The eucalyptus forest I am huffing through is a grand hall of emerald leaves, interlaced vines, and branches that feel removed from modernity. The trees are 100 feet tall, and from their uppermost limbs I hear the faint twittering of Western Sandpipers. The Jurassic vibe of the dense woodland reminds me of remote corners of the backcountry where hiking usually happens. But when I emerge from the trees, I see a subway station at the foot of the hill, and the possibility of carnitas tacos and an ice-cold Coke.

I am halfway through hiking the San Francisco Crosstown Trail. A 17-mile urban walking route across the cityscape from the docks of Candlestick Point to the seaside cliffs of Land’s End, the Crosstown Trail is a showcase of San Francisco’s overlooked natural spaces and the streets and environments that link them. It’s a curation of pre-existing walkable spaces, most of them far from the conventional tourist radar, with access to public-transit stops and restaurants along the way. The trail burrows through woodlands and canyons, ascends towering staircases, and occasionally pops by landmarks like Golden Gate Park and Baker Beach, where you can see the Golden Gate Bridge’s arches through the fog.

The Crosstown Trail was “built” in less than two years, with a budget of $600. Bob Siegel, a retired teacher and lifelong rambler who helped bring the trail to life in 2018, called the route an “Instant Urban Trail.”

“For years,” Siegel says, “I had been thinking about creating something that would get people in the city out of their neighborhoods and routines, and show them just how much more there is to explore here.” While Siegel originally discussed the idea for a connective park-to-park trail across the city with the parks department, he and fellow volunteer trail planners ultimately realized the project independently. They scouted the route, finding the connections between segments; created free maps and directions; and presented the trail on a . Within months, the Crosstown Trail was featured in and the .

I walked it two years ago. It was my first glimmer of the idea that you can create an urban trail without a seven-figure construction budget or the institutional buy-in of a city.

“There are hundreds of trails hidden [in] the pavement and dirt,” Siegel says. “We basically brought one to the surface.”

The day after my Crosstown traverse, waiting for my flight back to Boston, I was already imagining a trail in my hometown—studying a map of Boston, looking at adjacent parks, woods, and wetlands, and wondering if I could hike through them from the Neponset River on the city’s south edge to the Bunker Hill Monument that looms over the harbor. I spent the spring of 2022 chasing that question in the field; poking around over 30 green spaces in 17 neighborhoods, envisioning each as a chapter of a meandering urban trail with plenty of ups, downs, and rewarding lookouts. That summer, after cobbling together maps and turn-by-turn directions, I launched the website for the 27-mile Boston .

Because these trails are on existing pathways that involve route connecting, pretty much anyone can invent an Instant Urban Trail.

As public interest in hiking soars, I expect more of these trails to materialize in American cities, crafted by hikers with rustic taste and civic pride. But don’t just take my word for it. Give cross-city hiking a try on any of these urban trails that range from industrious day hikes to thru-hiking adventures.

1. The Olmsted 50/70 Trails (Seattle)

Miles: 75

Big, lush city parks as we’ve known them are originally the brainchild of Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect who designed Central Park in the years after the Civil War. After Olmsted’s death in 1903, his sons kept the family business going and expanded the roster of Olmsted parks to West Coast cities. Now, in Seattle, you can hike 75 miles through some of the city’s most rustic Olmstedian work on the . These co-joined Instant Urban Trails were assembled by hiking trip leaders with , an outdoor recreation and conservation club, from 2022 to 2024.

Divided into 12 segments, the trails form a squiggly loop around the city, visiting beloved natural spaces like Golden Gardens Beach and lesser-known realms like the ferny trails of Ravenna Park and Interlaken Park. While the trail can be picked up and hiked from any point along the loop, the formal trailhead for Section 1 is the Ballard Locks.

King County Metro buses and light rail trains drop off and pick up from many points near the Olmsted 50 and 70 Trails.

