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Hiking and Trekking Tours

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All Inclusive, Expert Led Hiking Excursions Across the Globe

Immerse Yourself in Wilderness and Be Inspired

Award Winning Hiking Tours in the USA and Beyond

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306 Trips Meet Your Criteria

Welcome to Wildland Trekking

Four key factors set us apart from other adventure and hiking companies.

All Inclusive Trips

Wildland hiking tours allow guests to focus 100% on the hiking experience. We provide all gear, meals, transportation, professional guides, permits, fees and much more!

Small Groups

Our hiking trips are always small group adventures, typically 4-12 people per trip. Join a personalized trekking vacation that prioritizes quality of experience above all else.

World-Class Destinations

Our trip diversity allows you to enjoy the world's inspiring landscapes in a variety of ways and at different times in your life, and we hope you'll sample them all!

The Best Guides in the Industry

These extraordinary men and women have the ability to turn a great get-away into an unforgettable, inspiring - and sometimes truly life changing - adventure.

Check out the current list of discounted tours

Save on a discounted tour.

Interested in enjoying one of our premier adventures, and saving 15-25% on the cost? See our list of discounted hiking and backpacking tours. Often these trips are coming up fast and require some flexibility with scheduling, but if one works for you it can pay off. Feel free to call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) with any questions!

World-Class Hiking Destinations

We operate premier hiking tours all over the USA from the deserts, to the canyons, to the mountains, to the seashores and beyond. We also operate internationally to life-list destinations like Kilimanjaro, Iceland, the Alps, Peru, Patagonia and more world-class hiking destinations. View all destinations

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For people who love to hike and travel, Wildland has something for everyone.

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Highly rated on.

For us quality of experience is only second to safety.

We are committed to providing world-class trekking experiences for our guests that go way above and beyond the mass-produced tours so common today.

The Mt. Rainier Inn trip with Wildland was perfect. The Inn was comfortable; the guide was an expert in his field; the pacing was just right to accommodate all those on the trip; the scenery was ideal. If you can go please do.

Why Join a Guided Hiking or backpacking Tour?

10,000+ people join our guided hiking tours and backpacking trips annually, and there are many reasons so many people make this choice.

Reserve A Trip

Trained Guides

Hiking with an experienced, trained guide helps to maximize the safety and enjoyment of your trekking adventure. This is especially true if your trip is in an unfamiliar area, which guided trips often are.

Everything Included

A specific hiking or backpacking trip may be on your "life list" and you don't want to purchase all the gear and equipment to do a single trip. In this situation going with a guide service where everything is included provides a tremendous benefit.

Knowledge & Learning

Some guests are most interested in learning as much as they can about the area(s) they're hiking through. Guides can bring places to life by sharing stories, knowledge, observations, context and personal passion.

Convenience

We handle all the trip planning and on-the-ground logistics. This service takes the burden of planning almost entirely off your plate. Additionally you can travel light and have everything waiting for you.

Learn from Experts

Some guests are new to the outdoors, backpacking, hiking, and/or camping and prefer to go with experts to learn best practices from professionals. Guided trips are an excellent way to get started.

A Perfect Combination

For most guests it's a combination of some or all of these reasons that they join guided hiking tours and backpacking trips. Whatever your reason is, we're ready to help you create the experience of a lifetime.

Explore with our Expert Hiking & Backpacking Guides

For the last 15+ years Wildland has been awing guests with the professional and inspiring service our exceptional guides and staff provide. The secret sauce to our award winning trips is our staff (guides, managers, adventure consultants, drivers and more) who are deeply passionate about wilderness, about adventure, and about sharing those loves with others.

Hermit Loop Backpacking Trip

Hiking and Backpacking Guide

If you want to truly experience the grandeur and thrill of walking through the Grand Canyon, the 4 day Hermit hiking journey is the best way to achieve this once in a lifetime experience. Our guide Josh was first rate and managed our hiking group with skill and flexibility!

— Michael A.

Choosing the Right Hiking Trip

Choosing the right trip is a key ingredient for enjoying your hiking vacation. We offer backpacking trips, horse/llama/porter supported hikes, inn-based hiking tours, basecamp hiking tours and day hike tours. For guests looking to challenge themselves and travel deep into the backcountry, a backpacking trip is the best choice. Some people want to explore the backcountry but without heavy backpacks, and for those folks we recommend horse/llama/porter supported trips. Inn-based and basecamp tours are multi-day hiking vacations that showcase the best hikes and highlights of an area and are either inn-based or camping-based, and are great for families, couples, and solo travelers. And, finally, day hikes with an award winning hiking tour company like Wildland are an exceptional way to maximize a short amount of time at one of America’s amazing national parks.

When and Where to Hike

For desert hiking destinations like Joshua Tree and Death Valley, the best seasons are spring, fall and winter. In mountain destinations like Yellowstone, Iceland, the Pacific Northwest, the Alps and others, the best seasons to hike are late spring, summer and early fall. Some destinations are great year round, regardless of whether they are in the desert or mountains; examples are Grand Canyon, Sedona, the Smoky Mountains, Yosemite, Yellowstone (ski and snowshoe tours), Peru, and Ecuador. Winter is, generally, the most underrated season for hiking and backpacking tours in many areas, as it’s a spectacular time of year to hike but largely skipped over by many people.

When choosing your next destination, it’s important to consider more than just the time of year. You can call us 7 days a week at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to speak with our Adventure Consultant Team.

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Wild U.S. Hiking Trails That Cannot Be Missed

These epic routes celebrate taking it slow in heart-racing places.

When you’re immersed in nature, there’s no such thing as a boring hike. But if you’re looking to discover some unfamiliar terrain, head to one of these five spectacular trails. Each one represents a different version of the word "wild"—like scaling a well-known granite wall or exploring an uninhabited, Martian-like landscape—yet they all offer challenging journeys across America’s craziest geological wonders. These epic routes celebrate taking it slow in heart-racing places.

Half Dome Trail, Yosemite National Park, California

Since the first cables went up on California 's Half Dome in 1919, thousands of visitors have come to Yosemite National Park with a permit and a prayer to scale the granite monolith. Once thought to be unclimbable, the 8,842-foot iconic site has become one of America’s most tremendous day hikes . Still, most people with a solid pair of hiking gloves and devil-may-care attitude about great heights can take on the adventure, open from May through October. [ Read about the first climber to complete the most dangerous rope-free ascent.]

Before going vertical on Half Dome, the 16-mile roundtrip trail features waterfalls, slippery staircases, and rocky switchbacks up the sub dome. It’s not until you’re squeezing 400 feet of cable, surrounded by a sheer wall of rock, blue skies, and panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite Valley, that you feel completely exposed and totally invincible.

Consider avoiding the bottlenecks on the cables by getting an early start after sleeping at Little Yosemite Valley campground , 3.5 miles from the summit of Half Dome.

The Narrows Trail, Zion National Park, Utah

Whether you tackle the 10-mile Bottom Up hike to Big Spring or slosh around the gorge for an hour, you’ll never forget the experience of holding a backpack above your head while wading through Utah 's mighty Virgin River—flanked by two-thousand-foot-tall vermillion sandstone walls.

To beat the crowds and evade the hot desert sun, explore the narrowest section of Zion Canyon (it’s often only 20 feet wide) first thing in the morning, when you’ll be alone with only the company of your thoughts and the soft picture-perfect light hitting the striking sculptural cliffs. Traversing the Narrows is one way to come to terms with your smallness in the universe, but it’s not the only travel-worthy hike in Zion National Park . Make time for Angel’s Landing, a formidable 2.5-mile trail that climbs 1,488 feet to a jaw-dropping summit.

Related Photos: Best Day Hikes Around the World

West Branch Trail, Rawah Wilderness, Colorado

Colorado may be known for its 14ers, but if you’re looking for a taste of true wilderness, forget bagging a summit for bragging rights and discover the Northern Colorado backcountry. Considered one of America’s top digital detox destinations , the Rawah Wilderness (pronounced RAY-wah by the Ute Indians to denote a “wild place”), harbors a vast under-the-radar expanse of outdoor paradise within Roosevelt National Forest, 2.5 hours from Denver.

Among Rawah’s 85 miles of diverse trails, the 14-mile out-and-back West Branch Trail , with a peak elevation of 11,130 feet, offers a powerful cornucopia of natural beauty: glacier-carved valleys, columbine-dappled meadows, trout-rich alpine lakes, aspen groves, and nonchalant moose. It intersects with other scenic routes, such as Camp Lake Trail and Blue Lake Trail, and ends in a dreamlike vision of Island and Carey Lakes.

The Knife Edge Trail, Baxter State Park, Maine

The Knife Edge trail won’t leave you wanting for anything—except maybe a magic carpet for your descent of Mount Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine . Following an already strenuous trek up the Hunt Trail, you’ll reach the start of the mind-and-leg-bending 1.1-mile route—a steady onslaught of rock scrambling, technical climbs, narrow ledges, steep drop-offs, and 360-degree views of the state’s largest wilderness area. After roughly an hour on the Knife Edge, you’ll reach 5,267-foot Baxter Peak, the northeast terminus of the Appalachian Trail and one of the planet’s most terrifyingly beautiful summits. At the top, you’ll look back at the seemingly impassable jagged trail you just conquered and know what it truly means to live on the edge.

• Nat Geo Expeditions

Wave Trail, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona/Utah

Walking on waves of bright red-orange rock feels like you’ve won the hiking lottery. Indeed, you have. The 294,000-acre Vermilion Cliffs National Monument only allots 20 permits per day for access to the ancient sandstone rainbow in Paria Canyon. Located an hour from the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, the Wave Trail , also known as Coyote Buttes North, is a six-mile out-and-back adventure through open desert, best enjoyed in the cooler spring and fall months.

While you’ve come for the dazzling striations, dinosaur tracks and striking ice cream swirl formations, there are no formal trails or markers—only a guide sheet from the Bureau of Land Management—so brush up on your compass and navigation skills before heading out into the off-the-grid Martian-like terrain. Arrive shortly after sunrise when the sandstone buttes burst with fiery colors, and leave time to explore 16-mile Buckskin Gulch, the longest and deepest slot canyon in the world.

