7 Hiking Day Trips Urbanites Should Experience Now
May 8, 2019
Being a city-dweller and spending plenty of time in nature don’t have to be mutually exclusive lifestyles. Our list of seven glorious hiking trips—all within easy driving distance of major metropolitan areas—will have you back in the wild for a full day.
1. THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL - NEW YORK STATE: The Appalachian Trail—among the world’s longest dedicated hiking trails—is steeped in rich mythology. So much so that it’s easy to forget the trail is just a quick car or rail journey away from the Big Apple. Visit the 20-mile section that runs through Bear Mountain—one of the trail’s oldest segments—or linger on the scenic Swamp River Boardwalk in Pawling. Turns out it’s simpler to check off this bucket-list item than you might think.
2. INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE - INDIANA: Crave soaring sand dunes, wild nature, and blue water as far as the eye can see? No, you don’t have to plan a trip to some exotic idyll—you just have to cross the border into Indiana. Less than an hour’s drive from Chicago, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is crisscrossed by 14 different hiking trails. If you’re feeling ambitious, try its 3-Dune Challenge and hit the park’s three highest points; afterwards, you’ve more than earned a cooling lake swim.
3. VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK - PENNSYLVANIA: Whether you’re a history buff, a hiking junkie, or just a Hamilton fan, Valley Forge National Historical Park offers one of the best hiking day trips in the Philadelphia area. The park spans 19.5 miles of designated trails, and you can also go off-piste and explore its open areas on foot. For a crash course in Valley Forge’s natural and historical sights – and to follow in the footsteps of George Washington’s troops—take the beginner-friendly, paved Joseph Plumb Martin Trail.
4. MOUNT DIABLO STATE PARK - CALIFORNIA: Ignore its devilish name—Mount Diablo, located on the Bay Area’s eastern edge, serves up some of the most intrepid hiking trails, and scenic vistas, in the region. If you’re looking to break a sweat, the five-mile Donner Creek Loop Trail offers up a moderately challenging route—with waterfall views to boot! Find even more impressive scenery at the summit with an observation deck that, on clear days, you can see all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge—and beyond.
5. SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK - WASHINGTON, DC: When there isn’t time to leave the city limits, D.C.’s Rock Creek Park is the perfect place to bypass the capital’s bustle for an hour or two. But when you’re looking for an all-day adventure, set your sights on Shenandoah. Its setting is only 75 miles from downtown making it the nearest national park to the capital. Shenandoah has some serious bang for your hiking buck, with over 500 miles of trails, Blue Ridge Mountain views, a 101-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, and numerous waterfall routes.
6. JACKS RIVER TRAIL - GEORGIA: It’s worth getting an early start for an outing to Jacks River Trail. Located right at Georgia’s northern edge, it’s one of the best hiking day trips in the state. Within driving distance of Atlanta, the trail is situated in the protected Cohutta Wilderness, a 40,000-acre tract of land renowned for its forests, rivers, and wild backcountry hiking. This ambitious hike is best accomplished on warmer days, as it encompasses plenty of river crossings (and wild swimming opportunities).
7. GARDEN OF THE GODS - COLORADO: Why visit Garden of the Gods, located 70-odd miles from Denver in Colorado Springs? For starters, the hiking is absolutely divine. The park’s knife-sharp sandstone rock formations and 15 miles of trails—including one paved loop that’s accessible for wheelchair users—make it a standout, even amidst Colorado’s heavenly natural beauty. The fact that the park offers clear views of Pikes Peak is just one more perk.
1. THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL - NEW YORK STATE: The Appalachian Trail—among the world’s longest dedicated hiking trails—is steeped in rich mythology. So much so that it’s easy to forget the trail is just a quick car or rail journey away from the Big Apple. Visit the 20-mile section that runs through Bear Mountain—one of the trail’s oldest segments—or linger on the scenic Swamp River Boardwalk in Pawling. Turns out it’s simpler to check off this bucket-list item than you might think.
2. INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE - INDIANA: Crave soaring sand dunes, wild nature, and blue water as far as the eye can see? No, you don’t have to plan a trip to some exotic idyll—you just have to cross the border into Indiana. Less than an hour’s drive from Chicago, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is crisscrossed by 14 different hiking trails. If you’re feeling ambitious, try its 3-Dune Challenge and hit the park’s three highest points; afterwards, you’ve more than earned a cooling lake swim.
3. VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK - PENNSYLVANIA: Whether you’re a history buff, a hiking junkie, or just a Hamilton fan, Valley Forge National Historical Park offers one of the best hiking day trips in the Philadelphia area. The park spans 19.5 miles of designated trails, and you can also go off-piste and explore its open areas on foot. For a crash course in Valley Forge’s natural and historical sights – and to follow in the footsteps of George Washington’s troops—take the beginner-friendly, paved Joseph Plumb Martin Trail.
4. MOUNT DIABLO STATE PARK - CALIFORNIA: Ignore its devilish name—Mount Diablo, located on the Bay Area’s eastern edge, serves up some of the most intrepid hiking trails, and scenic vistas, in the region. If you’re looking to break a sweat, the five-mile Donner Creek Loop Trail offers up a moderately challenging route—with waterfall views to boot! Find even more impressive scenery at the summit with an observation deck that, on clear days, you can see all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge—and beyond.
5. SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK - WASHINGTON, DC: When there isn’t time to leave the city limits, D.C.’s Rock Creek Park is the perfect place to bypass the capital’s bustle for an hour or two. But when you’re looking for an all-day adventure, set your sights on Shenandoah. Its setting is only 75 miles from downtown making it the nearest national park to the capital. Shenandoah has some serious bang for your hiking buck, with over 500 miles of trails, Blue Ridge Mountain views, a 101-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, and numerous waterfall routes.
6. JACKS RIVER TRAIL - GEORGIA: It’s worth getting an early start for an outing to Jacks River Trail. Located right at Georgia’s northern edge, it’s one of the best hiking day trips in the state. Within driving distance of Atlanta, the trail is situated in the protected Cohutta Wilderness, a 40,000-acre tract of land renowned for its forests, rivers, and wild backcountry hiking. This ambitious hike is best accomplished on warmer days, as it encompasses plenty of river crossings (and wild swimming opportunities).
7. GARDEN OF THE GODS - COLORADO: Why visit Garden of the Gods, located 70-odd miles from Denver in Colorado Springs? For starters, the hiking is absolutely divine. The park’s knife-sharp sandstone rock formations and 15 miles of trails—including one paved loop that’s accessible for wheelchair users—make it a standout, even amidst Colorado’s heavenly natural beauty. The fact that the park offers clear views of Pikes Peak is just one more perk.