2. The Giraffe Path (New York City)

Miles: 6

New York City, where the birth of Central Park ignited a new era of parks and green spaces in American cities, is home to over , which come in many sizes and range from playgrounds to sprawling conservation lands. , a six-mile trail through the leafier unsung gems of northern Manhattan, is an invitation to venture beyond Central Park.

On a map, the shape of the trail resembles the head and neck of a giraffe. The Giraffe Path runs north from the upper edge of Central Park to the blooming hilltop gardens of Fort Tryon Park, through hidden arboretums, cliffside paths, and staircases in Harlem and The Heights. Created by north Manhattan residents in collaboration with the city’s neighborhood health-focused CLIMB (City Life Is Moving Bodies) initiative, the Giraffe Path features serene spaces like Highbridge Park and St. Nicholas Park, with impressive city vistas, winding stone stairways, and cliffs of Manhattan bedrock bulging from the hillsides. The trail also passes lots of bodegas should you find you could use a bag of pork rinds or a new tube of sunblock.

Access: You can access the Giraffe Path by way of the MTA’s many subway and bus routes. To head north, aim for the Cathedral Parkway-110th Street subway station. Once you hit Fort Tryon Park, you can hop back on the train at 190th Street Station (which features a cool elevator ride from the hilltop park level into the depths of the subway system).

3. The Double Cross Trail (San Francisco)

Miles: 14

If you’re still not convinced that anyone can create an Instant Urban Trail, consider this. In 2023, two fans of the San Francisco Crosstown Trail proposed a sequel: a companion trail that would run perpendicular to the original, visiting sumptuous green spaces like the grassy bluffs of Fort Funston Park and Telegraph Hill, where twisted staircases climb through passages of dense vegetation. The Crosstown Trailbuilders loved the idea and offered some advice and guidance on the “building” process. After less than a year of scouting and finessing, the debuted.

Heading northeast, the trail cuts 14 hilly miles from Fort Funston to the piers of The Embarcadero, summiting San Francisco’s 922-foot Twin Peaks in the process. It’s a slow-burn transition from the open spaces of the city’s southwest side to the skyscrapers and alleyways of downtown.

Access: As with the Crosstown Trail, Muni bus and subway stops and BART train stations offer access to multiple segments of the Double Cross Trail. To begin from Fort Funston, take the 58 bus to the John Muir Drive and Skyline Boulevard stop and make your way through Fort Funston to the observation deck: the west official trailhead. Once you reach Embarcadero Plaza, you can catch a number of trolleys and buses from The Embarcadero and Greenwich Street Station.

4. The Chicago Outerbelt (Chicago)

Miles: 210

Chicago’s high-rises and lakefront parks are so visually iconic that they can eclipse the more ragged, quietly immersive beauty on the edges of town. Chicago is surrounded by preserved woodlands, sedge meadows, secluded beaches, and wildlife refuges like the Montrose Bird Sanctuary. And thanks to the hard work of the Outerbelt Alliance—a green-space advocacy organization founded by local outdoor enthusiasts—you can now thru-hike the fringes of the Windy City on the .

This 210-mile Instant Urban Trail loops around the city’s suburbs through eye-popping natural areas including the Lake County Forest Preserves and the Des Plaines River Trail, which starts near Oak Park and boasts greenery that can look downright tropical. And unlike most urban trails, tent camping is allowed at several campsites along the route. You might need to throw down for a hotel when completing the Downtown Chicago portion of the trail, but by that point, you will have earned some luxury.

Access: You can access the trail from the city by CTA buses and trains, as well as rideshares, depending on your entry point.

5. The Denver Orbital Trail (Denver)

Miles: 175

When Michel Tormey, an American transportation planner, spent two years in the United Kingdom, he was introduced to the of public walkways connecting town and country, and soon he started curating his own routes from existing pieces. In 2023, when Tormey moved to Denver, he decided to familiarize himself with the cityscape by creating the —a 177-mile loop around Denver’s boundary mountains, forests, and waterways. Scouted and mapped by Tormey alone in only 10 months, the “DOT” launched in 2024 to enthusiastic from Denver media. The trail’s 28 segments run the gamut from paved greenways to steep mountain ascents with sharp dropoffs. (The total elevation gain for the DOT is an impressive 12,000-plus feet.)

