Traditionally on Hiiker, the most popular trails in the US have been what you would expect the PCT, the AT, Pinhoti, Lost Coast Trail, Wonderland Trail, etc. Not that the world needs another list of trails, but I found it very interesting to see how the focus has turned to more local trails. People are turning to the trails that are more popular in their own state instead of look further afield.
1. John Muir Trail
The John Muir Trail is a 201 mi. trail that starts in Yosemite Valley, California and ends in Inyo County, California. The trail is considered to be difficult to hike and has a total elevation gain of 54463 ft.. Normally the trail takes 20 days to complete but can be finished in as little as 14 Days.
2. The Bruce Trail
A popular Canadian trail, The Bruce Trail is a 542 mi. trail that starts in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada and ends in Northern Bruce Peninsula, Canada. The trail is considered to be medium to hike and has a total elevation gain of 67089 ft.. Normally the trail takes 39 days to complete but can be finished in as little as 27 Days.
3. North Country Trail
The longest of the “monster trails” in the USA, the NCT has only been completed as a thru-hike a handful of time. The North Country Trail is a 4671 mi trail that starts in North Dakota and ends in Vermont. One thing that makes the trail so difficult to thru hike is that you don’t get the seasonality that you might get on the AT or PCT. You will have to hike during winter at some stage on the trail, and that will make it extremely challenging.
4. Allegheny Front Trail
The Allegheny Front Trail is a 40 mi. looped trail that starts and ends in Huston township, Pennsylvania. The trail is considered to be medium to hike and has a total elevation gain of 4915 ft.. Normally the trail takes 4 days to complete but can be finished in as little as 3 or 2 days. Dogs are welcome on the trail.
5. Lone Star Trail
The Lone Star Trail runs through the beautiful wilderness of Sam Houston National Forest in Texas. The 94 mi. trail that starts in Alden Bridge, Texas and ends in Cleveland, Texas. The trail is considered to be easy to hike and has a total elevation gain of 4530 ft.. Normally the trail takes 8 days to complete but can be finished in as little as 6 Days. Dogs are welcome on the trail.
6. Outer Mountain Loop
The Outer Mountain Loop is a 32 mi. looped trail that starts and ends in Big Bend National Park, Texas. The trail is considered to be difficult to hike and has a total elevation gain of 8854 ft.. Normally the trail takes 4 days to complete but can be finished in as little as 3 or 2 days.
7. Hayduke Trail
The Hayduke Trail is a 836 mi. trail that starts in Grand County, Utah and ends in Springdale, Utah. The trail is considered to be medium to hike and has a total elevation gain of 125093 ft.. Normally the trail takes 74 days to complete but can be finished in as little as 52 Days.
8. Sheltowee Trace Trail
The Sheltowee Trace Trail is a 353 mi. trail that starts in Morehead, Kentucky and ends in Black Creek, Tennessee. The trail is considered to be easy to hike and has a total elevation gain of 58716 ft.. Normally the trail takes 29 days to complete but can be finished in as little as 20 Days.
9. Superior Hiking Trail
The Superior Hiking Trail is a 349 mi. trail that starts in West Cook, Minnesota and ends in Thomson Township, Minnesota. The trail is considered to be medium to hike and has a total elevation gain of 57461 ft.. Normally the trail takes 31 days to complete but can be finished in as little as 22 Days. Dogs are welcome on the trail.
10. Foothills Trail
The Foothills Trail is a 70 mi. trail that starts in Pickens, South Carolina and ends in Oconee County, South Carolina. The trail is considered to be difficult to hike and has a total elevation gain of 21129 ft.. Normally the trail takes 8 days to complete but can be finished in as little as 6 Days. Dogs are welcome on the trail.
