Try 6 Best Hiking Trails In America For A Breather

Travelling in a car or bus and relaxing in luxurious hotels for a few days, might be fun but we recommend you try hiking! At least once, you must try the best hiking trails in America. Or perhaps, as an amateur traveller, you are looking for hiking trails in America To begin your adventure? We've got you covered. This blog brings to you some of the best hiking trails in America that'll most certainly offer you an amazing backpacking experience. We've known the US as a country full of opportunities in terms of the best education, occupations, infrastructure and innovation. However, America is also a hiker's paradise! Therefore, let us introduce the wanderer in you to the best hikes in America. 

6 Best Hiking Trails In America

With the everyday hustle, it is indeed difficult to plan a vacation; however, trust us when we say that the incredible view is not too far from the backyard of your American home. Weekend warriors, gather around! In order to pack big experiences into limited amounts of time, just explore these 6 best hikes in America. However, we understand hiking is not everyone's favourite, well, we also have found more relaxing destinations for your spring breaks!

1. Harding Icefield Trail, Kenai Fjords National Park 

Location: Exit Glacier area of Kenai Fjords National Park (125 miles south of Anchorage, Alaska)

Distance: 9.2 miles

Elevation gain: 3,641 feet 

Time taken to complete hike: 6-8 hours 

Difficulty level: Moderate 

Spoiler alert! After a hike of almost 6 hours, what awaits you is the ice field at the end. During your entire hike, you will be surrounded by various types of forests, as well as picturesque alpine meadows! The view is absolutely otherworldly, which is why it is one of the best places to hike in America. The starting point is in the forest, through the Marmot Meadows leading to the top of the Cliffs. At this point, you better take a good turnaround! Again, carry on with the rugged, rocky terrain, passing a shelter, and finally, the end. The journey along the best hiking trails in America is as good as the destination!

 Things to know: 

• Free entrance
• Pets not allowed
• Restrooms are available only at a parking lot and nature centre
• Parking available
• Always stay on the demarcated hiking track/path 
• Carry plenty water, bear spray, bug repellent, sun protection and binoculars

2. Chautauqua Trail, Chautauqua Park, Colorado 

Location: 900 Baseline Rd & 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, United States

Distance: 1.3 miles

Elevation gain: 459 feet 

Time taken to complete hike: 50 min-1 hour 

Difficulty level: Moderate

This is one of the best hikes in America for beginners, given the shorter distance and time taken to hike back and forth. Tourists and locals regard this as one of the best places to hike in America, leading to the heart of the historic Chautauqua Meadow and eventually gazing upon the majestic Flatirons. The trail is 80 acres with miles of uphill hiking. But if you are just starting as a hiker, try the less strenuous Chautauqua Trail! You will be accompanied by views of the Flatiron mountains and Boulder as you move further to more challenging trails. The trails also foster a wide range of opportunities for children's unstructured interaction with nature while playing freely with an iconic view of the Flatirons.

Things to know: 

• Groups of 50-100 max allowed, booking required 
• No permits for the lawn are issued after 5 pm.
• A $100 deposit is required
• Carry plenty of water and sun protection
• Camping, tents, nets, etc are prohibited on Open Space and Mountain Parks.

3. Kalalau Trail, Hā'ena State Park, Hawaii 

Location:  6CC9+8R Wainiha, Hawaii, Kapaʻa, HI 96746, United States

Distance: 11 miles 

Elevation gain: 800 feet

Time taken to complete hike: 3-4 hours

Difficulty level: Hard (steep terrain) 

This picturesque hiking trail in America is also one of the most adventurous hikes in the world! It was originally built in the late 1800s as one of the only ways to access the beautiful Napali Coast through land. Although the hike might be challenging and dangerous, it only adds to the thrill of climbing this beautiful terrain with twists at every step! The trek follows through streams and up steep hills but rewards successful hikers with mesmerising views of the crystal blue waters surrounding the island. The trail nurtures five valleys before ending at Kalalau Beach, where hikers will have to endure sheer fluted cliffs. However, if you are too tired for the entire hike, the first 2 miles of the trail- from Hāʻena State Park to Hanakapi'ai Beach, make a popular day hike, as well. Isn't this rightfully, one of the best hikes in America? 