“A lot of outdoorsy people often assume that being outdoorsy means driving hours away to the mountains, but I found so much to discover within the Denver metro area,” Tormey says, adding that while some parts of the cityscape aren’t going to be “pretty,” they’re still part of the broader urban environment. “There’s one piece of the Denver Orbital Trail that runs past what I believe is a cat food factory—it smells terrible, and it made my eyes water,” he says, laughing. “It’s weird and interesting and gritty, one strange moment of a big, long urban trail.”

Access: The Denver Orbital Trail’s 28 sections are reachable by RTD-Denver buses and/or rideshares.

More Urban Trails to Come, Here and Abroad

The atlas of Instant Urban Trails in America is growing year-by-year. In fact, while reporting this story, I learned about a brand-new Instant Urban Trail about to open in Providence—the , with its official launch on September 28th.

The route mapping extends overseas, too. In Germany, you can hike a whopping 248 miles around Berlin on the , which winds through forests and meadows to visit a smorgasbord of water bodies. The in Glasgow traces a ragged loop through 11 miles of nature reserves on the city’s south side. Later this fall, I’ll be in both of these cities, on both of these trails—for work and pleasure—contemplating how each turn was chosen, and the heft of imagination it must have taken to weave the route together.

How to Make an Instant Urban Trail

Creating an instant urban trail usually involves three steps.

• Make a speculative map of where the trail could run. Go out into the field and test that speculative map, poking around every featured environment along the route and finding the most scenically interesting way to pass through it.
• Once the route has been identified and vetted, you create a GPX map using or whatever wayfinding app you prefer. Ideally you type up turn-by-turn directions, so that people can have a backup navigational resource.
• Create a simple website for the trail giving these navigational resources for people to download and print. You may add teaser images and descriptions, and ideally, information about public transit connections. The Crosstown Trail pioneered this website model, and other trail builders have replicated it.
• Once your trail website is live, share it with others, including local news media.

Miles Howard, founder and lead organizer of the Boston’s Walking City Trail, is often seen leading groups through the forests, wetlands, beaches, and industrial zones within the greater Boston area (or recuperating at a local watering hole or ramen counter). When he’s not organizing urban hikes or trail-building projects, he writes about expanding public access to the outdoors. He publishes the hiking newsletter , or you can follow him on Instagram at .

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As a former mountain guide, wilderness therapy instructor, and trail worker, and now an obsessed recreationist, I’ve spent hundreds of nights sleeping outside in tents, under tarps, in yurts, portaledges, and bivy sacks. But nothing is better than landing in the perfect hut for a night or two to get away from it all. I love the fire towers in Washington, where I live, the ski-in mountain huts in British Columbia across the border, and the cozy tree houses scattered around the Pacific Northwest.

While many remote cabins require specific skills to reach, there are numerous huts with easy access right under our noses in the U.S. Virtually no experience is needed for a great experience, making the perfect backcountry weekend a reachable goal for everyone.

From Virginia to the Midwest, from Alaska to Hawaii, these backcountry huts provide the opportunity for all ages to experience nature, solitude, and the pleasures of hut life. With approaches ranging from zero to just under four miles, and with some ADA accessible, they are perfect for grandparents, babies, and everyone in between.

Cotten Cabin, Porcupine Mountains, Michigan

Hiking Distance: 1 Mile

This mostly flat state, shaped like a mitten, may not be the first place you think of for remote mountain settings. The Upper Peninsula, or the UP, as locals call it, is unlike the rest of the region, though. Here, adjacent to Lake Superior, lie the forested Porcupine Mountains, and within them is a cabin located only a mile from the parking area.

