These 10 National Trail System Hikes Are America’s Favorite

guide to ten of America's favorite hikes within the National Trail System:

1. Appalachian Trail (AT)

Length: Approximately 2,190 miles
Location: Eastern United States, from Georgia to Maine
Highlights:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park: This section of the trail offers stunning vistas, diverse flora and fauna, and some of the highest elevations along the AT.
- McAfee Knob: One of the most photographed spots on the trail, offering panoramic views of the Catawba Valley and the Roanoke Valley.
- White Mountains of New Hampshire: Known for their rugged terrain and breathtaking views, including the Presidential Range and Mount Washington.
- Mahoosuc Notch: Often considered the most difficult mile on the AT, this section involves navigating through a boulder-strewn ravine.

2. Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)

Length: Approximately 2,650 miles
Location: Western United States, from California to Washington
Highlights:
- Sierra Nevada: This iconic section includes stunning landscapes such as Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon, and the John Muir Trail overlap.
- Desert Section: The Southern California segment traverses diverse desert ecosystems, offering unique challenges and beauty.
- Oregon: Known for its volcanic peaks, lush forests, and the stunning Crater Lake National Park.
- Washington: Featuring the rugged North Cascades and breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and Mount Adams.

3. Continental Divide Trail (CDT)

Length: Approximately 3,100 miles
Location: From the Mexican border in New Mexico to the Canadian border in Montana
Highlights:
- Rocky Mountains: This segment offers some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the United States.
- Glacier National Park: Known for its dramatic landscapes, glaciers, and wildlife.
- San Juan Mountains: A challenging and scenic portion of the trail with high elevations and dramatic vistas.
- Wind River Range: Famous for its rugged beauty and high alpine lakes in Wyoming.

4. John Muir Trail (JMT)

Length: Approximately 211 miles
Location: California, from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney
Highlights:
- Yosemite National Park: Beginning in Yosemite Valley, the trail passes iconic landmarks such as Half Dome and Cathedral Peak.
- Ansel Adams Wilderness: Known for its rugged peaks and pristine alpine lakes.
- Kings Canyon National Park: Featuring deep valleys, high peaks, and ancient giant sequoias.
- Mount Whitney: The highest peak in the contiguous United States, providing a challenging and rewarding finale to the trail.

5. Arizona Trail

Length: Approximately 800 miles
Location: Arizona, from the Mexican border to the Utah border
Highlights:
- Sonoran Desert: This section showcases the unique desert ecosystem, including iconic saguaro cacti.
- Grand Canyon: One of the most dramatic and awe-inspiring sections of the trail, offering unparalleled views and a challenging descent and ascent.
- Mogollon Rim: A picturesque plateau with expansive views and lush forests.
- Kaibab Plateau: A high-altitude forested area leading to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

6. Ice Age Trail

Length: Approximately 1,200 miles
Location: Wisconsin
Highlights:
- Kettle Moraine State Forest: Features unique glacial formations such as kettles, moraines, and eskers.
- Devil's Lake State Park: Known for its striking quartzite bluffs and beautiful lake.
- Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest: Offering a remote and serene hiking experience through dense forests.
- Dells of the Eau Claire: A scenic section with waterfalls and rocky gorges.

7. Florida Trail

Length: Approximately 1,300 miles
Location: Florida, from the Everglades to the Gulf Islands National Seashore
Highlights:
- Big Cypress National Preserve: This swampy region provides a unique and challenging hiking experience with diverse wildlife.
- Ocala National Forest: Known for its clear springs, pine forests, and abundant wildlife.
- Apalachicola National Forest: Features longleaf pine ecosystems and diverse habitats.
- Gulf Islands National Seashore: Offers pristine white sand beaches and coastal ecosystems.

8. Long Trail

Length: Approximately 273 miles
Location: Vermont, from the Massachusetts border to the Canadian border
Highlights:
- Green Mountains: The trail follows Vermont’s rugged Green Mountains, offering stunning vistas and challenging terrain.
- Camel’s Hump: One of Vermont's most iconic peaks with panoramic views.
- Mount Mansfield: The highest peak in Vermont, providing a tough but rewarding hike.
- Smugglers' Notch: A dramatic pass with steep cliffs and beautiful scenery.

9. North Country Trail (NCT)

Length: Approximately 4,800 miles
Location: From North Dakota to Vermont
Highlights:
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: Known for its colorful sandstone cliffs, beaches, and waterfalls along Lake Superior.
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: Offers a unique combination of hiking and paddling through a maze of lakes and forests.
- Allegheny National Forest: Features dense woodlands, rolling hills, and scenic rivers.
- Adirondack Mountains: The trail’s eastern terminus offers rugged terrain and stunning mountain scenery.

10. Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT)

Length: Approximately 1,200 miles
Location: From Montana to Washington
Highlights:
- Glacier National Park: The trail begins in this park, known for its dramatic landscapes, glaciers, and wildlife.
- North Cascades National Park: Features rugged peaks, alpine lakes, and dense forests.
- Olympic National Park: Offers diverse ecosystems including temperate rainforests, alpine regions, and coastal areas.
- Cape Alava: The western terminus of the trail, located at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, offers stunning coastal views and tide pools.

These ten hikes represent some of the most beloved and iconic trails within America’s National Trail System. Each trail offers unique landscapes, challenges, and opportunities to experience the natural beauty and diverse ecosystems of the United States.