While there are many things that make America different than any other nation, the sheer diversity of landscape is chief among them. No other country contains barren deserts, snow-capped granite peaks, rolling mountains, fall foliage, vast prairies, tropical paradise, and the hundreds of other features you will find from sea to shining sea. So let’s dig into the 10 most beautiful hikes you could take in America that will feature this diversity of landscape.
#1 Kalalau Trail - Kauai, Hawaii
Did you know that the state of Hawaii is actually made up of 137 different islands? One of them is Kauai, which is a remote paradise with only 10% of the island accessible by road. There are, however, thousands of trails you can traverse in some of the most beautiful, untouched wilderness you can imagine. The most beautiful of all these that tops every list is the Kalalau Trail.
The trail was originally built in the late 1800s and served as a horse path to bring goods up and down the coast from village to village. Specifically, the first two miles of this trail stretches from Ke’e Beach to Hanakapiai Valley and includes magnificent coastal views.. From here, you can also make another 2 mile trek across an unmaintained trail which will lead to a picturesque waterfall. Within a 4 mile hike, you will see the most beautiful beaches, rocks, crashing waves, and waterfalls that Hawaii has to offer. Or, if you want to do all 11 miles, you can experience even more beautiful Hawaiian nature.
The beauty does come with a price, as the trail is rated a 9 out of 10 stars for difficulty. The paths are narrow and depending upon weather, quite slippery and dangerous. There is a total elevation gain of about 5,000 feet. However, doing only the first 4 miles limits this and requires less physical fitness to complete.
#2 Grandview Trail - Grand Canyon, Arizona
Did you know that the Grand Canyon is the only one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World which is located in the United States? While Niagara Falls or Crater Lake might be a natural wonder worth aweing at, only the Grand Canyon makes the world’s list. And because of it, over 6 million tourists come each year to view the massive rock formation which contains many scientific mysteries.
But for a beautiful hike, you’ll want to hit the Grandview Trail which is an 8 mile trail through some of the most scenic views of the canyon. It’s a difficult trail with many washed out areas and steep declines, but you’ll be rewarded with picturesque panoramas of the canyon and fewer tourists due to its dangerous conditions.
The trail was originally built for miners to transport their prospects, but quickly became a tourist hike. However, even before the miners made a trail, Native Americans trekked the canyons for mineral paints.
#3 Old Rag Mountain Loop - Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
Perhaps no location in America presents a beauty combined with a bloody history like the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Considered the backcountry of Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley contains some of the most beautiful autumnal landscapes you’ll ever see, but was also the location of hundreds of civil war battles. Thousands of men lost their lives in the fertile valley called “the breadbasket” of the Confederacy, for its ability to produce crops to feed the war effort.
Today, the Shenandoah National Park shows its wondrous landscapes and contains the Old Rag Mountain Loop, a 9.4 mile loop which will take you to the top of Old Rag Mountain. Here, you’ll have a 360 degree panoramic view of the subject from John Denver’s song “Country Roads”. It is a challenging route and widely popular, but well worth it for the view from the top.
Interestingly, the name “Shenandoah” is not actually a word in any language. It is believed to be a rough translation by early Europeans from the Native American word “Senedos”, which meant “Daughter of the Stars”.
#4 Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary - Naples. Florida
If you’re looking for an easier route than those listed above, this trail is only 2 miles long and generally considered an easy hike through the swamps of Florida. In fact it is not really a trail, but a boardwalk that weaves through the Audoboun’s Society’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The sanctuary is only 20 square miles but features the oldest bald cypress forest still in existence in America.
While a swamp may not sound like a picturesque hiking opportunity, the photos may surprise you. The boardwalk weaves amongst cypress trees and many unique plants such as the Ghost Orchid. Due to its beauty, diversity of life, and overall importance to the ecosystem it has been dubbed the “Muir Woods of the East”.
#5 Flattop Mountain - Anchorage, Alaska
There aren’t many mountains you can easily climb in a day, but Alaska’s Flattop Mountain Trail is under 3 miles and only takes a few hours to complete. It is, however, quite strenuous and almost straight up towards the end. So only attempt this hike if you are an experienced hiker with good physical fitness.
