The 15 Best Long-Distance Trails in the US

When it comes to hiking long distances, there are countless trails to choose from. The US alone offers hundreds of unique hiking experiences with every kind of natural setting you can imagine. Some of them travel a few dozen miles through a specific scenic area, while some of them stretch hundreds of miles to cross an entire state, and some of them span thousands of miles to connect the country’s borders.

Whether you’re looking for a few days, a few weeks, or a few months in the wilderness, and whether you prefer snowy peaks, peaceful forests, or vast and quiet deserts, there is a trail to provide the perfect adventure. The following list narrows the options down to fifteen of the best long-distance trails in the US.

Click to jump to a trail:
Appalachian Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
Continental Divide Trail
John Muir Trail
Arizona Trail
Long Trail
Colorado Trail
Tahoe Rim Trail
Lone Star Trail
Benton MacKaye Trail
Ice Age Trail
Wonderland Trail
Hayduke Trail
Florida Trail
Superior Trail

Triple Crown Trails

The Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail comprise the Triple Crown of hiking in the US. These trails fall between 2,000 and 3,000 miles and traverse some of the most stunning wilderness in the country. Hikers who complete all three of these trails earn the lofty title of Triple Crowner.

READ NEXT —

• Which Triple Crown Trail is Right For You? Choosing Between the AT, PCT, and CDT
• 8 Reasons the AT is the Easiest Triple Crown Trail for First-Time Thru-Hikers
• What is the Triple Crown of Thru-Hiking?
• A List of Long Trails in the United States

Appalachian Trail

Length: 2,198 miles (3,537 kilometers)
Start/End: Springer Mountain, GA / Mount Katahdin, ME

The longest hiking-only trail in the world, the Appalachian Trail (AT) traverses 14 states from Georgia to Maine. While the trail’s elevation is low compared to the other Triple Crown trails (the AT’s highest point is Clingman’s Dome at 6,643 feet), its overall elevation profile is considered challenging by most, with continuous ups and downs, rocky sections throughout Pennsylvania, mud throughout Vermont, and technical rock scrambles in the White Mountains.

The challenge, however, offers countless rewards as you hike through beautiful forests, over open, grassy balds, through fields of wildflowers, and along ridges with views of the mountains rolling away to the horizon.

READ NEXT —

• How to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail: A 101 Guide
• Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Gear List

Pacific Crest Trail

Length: 2,650 miles (4,265 kilometers)
Start/End: Campo, CA / Monument at US-Canada border, WA

The second-longest of the Triple Crown trails, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) has it all. Vast deserts, alpine meadows, snowy passes, sprawling forests, crystal clear lakes, volcanic peaks, treeless ridges… a hike on the PCT is an incredible journey traversing the wilderness of California, Oregon, and Washington.

Because the PCT is also an equestrian trail, it’s more gently graded than the AT. However, it comes with different challenges: long waterless stretches in the desert and elevations above 10,000 feet in the Sierra, as well as significant snow travel and numerous river crossings.

READ NEXT —

• The PCT Thru-Hike Checklist: 29 Things To Do Before You Start
• 16 Fascinating Facts About the Pacific Crest Trail
• Pacific Crest Trail Resupply Guide
• Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker Gear List

Continental Divide Trail

Length: Up to 3,100 miles (4,989 kilometers)
Start/End: Crazy Cook Monument, NM / Glacier National Park, MT

The longest of the Triple Crown trails, the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is a different kind of adventure altogether. Because there are numerous alternate routes, the CDT is a choose-your-own-adventure-style journey that takes you through New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. This trek will take you through some of the most magnificent wilderness in the country as it follows the spine of the Rocky Mountains from Mexico to Canada.