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Italy Tours

Hiking, cultural, & culinary journeys in italy.

From medieval villages to Michelin-starred restaurants, ancient ruins to romantic hotels, Italy is the ultimate destination for culture, hiking, cuisine, and everything in between. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the stunning coastline of the Amalfi Coast, the ancient ruins of Pompeii to the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites—it’s easy to see why Italy is a must-visit destination for any traveler.

All Trips to Italy

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Tour du Mont Blanc

Switzerland, Italy, France

From $5,795

Hiking in the Cortina Dolomites

From $5,295

Hiking Amalfi and Capri

From $6,395

Hiking Italy’s Volcano Trails

Great Hikes and Cuisine of Northern Italy

From $6,195

Pagan Festivals of Sardinia

Call for Pricing

Treasures of the Dolomites

From $6,495

Hiking Tuscany and the Cinque Terre

From $6,695

Ultimate Dolomites

From $6,995

Hiking Bergamo to Innsbruck

Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein

From $7,295

Corsica and Sardinia

France, Italy

Hiking in Sicily

Hiking Puglia and Matera

From $5,995

Hiking the Alpe Adria: Salzburg to Trieste

Italy, Slovenia, Austria

Tour de Monte Rosa

Italy, Switzerland

From $7,695

Treasures of Mont Blanc

France, Italy, Switzerland

From $7,995

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Rome and Tuscany Private Journey

From $5,695

Puglia and Matera Private Journey

Experience Italy

Talk to an Expert

Our Europe Specialists know every detail about our Italy Tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

Take a hike!

Wonderful wilderness, breathtaking beauty, not to mention a decent workout — PA hiking is the perfect way to spend the day. Hike a section of the U.S.’s longest hiking-only path, the Appalachian Trail, or discover the ancient trees of Cook Forest where the Hemlocks and Pines are more than three hundred and fifty years old.

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Outdoor Adventures Best PA Hiking Trails for Spring Wildflowers April’s the perfect time to see your favorite wildflowers in full bloom during the warmer days of spring! Lace up your hiking boots and hit one of these PA trails to get a glimpse of the wild side of ... Read More

Outdoor Adventures 16 Trails in Pennsylvania That Will Leave You Breathless When is the best time for happy travelers to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of Pennsylvania? It’s a simple answer. With countless trails carving through the mountains and woodlands, every day is a ... Read More

Outdoor Adventures Happiness Now: Spring Activities Spring — That wonderful time of year filled with new beginnings and the perfect time to embark on new adventures, especially here in Pennsylvania! From iconic biking trails to parks filled with nature ... Read More

Hiking Destinations

Results are limited to a 25-mile radius

  Philipsburg, PA Black Moshannon State Park

  Bensalem, PA Neshaminy State Park

  Erie National Wildlife Refuge

  Elizabethtown, PA Elizabethtown/Hershey KOA, Holiday

  Jim Thorpe, PA Jim Thorpe Camping Resort

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  Clarington, PA Hominy Ridge Cabins and Gift Shop

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  Bradford, PA Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau

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  Bradford, PA Willow Bay Camp/Cabins & Boat Launch

01/10/24 - 09/24/24

Centennial Hiking Challenge

80 East Corydon Street Bradford, Pennsylvania 16701

Come celebrate 100 years of growth and adventure in the Allegheny National Forest by hiking 100 miles. The Centennial Hiking Challenge will take you to over 100 miles of the best and most beautiful tr...

04/19/24 - 04/21/24

Spring Hiking Weekend

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 18360

Keystone Trails Association's Spring Hiking Weekend, an annual traveling event, has been a tradition for many decades! We're excited to explore the many hiking trails throughout the Stroudsburg, PA re...

Heritage Trail Hike

1195 Baltimore Pike Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325

This is a two-day hike that will depart at 9:00 a.m. on both days from the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center and return around 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. ...

Trips & Trails

The best hiking and biking in PA

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14 Best Hikes in Beautiful Idaho

By: Author Gabi

Posted on Last updated: March 2, 2024

Looking for the best hikes in Idaho? Idaho is the best-kept secret in America and it’s rapidly becoming known among outdoor lovers as the ultimate adventure hub in the US. More and more, people are discovering this stunning state and while I’d love to keep it to myself, there’s too much beauty to keep it bottled up for only a select few. That’s why we’re sharing this roundup of the 14 best hikes in beautiful Idaho and why you need to add them to your bucket list!

This blog was updated in 2023 with a new favorite hike! Scroll to the bottom to discover a must-do Idaho adventure.

In Idaho, nature is raw, real, and untouched. It draws in those who wish to just BE—to coexist peacefully with the beauty of nature. It’s not for tourists, it’s not for casual I-hike-when-it’s-the-cool-thing-to-do travelers, it’s for those who want nothing more than to soak in nature in its true glory.

Ranked in order of best to slightly less best (I can’t say worst), here’s our roundup of the best, most stunning trail hikes in Idaho…

Table of Contents

1 | Goat Lake

Distance + elevation gain: 8 miles, 1500′ Difficulty + elevation gain: Moderate-Strenuous Trailhead: Iron Creek trailhead

Goat Lake is without a doubt our favorite hike in Idaho and that’s why it’s on the top of the list of the best hikes in Idaho! While there are certainly beautiful lakes that match the beauty of Goat Lake, none of them are quite so easy to get to.

While the trail is still steep, just 2 hours of hiking will bring you up to this alpine wonderland. The lake is quaint in size but unbelievably blue. Goat Lake is a great place to go for a swim while taking in the amazing mountains that surround the small lake.

Click here for more details on how to hike Goat Lake.

2 | Pioneer Cabin

Distance + elevation gain: 7.2 miles (or 8.5-mile loop), 2500′ Difficulty : Moderate-strenuous Trailhead: 43°44’22.0″N 114°13’55.6″W

Located in the beautiful mountains outside of Sun Valley, Idaho’s Pioneer Cabin feels like being transported to a European refuge in the Alps. It’s not hard to see why this is our runner-up pick for the best hikes in Idaho.

This hike can be done as an out-and-back for only 7 miles roundtrip or, can be looped for an 8-mile circuit. We opted for the out-and-back version since we were running out of daylight however many people recommend the full loop. If you want to do the full loop click here for details.

The trailhead lies nearly 4 miles down a pretty well-maintained dirt forest road. Once at the trailhead, follow the signs toward Pioneer Cabin, Trail 122.

About 30 minutes from the summit, you’ll reach a trail junction. Be sure to make a left and stay on the well-worn trail.

After a long traverse along the mountains to your left and some steep switchbacks, you’ll finally crest a hill, and low and behold, beautiful Pioneer Cabin will be before you in front of a stunning glacial mountainscape.

As if the view wasn’t enough, the cabin is also free and open to the public to both explore and even stay the night at. The cabin is filled with all sorts of cool gear, journals, and quotes all over the walls. There’s even a cooktop for people who stay the night.

3 | Scotchman’s Peak

Distance + elevation gain: 8 miles, 3700’ Difficulty: Strenuous Trailhead: 48°09’51.8″N 116°05’53.2″W

Scotchman’s Peak, located just outside of Sandpoint, is one of the most popular peaks in North Idaho. This peak, which is the highest point in the county, provides you with a beautiful panoramic view of Lake Pend Oreille and the vast expanse of mountains beyond making it an easy addition to this roundup of best hikes in Idaho.

The view is stunning but it’s a view that has to be earned with 3700 feet of elevation gain! That’s almost 1000 feet every mile! It’s no easy feat however the well-maintained trail makes it doable for families. While this is a popular hike, the early bird will be rewarded with solitude on the trail and on the summit.

P.S. Remember not to feed or approach the mountain goats.

Getting to the trailhead is the real challenge. From Sandpoint, take Highway 200 east.

• When you hit the town of Clark Fork, turn left (north) at the Chevron Station onto Mosquito Creek Road.
• A mile or two after turning, Mosquito Creek Rd will turn to dirt.
• Continue on the Mosquito Creek dirt road section for 2 more miles until you see a sign on the left side of the road. At this junction, turn right following signs to Trail #65 and Road #2295.
• Take #2295 for 1 mile (4-5 minutes) then turn left on #2294, marked again by a sign for trail #65.
• Take #2294 for .4 miles (2 minutes) then turn left on road #2294a. This road is unmarked on Google Maps.
• Follow this for 2.2 miles (about 10 minutes) and you’ll reach the trailhead
• Note: This trailhead isn’t recommended for RVs (we technically made it there in our 30′ Class C though).

Pro tip: You can easily free camp along the forest roads you have to take to get to the trailhead however there’s an even better free campsite nearby and it’s included in this blog on the best campgrounds in Idaho.

Want to hike further and faster?

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4 | Alice Lake/Toxaway Loop

Distance + elevation gain: 13 miles, 1600′ (18 miles, 3285′ for full Toxaway Loop) Difficulty: Strenuous (or Moderate as a backpacking trip) Trailhead: Tin Cup Trailhead

Known as the most famous backpacking circuit in the Sawtooth Mountain Range, Alice Lake does not disappoint. While the popular backpacking circuit takes you beyond Alice Lake onto the Toxaway Loop, even if you just hike to Alice in a day, it’s breathtaking.

The route starts from the Tin Cup trailhead, just a few miles south of Stanley. It’s a brief 2-mile drive on a usually well-maintained dirt road. From the trailhead, the signs mark the way. The trail brings you through the forest, up a meadow, and past some small ponds and peaks until you finally reach the alpine wonderland of Alice Lake with amazing jagged mountain views.

You can continue on from here for a 2-3 day backpacking trip (or you could even day hike the entire loop) which brings you back to the same trailhead. The Toxaway loop is 18 miles and has almost 3300 feet of elevation gain however the extra hike is worth it as it takes you over the beautiful Snowyside Pass.

5 | Sawtooth Lake

Distance + elevation gain : 10 miles, 1870’ Difficulty: Moderate Trailhead : Iron Creek trailhead

No list of best hikes in Idaho would be complete without the iconic Sawtooth. Another popular trek among the Sawtooths is the alpine wonderland of Sawtooth Lake itself. Hiking to this lake is like traveling to a different dimension.