The view from its summit is breathtaking. You will be able to see from Denali to the Aleutian Islands. And at the right time of the year, the Northern Lights are viewable as well. You’ll see why it is considered Alaska’s most climbed mountain, and why Alaska has been nicknamed “The Last Frontier”.
#6 Dunes Hiking Trail - Lake Michigan, Michigan
One of the most unique features of the American landscape is the Great Lakes. However, only one of the great lakes (There are 5, if you didn’t know) is actually completely within the United States border. That would be Lake Michigan. The home of lake sturgeon, a prehistoric fish which can live for over 100 years, and nearly 1,500 estimated shipwrecks.
But you won’t see those on the Dunes Hiking Trail, which is a 3.5 mile hike through the sandy dunescape surrounding Lake Michigan. You will see rolling dunes that you don’t often associate with Michigan or the Great Lakes region. Amongst them, patches of beach grasses and wildflower paint a beautiful picture. When you’ve had enough of the sand, or the hot sun becomes too much to bear, you can take in some beautiful views of the northeastern shore of Lake Michigan.
#7 Devil’s Slide - Highway One, California
Widely considered to be the “most scenic route” in America, Highway One which runs up the Pacific Coast of California is a must-drive experience. But naturally if it’s great for driving, it also has some beautiful hikes. And when you’re walking, you can get panoramic views that aren’t visible from the road.
One such hike is Devil’s Slide Trail. Originally, this paved, 1.3 mile trail was actually a part of Highway One. However, due to many dangerous landslides it had to be closed and new tunnels were built to prevent accidents. But, it did allow the old path to become a hiking trail! Now, it contains interpretive signage, benches, and observation platforms so even the most amateur of hikers can complete the trail. You will be rewarded with views of the Pacific ocean, coastal wildlife, and aquamarine waters.
#8 Bass Harbor Head Light Trail - Acadia National Park, Maine
On the other coast, Acadia National Park in Maine is one of the smallest national parks by acreage, but remains in the top 10 in visitation each year. This is because it contains some of the most beautiful fall scenery that you will see anywhere in the globe. So while there are many trails which are all magnificent in September or October, there is one which leads to the Bass Harbor Head Light Station, perhaps the most picturesque lighthouse on the east coast.
The lighthouse was originally constructed in 1876 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. Today, a short half-mile hike has been built to lead visitors to picturesque views and photo opportunities of the lighthouse offset with the rocky coastline. Beware, however, that limited parking is available and it is a very popular trail. But if you can stand the crowds, it’s well worth the short but challenging hike to see.
#9 The Enchantments Traverse - Leavenworth, Washington
Switching back to the West Coast, this trail is a good bit longer at 18 miles, point to point. It also includes about 5,000 feet of elevation gain and includes many strenuous sections. It’s not for the faint of heart, as completing it within one day often takes upwards of 12 hours. However, the views from the Enchantments Traverse Trail in Washington are simply breathtaking.
The Enchantments feature smooth walls of granite and crystal-clear alpine lakes with a meandering creek between them. Wildlife is also plentiful, as mountain goats are often seen in thru-hikes. This is such a popular hiking destination that overnight camping permits have to be given on a lottery basis, so most people are forced to day hike the long trail. But if you can’t quite make all 18 miles, there are some offshoots or shorter trails which will be much shorter but miss some of the lake views.
#10 Montana - Glacier Lake
Any type of natural beauty article would be incomplete without an inclusion from one of the least populous and most beautiful states of our nation, Montana. It has it all – snow-capped mountains, lying prairies, crystal clear lakes and wildlife abound. Because of that, almost any hike thru Montana is bound to be gorgeous, but let’s round out this list with the hike to Glacier Lake.
While Montana has many picturesque views, many of them involve very dangerous or high difficulty climbs due to the rugged characteristics of the landscape. Glacier Lake, meanwhile, is only a 3 mile hike with relatively no elevation gain. So while it’s not necessarily a beginner hike, most any well-prepared hiker with decent physical fitness will be able to complete it. The treasure at the end of this hike is Glacier Lake, but even the trek through thick woods with natural flowers and edible berries is quite pretty.