10 Best Hikes in North America

By: Anja Mutic

Anja M. is a professional writer who loves to share stories about the world's best travel destinations.

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March 16, 2023 | Adventure Experts

The astounding variety of North America’s landscapes can make it tricky to choose just one adventure. From surreal wind-shaped rock landscapes, sea-bathed cliffs, and glacial lakes to fairy-tale meadows and dreamy deserts, North America is an explorer’s treasure trove. To get your planning off to an easy start, here come our picks for the best of the continent.


Overview

  1. The Best of Arizona and Utah: Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon & Zion
  2. John Muir Trail in California’s Sierra Nevada
  3. California John Muir Trail Southbound to Mt. Whitney Trek
  4. Joshua Tree & Death Valley Hike through the Mojave Desert
  5. The Best of Yosemite National Park in California
  6. Private Adventure Tour of Yosemite
  7. Multi-Adventure Tour of Montana Glacier National Park
  8. Adventure in Utah: Arches, Canyonlands & Colorado River
  9. Le Fjord Trail in Quebec, Canada
  10. Teton Crest Trail in Wyoming

1. The Best of Arizona and Utah: Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon & Zion


Spanning two states and three national parks, this grand weeklong adventure packs a plethora of action with stays in cozy lodges that call for easy evenings and plentiful rest.



Winding through Arizona and Utah, the trek includes hiking in the iconic Grand Canyon, among the tall and spikey rock hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, and in the legendary Narrows in Zion National Park. In between, kayak to remote canyons on Lake Powel, venture into red-rock desert canyons on foot or UTVs and go canyoneering in slot canyons.

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2. John Muir Trail in California’s Sierra Nevada


Seasoned hikers will relish this epic 13-day wilderness adventure that traverses 103 miles of the northbound half of the John Muir Trail. As you roam the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness areas, savor the alpine idyll at its finest.


John Muir Trail Northbound

From the jagged granite peaks of the Minarets, to the striking 13,114-foot Mt. Lyell, smell wildflowers on colorful meadows, admire the glistening reflections on lake surfaces, and take in pristine nature and pure air as you eat and sleep under open skies. 

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3. California John Muir Trail Southbound to Mt. Whitney Trek Tour


Take on California’s High Sierra on this mighty 17-day trek that snakes along 140 miles of the southern portion of the John Muir Trail. Starting from Lake Florence, head for soaring mountain passes and tranquil glacial lakes, before embarking on the conquest of the 14,505-foot Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in continental USA.


John Muir Trail Southbound

An exclusive and fully supported MTS adventure, this trek runs above 9000’ feet and features camping at gorgeous lakesides and meadows, keeping you immersed in unspoiled wilderness all the time. 

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4. Joshua Tree & Death Valley Hike through the Mojave Desert


Photography lovers, geology buffs, and hiking enthusiasts will relish this 6-day Mojave Desert adventure that pairs two national parks with a number of quirky sites like abandoned mines, preserved gold mills and the world’s tallest thermometer.


unique flora and cacti in the desert wilderness of Joshua Tree National Park in California, North America, in the summer


In Joshua Tree National Park, marvel at rugged rocks, endemic species, a desert oasis, and the warped namesake trees. In Death Valley, hike dune fields, salt marshes, and the picturesque Mosaic Canyon, and descend to the lowest point in North America, the Badwater Salt Flats at 282’ below sea level. 

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5. The Best of Yosemite National Park in California


Meandering between granite domes, roaring waterfalls, and imposing giant sequoias trees, this 6-day hiking itinerary packs in all the best sceneries of Yosemite National Park.


adventure travel yosemite private tour
Yosemite – one of our award-winning adventure tours, hike, trek, family vacations.

Staying at the beautiful Rush Creek Lodge on your Yosemite hiking adventure
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Walk in the Yosemite Valley and swim in the Merced River, engulfed in the views of El Capitan and Sentinel Rock. Conquer the top of North Dome to see the famous Half Dome, and discover Sierra Nevada’s sky-high Tuolumne Meadows. Pairing moderate to difficult hikes with stays in comfortable lodges, this trip is a perfect mix of natural landscapes, invigorating action, and restful evenings.  