While there are 15 other cabins in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, the Cotten Cabin is the newest addition, a rustic and beautiful three-room log cabin. You must carry in your own water, and there is no electricity: perfect for disconnecting and catching up on sleep.

Closer to Minneapolis than Detroit, and just across the Wisconsin border, this 60,000-acre state park is far from any big city. The closest major airport is in Marquette, approximately 140 miles away. Getting to the “Porkies” may feel like traveling to the edge of the country, and in fact it is, as Canada lies less than 150 miles north, with the border starting in the middle of Lake Superior, on which the cabin sits. With plenty of easy hiking trails nearby, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing opportunities in the winter, and even a ski resort within the park, the area offers plenty to do.

The Cabin: The Cotten Cabin is a 24- by 30-foot log structure with three rooms, mattresses, and even a living room for gazing out at the magical lake view below. It is perfect for families, relaxing and bonding over board games, star gazing, and staying up by a warm fire.

Booking Tips: $135 per night. Make reservations online; select “Backcountry” under the camping tab. Cabin is for all seasons.

Blue Lakes Hiking Hut, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Hiking Distance: 0 Miles

The mountains of Colorado are a backcountry-hut paradise. Set in the San Juan Mountains in the southwest corner of the state, the San Juan Hut System offers four hiking huts, with off-grid accommodations for visitors of all abilities. The Blue Lakes Hiking Hut, sitting under towering Mount Sneffels, feels far from civilization, but requires no approach when you book the cabin during May, part of October, and November. Other than those times, the cabin is reserved for people hiking the four-night, five-day Sneffels Traverse.

The Hut: There’s no electricity or running water here, though a wood stove and propane lanterns provide ambiance and warmth. Sleeping eight people via padded bunk beds, this cozy haven is a perfect jumping-off point for hiking in summer, skiing in winter if you have the backcountry experience, or kicking back with a book.

Booking Tips: , $30 per night during the “off season” of May, part of October, and November. Reservations made over the phone at 970-626-3033. Visit during off season.

Heybrook Lookout, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington

Hiking Distance: 1 Mile

Sixty-seven feet tall, overlooking the impressive Wild Sky Wilderness, an old fire tower welcomes campers who are up for a short but steep one-mile hike, ending with 84 steps up to a private cabin at the top. This site is incredibly popular and hard to reserve, so plan ahead. Availability is released on a six-month rolling basis starting on November 1, so to score this distinctive backcountry spot will take persistence and luck.

While fire lookouts are endlessly fascinating, there are only 93 left in the state of Washington, compared to over 600 in the early to mid-1900s, and the public is only allowed to enter a handful. Heybrook Lookout is unique among them in that you can reserve it solely for your own party, though other visitors will still be allowed to climb most of the tower, at least up to the door, which you can lock. (You get a key from the Skykomish Ranger Station.)

The Lookout: Inside the lookout are a twin-size bed and several extra floor mattresses. It comes complete with a propane stove, cookware, and a coffee pot, but you’ll need to walk back down the stairs to use the toilet. The lookout is available May 1 through October 31 with reservation availability released on a six-month rolling basis.

Booking Tips: $75 per night. Log on first thing November 1 to get in ahead of the competition. All seasons.

Coyote Yurts, Smoky Mountains, Idaho

Hiking Distance: 0.3 Miles

Since 1982, Sun Valley Mountain Huts has provided shelter for hikers and skiers to escape the crowded resorts nearby. The system is comprised of six huts located in the Sawtooth Forest, with the Coyote Yurts being the easiest to get to: just one-third of a mile from the car in summer. The Coyote Yurts are two separate dwellings that sleep 19 total, connected by a porch and looking out on the Boulder and Pioneer mountains.

In winter, with road closures, the full trek to the yurts is six miles, but with the option of a snowmobile ride for the first four of those. You can hire a ski guide through in the winter or a hiking or mountain-bike guide in the summer. You can arrange a shuttle or a porter to carry provisions (food, beer, gear, etc.) through Sun Valley Mountain Huts, or be self-sufficient and bring your own food and supplies.

