12 Best Mountain Hikes in the U.S. (Ranked by Difficulty, Views, and Crowds)

Fact-Checked By Maya Whitfield, Senior Travel Editor at WakaAbuja

Most “best mountain hikes” roundups are really just popularity contests, the trails with the most geotags, not necessarily the ones worth your legs and your weekend. I have churned up switchbacks in the Cascades, postholed through late-season snow in the Wind River Range, and sat on a Rocky Mountain summit at sunrise with exactly one other person because the trail was too obscure for the algorithm. This list is built from that kind of ground truth.

Every hike below is ranked by difficulty, view quality, and crowd level, so you can pick one that matches your fitness and your patience for switchbacks, not just your feed.

Jump to: How We Ranked These | Quick Comparison | The 12 Hikes | Mountain Hiking Prep | FAQs

Key takeaways

• True mountain hiking means significant elevation gain, thinner air, and weather that changes fast. Trails under 1,000 feet of climb or mostly below treeline did not make this list.
• Permit systems now gate access to many of the most famous trails. Half Dome, Angel’s Landing, and Mount Whitney all require advance lottery or reservation entries.
• Crowds concentrate heavily on a handful of iconic routes. Several hikes on this list deliver comparable views with a fraction of the foot traffic.
• Altitude sickness symptoms can begin as low as 8,000 feet. Several trails here climb above 12,000 feet and demand a proper acclimatization plan.
• Late summer and early fall offer the most reliable weather windows for high-elevation hiking across most U.S. mountain ranges.

How we picked and ranked these hikes

Most online trail rankings pull data from user ratings and call it a day. That approach reliably surfaces the most popular trails, but popularity correlates only loosely with quality. For this list, I combined three criteria that match what hikers actually care about when planning a trip: genuine physical difficulty, scenic distinctiveness, and crowd density data from permit records and seasonal trailhead counts. A trail with a stunning summit view but a two-hour conga line to reach it scored lower than a slightly less iconic peak that offers solitude. I have personally hiked eight of the twelve trails below.

The remaining four are included based on detailed trip reports from trusted sources and park ranger interviews.

Quick-reference comparison table

The table below lets you scan mileage, gain, difficulty, and permit requirements across all twelve hikes at a glance. Use it to narrow your options before diving into the full trail descriptions.

The 12 best mountain hikes in the U.S.

1. The Enchantments Thru-Hike, Washington

Mileage: 18 miles point-to-point. Gain: 4,500 ft up, 6,000 ft down. Difficulty: Strenuous. Permit: Required for overnight; day-hikers need a self-issue trailhead permit.

@joeythenomad_

This is my all time favorite hike in WA The Enchantments is one of the most beautiful and iconic hikes in all of Washington. Getting a permit to backpack or overnight camp in this area can be tough. So, can you tackle the entire 20-mile hike in a single day? Absolutely! I couldn’t secure a permit for the Enchantments, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from crossing it off my bucket list during my trip to Washington. If you’re considering doing this hike in a day, be warned—it’s a challenging one, but definitely doable! The hike spans around 20 miles with a 5,000-foot elevation gain and a 7,000-foot descent. It’s certainly not easy and will take you the whole day. I started at 6:30 AM and finished at 9 PM, and I’m in pretty decent shape and hike often. But it’s absolutely worth it! This is one of my all-time favorite hikes, and the views are incredible! Make sure you’re prepared with enough food and a water filter to fill up at the many water sources along the hike. Also, know that this is a point-to-point hike. If you don’t want to leave a car at each trailhead, there’s a $30 shuttle available to take you from one to the other. I recommend leaving a car at the Snow Lakes trailhead and starting the hike at the Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead. This way, you can tackle Aasgard Pass earlier in the morning when you’re still fresh, and it’s also 2,000 feet less climbing in this direction. If you enjoy hiking at all, I highly recommend adding the Enchantments to your hiking bucket list. You won’t regret it! Send this video to someone you’d do this hike with! #hikingbangers #hiking #enchantments #washington #mountains #beautiful #nature #explore