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6. Private Adventure Tour of Yosemite


Explore the breathtaking Yosemite National Park from top to bottom on this 5-day hikers’ dream adventure. From sky-high Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley 3,000 feet below, hike through the glacially carved landscapes, past gigantic sequoias, and along the wild Merced River.


Classic view of scenic Yosemite Valley with famous El Capitan rock climbing summit and idyllic Merced river on a sunny day with blue sky and clouds in summer Yosemite National Park California USA.
Classic view of scenic Yosemite Valley with famous El Capitan rock climbing summit and idyllic Merced river on a sunny day with blue sky and clouds in summer Yosemite National Park California USA. RF stock. Purchased 031717

Soak up the dazzling panoramas of the iconic Half Dome, the High Sierras, and Yosemite Falls. With numerous trails on offer, hiking routes are easily customized to your preferred activity level. 

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7. Multi-Adventure Tour of Montana Glacier National Park


Hike under majestic peaks like Mt. Sinopah, ride horses through forests of red cedar and hemlock, and make a splash whitewater rafting on this 7-day adventure in Montana’s Glacier National Park. Admire the Many Glacier Valley, the Grinnell Glacier, and Iceberg Lake, and learn why the Two Medicine Valley is sacred to the Blackfeet Nation.


Hiker in Glacier National Park


Round off the journey with a birds-eye’ perspective of the Rockies from an open chairlift ride. Pairing varied experiences and awe-inspiring landscapes with stays in snug mountain lodges, this journey leaves a sweet and long-lasting aftertaste of the American West.   

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8. Adventure in Utah: Arches, Canyonlands & Colorado River 


Discover Utah’s outdoor splendor on this 5-day itinerary that pairs hiking, biking, and rafting into a unique adventure. Hike in the red-rock universe of Arches National Park, replete with surreal rock formations and soaring pinnacles.


Turret Arch, Through the North Window, At Arches National Park

Spend a day whitewater rafting on the Colorado River, tackling class III and IV rapids. Take in countless canyons in Canyonlands or mountain bike in Arches. Highly customizable, this trek can be adapted to all preferences and desired effort levels. 

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9. Le Fjord Trail in Quebec, Canada 


Deemed a ‘once in a lifetime’ trek by National Geographic, the 26-mile Le Fjord Trail sits a 2.5-hour drive northeast of Quebec City. On this moderate hike, turquoise lakes like Anse-à-l’Eau Lake come framed by birch and fir forests and Beluga whales occasionally make an appearance.


A panorama of Lake Louise on your Canada walking adventure
A panorama of Lake Louise

The majestic Saguenay Fjord, a glacial valley that today holds the Saguenay River, towers the trail. Housed in the namesake national park, this hike retains an off-the-beaten-track feel that is much appreciated by local black bears and beavers. 



10. Teton Crest Trail in Wyoming


Sharp ridgelines, sky-high mountain passes, impressive peaks, glaciers, and mighty canyons come enveloped by dense forests and dotted with wildflowers along the Teton Crest Trail, a scenic 40-mile hike in Wyoming. Starting at Phillips Pass, this 4-to-6-day adventure runs on the western side of the Tetons, passing by the serene Marion Lake, the Schoolroom Glacier through Paintbrush Canyon and to String Lake in Grand Teton National Park.


Tetons and Mormon Row panorama at sunrise File: #132008025 | Author: Andrew S.
Tetons and Mormon Row panorama at sunrise File: #132008025 | Author: Andrew S.

Take in the serenity at Lake Solitude, and enjoy the quietude at the barren 10,400-foot Hurricane Pass. Keep an eye out for moose and marmots and, bear spray at hand, for grizzlies and black bears.  

Want to discover more amazing hikes in North America? We have many options for you to check out here.

Want to customize your trip to these popular North America Trails? Get in touch with an Adventure Expert here.

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