Ascending past jagged spires, beautiful lime green trees, and the deep blue waters of Alpine Lake is an experience you will never forget. When you reach Sawtooth Lake, take in the views of the textured mountains all around you and if you’re brave, dive into the ice-cold alpine lake.

Just like Goat Lake, this route starts from the Iron Creek trailhead and you’ll follow the signs to Sawtooth Lake. Though it’s 5 miles each way, the elevation gain is super gradual making this suitable for only moderate-level hikers.

6 | Borah Peak

Distance + elevation gain : 7.3 miles, 5285′ Difficulty: Very strenuous, Class 4 scrambling Trailhead : Borah Peak trailhead

While we haven’t done this hike personally, Borah Peak is an iconic hike in Idaho and what many consider to be the best hike in Idaho.

Borah Peak is the highest peak in the whole state and not only is it strenuous, hot, and long, but it also contains class 4 scrambling along Chicken-Out Ridge to reach the summit. Thus, those with a fear of heights will want to pass on this one. It’s by far the most strenuous trail on this list but that’s only more enticing for some people.

It’s also one of the couple dozen peaks in the lower 48 that gain over 5000 from trailhead to summit. At the top, you’ll be greeted with awesome views of the Lost River range at a summit elevation of 12,662′ but more importantly to most people who tackle this trail, you’ll have bagged Idaho’s highest summit.

Supposedly it takes anywhere between 8 and 12 hours to complete this hike and you’ll want to get a dawn start no later than 6 AM. You can find more info on Hiking Borah Peak here .

7 | Fred’s Mountain via Idaho

Distance + elevation gain: 3 miles (or 6 if you hike down), 1920′ Difficulty: Moderate Trailhead: Grand Targhee Resort at Dreamcatcher ski lift

So first things first, this isn’t technically an Idaho hike, however, you have to access it from Idaho which is why I included it. Fred’s Mountain is the summit peak of Grand Targhee Mountain Resort. Along with great mountain biking and skiing, this resort is home to an amazing family-friendly hike.

This trail starts at the Lodge area by the main ski lift and winds its way up through beautiful meadows and aspen trees. For the last mile, and on the peak, you’ll have gorgeous views of the backside of the Tetons.

The best part is, once you’re at the top, you don’t have to downhill back.  You can hop on the Grand Targhee ski lift for free during operating hours ( click here to check their hours ).

Related: 7 Reasons to Visit Grand Targhee Resort in the Summer

8 | Goldbug Hot Springs

Distance + elevation gain: 4 miles, 1350′ Difficulty: Moderate Trailhead:   Goldbug trailhead

You may have heard of these famous hot springs in central Idaho but unlike many Idaho hot springs, it takes some work to get to this one. Among the Salmon wilderness, this steep trail winds its way up sagebrush hillside and ascends a rocky staircase. While short, it’s not an easy walk in the park but the reward is worthwhile.

Goldbug Hot Springs consists of 3 pools of a perfect not-too-hot not-too-cold temperature overlooking the valley below. Though a challenging walk, this trail is without a doubt one of the best hikes in Idaho. It can get really crowded here so a sunrise wake-up call is highly recommended.

Pro tip: You can even pitch a tent along the trail to Goldbug so long as you follow Leave No Trace principles including camping at least 500 feet away from any water source. This makes it easy to score Goldbug at the most stunning times of day: sunrise and sunset.

9 | Stevens Lake

Distance + elevation gain: 5 miles, 1824’ Difficulty: Moderate Trailhead: Stevens Lake trailhead

Just a few minutes away from Idaho’s famous Hiawatha Trail in the lush Panhandle National Forest of North Idaho lies Stevens Lake. Stevens Lake is a hidden gem hike that brings you to an emerald-green mountain lake, perfect for a swim on a warm summer day.

If you’ve got more energy, you can even continue on to Upper Stevens Lake which is even more beautiful.

Note : There are 2 different ways to reach the trailhead. One is via Lookout Pass. When you turn south towards the Ski Pass after exiting, you should see signs pointing right (west) to the trailhead. The other way to get there is 1 exit further west from Lookout Pass. This is the way we went and though it was fine even with an RV, it was very narrow, and due to the well-signed nature of the other access road, I imagine it would be more well-maintained.

10 | Chimney Rock

Distance + elevation gain: 10.5 miles, 2860’ Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Trailhead: Chimney Rock Trailhead

Chimney Rock is a dramatic, granite rock tower amongst the Selkirk Mountains Range of North Idaho. The beautiful rock tower, resembling a lightning rod makes it popular amongst rock climbers. Various technical climbing routes (starting at 5.4) will bring you to the tower top, but you don’t need to summit to enjoy the spectacle of views of the tower and the surrounding mountains.

The trailhead is approached via a narrow dirt road (4WD is not necessarily required unless particularly muddy). From the trailhead, the first 3.5 miles are fairly easy but after that the trail becomes strenuous. A small amount of navigation skills are required to navigate the boulder field however, you mainly just head toward that obvious rock tower.

The unique thing about Chimney Rock is how it looks different from each angle. You’ll approach Chimney Rock from the East side. Skirt the left edge of the rock (southward)  for the sheer lightning rod angle. Or skirt right, heading toward the North side for a nice view of the mountainous valley. Or, rounding the north edge of the tower with a small amount of rock scrambling will bring you to the Northwest side of the rock.

Head south, crossing another pretty wide-open boulder field and you’ll reach the low point of the ridge. Here, you can admire the most impressive angle of Chimney Rock. Note that coming over here adds about .3 miles on each end.

11 | Schweitzer Nature Trail

Distance + elevation gain: 2.6 miles (or 5.2 if you hike downhill), 1700′ Difficulty: Easy-Moderate Trailhead: Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Another great hike in North Idaho is the summit trail to the top of Schweitzer Ski Resort. The hike is super peaceful and by mid-summer, there are SO MANY huckleberries along the trail! So many that it took us nearly an hour longer because we stopped to pick them up so often😜.

At the top, enjoy expansive views of the surrounding hills and Lake Pend Oreille down in Sandpoint.

After the hike up, you can opt to take the free ski lift back down during hours of operation .

Pro Tip: Self-contained vehicles can camp overnight in the parking lot of Schweitzer for only $20 per night (and sometimes they won’t charge you).

12 | Ponderosa State Park Loop

Distance + elevation gain: 6 miles, 640’ Difficulty: Easy Trailhead: Meadow Marsh trailhead

Ponderosa State Park located in the cute little town of McCall, is a quiet and lush getaway. Ponderosa State Park is forested and sits right on Payette Lake. It’s a popular place to camp and getaway but even if you aren’t camping here, there’s a wonderful 4 miles trail that goes around the Ponderosa SP peninsula.

This trail is a great sunrise or sunset hike and along the way, you could hop in the water and go for a swim.

The trail is well-worn and accessed from inside the State Park.

13 | City of Rocks

Distance + elevation gain: 6.3 miles, 1420’ Difficulty: Moderate Trailhead: Parking Lot Rock

City of Rocks is famous among the rock climbing community for its incredible sport climbing but even if you don’t rock climb, City of Rocks is a place you’ve got to see once. City of Rocks is a national reserve located about 3 hours southeast of Boise and covers an expansive region of trails and rocks to explore.

There are so many different trails that you could go explore however the 6-mile City of Rocks loop is one of the best hikes in Idaho and is the top trail to 4xplore all the rocky region has to offer.

14 | Tubbs Hill, Coeur d’Alene

Distance + elevation gain: 2 miles, 300’ Difficulty: Easy Trailhead: McEuen Park, Coeur d’Alene

Finally, the easiest but possibly the most fun trail on this list is the radical little hike around Tubbs Hill. Accessed right from downtown Coeur d’Alene, the trail traverses the lakefront peninsula but the best part isn’t the trail, but rather the fun cliff jumping spread all around the lake’s coast.

Go at sunrise for beautiful lake views or have a blast jumping into the lake on a hot summer day.

If you’re looking for more of a hike and don’t care for jumping into the lake, you can take a detour up one of the many summit trails.

Bonus: West Fork Butte Lookout

How would you love to spend a night at this amazing fire lookout in the middle of Idaho?! It was a fairly easy hike to get to this lookout. In summer, you don’t even have to hike and can drive up to the hut but we stayed here in May and had to park about a mile away and hike the rest.

The hut is pretty bare with just 2 bunks and a small table, but I loved that there was a stove to cook our dinner with and plenty of firewood to use in the wood stove. There is an outhouse but it requires a short stroll to get to. You can reserve it 6 months in advance here. Check out the video to see how epic the views were!

We hope this inspired your next amazing hike in Idaho! If you have questions, let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @nomadswithapurpose for daily outdoor adventure inspiration!

Related Idaho Blogs:

• 20+ Bucket List Things to do in Idaho
• Ultimate Idaho Itinerary
• Best Hikes in the Sawtooths
• 7 Reasons to Visit Grand Targhee in the Summer
• Best Hikes Grand Tetons
• Get Our Free Hiker’s Fitness Guide

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JD Schlandt

Wednesday 29th of December 2021

Excellent write up. Looking forward to hiking Idaho in 2022. do you have any information available on backpacking loops (3-5) days in Idaho

Sunday 9th of January 2022

We don't have much information on that but I do know that the Sawtooths are a backpacking haven! There are so many trails, you can just link up a bunch of alpine lakes and hike for days. The Alice-Toxaway loop is great, but fairly short, so you could really combine that hike up with a bunch of other sections of the Sawtooths. Hope that helps somewhat, happy trails!

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Wilderness Travel Review (2024): Not For The Budget-Friendly?

Calling all adventure lovers! Whether hiking an active volcano or discovering wildlife on an African Safari, Wilderness Travel has much to offer. In my experience, planning an adventure trip is best-done solo, so what are the benefits of booking a group trip?

Venturing into the wilderness ushers in feelings and experiences that can't be matched. Whether you want to go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef or trek through the mountains of Nepal, adventure travel offers lifelong memories. 