The Yurts: The beauty of a yurt is in its circular construction and impermanence, made famous by nomadic peoples in Mongolia. Staying in a yurt feels comforting and cozy, and the Coyote Yurts, each with a wood stove for warmth and with a three-burner stove in the cooking space, offer plenty of opportunities for kicking up feet and sipping on hot beverages.

Booking Tips: , $440 per night. Book online or call 208-788-1966. Visit in summer.

Range View Cabin, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Hiking Distance: 0.9 Miles

Offering a way to go from our nation’s capital to a remote cabin in just a few hours, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club provides access to 42 cabins throughout Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. One of the most accessible is the Range View Cabin in Shenandoah National Park.

Per its mission statement, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club acquires and protects the lands of the Appalachian Trail, other trails, and related facilities in the Mid-Atlantic. Club members and volunteers manage each cabin in the system, with routine maintenance, building and renovation, even stonemasonry work. The primary role of the thousand-plus volunteers is maintaining trails and facilities, meaning there is always an opportunity to stay in a cabin and give back at the same time.

From the Range View Cabin, opportunities abound for exploring Shenandoah National Park, known for beautiful waterfalls, gorgeous hikes, and access to wildlife. Just .1 miles off the Appalachian Trail, the cabin is a great base camp for day hiking, backpacking, or people-watching and greeting thru-hikers as they tackle the rugged trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine.

The Cabin: This one-room stone cabin has been in operation since 1933. It is sparse and bare-boned, but the wood floors, intricate stonework, and wooden beams give it appeal. A $40 individual annual membership to the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club gives you access to all the cabins in the network, while 18 of them are open to nonmembers from a range of $35 to $145 for a standard weekend night. The Range View Cabin, considered a primitive cabin, costs $50 for a weekend night, and sleeps up to eight.

Booking Tips: , $35 per night average. Online booking closes 12 days before rental starts. Last-minute bookings can be made by calling 703-242-0315. All seasons.

Holua Cabin, Haleakala National Park, Hawaii

Hiking Distance: 3.7 Miles

The Holua Cabin in Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui is the farthest-away hut on this list. At 3.7 miles, this hike requires some stamina, though hiring pack animals to bring in gear can ease the approach. The HĹŤlua Cabin sits at the base of the Haleakala volcano crater. You can explore further into the crater itself via a well-maintained trail system.

Some endangered species can only be seen in Haleakala National Park, including exotic birds such as the Ę»ľ±Ę»·Éľ±, Ę»˛ąłľ˛ą°ěľ±łóľ±, and Ę»˛ą±č˛ą±č˛ą˛Ô±đ. Over 400 native plants are found within the park boundaries, due to the vast ecosystems that extend from the highest point, at 10,023 feet, down to sea level. There is a rich history of human influence in the area, beginning with the Polynesians, the first humans to discover the Hawaiian Islands. A stop in at the visitors center to view the rotating museum displays, which range from archeology to botany, gives visitors a chance to learn about the history of the park where the Holua cabin lies.

The Cabin: The Holua Cabin and two other cabins in the national park have bunk beds that sleep up to 12 people and contain a wood stove and firewood. You bring your own sleeping bags. Each cabin is unpretentious and basic, with no cell reception and minimal amenities. Each site has a vault toilet.

Booking Tips: , $75 per night. All seasons.

Ananda Treehouse, Fall City, Washington

Hiking Distance: 0 Miles

Our most accessible hut, really a treehouse, is also ADA compliant, inviting anyone to enjoy the forest in the Pacific Northwest. The Ananda treehouse is one of seven treehouses comprising Treehouse Point, the brainchild of Pete Nelsen, host of the Animal Planet show Treehouse Masters.

Treehouse Point is extremely popular, booked throughout the year by many wedding parties, and it is difficult but not impossible to secure a rental. Starting at $550 for a night, Ananda isn’t a rustic experience, more like an elegant getaway.

