The best hiking spots for adventure enthusiasts are not always the most obvious choices. When you think about it, what makes a place an “adventure” location is either hard to access, or there’s some kind of danger involved in getting to or from the site. This can be anything from driving down a bumpy dirt road with no guardrails and steep drop-offs on both sides to climbing up a slippery rock face without any safety ropes (and having to do all of this while carrying your gear). So if you want an adventurous hike but don’t know where to go, we’ve got you covered!
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1 Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park
The Appalachian Trail is one of America’s most famous hiking trails, and with good reason. It stretches over 2000 miles across 14 states in the Eastern United States, from Georgia to Maine. A small section can be found within Shenandoah National Park along Skyline Drive near Front Royal, VA, called Dragon’s Tooth Viewpoint, where hikers have a jaw-dropping panorama that includes views for 50+ miles all around! Unfortunately, there are no railings here, so it might not be suitable for those who suffer from acrophobia or vertigo – but if you don’t mind the risk, then this spot will give you some awesome photos to show off your Instagram page.
2 Billy Goat Trail, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
The Billy Goat Trail is a famous section of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, which follows along an old canal dug in the mid-1800s. The trail itself is known for its rocky terrain and “steep boulder-strewn sections,” making it a great choice if you’re looking to go hiking but don’t have too much time on your hands. Luckily there are railings here, so this hike would be best suited for beginners who want to get their feet wet when it comes to more adventurous hikes! Billy Goat A can also be found nearby – although this area does not include any safety rails like Billy Goat B (although you do still get some incredible views!).
3 Nugget Falls Trail, Tongass National Forest
The Nugget Falls Trail is one of the best hikes in Southeast Alaska, and it’s easy to see why! This trail can be found within Tongass National Forest and leads to a beautiful waterfall – but you better not forget your camera because this spot will leave you with some truly unique photos. Three hundred forty-two steps lead up to the falls, so keep that in mind before embarking on this journey as there will be quite a bit of physical exertion involved here (although for those who like hiking or exercising, this shouldn’t pose much of an issue). Just make sure to come prepared with adequate EcoGear FX if you don’t want any surprises along the way; warmer clothes may help during cooler months, while rain gear would be helpful anytime throughout summer.
4 Mount Ida Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park
The Mount Ida Trail is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an adventure but don’t want to stray too far from home. This trail can be found within Rocky Mountain National Park and offers some of the most stunning views in Colorado – keep your eyes peeled, as it’s easy to miss! The hike itself takes around three hours round-trip depending on how fast you walk (though this may vary slightly due to weather conditions and other factors) and features multiple stream crossings that will put all of your water crossing skills to the test. Another option would be taking one of many guided tours offered by local companies such as Estes Park Adventures; they offer hiking tours along trails like Mount Ida; check them out today!
5 Halema’uma’u Trail, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Halema’uma’u Trail is a challenging hike that takes you through the Kilauea Crater. It goes along one of its steep rim walls, passing pit craters, and volcanic vents. This trail offers an excellent view of lava lake Halema’uma’u; it also gives extraordinary sights of the famous Thurston Lava Tube. The drop-offs are numerous, with sheer cliffs in some parts where careful footing needs to be taken. The last part consists of several iron rungs installed into the rock wall, which hikers need to climb down or walk around to avoid getting hurt while descending back into caldera floor level (elevation -19ft). After that, there’s nothing.
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6 Upper Emerald Pool Trail, Zion National Park
The Upper Emerald Pool Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Zion National Park. Hikers are rewarded with a variety of sights, sounds, and experiences along this moderately complex trail. The hike begins at the Grotto Picnic Area near Temple of Sinawava on Riverside Walk, an easy walk beside Clear Creek to Watchman Campground or Weeping Rock for views of waterfalls, hanging gardens, and rock formations. The amphitheater-shaped valley surrounding you was created by retreating floodwaters leaving behind sediment deposits that have become thick sandstone layers over time. These form natural arches such as Angels Landing and bridge spans like Walter’s Wiggles, where hikers must climb short but steep stretches using fixed chains for assistance.
7 Canyon to Rim Loop, Smith Rock State Park
This excellent summer hiking trail offers stunning views of the Cascade Mountains and Columbia River Gorge. It has two loop trails, East Loop Trail (seven miles) and West Loop Trail (eight miles). There are three gorgeous waterfalls to view on each hike, but you need to do some rock scrambling during both hikes to get close enough to see them up-close. However, there are plenty of wide-open spaces for picnics along with over 30 different climbing routes ranging from beginner-level climbs to more challenging ones for experienced climbers at Smith Rocks State Park. If you would like a more leisurely hike while still being able to experience amazing scenery, try Echo Hollow Falls, located just off Highway 26 near Biggs Junction, which is about a half-hour from the park.
Hiking is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature while getting some exercise at the same time. There are a variety of different trails to hike, from easy ones for those just starting.