♬ original sound – Joey The Nomad

The Enchantments are a string of shockingly blue alpine lakes set in granite basins near Leavenworth. Aasgard Pass, the crux, climbs 2,000 feet in roughly a mile over loose rock and lingering snow. Most people backpack this over two or three days. A thru-hike in one day is a serious endurance test, but it avoids the notoriously competitive overnight permit lottery. The goat population is habituated and aggressive around urine, so be prepared to pee on rocks well away from camp areas.

2. Franconia Ridge Loop, New Hampshire

Mileage: 8.6-mile loop. Gain: 3,800 ft. Difficulty: Strenuous but non-technical. Permit: None required; parking fee at trailhead.

The Falling Waters Trail climbs steeply past a series of waterfalls before breaking above treeline onto the exposed ridge connecting Little Haystack, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Lafayette. The above-treeline stretch runs nearly two miles and gives you a 360-degree view across the Pemigewasset Wilderness. This is the best single-day hike in the Northeast, and on a clear October Saturday, every hiker in New England knows it. Start by 7 a.m. or accept the crowds.

3. Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California

Mileage: 14-16 miles round trip via Mist Trail. Gain: 4,800 ft. Difficulty: Very strenuous; the final 400 ft requires climbing cables. Permit: Required, awarded via preseason lottery.

@theadventureaddicts

half done with the cables down!! ✨ #ColumbiaPartner This is our third time summitting this massive half of a dome & it really doesn’t get old!! I remember the first time we did this, I was pretty gripped. So, it was so fun to come back and feel super comfy on the cables & complete it in a way faster time!! We are both wearing @Columbia Sportswear Omni freeze long sleeve shirts to stay cool & their Blackcomb Ridge 18L daypacks. I also loved the Tellurix Titanium OutDry hiking shoes for this!! Super grippy & kept me feeling comfy on the slick granite. Total stats: 16 miles 6,000 feet of gain 7 hours I honestly don’t want to “recommend” this hike during the off-season, because it can turn life threatening very quickly. Always do plenty of research & make sure you know how to use your gear before the hike. A 60 second video on IG will never be able to cover the nuance & proper gear use here. You can get permits to do this hike when the steps are in & it will be a much more straight forward & very unique experience!! Be safe friends!!! 💕 #EngineeredForWhatever #halfdome #hikersofinstagram #hikinggear

♬ original sound – Zoe & Kelby

The cables section is the mental crux. You haul yourself up near-vertical granite using two steel cables while standing on narrow wooden planks. It is physically manageable if you have upper body strength, but the exposure rattles people who are not comfortable with heights. The permit system has thinned the crowds noticeably, but the route still sees heavy traffic. Go midweek in September for the best chance at reasonable crowding and stable weather.

4. Skyline Loop, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Mileage: 5.5 miles loop. Gain: 1,700 ft. Difficulty: Moderate. Permit: None beyond park entry fee.

This is the most accessible high-alpine hike on the list. The trail starts at Paradise, climbs through wildflower meadows into a rocky alpine zone, and circles back with Mount Rainier dominating the skyline the entire time. The modest mileage and gain make it achievable for fit beginners and families, but the scenery competes with much harder routes. Go clockwise and start before 8 a.m. in July and August to avoid the densest crowds.

5. Titcomb Basin, Wind River Range, Wyoming

Mileage: 28 miles round trip (can extend). Gain: 3,000 ft. Difficulty: Strenuous due to distance and remoteness. Permit: None required; free self-registration at trailhead.

The Winds deliver the most remote high-alpine experience in the Lower 48 outside of Alaska. The approach is a long, gradual climb past Seneca Lake and Island Lake before the basin opens into a massive glacial cirque ringed by sharp granite peaks. This is a multi-day backpack, not a day hike. The trail fades in places, and route-finding skills matter. Cell service is zero. Pack a satellite messenger and know how to use it.

