Length: ≈ 1.6 miles
Difficulty: STRENUOUS up & exposed
Type: One-way, but loop possible
Location: Precipice Trailhead, Park Loop Road
Maine
Attractions: INSANE rock scramble and climbs with
AMAZING views
BEWARE Extremely exposed with dangerous climbs!
Precipice Trail Acadia NP, Maine
Beyond!
Bright Angel Trail Grand Canyon NP, AZ
Length: 9 miles
Difficulty: Easy down, STRENUOUS up!
Type: Out-and-back (to Indian Garden)
Location: Bright Angel Trailhead
Arizona
Attractions: ALL the colors of the canyon, towering cliffs, desert scenery, an OASIS at Indian Garden!
BEWARE stay hydrated & prepare for steep ups!
The Narrows Zion National Park, Utah
Length: ≈ 6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate, but use trekking poles!
Type: Out-and-back
Location: Temple of Sinawava Shuttle Stop
Utah
Attractions: Unique trek with STUNNING SLOT CANYONS!
Angel's Landing Zion National Park, Utah
Length: ≈ 5 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous (steep, exposed climb)
Type: Out-and-back
Location: The Grotto Shuttle Stop
Utah
Attractions: Awesome rock scramble, EPIC HIKE, EPIC VIEWS!
Half Dome Yosemite National Park, California
Length: 16 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Type: Out-and-back
Location: Happy Isles, Yosemite Valley
California
Attractions: Vernal and Nevada Falls, craggy climbs, VIEWS!
PERMIT REQUIRED for cable climb!
Montserrat Catalonia, Spain
Length: ≈ 15 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Type: Out-and-back
Location: Montserrat Natural Park
Catalonia
Spain
Attractions: Intiguing terrain, cultural opportunities, views
over the Catalan lowlands!
The Falls Trail Ricketts Glen State Park, PA
Length: 3.6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate, steep in sections
Type: Loop
Location: Ricketts Glen State Park
Luzerne, Sullivan and Columbia counties
Pennsylvania
Attractions: Waterfall after waterfall after waterfall, PLUS luscious greenery and abundant wildlife! Did I mention waterfalls?
Franconia Ridge Franconia Notch SP, NH
Length: 8.2 miles
Difficulty: STRENUOUS, but worth it
Type: Loop
Location: Franconia Notch State Park
White Mountains
New Hampshire
Attractions: Bag three peaks over 4,000 feet along ridgeline after hiking up the Falling Waters Trail lined featuring 3 superb waterfalls, one larger than the next.
Sahale Arm North Cascades NP, WA
Length: 12 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Strenuous
Type: Day-hike, Out and back
Location: North Cascades National Park
Washington
Attractions: Cascade Pass to Sahale Arm in the North Cascades offers a smorgasbord of everything this park has to offer. 12mi and a 3,940' of elevation gain of pure EPIC!
The Olympic Coast Olympic NP, WA
Length: 6.4, one way, 12.8 roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate with fun (steep) rope climbing
Type: Backpacking, Out and back
Location: Olympic National Park
Washington
Attractions: Miles of pristine coastline sprinkled with sea stacks, ropes course style obstacles on the overland trails, and to die for back-country campsites. Need I say more?
Buckskin Pass to Snowmass Aspen, CO
Length: 17 roundtrip
Difficulty: Strenuous
Type: Backpacking, Out and back
Location: Maroon Bells-Snowmas Wilderness
Colorado
Attractions: Mountain-encircled alpine lakes, 360º views at 12,462’ Buckskin Pass, wildflower meadows, and unbeatable backcountry campsites.