I've done the Franconia Ridge in N.H. many times and it's spectacular. Another one is the Presidential range, via Crawford Path. Both of these are ridge hikes with great views. Check the weather before you go. Many people have died because of exposure. Bring warm clothes, even if it's 80 degrees at the bottom.
I love the bee hive especially in early spring. If you do it in the fall you can start at the precipice trail and make a loop with the beehive. It’s a great hike do it every fall.
Welcome to our channel! If you have done those other hikes, you are a great candidate for Grandfather Mountain. That is the one hike in our backyard. An absolutely wonderful place and a challenging, rewarding hike, indeed! Thanks for the comment.
Old rag was definitely harder than I thought, I tell people that’s probably the limit of hiking before needing ropes. Passed a family doing this with very small children. Thought they were insane and alittle bit reckless..
There are good arguments that Katahdin should be on this list. A bit more remote that the others, our list has a little more mass appeal. But the Katahdin hike itself is indeed worth of consideration. Thanks so much for the comment. You are right to bring it up.
Most of these are longer hikes, so we try to start (i.e. get to the trailhead) between sunrise and 8am. Crowds can be a factor too, which is why we started Beehive at sunrise. If you're not close to the trailhead, it might mean some driving in the dark. The only exception is in the winter when crowds are lighter and temperatures are lower - a later start might be little better.
Pretty excellent list. I did Old Rag multiple times in the past (great rock scrambles!), and Leconte once. Also did the Beehive, partly, until my sister balked at a particularly exposed iron rung section, and we had to go back down. Sissy sister!
I did leconte a few weeks ago and I had to wear my micro spikes. Super icy half way up and snow was knee deep on me on some parts. Spring and fall would be great to go again. I ended up doing 19 miles. Went to rainbow falls and back down to the alum cave parking lot. I only did partial of grandfather mountain because it was icy and snow. Didn’t get to macrae peak because I had my dog and couldn’t do the ladders and I didn’t have spikes at the time either. Ended up turning around because I got too cold. Want to go back to that too.
Sound like quite the hike to Leconte. It was our first trip when we attempted Leconte years ago that we realized that it is best to bring spikes in the winter. At Grandfather we were able to navigate the ladders with spikes, but a dog would not be so lucky. Grandfather will call your name for a return! "The mountains are calling - and I must go!" Thanks for commenting.
That's an aggressive timeframe. It took us much more than a few months. But you should be thrilled with the experience if you do it. If you would, please leave a comment once you take those hikes. We would love to hear about it!
5. Cadillac Mt. via Dorr Mt. Trail - Acadia National Park, ME 4. Old Rag Mountain - Shenandoah National Park, VA 3. Baxter Creek Trail to Mt. Sterling - Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC 2. Grandfather Trail - Grandfather Mountain State Park, NC 1. Massie Gap to Mt. Rogers on the Appalachian Trail - Grayson Highlands State Park, VA
