The United States is home to numerous scenic and challenging hiking trails. Here are seven of the longest hiking trails in the US:
Florida Trail: The Florida Trail is around 1,500 miles (2,414 kilometers) long, offering a unique hiking experience through the diverse ecosystems of Florida. It stretches from Big Cypress National Preserve in the south to Gulf Islands National Seashore in the Panhandle.
Image Credit: Florida Farm & Family
Arizona Trail: Covering about 800 miles (1,287 kilometers), the Arizona Trail runs from the border of Mexico to the border of Utah. It passes through diverse landscapes, including deserts, canyons, forests, and mountains, showcasing the beauty of Arizona.
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Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT): The Pacific Northwest Trail is approximately 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers) long, connecting the Continental Divide Trail in Montana to the Pacific Ocean in Washington. It traverses three national parks and seven national forests.
Image Credit: The Trek
North Country Trail (NCT): Extending approximately 4,600 miles (7,403 kilometers), the North Country Trail is the longest National Scenic Trail in the United States. It spans seven states from North Dakota to Vermont, passing through the northernmost regions of the country.
Image Credit: Butler County Tourism
Continental Divide Trail (CDT): The Continental Divide Trail is around 3,100 miles (4,989 kilometers) long and follows the Continental Divide of the Americas along the Rocky Mountains. It starts at the border of Mexico in New Mexico and crosses five states—New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana—before reaching the border of Canada.
Image Credit: Steamboat Chamber
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT): The Pacific Crest Trail covers roughly 2,650 miles (4,265 kilometers) along the West Coast of the United States. It begins at the border of Mexico in California and extends through California, Oregon, and Washington before ending at the border of Canada.
Image Credit: Time
Appalachian Trail (AT): Spanning approximately 2,190 miles (3,524 kilometers), the Appalachian Trail is the longest hiking-only trail in the United States. It stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, traversing 14 states along the way.
Image Credit: Gatlinburg