READ NEXT —

• The Basics of Planning a CDT Thru-Hike
• Your Guide to Resupplying on the Continental Divide Trail
• Overview of the Major Alternates along the CDT

John Muir Trail

Length: 211 miles (340 kilometers)
Start/End: Yosemite Valley, CA / Mount Whitney, CA

The John Muir Trail (JMT) overlaps the PCT for most of its length. According to the Pacific Crest Trail Association, “The John Muir Trail passes through what many backpackers say is the finest mountain scenery in the United States. This is a land of 13,000-foot and 14,000-foot peaks, of lakes in the thousands, and of canyons and granite cliffs. The John Muir Trail is also a land blessed with the mildest, sunniest climate of any major mountain range in the world.” Yes, please.

Snagging a permit for the JMT can be tough, given its understandable popularity, but the effort is almost certainly worth it.

READ NEXT —

• John Muir Trail: 211 Miles of Bucket-List Hiking
• A Complete Guide to Resupply on the John Muir Trail
• How to Get a Permit to Hike the John Muir Trail

Arizona Trail

Length: 800 miles (1,287 kilometers)
Start/End: Coronado National Memorial, AZ / Stateline Campground, AZ-UT border

The Arizona Trail (AZT) is a National Scenic Trail traversing 800 miles of incredible deserts, mountains, forests, and canyons across Arizona. From the US-Mexico border to the Utah border, this trail will take you through the Sonoran Desert, across the Gila River, up and over “sky island” mountain ranges, and across the Grand Canyon itself.

The AZT has emerged as one of the premier long-distance trails in the country and benefits from being a manageable length and featuring prime conditions during the shoulder-seasons.

READ NEXT —

• The Arizona Trail: The 800-Mile Backbone of Arizona
• The Arizona Trail Gear List
• The Ultimate Guide to Resupply and Towns on the Arizona Trail

Long Trail

Length: 272 miles
Start/End: Williamstown, MA / Journey’s End Road, VT

Spanning the length of Vermont, the Long Trail is the oldest continuous footpath in the US and provided the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail. Called the “footpath in the wilderness,” this trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains and is certainly challenging with its steep climbs and muddy sections. However, it’s also a beautiful journey through hardwood forests and alpine sedges with clear ponds and streams along the way.

READ NEXT — Tips for Hiking the Long Trail

Colorado Trail

Length: 486 miles (782 kilometers)
Start/End: Denver, CO / Durango, CO

Explore the Colorado Rockies on one of the premier long-distance trails in the country. The Colorado Trail (CT) winds through six National Forests and six Wilderness areas, and you’ll climb nearly 90,000 vertical feet as you experience the peaks and mountain lakes of eight mountain ranges between Denver and Durango. From multi-colored wildflowers in the spring to hills covered in golden aspen during autumn, there are reasons to visit this trail again and again.

READ NEXT — 

• The Colorado Trail Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Hike the CT
• The Colorado Trail Guide: Logistics
• The Colorado Trail Guide: Section by Section
• The Colorado Trail Guide: Gear List
• How to Hike Every 14er on the Colorado Trail

Tahoe Rim Trail

Length: 170 miles (274 kilometers)
Start/End: Loop around Lake Tahoe, CA

The Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) loops around the Lake Tahoe Basin and is one of the most iconic and beautiful long-distance recreation trails in the world with an estimated 400,000 users every year. Following the ridgeline around the basin, the trail offers incredible vistas, high alpine lakes, flower-filled meadows, and granite peaks.

READ NEXT — Tahoe Rim Trail: 170 Miles Around—Yep—Lake Tahoe

Lone Star Trail

Length: 96 miles (154 kilometers)
Start/End: LSTH Trailhead #1 near Richards, TX / LSTH Trailhead #15 near Cleveland, TX

The Lone Star Trail is the longest continuously marked and maintained footpath in Texas and travels primarily through Sam Houston National Forest, which is part of the Pineywoods ecoregion. As such, the trail winds through miles of peaceful pine forest and the occasional swampy area full of dwarf palmettos. Like with most trails, primitive camping is always an option, but the Lone Star trailheads also provide access to several established campgrounds for those who prefer tent pads and flush toilets.

