The Boardwalk Loop, Congaree National ParkThere are boardwalks that take you back in time, and then there are boardwalks that lead you into a scenic lush forest. The Boardwalk Loop at Congaree National Park in South Carolina is the latter — and it's the ideal beginner hiking trail.
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Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail – 444 milesSuffused with more than 10,000 years of human history, the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail might be the shortest of the country's National Scenic Trails, but the track has plenty to offer hikers and equestrians.
The Dales Way is perhaps the easiest of these routes, as it makes its way easily through the Yorkshire Dales from Ilkley, passing through Burnsall, Grassington, Kettlewell, Buckden and Dent, then on to Sedbergh at the foot of the Howgill fells and on to Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District.
4. Appalachian Trail for the most accessible thru-hiking trek. The 'granddaddy' of this list. Forming part of the 'Triple Crown of Hiking' alongside The Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail is also the most user-friendly.
Continental Divide TrailArguably the most challenging thru-hike of the National Scenic Trails, it traverses five states, ranges from 4,000 to 14,000-feet in elevation, and passes through alpine tundra, broad glacial valleys, craggy mountain peaks, and desolate desert landscapes.
Half Dome, Yosemite National ParkFrom the moment you lay eyes on the last 400 feet of the Half Dome hike, you'll understand why it's considered one of the most dangerous hikes in America.
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is arguably the world's most scenic thru-hike spanning 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada. Along its journey, it passes through California, Oregon and Washington, providing hikers with breathtaking views of the desert, mountains and forests.
Offa's Dyke PathCrossing the border between England and Wales more than 10 times, the Offa's Dyke National Trail path follows some of the finest scenery in both countries for 177 miles (285 km).
Northumberland National ParkThis diverse national park is the most northerly in England and the least populated in the UK. Covering an area of 1,048 kilometres, this park encompasses Kielder Forest and the Cheviot Hills and receives just 1.5 million visitors a year.
Fewer than two dozen people have completed the trail, including only a handful of women, according to the Long Distance Hiker Recognition Committee of the North Country Trail Association. As far as Laan or anyone else knows, she is the first of those handful of women to hike all 11 national scenic trails.
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail — commonly known as the Appalachian Trail or simply “the A.T.” — is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, measuring roughly 2,190 miles in length.
1. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska: America's least-visited national park contains no roads or trails. It's a true wilderness experience.