Long-Distance Hikes in the USA Shorter Than 1,000 Miles

The United States is very much an outdoor country, which is exactly why I like living here so much.

There are countless awesome hiking trails, including, of course, the “Big 3” of long-distance hikes in the US. Also known as the “Triple Crown of Hiking”, the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Appalachian Trail are the three most iconic trails in America.

The thing is, though, that those hikes are long—as in more-than-half-a-year long. If you don’t have that amount of time, consider the long-distance hikes shorter than 1,000 miles in this post.

8 Epic Thru-Hikes Under 1,000 Miles

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The definition of a thru-hike is the end-to-end completion of a long-distance hike in one hiking season. For most people, it will be impossible to thru-hike any of the three trails mentioned in the intro.

What is possible, however, —with some willpower, planning and cooperative employers—is hiking these nine awesome thru-hikes under 1,000 miles.

Most of them are actually even shorter than 300 miles, which makes them totally doable in about three weeks’ time. Not too bad if you ask me.

Even the Colorado Trail, for example, which is almost 500 miles long, can be completed in less than five weeks if you really put your mind to it. Simply put, this post contains the absolute best short thru-hikes in the US.

1. John Muir Trail, CA – 210 miles (339 km)

Arguably the greatest short long-distance trail in America, California’s John Muir Trail starts in Yosemite Valley and ends at the summit of Mount Whitney, with its height of 14,505 feet (4,421 m) the highest mountains in the contiguous United States.

It traverses three of California’s greatest national parks—Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Named after legendary naturalist John Muir, the spiritual father of America’s national parks, the trail follows the Pacific Crest Trail for about three-fourths of its length.

You’ll hike through some of the wildest and most pristine terrain in the US, across alpine meadows, along lakeshores and underneath towering peaks. There aren’t very many huts or shelters on the way, so a tent and other camping gear are absolutely necessary.

If you start this hike in late spring, you’ll have the chance to see the mighty Yosemite National Park waterfalls in full force.

• Best time of year: late spring through summer
• Time needed: 3 weeks
• More info: John Muir Trail

2. Long Trail, VT – 273 miles (439 km)

Vermont’s Long Trail is the oldest long-distance trail in the US. Finished in 1930 by the Green Mountain Club, it runs from the state’s southern border with Massachusetts all the way to the Canadian border.

It traces the crest of the Green Mountains and traverses several major summits, including Killington Peak, Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield.

The trail’s southern section overlaps with the Appalachian Trail and its so iconic that one of Vermont’s largest breweries is named after it—Long Trail Brewing Company.

• Best time of year: September and October
• Time needed: 3 to 4 weeks
• More info: Long Trail

3. Oregon Coast Trail, OR – 382 miles (615 km)

The Oregon Coast Trail may just be the greatest coastal hiking trail anywhere in the U.S. It follows the entire coastline of Oregon, running almost 400 miles from the Columbia River in the north to the California border in the south.

On the way, you will spend significant amounts of time hiking on empty beaches, while at other times, you’ll find yourself in a charming town or in the middle of a temperate rain forest.

It’s precisely that variety—and the jaw-dropping beauty of Oregon’s Atlantic coast—that makes this hike such a great one. A number of river mouths intersect the trail. You can hop across on ferries or choose to walk around the estuaries on regular roads. In fact, this is not a continuous hiking trail, but more like a walking route.

Most of it is in a natural environment, although some sections are on paved roads. Make sure to pack good rain and wind gear. This is the Pacific Northwest, after all.

• Best time of year: summer
• Time needed: 4 to 5 weeks
• More info: Oregon Coast Trail

4. Arizona Trail, AZ – 800 miles (1,287 km)

The 800-mile Arizona Trail crosses the entire state of Arizona, from the Mexican border to Utah. Probably the most challenging of all the long-distance hikes shorter than 1,000 miles in this post, the trail snakes through several remote mountain ranges, desert plains and plateaus.

It cuts through Saguaro National Park in the south of the state and, toward the end, even runs down into and back out of the Grand Canyon. That hike in itself is extremely tough, let alone after already having spent weeks in the wilderness.

