The United States is home to an array of stunning long-distance hiking trails that offer breathtaking landscapes, challenging terrains, and diverse ecosystems.
While the 11 National Scenic Trails, such as the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, are renowned among hikers, there are many other incredible long-distance trails worth exploring.
We took a look at our data and looked to see what are the most popular trails that our community are hiking. Naturally, there is a leaning towards the national scenic trails. So we wanted to show more to the US long distance hiking, beyond these trails. This is not a slight on these trails by any measure. But with more than 1,500 long-distance trails, it is only fair that we highlight the other >99% of amazing trails.
Here are the top 10 long-distance trails in the US that are not included in the National Scenic Trails list.
1. Colorado Trail
Distance: 485 miles
Location: Colorado
Difficulty: Hard
Overview: The Colorado Trail stretches from Denver to Durango, traversing the Rocky Mountains. It offers hikers stunning alpine scenery, including high mountain passes, lush forests, and wildflower meadows. The trail passes through six wilderness areas and eight mountain ranges, making it a diverse and challenging adventure.
2. John Muir Trail
Distance: 211 miles
Location: California
Difficulty: Hard
Overview: Named after the famous naturalist, the John Muir Trail runs from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States. The trail takes hikers through the heart of the Sierra Nevada, offering spectacular views of granite cliffs, alpine lakes, and pristine wilderness.
3. Long Trail
Distance: 272 miles
Location: Vermont
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Overview: The Long Trail is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States, stretching from the Massachusetts-Vermont border to the Canadian border. It follows the Green Mountains, offering hikers rugged terrain, dense forests, and panoramic views. The trail also overlaps with the Appalachian Trail for about 100 miles.
4. Ouachita National Recreation Trail
Distance: 223 miles
Location: Arkansas and Oklahoma
Difficulty: Moderate
Overview: The Ouachita National Recreation Trail runs through the Ouachita Mountains, offering hikers scenic views, diverse wildlife, and quiet solitude. The trail’s relatively moderate terrain makes it accessible to a wide range of hikers, from beginners to experienced trekkers.
5. Superior Hiking Trail
Distance: 310 miles
Location: Minnesota
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Overview: The Superior Hiking Trail follows the rocky ridgeline above Lake Superior from Duluth to the Canadian border. It offers hikers stunning views of the lake, dense forests, and cascading waterfalls. The trail is known for its rugged terrain and beautiful scenery, making it a favorite among hikers in the Midwest.
6. Bartram Trail
Distance: 115 miles
Location: Georgia and North Carolina
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Overview: Named after the naturalist William Bartram, this trail follows his exploratory route through the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The Bartram Trail offers hikers diverse landscapes, including dense forests, wildflower meadows, and scenic mountain vistas. It also passes through the Nantahala National Forest and the Chattahoochee National Forest.
7. Benton MacKaye Trail
Distance: 300 miles
Location: Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Overview: The Benton MacKaye Trail is named after the visionary behind the Appalachian Trail. It runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Davenport Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains. The trail offers hikers a more secluded and less-traveled alternative to the Appalachian Trail, with stunning scenery and challenging terrain.
8. Sheltowee Trace Trail
Distance: 333 miles
Location: Kentucky and Tennessee
Difficulty: Moderate
Overview: Named after Daniel Boone’s Shawnee name, meaning “Big Turtle,” the Sheltowee Trace Trail runs through the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The trail offers diverse landscapes, including limestone cliffs, lush forests, and rolling hills.
9. Buckeye Trail
Distance: 1,444 miles
Location: Ohio
Difficulty: Varies
Overview: The Buckeye Trail loops around the state of Ohio, taking hikers through a wide variety of landscapes including urban areas, rural farmlands, forests, and along lakeshores. The trail is well-marked and offers a unique way to explore the diverse scenery of Ohio.
10. Tuscarora Trail
Distance: 250 miles
Location: Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Overview: The Tuscarora Trail is a rugged and remote alternative to the Appalachian Trail. It branches off from the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park and rejoins it in Pennsylvania. This trail offers hikers a more secluded experience with beautiful ridge walks, valleys, and historic sites.
The United States offers a wealth of long-distance hiking trails that extend beyond the well-known National Scenic Trails. From the rugged beauty of the Colorado Trail to the historic path of the Long Trail, these routes provide hikers with unique opportunities to explore diverse landscapes and experience the natural beauty of the country.
With HiiKER, you can plan your thru-hike of all these trails end-to-end. The app provides detailed breakdown of each stage of the trail and all the significant waypoints along the way. You can even save your own custom list of waypoints, such as:
- Water sources
- Resupply points
- Drug stores
- Grocery stores
- Campsites
- Motels
For the best experience of Hiking any of these trails with HiiKER, upgrade to PRO+. You’ll gain access to a suite of amazing planning and navigating tools for your adventure, including premium topo maps like Purple Lizard, USGS and many more.