Over the past decade, I've dabbled in many heart-racing activities. From snorkeling with stingrays and jumping out of an airplane to surfing with sharks and trekking active volcanoes, exploring the wilderness is one of my favorite pastimes. 

In general, I plan my trips myself. It offers me freedom and flexibility that is unmatched. 

Wilderness Travel claims to be a leader in the adventure travel industry, boasting small group and private journeys. So, is this adventure company worth it for budget travelers? Let's take a look at the type of wilderness vacations on offer!   

What is Wilderness Travel?

Offering more than 200 small group and private tours,  Wilderness Travel  is pinned as a pioneer in the industry.

Having been around for over 40 years, this company offers active travel experiences in more than 75 countries worldwide. This travel company is proudly owned by its founder, Bill Abbott.

Having been in business since 1978, Wilderness Travel offers trips tailored to varied interests and abilities. The range of experiences makes it an ideal option for seasoned travelers and those just starting. 

Here are some of the different options Wilderness Travel Company has to offer: 

• Hiking and trekking
• African safaris 
• Events and expeditions
• Cultural trips 
• Small ship cruises 
• Family trips 
• Private journeys 

My Initial Impressions

At first glance, Wilderness Travel boasts a lot of variety. 

From top-tier destinations like the Maldives and Europe to classic adventure locations like the Galapagos and Latin America, you can find everything from polar expeditions to Pacific vacations. You can search for the trip type, which helps narrow down the process if you need help determining what you're looking for. This feature can be handy if you're not 100% clear about what adventure you're after. 

Additionally, you can determine your trip based on what type of activity you're interested in doing. Some of the most popular activities include: 

• Wildlife and natural history 
• Snorkeling 
• Small boat and yacht cruising

After investigating further, I discovered a handful of the most popular adventure trips. Initially, I was shocked at the prices, varying around $4000 - $5000+ for a 9-day trip. 

These experiences are tailored to travelers seeking an all-inclusive experience. Here is a handful of the best-seller experiences, the prices, and trip duration: 

• Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (9 days) - $5995 
• Everest Lodge to Lodge (14 days) - $4395 
• Namibia Safari Expedition (14 days) - $9995 
• Snorkeling in Raja Ampat (12 days) - $6695 
• Galapagos Yacht Adventure (10 days) - $8995 

One important factor to keep in mind is that the prices do not include airfare. You can find the detailed list of what's included in the base trip cost in the trip's "Detailed Itinerary."

How to Book a Trip With Wilderness Travel

The Wilderness Travel website boasts an easy-to-use format with various sections to book a trip. 

For travel inspiration, you can simply search in the " Our Trips " section or search directly in the "Find a Trip" section. 

If you opt for the latter option, you'll have to enter the following details: 

• Trip type (journeys by rail, cruise collection, small group adventures) 
• Activity (archaeology, culinary, eclipse, sea kayaking) 
• Trip level (easy, moderate, challenging) 

Although the price range can be relatively high, you can find discounts in the "Special Offers" section on the drop-down menu. This is the most suitable option for budget travelers seeking an experience with Wilderness Travel. With hefty discounts ranging between $500 and $1000 per person, It's a steal for budget-conscious explorers. 

Various deal options are available for 2024 adventures, topped with early-bird and safari extension discounts. 

Key Features

Wilderness Travel boasts a simple, straightforward layout, and the drop-down menu makes navigating the site easy. You'll find resources and a travel blog to be the most helpful among the top features. 

You can get more information about this adventure travel company on the resources page. You can answer all your questions about choosing a trip, reserving a place, and find helpful links there. 

Referral Program 

A referral program also allows you, "the referrer," and your friend, "the referee," to get a $100 credit. If you're a budget traveler who's planning a wilderness  vacation trip with friends , this is a pocket-friendly offer that's worth noting!

Travel Blog 

Wilderness Travel boasts a travel blog page where you can immerse yourself in fellow travelers' narratives. Book a trip with this company, and you may also get to share your personal experiences and photography on the travel blog! 

Here are some of the top traveler stories: 

• Visiting the mountain gorillas of Uganda 
• A cultural journey in North India 
• Unique desert adventures in Egypt and Jordan 
• Tracking polar bears in Churchill 

Cancellation/Refund Policy

The Wilderness Travel Company's cancellation policy varies depending on the type of trip. Here is the standard cancellation fee schedule: 

• Up to 91 days before departure: No charge 
• 61-90 days before departure: 25% of trip cost
• 46-60 days before departure: 50% of trip cost
• 45 days or less: 100% of the trip cost

What People Are Saying About Wilderness Travel

Most travelers are pleased with the amount of depth and information provided by the guides. People praise the well-planned routes and how the trips steered clear of the typical tourist trail. 

Travelers are happy with the top-quality accommodation, food, and services available too. Wilderness Travel reviews state that these tours are most popular among adults rather than younger travelers. 

Other visitors tend to talk about the high prices and how it's not accessible for those on a tight budget. When you must factor in airfares on top of the base trip cost, it's entirely out of range for backpackers or budget-conscious travelers. 

Benefits & Drawbacks

Booking a trip with Wilderness Travel boasts many benefits, from the detail-oriented tour guides and unique routes to the tasty cuisine and high-end accommodation. 

This is an ideal way of meeting new friends and adventure-loving travelers, especially in small group trips. It's highly agreed that this adventure travel company offers some of the globe's top wilderness adventures for adults. 

The major disadvantages are the cancellation policy and the high prices. 

If you're looking for a pocket-friendly trip, you won't find it here. The trip base costs don't include airfares, meaning you'll have to set aside extra money. 

Other adventure travel companies that offer similar services include  G Adventures  and  Intrepid Travel .

Is Wilderness Travel Worth It?

Wilderness Travel is a suitable choice if you're looking for an all-inclusive, well-planned experience. With experienced guides and unique routes, you don't have to fret over the planning process. 

If you're interested in meeting like-minded travelers, this is one of the top adventure travel companies. On the other hand, there may be better choices than Wilderness Travel if you're looking to  save money while traveling . With high prices and costs that don't include airfares, you might save for months or years.

Our Rating: 3.4/5

• Knowledgable tour guides 
• High-quality food and accommodation 
• Immersive experiences with like-minded travelers
• Unique routes and activities 
• Cancellation policy 
• Base costs don't include airfares 

Wilderness Vacations and Beyond! 

Now that you know more about Wilderness Travel, you can start to craft your ideal travel experience for you, your family, and your friends.

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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Shhh, I’m on vacation. Travelers are on a quest for the quiet

This photo provided by Black Tomato shows an Icelandic glacier on a hiking trek. Black Tomato, the avant-garde travel company offers a trip they call Get Lost. You fill out an extensive questionnaire on what you’re expecting from your escape, but you’ll have no idea where you’re going till they get you there. Environment options are Polar, Desert, Coastal, Jungle or Mountain. (Black Tomato via AP)

This photo provided by Black Tomato shows the Redwood National Park in California. From serene nature retreats to silent walking, or just the soothing soundtracks of nature on your headphones while commuting, the quest for quietude has become one of modern travel’s new trends. (Black Tomato via AP)

This photo shows the White Sands National Park in New Mexico. “Transformative travel’s a trend we’re tracking for growth,” says Alex Hawkins, editor at the foresight consultancy The Future Laboratory. “It taps into consumers’ desire for self-reflective tourism experiences.”. (Black Tomato via AP).

This photo provided by Black Tomato shows a tranquil scene in the Canadian wilderness. Black Tomato’s co-founder Tom Marchant says wilderness travel provides the challenge of managing the environment, but “it’s also a time to truly disconnect from daily life in an entirely new way.” (Black Tomato via AP)

This photo provided by Black Tomato shows a rugged coastline near Cape Peron, Australia. It’s not just about escaping the cacophony of everyday life while on holiday. For many, it’s a shift toward introspection; a deeper connection with ourselves, and where we are both literally and figuratively. (Black Tomato via AP).

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At home in the New York City suburbs, Oscar Sandoval has lots of friends and an active social life. But when it’s time for vacation, he prefers to keep it quiet. Like, literally.

Sandoval began practicing Zen Buddhism a few years back, and has been on silent retreats to Buddhist monasteries around San Francisco and elsewhere. He’d stroll, sit, do some gardening and generally contemplate life for a week. More recently, he’s done solo backpacking trips across Spain.

“The internal experience varies from times of very little thinking to periods of many thoughts or songs playing in my head,” he says. “The utter peace and stillness is impossible to put into words.”

Travel journalist Chloe Berge bemoaned the buzzing interruption of a drone while she was hiking the Faroe Islands’ remote coastline during the pandemic. “The world is getting louder, and it’s increasingly harder to escape the noise, even in nature.”

But it’s worth a try, say the travelers who are seeking relief in silence. Or as close as they can get to it.

From serene nature retreats to silent walking, the quest for quietude has become one of modern travel’s latest trends. Conde Nast Traveler said last month it was “the travel trend we’re most obsessed with this year.”

For many, quiet travel goes beyond escaping the cacophony of everyday life while on vacation. It can be a shift toward introspection; a deeper connection with where we are both literally and figuratively.

You might even feel healthier .

In a study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry in late 2022, for instance, mindfulness meditation worked as well as a standard drug for treating anxiety.

“Transformative travel’s a trend we’re tracking for growth,” says Alex Hawkins, editor at the trend forecaster and consultancy The Future Laboratory. “It taps into consumers’ desire for self-reflective tourism experiences.”

The “wellness tourism industry,” he says, includes “demand for hyper-personal holidays and health-driven stays.”

PEACEFUL PAMPERING

The company Dark Retreats Oregon offers a five-day “Dark Retreat” in Tidewater, Oregon, as “a great space for self-care” through darkness, digital detox and a healthy diet. Participants can keep the lights off as much as they want during their stay, and can also decide how much they talk to others.

BookRetreats, which urges clients to “Unplug. De-stress. Recharge,” offers silent meditation retreats in Bali, Portugal, Mexico and the Netherlands, and closer to home in North Carolina, Quebec and California.

