The best hikes in the USA: a bucket list
By the Bundu team · Last updated
Short answer: The best hikes in the USA include Angels Landing and The Narrows in Zion, Half Dome in Yosemite, Mount Whitney, the Enchantments in Washington, the Highline Trail in Glacier, Old Rag in Virginia, Franconia Ridge in New Hampshire and the Kalalau Trail in Hawaii. Several need permits.
These are the hikes people travel across the country for: knife-edge ridges, slot canyons, glaciers and the highest peaks in the lower 48. Several need a permit, so plan ahead; our guide to hiking permits covers which ones. Bundu lists 118 trails across the US, with directions to each trailhead.
The Southwest
Angel's Landing (Zion, Utah)
The most famous hike in the national parks: switchbacks up to Scout Lookout, then a narrow fin of rock with chains and long drops on both sides. You need a permit from the lottery to go beyond Scout Lookout.
The Narrows (Zion, Utah)
Walking up the Virgin River between canyon walls hundreds of feet high. You are in the water most of the way, so it closes when the river runs high. Bottom-up day hikes need no permit.
Delicate Arch (Arches, Utah)
A short, exposed climb over slickrock to the arch on Utah's licence plates. Go for sunset.
Bright Angel Trail and South Kaibab to Cedar Ridge (Grand Canyon, Arizona)
The two classic ways below the South Rim. Bright Angel has shade and water in season; South Kaibab has the better views and no water. Remember the climb out takes about twice as long as the walk down.
Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden (Bryce Canyon, Utah)
An easy-to-moderate loop down among the hoodoos, and the best short hike in Bryce.
California
Half Dome (Yosemite)
A long, hard day finishing with the cables up the granite dome. A permit is required for the cables. Start on the Mist Trail past Vernal and Nevada falls.
Mount Whitney
At 14,505 feet, the highest summit in the contiguous United States. Most people climb it in one very long day, and a permit is required.
The Pacific Northwest and Alaska
The Enchantments (Washington)
Granite, larches and turquoise lakes. Overnight permits come from a lottery; strong hikers do the whole traverse in a day. Colchuck Lake is the shorter taste of it.
Skyline Trail (Mount Rainier)
Wildflower meadows in summer right under the glaciers of Mount Rainier.
Harding Icefield Trail (Alaska)
A steep climb from the forest to the edge of an ice field that covers 700 square miles.
The Rockies
- Highline Trail and Grinnell Glacier Trail (Glacier, Montana): cliffside paths, mountain goats and glacier views.
- Avalanche Lake (Glacier): the easy one, through cedar forest to a lake under waterfalls.
- Sky Pond (Rocky Mountain, Colorado): past waterfalls and lakes, with a scramble up a waterfall at the end.
- Cascade Canyon Trail and Delta Lake (Grand Teton, Wyoming).
The East
- Old Rag Mountain (Shenandoah, Virginia): a granite rock scramble that needs a day-use ticket in season.
- Franconia Ridge Loop (New Hampshire): a ridge walk above the trees, one of the best day hikes in the Northeast.
- Alum Cave to Mount Le Conte (Great Smoky Mountains): an arch, bluffs and a lodge at the top.
- Precipice Trail and Beehive Trail (Acadia, Maine): iron rungs and ladders up sea cliffs.
- Katahdin via Hunt Trail (Maine): the end of the Appalachian Trail, and one of the hardest day hikes in the East.
Hawaii
- Kalalau Trail (Kauai): the Nā Pali Coast. A permit is needed beyond the first 2 miles.
- Pipiwai Trail (Maui): through a bamboo forest to a 400-foot waterfall.
- Diamond Head Summit Trail (Honolulu): a short climb to a crater rim over Waikiki.
More guides
For hikes by state, see our guides to Utah, Colorado and California. Hiking with a dog? See the best dog-friendly hikes in the USA.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous hike in the USA?
Angels Landing in Zion National Park is probably the most famous, followed by Half Dome in Yosemite and the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon.
What is the hardest day hike in the USA?
Popular contenders are Mount Whitney (14,505 feet), the Enchantments traverse, Half Dome and Katahdin in Maine. All are long days with big elevation gain.
Which famous US hikes need a permit?
Angels Landing, Half Dome, Mount Whitney, overnight trips in the Enchantments and the Kalalau Trail beyond the first 2 miles all need permits. Old Rag needs a day-use ticket in season.
What is the best hike in the eastern US?
Franconia Ridge in New Hampshire, Old Rag in Virginia, Alum Cave to Mount Le Conte in the Smokies and Katahdin in Maine are among the best.
Is there an app with the best US hikes?
The free Bundu app lists the best-known US hikes with difficulty, distances, dog rules and directions, and records your hike with GPS. AllTrails covers far more US trails overall.
Find your next trail with Bundu
- Hiking, running and MTB trails across South Africa and the US
- Entry fees, difficulty and dog rules for every trail
- Directions to the trailhead
- Record hikes, runs and rides with GPS
- Join hiking groups and organised hikes
- Free on iPhone and Android