Written by: Andre Rios
Photography: NPS, unless noted

The United States lays claim to an incredible array of landscapes, and stretching across them are some of the most beautiful yet beguiling hiking paths in the world. These four examples include notable destinations that any nature lover simply shouldn’t miss—from tenderfoot trails to high-adrenaline treks that test the fittest athlete.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Frozen expanses, glittering lakes, and rugged mountains await you in the “crown of the continent,” a setting that beckons you with over seven hundred miles of trails. One of the simplest is a serene boardwalk stroll through the Trail of the Cedars, a 0.7-mile loop where you can explore ancient forests and witness water rushing through a rocky gorge.

For a more challenging experience, try the famous Highline Trail. This spectacular footpath across an arête (a sharp-crested ridge) may be most famous for its Garden Wall section, a narrow ledge adorned with summer wildflowers above a steep valley. Should you be brave enough to dare the approximately seven-hour hike, Glacier National Park will reward you with unmatched views of majestic peaks and glaciers in all their glory.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

This desert wonder is spectacular to behold even from its visitor center, but several hiking trails take you within closer view of its ribboned stone walls and down to the Colorado River weaving through its depths. For a beginner trail, stroll from South Kaibab to Ooh Aah Point for almost two miles of awe-inspiring panoramic views.

But the rim-to-rim hike tempts the bold to partake in a monumental challenge: coursing from one side of the Grand Canyon to the other and back in a multiday tour. The immense scale of its geography, extreme elevation changes, and desert heat (even in fall conditions) make this a physically demanding adventure. However, your reward is an approximately fifty-mile roundtrip showcase of exclusive campgrounds, waterfall vistas, green oases, and more.

Yosemite National Park, California

Visitors to this sunny and beachy state may be surprised to learn that one of its most famous parks is laden with dense forests, serene lakes, and even a pair of glaciers. Beginners can gain an overview of Yosemite’s majestic landscape with a stroll down Cook’s Meadow Loop, a paved trail that starts at the visitor center and captures views of some of the park’s greatest marvels, including Yosemite Falls and Glacier Point.

If you have the grit to climb higher, then the strenuous Half Dome hike is for you. It leads you 8,800 feet above sea level to scale the iconic eponymous mountain—an approximately twelve-hour feat. The route’s final ascent involves a hair-raising climb up a sheer granite face along a series of cables for an experience that culminates with stunning views of virtually the entire park.

White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

While its name may evoke images of magnificent peaks, this area is also known for its unrivaled fall foliage. Tour the forest from one of its pathways, including a brief jaunt along the top of the Cannon Mountain Short Trail, which you can reach via its tram for a shortcut then stroll along the trailhead. Or you can take a rigorous upward hike on your own on Kinsman Ridge or Hi-Cannon Trail and celebrate reaching its apex on your own. From there, you can spot multiple states and even Canada.

The toughest challenge of all here is the Presidential Traverse, a mountainous multiday hike that climaxes in the ultimate challenge: scaling the foreboding Mount Washington. This precipice is riddled with some of the most severe weather in the world, and bearing potential hurricane-force winds, fickle rainstorms, and sudden snowfall head-on is a true test of endurance and preparation. But its prize panoramas and the pride of completing it are rewards you will treasure for a lifetime.

*Be sure to consult with your doctor before embarking on your nature excursion.