The 15 Best Hikes in the US That Aren't the Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail gets all the attention, but the US has thousands of day hikes and multi-day routes that deliver more dramatic scenery per mile without requiring a six-month commitment and a trail name. These 15 hikes range from half-day walks to week-long treks, and every one of them will make you question why you ever spent a weekend on a couch.

Angel's Landing in Zion National Park, Utah, is the adrenaline pick — a 5.4-mile round trip that ends with a chain-assisted scramble along a knife-edge ridge with 1,500-foot drops on both sides. Permits are now required (apply through recreation.gov) and the final section isn't for anyone with vertigo, but the panoramic view of Zion Canyon from the summit is the single most rewarding vista in the national park system.

The Kalalau Trail on Kauai's Na Pali Coast is 11 miles of coastal Hawaii that alternates between jungle, waterfalls, and cliff-edge paths above the Pacific. A permit system limits daily hikers and the trail's remoteness keeps out casual walkers. The full out-and-back takes two days minimum, with camping at Kalalau Beach — an ending so beautiful it feels earned. Plan at https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/hawaii/kalalau-trail.

The Enchantments in Washington State's Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a 19-mile through-hike past alpine lakes, larches that turn gold in October, and granite peaks that look like the Swiss Alps got teleported to the Pacific Northwest. Permits are lottery-based and fiercely competitive — apply in February for summer dates and have a backup plan.

Glacier National Park's Highline Trail runs 11.8 miles along the Continental Divide with mountain goats, wildflower meadows, and views that make Going-to-the-Sun Road (which runs below you) look like a toy track. It's moderately difficult with minimal elevation gain, making it accessible to strong walkers who want big scenery without technical challenge.

Other standouts: the Havasupai Falls trail in Arizona (permits required, turquoise waterfalls in red rock canyon), the Teton Crest Trail in Wyoming (40 miles of Grand Teton backcountry), Half Dome in Yosemite (cable-assisted summit, permits via lottery), and the Rim-to-Rim in the Grand Canyon (24 miles of the earth's geological history on foot).

The common thread: these hikes require planning. Permits, fitness preparation, and gear that includes proper footwear, layers, and plenty of water separate a great hike from a miserable one. Start with AllTrails for trail research, invest in trail runners or boots from Salomon or Hoka, and always tell someone your route and expected return time.