6. Mount Whitney Trail, California

Mileage: 22 miles round trip. Gain: 6,100 ft. Difficulty: Extremely strenuous; altitude is the primary challenge. Permit: Required, lottery system.

At 14,505 feet, Whitney is the highest summit in the contiguous U.S. The trail is non-technical, a long, unrelenting walk-up with switchbacks that feel endless above 12,000 feet. Altitude sickness is the real obstacle. Most people who turn back do so because of headaches, nausea, or fatigue, not because the trail is too steep. Spend at least one night at elevation before attempting it, and carry more water than you think you need. The permit lottery opens months in advance.

7. Longs Peak Keyhole Route, Colorado

Mileage: 14.5 miles round trip. Gain: 5,100 ft. Difficulty: Class 3 scramble with serious exposure. Permit: None required; timed entry reservation for parking during peak season.

@safetravelspod

Longs Peak towers at 14,259 feet and is one of the most iconic mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park 🏔️ Climbing it is no joke — but the Keyhole Route is the most popular way to reach the summit. Ranger Mike Lukens breaks down what makes this 14er so special ⛰️ #RockyMountainNationalPark #NationalPark #podcast #geology #parkranger #NPS #longspeak #colorado #fyp #fypシ #climbingtiktok #hiking

♬ original sound – Safe Travels Podcast

This is not a hike in the traditional sense beyond the Keyhole. The route crosses narrow ledges with steep drop-offs and requires scrambling over rock that is polished slick by decades of boots. People die on this route regularly, typically from falls after afternoon thunderstorms make the rock wet. Start at 3 a.m. or earlier and be descending from the summit by noon. If the weather looks unstable at the Keyhole, turn around without hesitation.

8. Paintbrush Canyon to Cascade Canyon Loop, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Mileage: 19 miles loop. Gain: 4,200 ft. Difficulty: Strenuous. Permit: Required for overnight; day use covered by park entry.

The Tetons are heavily photographed but lightly hiked once you get off the valley floor. This loop climbs Paintbrush Canyon, crosses a high divide, and descends through Cascade Canyon with views of the Grand Teton the entire way. It works as a very long day hike or a more comfortable two-day backpack. The west side of the loop sees dramatically fewer people than the Jenny Lake trailhead area.

9. Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park, Utah

Mileage: 5.4 miles round trip. Gain: 1,600 ft. Difficulty: Strenuous with exposure, chains assist the final half-mile. Permit: Required, lottery system.

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The chain section is short but intense, a narrow sandstone fin with thousand-foot drops on both sides. The permit system, introduced to manage the once-dangerous crowding, has improved the experience considerably. The view from the summit down Zion Canyon is one of the most dramatic in the national park system. Go early in the morning to avoid midday heat in summer, and keep both hands on the chains when passing other hikers.

10. Highline Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana

Mileage: 11.8 miles point-to-point (Logan Pass to The Loop). Gain: 800 ft up, 3,000 ft down. Difficulty: Moderate. Permit: None beyond park entry; timed vehicle reservation for Going-to-the-Sun Road.

The Highline is famous for a reason. The trail cuts across the Garden Wall with the Continental Divide on one side and a sheer drop into the valley on the other. The first quarter-mile involves a narrow ledge with a cable handhold. Beyond that, the trail opens into broad alpine meadows frequented by bighorn sheep and mountain goats. The downhill at the end is punishing on knees. Trekking poles help noticeably.

11. Four Pass Loop, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, Colorado

Mileage: 26 miles loop. Gain: 8,000 ft cumulative. Difficulty: Extremely strenuous, route crosses four passes above 12,000 feet. Permit: Required for overnight; parking reservation needed.