Things to know:

• Overnight camping permit required beyond Hanakapi'ai Valley
• Only smaller groups are allowed on the trail, max 60 people 
• Book tickets at least 30 days prior to the hike
• Three time slots available- 6.30 am-12.30 pm, 12.30 pm-4.30 pm, 4.30-sunset. 
• Extra reservation fee required for extra time 
• No food or water facilities along the trail. Carry your own

4. Angels Landing 

Location:  Zion National Park, Utah

Distance: 5 miles 

Elevation gain: 1488 Feet

Time taken to complete hike: 4-5 hours 

Difficulty level: Strenuous

The Angels Landing is the most notorious tourist attraction of the Zion National Park and serves as one of the best hikes in America. At this point, it is also important to mention that this trail is not for everyone! But if you decide to pursue along the steep drop-offs and very narrow, hazardous sections, the incredible views of Zion Canyon will make this backpacking experience a memorable one. The hike starts by parking at The Grotto Trailhead or taking the West Rim Shuttle to The Grotto shuttle stop and follows a narrow ridge from Scout Lookout to Angels Landing itself and this was your journey to one of the best places to hike in America!

Things to know: 

• Entry fee and permit to hike are required 
• Pets/ dogs not allowed 
• No cell phone reception on most of the trail, but at the top summit of Angels Landing, you might

5. Nugget Falls Trail, Tongass National Forest, Alaska

Location:  Juneau, AK 99801, United States

Distance: 0.8 miles

Elevation gain: 121 feet

Time taken to complete hike: 42 min-1 hour

Difficulty level: Easy 

There is absolutely no reason to miss out on the best hiking trails in America just because you are a beginner! This trail is one of the easiest, soothing walks along an unbelievably beautiful waterfall topography that will set your mood right in an instant. You will follow through dense forests and meadows, explore caves, and even experience a wooden "boardwalk" trail through swampy bogs called muskegs. Hikers often spot bald eagles, sockeye salmon, and black bear cubs, which ultimately proves this hiking trail in America- a nature lover's paradise. Given the smooth topography, it is also the best place to hike in America for older people as well as children! 

Things to know: 

• The trail is open all year long 
• Snow skiing is allowed 
• Abide by Alaska Wildlife safety 
• Avoid walking out on the ice until confirmed that the lake is safely frozen over.
• Parking is available at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor's Center
• Carry snow boots during winter 

6. Charlie Bunion Hike, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Location:  Newfound Gap, Tennessee 

Distance: 4 miles

Elevation gain: 1,640 feet

Time taken to complete hike: 2 hours

Difficulty level: Moderate 

From the name itself, it is not hard to imagine how divine the landscape is! It indeed harbours the best diversity of plant and animal life, and is one of the best hiking trails in America, you will feel nature calling you further along! Charlie Bunion hike begins from the large parking area at Newfound Gap and takes hikers through the ethereal Appalachian Trail. The climb is steady throughout the first two miles of this hike. Your hiking efforts will be rewarded early and often! At only two-thirds of a mile, you'll enjoy grand views of the North Carolina Smokies towards the south, surrounded by a wide variety of wildflowers that bloom at these elevations during the spring and summer. With stunning views on either side of the trail, you'll feel like you're walking on the spine of the Appalachian Mountains with nature as your companion which makes it one of the best hikes in America. 

Things to know: 

• No entrance fee
• Paid parking tag is required for parking longer than 15 minutes
• Camping in any of the trail shelters or campsites requires a backcountry permit
• Parking at Newfound Gap is extremely limited. Arrive early, especially on weekends. 

Hiking is unique in its effects on the human mind. Humans of all species are the most detached from nature, and understandably so! However, hiking is a one-stop remedy for most of your emotional exhaustion. Feeling the wind on your face as you walk through the forests, echos of the mountains, chirping of exotic birds and encountering the wildlife will enrich your world experience. You can also explore hiking destinations in The UK if the USA is not on your list. Quit thinking; start your backpacking experience from these best hikes in America now! Apart from hiking, You can also explore other outdoor activities to make the most of your vacations.