Finland’s Utula Nature offers a silent stay amidst the pines on Lake Saimaa, about five hours from Helsinki.

SERENE STROLLING

Ditching the phone, zipping your lip, and putting on your comfy hikers; that’s the silent walking trend that’s found thousands of friends on TikTok.

Gordon Hempton is an acoustic ecologist in Washington State also known as The Sound Tracker. He’s spent several decades roaming rainforests, coastlines and deserts looking for interesting and often rare nature sounds — sounds you can’t easily hear when there’s a lot of human-made noise. “I care very deeply about quiet,” he says.

He’s a co-founder of Quiet Parks International, a non-profit created to raise awareness of the benefits for both people and wildlife of less noise. Ecuador’s Zabalo River park was the first to receive quiet park designation – it’s not technically “quiet,” of course: Howler monkeys, birds, insects and the thrum of the river provide a natural soundtrack. But the nearest concentration of human activity is a village of roughly 200 people, about 10 miles away.

There are even a couple of urban areas designated as quiet parks – one just outside the bustling metropolis of Taipei, Taiwan’s capital. Another is in Hampstead Heath, about 30 miles from central London. The grassy, 800-acre park inspired C.S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia.”

Quiet Parks International offers experiences like forest bathing , where you open your senses to the meditative and relaxing elements of a walk in the woods.

For those who can’t get out to nature, the Quiet Parks website has recordings of wildlife and weather in the rainforest; morning in the West Texas desert; and sounds of day and nightfall in northern Alaska.

LOW-KEY LOST

Black Tomato’s got an interesting proposition for you. The avant-garde travel company offers a trip they call Get Lost. You fill out an extensive questionnaire on what you’re expecting from your escape, but you’ll have no idea where you’re going till they get you there. Environment options are Polar, Desert, Coastal, Jungle or Mountain.

You’re given pre-trip prep advice and navigation instruction, and then, at trip time, all the transfers, gear and mapped-out checkpoints you’ll need. Your progress is monitored by a specialist in the chosen environment and by a local guiding support team. You can bail out at any time.

“We’ve sent clients to Iceland and Alaska,” says Black Tomato’s co-founder Tom Marchant. “We sent one solo traveler to Mongolia.” A woman trekked on her own across Morocco’s Atlas Mountains.

Marchant says there’s the challenge of managing the environment, but “it’s also a time to truly disconnect from daily life in an entirely new way.”

9 hikes to see New Zealand’s stunning scenery up close

Oct 22, 2023 • 6 min read

Set amongst volcanic scenery made famous by the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of New Zealand’s finest one-day walks © nazar_ab / Getty Images

New Zealand is famous for its stunning scenery, and immersing yourself in nature is the best way to experience its remarkable landscapes up close. "Tramping" (that's Kiwi for "hiking") is a popular activity with locals and visitors alike in  New Zealand , with hundreds of exceptional trails throughout the country.  From the iconic Great Walks to overnight hikes and short walks, there are options for all ages and levels of ability.

Multi-day hikes are the best way to discover remote lakes and waterfalls, or sleep in a picturesque hut on the top of a mountain peak. If you’re looking for something with less gear and effort, opt for a day hike instead – try a shorter section of one of the Great Walks, or choose from one of the many short trails with breathtaking views.

Here are some of our favorite hikes in New Zealand for exploring the country’s coast, volcanoes, mountains and national parks. Some are easy, some are spine-tingling, but all of these hikes are pure Kiwi magic. Just keep in mind that if you’re doing a Great Walk or overnight hike, you’ll need to book huts or campsites well in advance through the Department of Conservation  (DOC) .

1. Rangitoto Island Summit Track

Best from Auckland 7km (4.3 miles), 2 hours, easy

Auckland ’s youngest but largest volcanic cone was created just 600 years ago in a series of fiery eruptions. It is an elegant island and beloved city icon, reachable via a short ferry ride from downtown Auckland. 

Hike up the modest summit (250m/820ft) for great views of the city before wandering along the coast, where hardy plants pursue their quest to populate the lava fields. Rangitoto is home to the country’s largest pōhutukawa forest – a type of crimson-flowered myrtle also known as the New Zealand Christmas tree.

2. Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Best one-day walk 20km (12.4 miles), 6-8 hours, easy/moderate/difficult

Set among volcanic scenery made famous by the Lord of the Rings trilogy, this pathway in Tongariro National Park is often lauded as New Zealand’s finest one-day walk and one of the best in the world. It’s no wonder, with its peculiar moonscape graced with steaming vents and springs, vivid lakes and vast ridges.

The highly weather-dependent 20km (12.4-mile) walk takes between six and eight hours. Parts of this trek are steep, and at altitude the weather can be very unpredictable, especially in winter. If you want to experience this hike between May and November (potentially in the snow), it's best to sign up for a guided trip. If you choose to walk this track independently, book your shuttle and walk through DOC's booking system . Finally, the summit of Mt Ngāuruhoe (aka Mt Doom) – which can be accessed via a side track – is considered sacred to the local Māori iwi (tribe), who ask that visitors don't climb it out of respect. 

3. Abel Tasman Coast Track

Best for beaches 60km (37.3 miles), 3-5 days, intermediate

One of New Zealand’s most popular Great Walks, the Abel Tasman Coast Track follows the coastline of  Abel Tasman National Park . The track winds through lush forest and golden beaches. Sections of the trail are popular with day visitors. Many hikers access different sections of the trail by water taxi or kayak, as there are almost no roads in the national park.

If you only have a day to dedicate to Abel Tasman National Park, try walking the 11km (6.8-mile) section from Medlands Beach to Anchorage. Be sure to allow enough time to relax at idyllic Anchorage and make the side trip to the peaceful  Cleopatra’s Pool .

4. Angelus Hut via Pinchgut Track and Robert Ridge

Best overnight hike 24.4km (15.2 miles), 2 days, advanced

This trail in Nelson Lakes National Park leads to one of the most magical overnight spots in the country. Tucked into the mountains on the edge of an alpine lake, the  Angelus Hut is a fairytale setting. 

Take the route up the aptly named  Pinchgut Track  to Mt Robert, with the beautiful Lake Rotoiti in view for much of the way. Continue along Robert Ridge towards Lake Angelus – the trail can be steep but rewards hikers with expansive mountain vistas into the heart of the park. Spend the night soaking in your spectacular surroundings, then amble back down via the gentler Paddy’s Track the next day. 

5. Lake Matheson / Te Ara Kairaumati Walk

Best short hike with mountain views 4.4km (2.7 miles), 1.5 hours, easy

This walk to Lake Matheson proves that you don’t always need to put in a huge amount of effort to be rewarded with fantastic scenery. The easy track winds through an ancient forest and leads to astounding views of the surrounding mountains reflected in the dark waters of the lake.

The first section of the walk (2.4km/1.5 miles return) is fully accessible for wheelchairs and prams, and it passes through native bush before reaching the epic mountain view. The full loop continues around the lake with two more scenic viewpoints.

6. Sealy Tarns Track

Best one-day mountain climb 7.1km (4.4 miles) return, 3-4 hours, easy

Home to more than three-quarters of New Zealand’s highest mountains, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park’s vertiginous terrain is generally more suited to climbers than hikers. However, several trails offer the chance to survey this majestic landscape, all starting from the excellent  National Park Visitor Centre .

Our favorite pick is Sealy Tarns Track. Although it involves a two-hour climb, the ever-present views of the Hooker Valley and surrounding peaks should provide ample distractions. If you’re after a longer hike, continue to the Mueller Hut, one of the most picturesque places to spend a night in New Zealand.

7. Charming Creek North Walkway

Best for history, forests and waterfalls 5.5km (3.4 miles), 2 hours one-way, easy

One of the best day walks on the  West Coast , the Charming Creek North Walkway is an all-weather trail following an old coal railway line through the Ngākawau River gorge. Along its length are rusty relics, tunnels, a suspension bridge, fascinating geological formations and the mighty Mangatini Falls. The walkway is also an excellent mountain-bike ride and is a good option for active families, as the varied scenery will keep children entertained. You’ll need to arrange transport back to avoid retracing your steps.

8. Gertrude Saddle

Best for mountain views 7km (4.3 miles), 4-6 hours, expert

About 25 minutes from Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, the hike to Gertrude Saddle is a wonderful way to experience the Fiordland National Park in a single day. A challenging day hike that's best suited for advanced climbers, this route takes you up through the mountains and to amazing views of the valley, overlooking part of Milford Sound /Piopiotahi . 

The trail crosses over a river and past the Black Lake – a perfect spot for lunch and a swim if you don’t mind braving the cold water. Keep in mind the route involves climbing and should be avoided if there’s rain or snow.

9. Routeburn Track

Best of the Great Walks 33km (20.5 miles), 2-4 days, intermediate

Arguably the most beautiful of all New Zealand’s Great Walks, the Routeburn Track meanders through alpine rivers and past mirror-like lakes, offering incredible views across mountain peaks and valleys. The track takes you through an alpine wonderland of tarns and sphagnum bogs and is hiked best in the warmer months – only attempt it between May and October if you have alpine, navigation and river crossing skills. 

This is one of the country's most popular walks and must be booked up to eight months in advance.  If you don’t have time for the full hike, get a taste of the 3.4km (2.1-mile) Routeburn Track on a one-day hike to Key Summit. The three-hour trail affords panoramic views of  Fiordland National Park' s mountains, valleys and waterfalls, and it completes the picture with interpretive displays explaining how this spectacular landscape was formed. 

This article was first published April 2015 and updated October 2023

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5 Beautiful Multi-Day Hiking Adventures in the United States—No Tent Required

Experience national parks and renowned trails without worrying about accommodations..

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The Wallowa Mountains are one of many natural spaces you can explore on these hikes.

Photo by Mark Lemaire/Shutterstock

Looking for a way to spend time outdoors, crush miles, and explore backcountry wilderness—but aren’t too keen on cooking your meals over a camp stove or sleeping in the dirt? No problem. These five hikes around the United States offer ample time in nature, but you can still kick it in relative luxury and style at the end of the day. That way, you’re practically guaranteed to be rested and rejuvenated for another round of hiking on Day Two (or Three or Four).