View this post on Instagram

This loop connects West Maroon, Frigid Air, Trail Rider, and Buckskin passes in a circuit around the Maroon Bells. Each pass is a serious climb, and the cumulative elevation gain is punishing. Most hikers take three to four days. The wildflowers in late July and early August are the best in Colorado. The altitude is relentless. Acclimate for two nights before starting, and watch for afternoon thunderstorms that build fast over the peaks.

12. Presidential Traverse, White Mountains, New Hampshire

Mileage: 19 miles point-to-point. Gain: 8,500 ft cumulative. Difficulty: Extremely strenuous, fully exposed above treeline for most of the route. Permit: None required.

The Presi Traverse links Mounts Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, and Pierce in a single brutal day or a very full two-day backpack. The weather on Mount Washington is among the worst in the world, with hurricane-force winds possible in any month. Check the Mount Washington Observatory higher summits forecast before you commit. The exposure is total, and the rocky footing punishes ankles. This is a badge-of-honor hike for Northeastern hikers, and completing it in a day is a genuine endurance achievement.

Mountain hiking prep: altitude, gear, and safety basics

Altitude sickness: what it feels like and how to avoid it

Symptoms begin for some people as low as 8,000 feet. Headache, nausea, dizziness, and unusual fatigue are the warning signs. The only reliable treatment is descending. Spending a night at moderate elevation before a big climb reduces risk significantly. Hydration matters, but it does not prevent altitude sickness on its own. If your headache worsens or you start stumbling, descend immediately. High-altitude cerebral edema and pulmonary edema are rare but kill people every year in the Rockies and Sierra Nevada.

Gear you actually need above treeline

Lightning is the single biggest objective hazard on high, exposed trails. Start early and be below treeline by early afternoon in summer thunderstorm season. Carry a rain shell and an insulating layer even if the valley forecast calls for sun. Alpine weather changes fast and independently of the forecast. Trekking poles save knees on long descents and improve stability on loose rock. A water filter lets you refill from streams and carry less weight. A satellite communicator is worth the investment for any trail where cell service is absent and help is hours away.

Permit systems and how to navigate them

Permit lotteries for popular trails open months in advance. Half Dome permits are drawn in March. Mount Whitney permits open in February. The Enchantments lottery runs in late winter. Mark the dates on your calendar and have backup dates ready. If you strike out, look for cancellation slots, which often appear a few days before the date as people’s plans shift. For trails without permit lotteries, arriving at the trailhead by sunrise solves most crowding problems.

Mistakes that turn a great mountain hike into a bad day

I have made or witnessed every one of these. Most are avoidable with a little planning and a willingness to change plans when conditions shift.

• Starting too late. Thunderstorms build by early afternoon in most U.S. mountain ranges in summer. If you are still climbing at 1 p.m. and the sky is darkening, you have already made the mistake.
• Carrying too little water. High-elevation exertion and dry air dehydrate you faster than you expect. Know where reliable water sources are on your route and filter as you go.
• Underestimating altitude. Fitness does not fully protect you. I have watched marathon runners get wrecked by altitude at 12,000 feet while a slower, better-acclimated hiker cruised past them.
• Wearing cotton socks. Blisters end hikes. Wool or synthetic socks only. Carry a backup dry pair in a zip-lock bag for long day hikes.
• Relying on phone GPS without a backup. Batteries die, signals vanish, and phones break when dropped on granite. Carry a paper map and know the route beforehand.
• Pushing through serious weather because you are close to the summit. The mountain will be there next year. Turn around if lightning, whiteout, or freezing rain moves in. Summit fever gets people killed.
• Not telling anyone your route and expected return time. This is the simplest safety step and the one most often skipped. Leave a detailed plan with someone who will notice if you are late.

Frequently asked questions

Plan your trip: booking platforms we trust

For mountain hiking trips, I prioritize platforms that make it easy to book lodging near trailheads with free cancellation, because weather and permit dates often force last-minute itinerary changes. Gear rentals and guided trip options are also worth checking if you are flying in and cannot bring full kit.