Great Eastern Day Hikes

Posted by Jeff on Jan 13, 2015 @ 9:56 am in Hiking News | 0 comments | Last modified: January 13, 2015

While the West—with its high altitudes, rugged peaks and chill, outdoorsy vibe—has quietly claimed the mantle of quintessential hiking paradise, don’t write off everything east of the Mississippi.

After all, seemingly endless wilderness stretches along the Ozark Highland, North Country Scenic and Appalachian Trails, so missing out on the chance to climb a 14er doesn’t mean you miss out on quiet singletrack trails, panoramic views and majestic peaks.

Yes, the East is, in its way, smaller than the West. But it’s also greener, more accessible (at least two of these hikes can be reached by public transportation), wetter and wilder by the year as farmlands go fallow, allowing species like wolves, bears and moose to reclaim their native habitats.

Here’s a list of 20 amazing Eastern day hikes, including a classic tromp through New Hampshire’s White Mountains, a wild hike through an urban oasis, a birder’s paradise in the Everglades and even a gorgeous (and strenuous) climb in the wilds just outside of New York City.