Minam River Lodge, Wallowa Mountains

• Book now: Minam River Lodge ; $295–$795

Located in the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest in Eastern Oregon, the Wallowa Mountains are a popular spot for backpacking among Pacific Northwesterners. Those who want to explore the backcountry without lugging all their gear for a few nights in the woods can enjoy the big views and quiet stillness of the region thanks to the Minam Lodge.

The wilderness lodge is only accessible by foot (via an eight-and-a-half-mile hike on Horse Ranch Trail from Moss Springs Trailhead), horseback riding, or flying in via chartered plane. It offers accommodations like private cabins and lodge rooms, plus wood-fired hot tubs to soak your tired feet and legs. There is a three-night minimum, so take some time to explore the miles of wilderness trails around the lodge, too, including the stunning Backbone Ridge Trail or North Minam Meadows.

More than 500 miles of trails run through Shenandoah National Park.

Photo by Jon Bilous/Shutterstock

Lodges along the Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park

• Book now: Hike Lodge to Lodge in Shenandoah National Park ; $50–$431 per night

For a luxurious introduction to the famed Appalachian Trail, head to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia for a two- or three-night self-guided tour along this brief but scenic stretch of the 2,190-mile trail, You’ll hike from Lewis Mountain Cabins to Big Meadows Lodge to Skyland, which are operated by authorized park concessionaire Delaware North Parks and Resorts at Shenandoah.

Each day, you’ll trek between seven to nine miles through deciduous forests and past soft green peaks, traveling from one night’s accommodations to the next. Big Meadows and Skyland offer hikers packed lunches and trail memorabilia if you book a hiking package in advance online or by calling the reservation line. (You can also book each stay individually, but lunch won’t be included.) The reservations office will also share contact info for shuttle services to take you back to your car at the end of the one-way journey.

Besides visiting vineyards, travelers on the Valley of the Moon Trail will also visit places like Jack London State Historic Park.

Photo by KarenWibbs/Shutterstock

Valley of the Moon, Sonoma Valley

• Book now: Valley of the Moon ; $1,925 per person

Less of a point-to-point hike and more of a self-guided tour of state and local parks, the Sonoma Valley Hikers Trek offered by California-based Wine Country Trekking is a combination of long hikes in picturesque locations such as Kenwood and Glen Ellen, wine tastings overlooking vineyards, and dinner at local restaurants. And yes, breakfast, wine samples, and luggage transfers are included. Over five days and four nights, you’ll spend three days hiking (the first and last days are reserved for arrival and relaxing before departure) about eight to nine miles per day up mountains, past lakes, and through orchards. You’ll also partake in picnic lunches, sip wine from local vineyards, and relax at luxury inns along the way. Depending on the day, you may be transported to and from trailheads for occasionally strenuous hikes, or you may hoof it to each destination. Either way, you’ll have earned your libations at the end of the day.

Down on the canyon floor—accessible only by foot, mule, or raft—is Phantom Ranch, designed by famed architect of the Southwest Mary Colter.

Photo courtesy of Michael Quinn/Grand Canyon NPS

Phantom Ranch, Grand Canyon National Park

• Book now: Phantom Ranch ; $213 per night
• Book now: Wildland Trekking ; from $1,650 per person

For a truly majestic and worthwhile hiking experience, lace up your boots, stock up on electrolytes, and hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in Arizona for a stay alongside the Colorado River at Phantom Ranch . While more rustic than luxurious, these stone cabins still offer essential amenities, including bedding, a private bathroom, and towels, plus heat and air-conditioning. There’s a central shower house, and the Phantom Ranch Canteen is open for breakfast and dinner (you’ll want to order packed lunches for hikes).

While with good physical fitness you can hike down either Bright Angel or North Kaibab Trail in one day and back up the next (though you can also stay a few nights), we recommend you stay longer if you can. The views from the bottom of the canyon, including verdant riparian environments along the creeks and river and towering red cliffs on every side, are arguably more impressive than from the rim. Usually, reservations are available only via lottery, which must be entered months in advance. Prefer a guided trip? Wildland Trekking , a third-party tour operator, offers an all-inclusive two- or three-day hike and stay at Phantom Ranch.

Explore the 1.2 million acres of the Ozark National Forest on this trail.

Photo by JB Manning/Shutterstock

Ozark Highlands Trail, White Rock Mountain and Lake Fort Smith State Park

• Book now: White Rock Mountain Lodge and Cabins ; $133–223 per night
• Book now: Lake Fort Smith State Park ; $155–$175 per night

Located in Northwest Arkansas, the 270-mile Ozark Highlands Trail is brimming with hiking opportunities that run through state parks and the Ozark National Forest. While the whole trail can be completed as a thru-hike over a few weeks, visitors can tackle a section or two and still see plenty of waterfalls, rivers, and forested trails. Book a private cabin at Lake Fort Smith State Park (operated by the park), the trail’s starting point in Northwest Arkansas, and you can experience 17 miles of the trail before stopping at a private cabin at White Rock Mountain Lodge and Cabins , operated by White Rock Recreation Management. Both destinations are fully equipped with kitchens and private bathrooms, but you’ll have to bring your own linens to White Rock Mountain. (Note: You’ll need to arrange your own transportation back to the starting trailhead.)

49 of the best hiking trails in the US

Posted: September 28, 2023 | Last updated: March 13, 2024

• Hiking is a great way to stay active and enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes across the US. 
• Experienced hikers should visit Sky Rock Hike, Mount Rose Trail, Mount Si, or Bar Trail.
• For a more leisurely stroll, Swamp Rabbit Trail and Forest Park are great for beginners. 

For 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, check out Spy Rock Hike.

You'll have to hike up the rocky outlook, but you'll be rewarded with an unobstructed view of the serene landscape.

This 3.1-mile hike is a popular one, so head there during the week for smaller crowds.

Blodgett Canyon in western Montana is sure to have some vibrant colors.

For a truly magical experience, plan for an overnight in Blodgett Canyon, located in the Bitterroot Mountains.

If you're more interested in a day trip, you can take the Blodgett Canyon Overlook Trail , which is under 2 miles and offers an amazing view of the gorgeous canyon.

In Vermont, head to the Healdville Trail which ascends Okemo State Forest.

On this 3-mile hike , you'll travel along a lovely, relaxing stream, venture through hardwood glades, and eventually climb the final mile through a forest of evergreens. If that weren't enough, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking vistas throughout.

At the end of the trail, there is a watchtower you can climb for 360-degree views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

See Tahoe like a local on the Mount Rose Trail.

What makes this hike particularly special is that you not only get to take in the splendor of Lake Tahoe , but also you'll get views of Reno and the surrounding Sierra Nevadas.

The summit is the highest peak on the north side of the lake, and it is listed as one of Tahoe Weekly's top 20 fall adventures .

You'll work for these views, with nearly 11 miles of trail and an elevation gain of 2,400 feet.

Go underground at Mammoth Cave National Park.

Just outside of Bowling Green , Kentucky, you'll find the longest known underground cave system in the world. There are plenty of underground adventures to be had, and above ground, you'll find plenty of hiking.

The area offers a plethora of trails , but the Sal Hollow Trail is one of the best in the park.

Michigan's Porcupine Mountains State Park Escarpment Trail is Instagram-famous.

Although the trail is less than 5 miles, don't let that fool you — elevation changes make this a challenging, yet rewarding hike. You'll find multiple lookouts along the way, and you'll wander through pine and oak trees, which are red in the fall.

Don't forget to stop and take a picture of the Lake of the Clouds to post after your hike. 

Follow the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Wisconsin to view the site of the last Ice Age.

Meander through untouched wilderness, rolling farmlands, and public parks on this trail.

The hike is 1,200 miles long, but for a more comfortable day trip , check out the section near Elkhart Lake called LaBudde Creek, which is full of natural history.

Embark on a naturalist-guided hike at Ridges Sanctuary in Wisconsin.

Want to learn more about the flora and fauna you're passing? While you can enjoy non-guided hikes, you'll get a lot out of walking with a naturalist in Wisconsin's oldest nonprofit nature preserve .

The spot is a designated State Natural Area, an Audubon Important Bird Area, and a National Natural Landmark, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources .

The conifer forest meets the beach, along with a variety of plants, birds, and even endangered species.

The Vista and Devil's Oven via Orange Trail Loop is a Connecticut gem.

Located in Devil's Hopyard State Park in East Haddam, this 2.2-mile hike allows you to take in the surrounding scenery.

Along the trail, you'll discover a lake, a cave, and a stunning waterfall .

Black Rock Mountain, Georgia's highest state park, has two trails.

Black Rock Mountain is Georgia's highest state park at an altitude of 3,640 feet. 

For a short, moderate hike, plan on doing the 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail . If you'd rather go for an all-day challenge, the James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail clocks in at 7.2 miles.

For some serious Pacific Northwest vibes, explore Seattle's Mount Si.

Just 30 miles east of the city, you can challenge yourself on this 8-mile out-and-back trail. Approximately 100,000 people hike it each year, making it an incredibly popular Pacific Northwest hike .

Enjoy hiking on the trail that's home to Georgia's tallest waterfall.

Hope Oldham, one of REI's  outdoor school senior instructors in Atlanta, told Insider that Amicalola Falls Trail is one of her favorite day hikes in the area. The water cascades down from 729 feet, and those views have made it one of the state's most popular parks.

Oldham warned that the hike is strenuous and has many stairs, but if you're up for the challenge it's worth it.

"It's Georgia's tallest waterfall, and the power you feel by standing at the base is truly humbling," she told Insider. 

Don't miss the Overlook Mountain Trail in the Catskills for amazing views of the Hudson Valley.

Close to Woodstock, New York, this is the southernmost peak of the Catskill Escarpment .

" Hiking Overlook Mountain  was breathtakingly beautiful. The hike is easy and the path is well-marked. Close to the top, you will find some interesting ruins of an old hotel, and at the top of the mountain, there is a fire tower," blogger Anisa Alhilali of Two Traveling Texans told Insider.