This is one of America’s greatest long-distance hikes, though, leading hikers through some of the country’s most epic and famous landscapes. Besides hikers, the Arizona Trail also welcomes mountain bikers, equestrians and even cross-country skiers in winter.

• Best time of year: early spring (northbound) or early fall (southbound)
• Time needed: 7 to 9 weeks
• More info: Arizona Trail

5. Ozark Highlands Trail, AR – 230 miles (370 km)

People looking for epic outdoor adventures tend to focus on the Appalachian Mountains in the east, the Rocky Mountains or the ranges of the Pacific Northwest and California.

The heart of America is often cast aside, not given much attention. And that’s a shame because there are, in fact, a couple of superb long-distance hikes shorter than 1,000 miles in this part of the country. A great example is the Ozark Highlands Trail in Arkansas.

The scenic Ozark Mountains is the largest mountain range between the Appalachians and the Rockies and the trail follows their undulating length for 230 miles.

The beauty of this particular hike is that you can do it all-year round. Snowfall is rare, keeping the trail open in every season.

Note that that although there are no shelters or huts, the trail passes by numerous campgrounds and through several state parks. A memorable section is the 15-mile stretch along the gorgeous White River and through the Lower Buffalo Wilderness.

• Best time of year: all-year round
• Time needed: 3 weeks
• More info: Ozark Highlands Trail

6. Superior Hiking Trail, MN – 296 miles (476 km)

The Superior Hiking Trail starts in Duluth and follows the shoreline of Lake Superior all the way to the border with Canada.

It has been referred to as the best long-distance hike in between the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. It’s a phenomenal trail, indeed, well laid out and with plenty of facilities along the way.

The trail passes through seven state parks and beautiful Minnesota backcountry. Birch forests alternate with beaver-dammed rivers and scenic bluffs overlooking the lake.

There are no fewer than 93 backcountry campsites and 30 trailheads, from which you can hitch a ride to the nearest town to resupply and get some rest. Also, don’t be surprised if you run into a moose or black bear. Even wolves still live in these parts.

• Best time of year: September and October
• Time needed: 4 weeks
• More info: Superior Hiking Trail

7. Grand Enchantment Trail, AZ and NM – 770 miles (1,239 km)

With both of its terminals in two of the Southwest’s largest cities—Albuquerque and Phoenix—you might think that the Grand Enchantment Trail shouldn’t pose that big a challenge. Think again.

This is one of the roughest long-distance hikes in the US. Yes, it does start and end in a major city, which makes it extremely accessible, but in between, there’s only desert, mountains and wild animals.

Even though Albuquerque and Phoenix lie only 300 miles apart, the trail snakes its way for 770 epic miles through the Southwestern desert. The reason it’s so long is that it meanders through across these arid landscapes from one water source to the next.

There’s plenty of variety in scenery along the way, though, from the Puebloan village in Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument to painted deserts, tall ponderosa forests, rugged ridgelines and red-rock formations.

• Best time of year: spring
• Time needed: 8 to 10 weeks
• More info: Grand Enchantment Trail

8. Colorado Trail, CO – 486 miles (782 km)

Not a trail for newbie hikers, the Colorado Trail might just be one of the most magnificent long-distance hikes in the US in this list.

It’s definitely not short and it traverses a significant section of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Much of the trail runs through very remote backcountry and lies above 10,000 feet (3,000 meters).

If you’re planning on doing this spectacular hike, allow yourself several days to acclimatize before you start. Don’t rush into it. The elevation will kick your ass if you do. When done smartly, the Colorado Trail offers some of the greatest hiking experiences and scenery in America.

You’ll pass countless breathtaking views, a myriad of lakes and gorgeous alpine meadows covered with wildflowers. Note that this trail is not only a hiking trail. Equestrians and mountain bikers are also welcome to use it.

• Best time of year: late spring through early fall
• Time needed: 4 to 6 weeks
• More info: Colorado Trail

Have You Ever Hiked Any of These Long-Distance Hikes Shorter Than 1,000 Miles in the USA? Tell Us in the Comments Below!