Eight Exciting Day Hikes to Experience on Extended Trails (Close to Urban Centers!)
Day Hikes for Weary City-Dwellers: Explore Your Proximity to Long Trails
Take a breather from the city's chaos and embark on refreshing day hikes along some of America's most illustrious long trails. In less than 90 minutes, immerse yourself in verdant forests, diverse landscapes, and captivating outlooks. Here's our top eight urban day hikes to satisfy that craving for adventure.
Long Trail: Smugglers' Notch and Sterling Pond | Burlington, VTThe Long Trail, America's oldest long-distance hiking trail, enchantingly meanders through Vermont. Approximately 30 minutes from Burlington, this enchanting day hike offers captivating views of the mischievous Smugglers' Notch and the enchanting Sterling Pond, third highest in the state.
Begin your journey in the parking lot off Route 108 and follow the blue-blazed Sterling Pond Trail. Revel in the arduous rock steps and feel invigorated as you make your way north, crossing a gully to intersect the Long Trail. Continue along this legendary path to the alluring banks of Sterling Pond, taking a detour along the blue-blazed Elephant's Head Trail as you trace the pond's southern shore. Return to the Long Trail and follow the route back to the trailhead for a 3.1-mile loop adventure.
Difficulty: ModerateDistance: 3.1-mile loopPro Tips: Check out "AMC's Best Day Hikes in Vermont" for more tips and trail intel.
Appalachian Trail: Mount Moosilauke | Benton, NH
Experience the brute force of New Hampshire's White Mountains in this 7.3-mile round-trip adventure that take you up and over Mount Moosilauke. Just an hour from the state capital, in Concord, this exhilarating hike, maintained by Dartmouth College, offers panoramic vistas and an adrenaline fix.
Begin your day by securing a second vehicle at your endpoint, the Glencliff trailhead on Route 25, then make your way to the Beaver Brook trailhead on Route 112. Brace yourself for the first 2 miles of lush beauty and steep terrain that make this route ideal for experienced hikers. Capture the summit vista's splendor before continuing southwest along the Glencliff Trail to South Peak and then follow the trail back to your car.
Difficulty: StrenuousDistance: 7.3 miles round trip with car spotPro Tips: Unlock more trail secrets through "AMC White Mountain Guide" and the college's website.
Bay Circuit Trail: Nobscot Hill and Tippling Rock | Sudbury, MAFor Bostonians yearning to escape the concrete jungle, the Bay Circuit Trail caters to your desire for a quick escape to the woodlands, all within a 60-minute drive. This invigorating 4-mile out-and-back hike transports you through a vibrant ecosystem as you traverse serene woodlands and catch fleeting glimpses of the city skyline.
Begin at the Weisblatt Conservation Land trailhead, entering the Bay Circuit Trail and Salamander Trail. Experience the tranquility of nature as you wind your way through the fragrant forest landscape. When Salamander Trail loops back toward the trailhead, turn your attention to the Bay Circuit Trail, venturing right at the Nobscot Mountain Spur Trail junction, which leads you to the summit of Nobscot Hill. Here, on a clear day, take in the skyline vistas of the Boston metropolis. Once you've soaked in the view, retrace your steps back to your car.
Difficulty: ModerateDistance: 4 miles out and backPro Tips: Enhance your adventure by checking out "AMC's Best Day Hikes Near Boston".
More captivating day hikes await you on the New England National Scenic Trail, Long Path, Laurel Highlands Trail, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, and additional Appalachian Trail sections
Stay tuned for our upcoming installments, where we'll delve further into these stunning day hikes and their trails, offering valuable trail tips, helpful resources, and engaging insights to make your next urban trek unforgettable.
After immersing yourself in the majestic long trails, consider exploring your connection to home-and-garden living by taking advantage of the Bay Circuit Trail's outdoor-living opportunities. The captivating 4-mile out-and-back hike near Sudbury, MA, providing vistas of the Boston city skyline, also introduces you to the tranquility and beauty of a vibrant ecosystem, making it a perfect combination of adventure and lifestyle indulgence.
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