You don't even have to leave the city to experience the wonders of St. Louis' Forest Park.

Right in St. Louis City, you'll find a beloved natural space with 45,000 trees and other flora.  

The park is actually bigger than New York City's Central Park , and it's home to many outdoor attractions, including walking and biking paths. 

The Monon Trail in Indiana makes for an amazing, all-ages hike.

Because it's paved and mostly flat, anyone can enjoy this scenic path in Hamilton County , Indiana.

Along the 20-plus mile route, you'll encounter family-friendly breweries and local spots to eat or enjoy a coffee.

Experience the same view that inspired the words to "America the Beautiful" in Colorado.

For a bit of a challenge, hike the Barr Trail to the summit of Pikes Peak. Because it's labeled a difficult hike — one which includes 7,500 feet of elevation gain and over 12 miles to the peak — it's recommended to split the hike into two days.

Overnight hikers can spend a night at Barr Camp .

At the top of the hike, you'll look out over the same mountain range views that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write the words to "America the Beautiful," according to the Songwriters Hall of Fame .

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park near Memphis, Tennessee, has more than 20 miles of trails winding through it.

With over 12,000 acres, you'll never get bored in this park.

For a moderate loop hike that's under 4 miles, the Woodland Trail is ideal. If you'd prefer something longer, the 7.4-mile Chickasaw Bluff Trail will allow you to take in the scenery for even longer.

If biking or horseback riding is more what you're looking for, you can also find it in the state park .

Hike around the Lubbock Lake Landmark, a 336-acre archaeological and natural history preserve in West Texas.

Lubbock Lake Landmark is an important archaeological site . Here you'll discover the Yellowhorse Draw Trail, which is particularly beautiful when the trees start to change in the fall. 

If you're looking for a more informative adventure, the site also allows visitors to watch active archeological digs. 

Just 30 miles outside of Washington DC, you'll find a weekend escape in Prince William Forest Park.

You don't have to go far out of the city to enjoy a weekend of outdoor fun. The South Valley Trail runs right by the Quantico Creek, offering visitors picturesque waterfalls, tree-lined paths, and scenic bridges to explore.

Pack up your bags and tent and plan to stay at one of the many campsites along the way, or opt for a historic cabin if you'd prefer.

Take in the beauty of North Carolina's Beech Mountains with the Emerald Outback Trail System.

Here, you'll encounter 7 miles of treks  that are designed to accommodate all experience levels. Whether you're wanting a leisurely afternoon stroll or something more intense, you'll find it there.

Trails are marked with green for beginner routes, blue for intermediate routes, and black for advanced trails. All the hikes offer the chance to trek through lush forests and take in some gorgeous views at the lookout points.

Turkey Mountain Trail rests on the west bank of the Arkansas River.

This 300-acre wilderness area is shrouded in trees, but you can still enjoy the large ponds and river along the route. After an ample ascent, you'll find scenic views from the summit, which rises 300 feet above the Arkansas River.

The Yellow Trail is a 3.7-mile hike that includes many overhangs to stop and take in the stunning views.

For a short and vigorous hike, check out the Waterrock Knob Trail in North Carolina.

You'll gain over 6,000 feet in elevation during the 1.2-mile round-trip hike , but the summit will make it all worth it. The top of the hike provides sweeping panoramic views.

For an added challenge, with an even greater reward, strap a chair to you back so that you can sit, relax, and watch the sunrise or sunset from the peak. 

Dubbed "The Niagara of Pennsylvania," Bushkill Falls is a beautiful hike.

You'll find a few trails within the park which vary in difficulty. Hikers of all levels will love the Red Trail to Bridal Veils Falls.

The 1.4-mile loop features a waterfall and plenty of lively flora. 

Because it's nestled in the woods of the Poconos , there are plenty of things to do near the trail as well.

City slickers can escape to Lehigh Valley for the hike in Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, is tucked into the rolling mountains of the countryside, and it's a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary offers 8 miles of easy-to-moderate trails. Throughout the hikes, visitors can enjoy views of vistas and soaring raptors (birds of prey). 

Enjoy views of Mount Hood while trekking the Pittock Mansion Hike.

Seth Buchwalter , an outdoor enthusiast who lives in Portland, Oregon, recommended this 5-mile round-trip hike that begins just outside of the city.

It's a moderate trail, and you can expect an elevation gain of 950 feet.

"It starts relatively flat, winding, down and around a beautiful creek, passing an old stone house, before kicking in the vertical gain a bit," he told Insider. "Nearing the top, you'll experience a few switchbacks that are intense, but still manageable for the novice hiker."

Hike some of the famed Colorado Trail in Durango.

In Colorado's southwestern corner, you can hike Junction Creek to Gudy's Rest . There are over 300 miles of trails in the area, but this is an excellent option for beginners.

In total, it's 8 miles long, although there's a perfect stopping point at a wooden footbridge 5 miles in if you'd prefer something shorter.

The hike offers outstanding views of the San Juan Mountains .

The Lincoln Woods Trail in New Hampshire is a great hike for those who want to explore the forest.

Although this moderate hike can be completed in a day, there are also two campsites along the path for those who want to make a weekend out of it.

"The good thing about it — or bad, depending on what you are looking for — is that the trail is flat and protected, so the conditions will be the same throughout your hike. Even though it is 9.8 miles long, the fact that it is pretty flat makes it easy for a family to do if they are willing to spend the whole day," Trevor Peschek, a hiking enthusiast who works for Wanderu , told Insider.

He also said that you'll encounter two beautiful waterfalls, Franconia Falls and Thirteen Falls, along the path.

Crystal Lake Trail in Mono County, California, combines views and brews.

This 3-mile, dog-friendly hike gains 750 feet in elevation, and the reward is views of Lake George, Crystal Crag, and Crystal Lake. 

Mono County is also home to other trails if you're looking to spend more time there, but Crystal Lake Trail offers something extra special: local breweries like Black Doubt Brewing Co. , Mammoth Brewing Co. , and Shelter Distilling are located close to the path for a post-hike refreshment.

Experience some of the Appalachian Trail at Hay Rock Overlook Trail in Virginia.

The Appalachian Trail stretches for nearly 2,200 miles from Maine to Georgia, but this section in Virginia is a great spot to take in the scenic views of Roanoke Valley.

The Hay Rock Overlook Trail hike is moderately difficult at around 8.5 miles, so it makes for the perfect challenging day hike with breathtaking surroundings.

If you're exploring the wine country of Finger Lakes, New York, don't miss Watkins Glen State Park.

The natural beauty of this region is truly spellbinding, and you can enjoy 19 cascading waterfalls along the trail. The park offers an easy to moderate hike with lots of stairs on most of the paths.

Watkins Glen State Park was also selected from more than 6,000 state parks across the nation as a nominee in the USA Today Readers' Choice Poll for best state park in the United States in 2015 and came in third place overall.

Immerse yourself for a few days on the Laurel Highlands hiking trail.

If you're looking for a multi-day, beginner-friendly hike, then this one in southwestern Pennsylvania is a perfect choice.

The 70-mile trail offers overnight areas every 8 to 10 miles, so you can move at a comfortable pace and recharge.

The whole trail features towering trees, but some prime viewing spots include Beam Rocks, Spruce Run, and Laurel Summit.

Hike the tree-lined river banks on the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville, South Carolina.

This 22-mile mixed-use trail runs right through downtown Greenville, so you get the best of both worlds: nature at its finest and a charming southern city.

One of the stars of the trail is an iconic beech tree with exposed roots and a canopy that towers 100 feet in the air. The trail also leads to Falls Park on the Reedy , an urban park with a suspension bridge where you can get unobstructed views of the Reedy River waterfalls.

Climb to the top of Mount Beacon in Hudson Valley, NY.

There are numerous lookout points as you climb Mount Beacon , so there are options on how long the hike goes. If the 200 stairs and steep switchbacks don't tire you out too much, once you've passed a clifftop you can venture even further to a rebuilt fire tower.

Once you reach the top, you'll be rewarded with a panoramic view stretching from the Hudson Highlands to the Catskill Mountains.

Get the adrenaline pumping on the Precipice Trail at Acadia National Park in Maine.

Any trail with "precipice" in its name is sure to get the blood pumping. Tava Hoag , a former editor at TravelPirates , told Insider it's not for anyone who's afraid of heights. In fact, she conquered her own fear while hiking it.

"It is a very steep out and back trail where you have to use iron rungs and small ledges to get to the top of Champlain Mountain," she told Insider. 

Expect to take about three hours on the 1.4-mile, strenuous hike .

Hike up to Conundrum Hot Springs and relax in the naturally warm waters.

Nothing is better than hiking along the stunning Elk Mountains and ending your journey with a dip in a hot spring. 

"The views are stunning along the whole hike, but especially from the 102-degree pool," Paul Ronto, Content Director at RunRepeat and avid outdoorsmen, told Insider.

He also advised that permits are required, so make sure to read how to get one before making the trek.

The Coal Mines Trail brings you through some charming Washington towns.

The Pacific Northwest is a particularly beautiful spot to hike during the fall months. 

"I love hiking in the Pacific Northwest because of all the fall colors. My favorite hike to see the fall leaves in the Coal Mines Trail in Snoqualmie," Alex Tran, an outdoor enthusiast and yoga instructor , told Insider.

Near the trail is the Bavarian town of Leavenworth where there is an annual Oktoberfest , and it will also take you to the historic town of Roslyn .

Experience all the beauty of nature with the backdrop of NYC's skyline on the Silver Mine Lake Trail.

The Silver Mine Lake Trail is just a quick train or cab ride away from New York City , offering the chance to escape the city without too much hassle.

Nestled in Harriman State Park (which has over 200 miles of trails), this one takes you to the top of Black Mountain. Expect scenic vistas with the skyscrapers of Manhattan in the background along the way.

The Savage Alpine Trail in Denali National Park is an unexpected fall adventure.

Jennifer Melroy, an author for Nation Park Obsessed , told Insider that this Alaskan hike is one of her favorites — especially when the trees are changing. 

