I've thought a lot about what makes a good hike. To me the ultimate hike would have mountains, water (bonus if a waterfall), sweeping views, good weather (only sort of out of my control as I try to plan my visits when the weather has a strong probability of being excellent), good company (I have never hiked alone), and a restaurant along the way (hey, a girl can dream). And while I have a sense of accomplishment with a long and hard hike, I really appreciate a hike that gives similar views with way less effort.
My top 40 hikes reflect my particular adventures on these trails. Different weather or different company might give you a totally different experience. These hikes include mountains, lakes, ocean, waterfalls, canyons, desert, cool rock formations, villages, castles, and even several movie locations!
My top 40 hikes reflect my particular adventures on these trails. Different weather or different company might give you a totally different experience. These hikes include mountains, lakes, ocean, waterfalls, canyons, desert, cool rock formations, villages, castles, and even several movie locations!
So here is my list as of January 2026 (and except for #1, it is MY list, not Terry's). Many of the hikes have their own blog posts and are linked.
1. Stairway to Heaven (Oahu, HI). Terry and I have agreed that this will remain #1, as it was the first epic hike we took together. And it is now illegal and comes with a huge fine to any who attempt it. To be fair, it was also illegal when we took it, but a boy scout at a grocery store in Kailua recommended it and told us how to do it. I admit it being illegal did add to the thrill! This hike goes up a rickety staircase to a radio tower used in WW2 and has almost continuous views of mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
2. Four Mile/Panorama/Mist Trail (Yosemite,CA) Also our longest hike at approximately 15 miles. Truly epic scenery.
3. Angel's Landing (Zion, UT) Probably the best bang for the buck as it's a relatively short hike and totally legal, so it perhaps could have been #1
4. Precipice/Beehive Trails (Acadia, ME) Two trails that are very similar, and you can do both in one day. If you have to choose, take Precipice, but it is not open all year.
6. Hooker Valley Track (Mt. Cook, NZ) So many great hikes in NZ. But many of them were quite a challenge. This one I could do over and over.
7. Roy's Peak (Wanaka, NZ) - a hike with a continuous view!
8. Rob Roy Glacier (Wanaka, NZ) - my only glacier hike on the list
9. Ben Lomond (Queenstown, NZ) - another continuous view hike
10. Chapel Basin (Pictured Rocks, MI) on Lake Superior
11. Monterosso/Vernazza/Corniglia (Cinque Terra,Italy) - a very unique hiking experience from village to village. Wonderful food in each village, and very picturesque.
12. Skyline Trail (Mt. Ranier, WA) - lots of wildflowers!
13. Mostnica Gorge/Voje Waterfall (Triglavski National Park, Slovenia) - not just good food for a hike, this was the best food we had on our entire trip
15. Avalanche Peak (Yellowstone, WY)- This is the first alpine hike I ever took, and it was one that I took with my Dad. A Very special memory.
1616. Mt. Dickerman (Cascades, WA) - a hike a took with a guy I was dating (not Terry, LOL). We ran into a thunderstorm on the way down and had to shelter in a cave of sorts.
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1117. Mt. Sunday (NZ) - LOTR fans will know this spot as Edoras, and here I am looking towards Helm's Deep. We had this hike all to ourselves.
119. Mt. Scott (Crater Lake, OR) - we took this hike a few months after Scott died
20. Taranaki Falls (Tongariro National Park, NZ) - in the shadow of Mt. Doom
23. Wapama Falls on Hetch Hetchy Lake (Yosemite, CA)
25. Pipiwai Trail, Seven Sacred Pools (Haleakala, Maui,
HI) - a series of waterfalls ending in the Pacific Ocean
26. Falls on the N. Umpqua River – Clearwater, Susan Creek, Fall Creek, Toketee (OR) - I've hiked to lots of waterfalls in TN and AR, but there were just a series of falls one after another along this road in Oregon. Plus the name "Susan Creek" gave this series of hikes some points!
2 29. Lake Como Greenbelt (Italy) - an urban hike, lots of cobblestones, and an iconic scene from Star Wars
33. Chimney Tops (Smoky Mountains, TN) - My favorite hike in the Smokies. The first hike I ever took with Terry. Also took our Piney Flats youth group here. And all our kids. I'm bummed that they no longer allow you to climb on the rocks at the end.
34. Mt. LeConte via Alum Cave (Smoky Mountains, TN) - I have a love/hate relationship with Mt. LeConte. I have been up the Alum Cave Trail with Terry (fun and the most scenic route, but we locked ourselves out of our car on our return and it was very complicated to get home), the Trillium Gap trail with my sister-in-law (a very fun day), and hiking up a creek/bushwhacking with Terry, Carol, and the Eastman Hiking Club - worst hike ever with stinging nettles, blowdowns, and barely made it UP before dark.
35. Carver’s Gap to Grassy Ridge (Roan Mountain, TN) - My favorite bald in the Appalachians because we have lots of good memories there. Best when the rhododendrons are blooming.
3 36. Max Patch (Smoky Mountains, TN) - easy hike, iconic view
3 38. Cummins Falls (Cookeville, TN) - part of the hike is in the water
39. Laurel Falls (Hampton, TN) - one of the first hikes our kids took
4 40. Yellow Rock Trail (Devil's Den, AR) - lots of memories on this trail in Arkansas. Terry and I took a hike here with my sisters when we were dating. The curly hair is really something.
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