatiron via Siphon Draw in the Superstition Mountains. Every one of these trails delivers stunning views, a real physical challenge, and the kind of experience you remember for years. Your personal top 10 will shift based on where you live and what kind of terrain you love, but this list is a strong starting point for any hiker building a bucket list.
What Are the 10 Most Beautiful Hikes in the World?
If you’re looking for sheer visual impact, these 10 hikes are hard to beat. The Inca Trail in Peru. Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. Tour du Mont Blanc through France, Italy, and Switzerland. Torres del Paine W Trek in Chile. Dolomites Alta Via 1 in Italy. The Milford Track in New Zealand. Kungsleden (The King’s Trail) in Sweden. Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The Laugavegur Trail in Iceland. And the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. Each one offers a completely different landscape and culture, but they all share one thing: scenery so dramatic it barely looks real. These are the hikes around the world that photographers, backpackers, and adventure travelers talk about for the rest of their lives.
Is Hiking Good for Bone Density?
Yes. Hiking is a weight-bearing exercise, which means your bones are working against gravity with every step. Studies consistently show that weight-bearing activities like hiking help maintain and even improve bone density, especially in the hips, legs, and spine. Trail hiking adds an extra benefit over flat-surface walking because uneven terrain forces your body to stabilize in multiple directions, engaging more muscle groups and putting varied stress on your bones. For older adults or anyone concerned about osteoporosis, regular hiking is one of the best natural ways to keep bones strong. Pair it with adequate calcium and vitamin D, and you’re giving your skeleton exactly what it needs.
What Is the Most Famous Mountain to Hike?
Mount Everest is the most famous mountain in the world, but you don’t have to summit it to hike it. The Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal is the most popular way to experience the mountain, and it doesn’t require technical climbing skills. In the US, Mount Washington in New Hampshire is probably the most famous mountain hike because of its extreme weather, historic significance, and accessibility. Half Dome in Yosemite National Park and Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park are also strong contenders. Internationally, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania holds a unique spot because it’s the tallest freestanding mountain on Earth and can be summited without ropes or technical gear, making it the most famous “walkable” high peak on the planet.
Best Bucket List Hikes Around the World
Once you’ve knocked out the US hikes on this list, it’s time to look at the greatest hikes around the world.
The Inca Trail in Peru is one of the most famous hikes in the world. It’s a 26-mile trek over four days to Machu Picchu, passing through cloud forests and Incan ruins. Permits are limited and book up months in advance.
Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal is the ultimate mountain hike for most people. It’s not a technical climb. It’s a two-week trek through Sherpa villages and high-altitude terrain to the base of the tallest mountain on Earth. The views of mountains like Ama Dablam and Lhotse are unforgettable.
Tour du Mont Blanc loops through France, Italy, and Switzerland over about 110 miles. It’s one of the greatest hikes in Europe, with incredible views of glaciers, alpine meadows, and charming mountain villages at every stop.
Torres del Paine W Trek in Chile is a 50-mile route through Patagonia’s most dramatic landscape. Expect wind, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and views of the iconic granite towers. Dolomites Alta Via 1 in Italy is a 75-mile high route through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery anywhere. You stay in rifugios (mountain huts) along the way, which makes it more accessible than it sounds.
These bucket list hikes around the world represent the very best of what mountain hiking has to offer. Each one combines physical challenge with scenery that’s hard to describe until you see it yourself.
Your Mountain Hiking Checklist: Key Takeaways
- Rocky Mountain National Park offers the best variety of hikes in Colorado, from easy lake loops to 14er summits, with miles of trails and many popular trails
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park has more than 800 miles of trails, stunning waterfalls, and some of the best hikes in North Carolina and Tennessee
- White Mountains (NH) deliver exposed alpine ridges and steep trails that rival anything out West
- Bear Mountain (NY) is the best mountain hike near NYC, with Appalachian Trail access and Hudson Valley views
- Superstition Mountains (AZ) offer rugged desert hiking with scenic trails and beautiful views unlike anything else in the US
- Green Mountain National Forest (VT) has above-treeline summits and some of the most beautiful hikes in New England
- Black Mountain / Western NC puts you on the highest peaks east of the Mississippi with epic views
- Always check trail conditions on AllTrails or the relevant national park website before heading out
- Start with easier hikes and work your way up if you’re new to hiking
- Search “hiking near me” on AllTrails to find local trails to explore while you plan your next big trip
- The best hiking season varies by region: summer for the Rockies and White Mountains, spring and fall for the Smokies and Superstitions
- Five national parks on this list (RMNP, Great Smoky Mountains, Zion, Yosemite, and Acadia) should be on every hiker’s bucket list
- For longer hikes and multi-day trips, the world-class trails in Peru, Nepal, and Patagonia are worth every step
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