READ NEXT —

• How to Hike the 96-Mile Lone Star Hiking Trail
• 5 Things You Should Know About the Lone Star Hiking Trail

Benton MacKaye Trail

Length: 285 miles (459 kilometers)
Start/End: Springer Mountain, GA / Big Creek, NC

Known for its remoteness, the Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) is a prime opportunity for peace and solitude. It shares its start on Springer Mountain and its first seven miles with the AT before veering west towards amazing ridgeline views and many mountain stream crossings.

According to the Benton MacKaye Trail Association, “The BMT has some of the most varied and abundant wildflowers of any temperate climate forest in the world. Whether it’s the creek-side trilliums in the spring, the red-orange of the fall sugar maples at the higher elevations, or the unmatched 360-degree views in the winter, the BMT is a visual treat any time of the year.”

READ NEXT — How to Hike The Benton MacKaye Trail

Ice Age Trail

Length: 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers)
Start/End: Potawatomi State Park, WI / Interstate State Park, WI

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail highlights the unique geological features left behind by an immense flow of glacial ice that retreated at the end of the last ice age. The trail winds through rocky terrain, open prairies, peaceful forests, and thousands of lakes and rivers. While much of the trail travels through the wilderness, some trail segments head right down the main streets of Wisconsin communities. Cheese lovers, this one is for you.

READ NEXT — The Ice Age Trail: 1,200 Meandering Miles of Wisconsin’s Glacial Landscape

Wonderland Trail

Length: 93 miles (150 km)
Start/End: Loop around Mount Ranier, WA

Traversing lowland forests and subalpine meadows of wildflowers, The Wonderland Trail encircles Mount Rainier: Washington’s most popular volcano and the most glaciated peak in the contiguous USA. This strenuous trail requires detailed planning. Camping is limited to designated campsites only and competition for overnight permits is fierce. If you have solid backpacking experience and are one of the lucky few to score a permit, then you’ll have an opportunity to explore one of the most gorgeous trails in Washington.

READ NEXT — How to Thru-Hike the Wonderland Trail

Hayduke Trail

Length: 800 miles (1,287 kilometers)
Start/End: Arches National Park, UT / Zion National Park, UT

This extremely challenging desert route wanders through some of the most rugged and breathtaking landscapes on earth. The Hayduke Trail plunges through Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Zion National Parks, and showcases the stunning redrock wilderness of the American Southwest.

Because the route isn’t marked (and therefore isn’t technically a trail), navigation skills are non-negotiable. For the experienced desert backpacker, this adventure offers towering arches and spires, cliffs, canyons, ancient petroglyphs, and a traverse of the Grand Canyon.

READ NEXT —

• Hiking the Hayduke: Welcome to the Wild, Wild (South)West
• Water Treatment Along the Hayduke Trail

Florida Trail

Length: 1,100 miles (1,770 kilometers)
Start/End: Big Cypress National Preserve, FL / Fort Pickens, FL

The Florida Trail is an ecologically diverse adventure from one end of Florida to the other, traversing prairies, swamps, sandhills, salt marshes, pine forests, rivers, beaches, and so much more. The trail is best hiked between October and April, making it one of the few trails for which a winter hiking season is ideal.

READ NEXT — 11 Reasons the Florida Trail is Awesome

Superior Trail

Length: 310 miles (499 kilometers)
Start/End: Wild Valley Road Trailhead, MN / 270 Degree Overlook, MN

The Superior Trail follows a 300-mile ridgeline along the spine of the Sawtooth Mountains overlooking Lake Superior. The trail meanders through deciduous forests interspersed with spruce and balsam, passes streams and rivers, and climbs peaks to give hikers incredible lake vistas, as well as views of the Apostle Islands and Isle Royale.

READ NEXT —

• Trail Profile: Superior Hiking Trail
• The Superior Hiking Trail Section-by-Section

Featured image: Kelly Floro photo. Graphic design by Zack Goldmann.