Pennsylvania
Conestoga Trail
8.8 mile shuttle; 430ft. vertical change; Moderately Difficult
Enjoy the wooded Conestoga Trail with views out to the Susquehanna River. The route can be hiked in either direction, but the Pinnacle Overlook is located at the southern end of the trail.
Maryland
Maryland Heights Loop
6.8 miles; 1,199ft. vertical change; Moderate
Located in Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, the Maryland Heights Loop uses part of the canal towpath, then ascends to sweeping views of the Potomac River.
West Virginia
Diamond Point via the Endless Wall Trail
2.25 mile shuttle with loop option; 167ft. vertical change; Easy to Moderate
Views abound on the Endless Wall Trail, mostly down into the New River Gorge. The views reach their apex at Diamond Point – but use care, as railings are few and far between.
Virginia
Washington DC Tidal Basin
2.1 mile loop; negligible elevation change; Easy
‘Tis the season for cherry blossoms! The NPS has put together a suggested loop around the Tidal Basin, but of course you can always explore further, especially around the memorials.
North Carolina
Graveyard Fields & Waterfalls
3 mile loop with spur; 266ft vertical change; Moderate
Explore two waterfalls and plenty of wildflowers on the Graveyard Fields Trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail can be shortened to 0.6 miles by only visiting the first waterfall.
South Carolina
Glassy Mountain
1.0 mile loop; 270ft. vertical change; Easy
Take the short, easy hike up Glassy Mountain to an old fire tower. The hike is especially nice in the spring, when the forest is filled with wildflowers.
Georgia
Arabia Mountain/Klondike Boardwalk
5.1 mile multi-loop; 205ft. elevation change; Moderately Difficult
Visit lakes and a smooth-rock mountain summit on the Arabia Mountain/Klondike Boardwalk Trails southeast of Atlanta. Keep an eye out for waterfalls and wildflowers this time of year.
Maine
Harpswell Cliffs and Long Reach Mountain
2.3 mile loop; 169ft. vertical change; Moderate
The loop combines the Harpswell Cliffs and Long Reach Mountain Trail into one hike north of Portland. Views reach across the water to other peninsulas, and a waterfall can be found tucked into the forest. Use care as the trail may still have snow early in April.
New Hampshire
Wildcat Falls
2.2 mile loop; 95ft. vertical change; Easy
Explore the wooded area around Wildcat Falls, which is especially spectacular in the spring runoff.
Vermont
Owls Head
3.5 mile out & back; 1,279ft. vertical change; Moderate
Explore an old quarry en route to the Owls Head Lookout. Views from the lookout are quite good on a sunny day.
Massachusetts
Skyline Trail
7.6 mile loop; 162ft. vertical change; Moderate
Take a break from the chaos of Boston in this sanctuary of peace and quiet known as the Skyline Trail. It’s also about the best you’ll find for training for hills in the Boston area.
New Jersey
The Giant Stairs
About 4.3 miles RT (options for a shorter hike); 520ft. vertical change; Moderate to Difficult
Looking for a bit of adventure? Scramble around the boulders on the Giant Stairs below the Palisades. Views extend over the Hudson River into New York.
Delaware
C&D Canal Path
Up to 16 mile shuttle; up to 288ft. vertical change; Easy
By combining the Michael Castle Trail and the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Path, you can hike or bike up to a 16 mile shuttle along the C&D canal. The paved path passes under several bridges, and cargo ships and power boats use the canal.