"I love hiking this trail in the fall for two reasons," she said. "The first is the fall colors in the tundra. The aspen trees have this amazing shade of gold which contrasts with the reds and pinks of the willow trees. Also, the blueberries are ripe and found all along the trail."

It's a strenuous 8.2-mile round-trip hike through the national park with 1,400 feet of elevation gain.

Get a killer workout on the Inner Basin Trail near Flagstaff, Arizona.

Tucked in the Coconino National Forest , the Inner Basin Trail has clear markers and measures 3.9 miles round trip. 

"This is a moderate trail with a noticeable elevation gain that will leave even the most experienced hiker a little winded," Shawna Newman of Active Weekender, an adventure blog, told Insider. "The terrain itself is not challenging and the surrounding beauty makes it the perfect trail for snapping some photos."

Journey on the diverse Flint Hills Trail in Kansas.

From picturesque prairies to fresh farmland, the Flint Hills Trail offers a wide array of landscapes. It's also the longest and most diverse trail in Kansas, according to The Wichita Eagle .

Although the flat landscape makes it a pretty easy hike, you can still challenge yourself by hiking all 117 miles of it — which usually takes about eight or nine days to complete.

Explore the Stanford Trail in Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

The Stanford Trail is just one of the many available hiking spots in Cuyahoga Valley National Park . If you're wanting an extra challenge, the hike meets up with the Brandywine Gorge Trail which offers you the option to extend your adventure.

If getting outside is a priority, but you're concerned about mobility or have young ones in tow, the park also offers the option of riding along the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad .

Witness the fall monarch butterfly migration on the Eastern Lake Trail in South Walton, Florida.

Every year, a monarch butterfly migration at the beginning of fall draws hikers seeking a unique outdoor experience. 

There are over 27 miles of trails in this area, and the relatively challenging 11-mile orange loop on the Eastern Lake Trail makes for a great workout.

And after the hike, you can relax on the shores of the nearby Miramar beach .

Check out the boardwalk at Big Bog State Recreation Area in Minnesota.

A boardwalk allows visitors to take in all the views of the 500-square mile peat bog . 

Wander through the stunted tamarack and spruce forest on the mile-long trail, and at the end, you'll be treated to a viewing platform, benches, and a binocular viewer.

Since the trail is made of a raised boardwalk, it is accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, and less-experienced hikers. 

Hike California's hidden gem, the Mount Eddy Trail in Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

This 10-mile round-trip hike  has over 2,000 feet of elevation gain.

Located in Siskiyou County, the northernmost region of California , the hike is one of the area's less-traveled trails, and it offers breathtaking views of Mount Shasta.

After you hike, you can explore all the other outdoor activities that Shasta-Trinity National Forest has to offer. 

Take in the scenic views on Texas' East Trail in Lost Maples State Natural Area.

You'll find this 3-mile trail in the Lost Maples State Natural Area in Vanderpool, Texas. Marvel at the beauty of the area complete with bigtooth maples, bald cypress, and sycamore trees which reflect against sparkling waters.

The park is specifically known for its stunning colors in the fall months. 

Hike New Mexico's highest peak on the Bull of the Woods trail.

You won't find better views in New Mexico than atop Wheeler Peak in the Bull of the Woods Wilderness.

At 14.5 miles , you can either make this an intense day trip or break up your hike with a night camping in the wilderness.

Stroll along the river on the Chocolate Gulch Trail in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Right in the Sawtooth Mountains, this 5-mile hike typically takes about half a day to complete. The trail begins on the banks of a river, and you'll eventually climb a peak to view the waters below.

The trail is a great place to view wildlife, and it's also dog-friendly. 

Bird-lovers will want to check out Waggoner's Gap Hawk Watch in Landisburg, Pennsylvania.

This one is ideal for people who want an easier trail that still gives them a chance to marvel at nature. Not only are the views outstanding, but also this is one of the largest concentrations of raptors in the US, with nearly 20,000 passing through each year.

The bird migration combined with the full foliage makes it clear why the trail was named one of the top 10 hikes in Cumberland County by The Sentinel.

Take in the astounding views on the Whitaker Point Trail in Arkansas.

You'll find this 2.9-mile trail in the Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area of the Ozarks.

The trail leads to Whitaker Point , also called Hawksbill Crag, which juts out about 100 feet above the forest floor. It's a highly photographed spot in Arkansas, and for a good reason — you'll be able to peer out over the valley surrounding the Buffalo National River.

This story was originally published on October 10, 2018, and most recently updated on September 28, 2023. 

• 10 things that could potentially kill you on your next camping trip and how to protect yourself
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Double taps, tourist traps: How to find hiking spots in the era of gatekeeping

Brenden Lundberg had seen pictures of Horseshoe Bend on social media a few times. The geological loop in the Colorado River is beautiful — and Instagram algorithm-friendly. 

So when Lundberg realized his family’s April 2023 road trip from Utah to Arizona would skirt the edge of the landmark, it looked like a perfect opportunity to pull over and snap a few photos.

When they got there, they were met with a packed parking lot, crowds of people and a parking fee. 

It seemed everyone else had seen those social media posts of Horseshoe Bend, too.

“There didn’t even used to be a trailhead … but then one dude posted (about Horseshoe Bend) on Instagram,” Lundberg said. “So they added the parking lot and the trailhead and now it’s always crazy busy.”

Just 10 years ago, the landmark seven miles from the Grand Canyon only pulled in thousands of visitors a year. Now, annual attendance is in the millions . 

Horseshoe Bend’s parent park, Glen Canyon Recreational Area, which straddles Utah and Arizona, beat out powerhouses like Zion National Park and Arches National Park for the Utah park with the most visitors in 2023, bringing in a record 5.2 million people.

The official Visit Arizona website has a page dedicated to Horseshoe Bend. The number one thing they recommend to bring? A camera.

Lundberg said even with a pack of amateur photographers clustered at the trailhead, the bend was “still really cool.” 

“I feel like people definitely are more likely to get outside and go somewhere, even if it is just to take a picture,” he said.

In the digital age, hiking has morphed from a sport to a piece of social currency — and more and more people are cashing in.

In a Reddit thread titled, “Why does everyone on Tinder say they’re into hiking?” user Dezdemona_ said she listed hiking as one of her interests on a resume, even though she never hiked.

“It was just something that made me seem more active and outgoing, since all of my hobbies are watching movies, crocheting or other sitting still stuff. It’s also something that’s easy to justify: I like walks, I like nature… why not hiking?”

People might create an outdoorsy online persona because it makes them seem “active” and “fun,” Lundberg said.

In an informal survey of Instagram users, 97% said they had posted online about nature or a hike at some point. 77% had visited a national park or hiking trail because of an Instagram post and 62% had gone on a hike for the photo op.

Social media documentation of outdoor experiences isn’t just a faddish concern among hiking dilettantes — some experienced hikers, mountain bikers and photographers also feel a pull to post.

“Quite often I take the pictures (of nature) with Instagram in mind,” study participant Anne said in research article “The Instagrammable Outdoors – Investigating the sharing of nature experiences through visual social media.”

The study explores the aestheticization of the outdoors. In other words, some scenic locales are just a little more Instagram-worthy than others.

Study participants often posted “stunning views or recognizable places, which were shaped by participants’ norms of what an Instagrammable landscape looked like,” the study said.

No matter what the participants’ intentions, they all gave in — consciously or not — to the Instagram ideal, according to the study. The photos they chose to post of outdoor scenes “were rather similar.”

This homogenization of online nature content is at the heart of the overcrowding problem Lundberg and others experience at places like Horseshoe Bend.

Turns out when people’s Instagram feeds become seas of double tap-able, generic nature photos, people tend to seek out those same photo-ops — en masse.

According to hiking guidebook writer and outdoor enthusiast Craig Romano, there’s a lot of crowdsourced “garbage” online that keeps people going to the same popular spots over and over.

In recent years, he’s added a crowd rating to trails he writes about so people will know what they’re getting into.

“Some of these places are so popular because they’re easier to get to,” he said. “I don’t want it to feel like a city park in the wilderness.”

However, he said, the vast majority of trails he explores don’t have a crowding problem at all — if anything, they’re underused.

“If trails don’t get used, they’ll just get abandoned,” he said. “We’ve got to get people out to other areas.”

Romano, who has hiked more than 2,000 trails in Washington State alone, knows from experience there are plenty of alternatives to the big name, big parking lot spots.

When he starts compiling a new guidebook, Romano said he tries to be “really comprehensive.” He includes hikes with name recognition, but he also packs in the smaller trails that many long-time locals don’t even know about.

Some people have criticized Romano for “exposing” hiking locations. To this, he said “It’s public land. You don’t own this.”

Studies suggest that most of the folks getting riled up about extra bodies on the trails seem to be white people with disposable income, who aren’t used to sharing the outdoors. 

This isn’t new: the first advocates for gatekeeping were well-to-do Americans at the turn of the twentieth century who wanted “a more intimate experience with wilderness,” away from the masses, according to the Forest History Society .

Lower-income groups and racial minorities have historically been excluded from outdoor leisure activities, mostly because of distance, cost and lack of awareness, according to an article published in “Annals of Leisure Research,” vol. 25.

Though not a cure-all, social media boosts awareness about hikes among this out-group.

And sure, while it might make some trails more crowded, social media popularity is not a death sentence for the outdoors. 

If you ask Romano, he’ll tell you that half the fun of hiking is researching new trails — and scanning top 10 lists on AllTrails doesn’t count.

“You’ve got to really dig out good sources … There are writers out there who have websites and social media,” he said. “I love the discovery, getting the maps out, exploring the sites.”

Romano said he talks to locals, scans maps for unmarked green spots and chats with land management agencies. When he finds a cool spot, he posts on his website and on his personal social media.

“It’s not like this information is hidden,” Romano said.

For avid hikers in Provo, Romano recommended heading west instead of following the crowds to the big parks in Southern Utah. Great Basin National Park off of Highway 50 is a good place to start, he said.

Lundberg is on board with the social media hiking scene. “I appreciate when people post their hikes on social media,” he said. “Everybody should be able to see the different places in the world.”

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