The Treehouse: While not exactly in the backcountry, the treehouses offer a remote feel and a unique opportunity to relax while suspended amongst giant western cedar and Douglas fir trees. Each treehouse is designed for privacy and intimacy, creating a luxurious and restorative getaway. The Ananda treehouse has a king-sized bed, a bathroom, and a private deck that overlooks the Raging River below.

Booking Tips: , $550-$625 per night. All seasons.

Triple Creek Cabin, Huntington, Vermont

Hiking Distance: 250 Yards

In the land of maple syrup and sharp white cheese, it’s easy to cozy up to a fireplace in a cabin in the woods any season. But you don’t have to have a family cabin passed down through the generations or spend a fortune on a five-star Airbnb to have an amazing backcountry experience. The Vermont Hut Association operates 11 backcountry dwellings, from yurts to a log cabin to modern wood-clad huts.

The Triple Creek Cabin, a winter-only hut in the Green Mountains, is a mere 250 yards from the car, but feels much more removed. The place is situated along the 300-mile Catamount Trail, which stretches over the entire state from Canada to Massachusetts, giving nordic skiers, snowshoers, and backcountry skiers access to snow and winter terrain. You can also hop on a groomed cross-country ski trail with an adult day pass (an inexpensive $15) to Camel’s Hump Nordic Ski Area, which offers 35 miles of groomed and wooded trails. Camel’s Hump is one of the few nordic ski areas in Vermont that allow dogs on the ski trails.

The Cabin: The Triple Creek Cabin has the basics: a wood stove, three-burner stove, and an outhouse, but what stands out is the beautiful windows that filter winter light into the hut, creating a comfortable and reflective environment. The hut is quite intimate, allowing only four visitors, but with a sleeping loft to duck away to at night; and with a small table and chairs for eating and playing games, it feels bigger than it first appears. Each of the 11 dwellings within the Vermont Hut Association’s network is different in construction and layout. The Triple Creek Cabin has a classic gable roof, small porch, and large front door. Privately held properties make up the hut system, allowing the public to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding lands without breaking the bank.

Booking Tips: , $90-$95 per night. All seasons.

Tilly Jane A-Frame, Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon

Hiking Distance: 0.25 Mile

On the south side of Mount Hood, Timberline Mountain ski area operates well into summer. While kids’ ski camps are taking place on one side of the mountain, on the other side, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a lovely backcountry cabin on the shadier northern slopes. In summertime, it’s a short quarter-mile hike to reach the cabin through the Tilly Jane Campground. The 2.7 mile winter journey to the cabin should only be undertaken by folks with backcountry avalanche training and extensive snow travel experience.

The cabin itself is large, allowing up to 20 people—often people you’ve never met—to sleep under one roof. Evergreen trees surround the building, creating an enveloping tunnel of greenery. The solid timber structure was built in the late 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is now maintained by the Oregon Nordic Club.

The Cabin: Numerous benches, picnic tables, and chairs line the cabin, perfect for mingling. More of a communal hang than a quaint hut, this place is meant for big gatherings and celebrations. The upstairs loft has plenty of space for catching some Z’s, but with the inevitability of snoring as likely background noise. There are lots of hooks and taut lines of cordage to hang up wet gear, and the outdoor firepit is a great place to get some fresh air.

Booking Tips: , $20 per night. Visit in summer.

Ollie Mayer Hikers’ Hut, Sam McDonald Park, California

Hiking Distance: 1.7 Miles

This small hut is perfect for San Francisco city dwellers. Only 50 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge, the park and the hut are easily reached by urbanites looking for a wilderness escape. The Ollie Mayer Hikers’ Hut is easily accessed via a straightforward 1.7-mile hike on a dirt road. Tucked among redwood trees, the hut is an ideal jumping-off place for exploring the forested and grassy knolls of Sam McDonald Park.

There are many mellow hiking trails to choose from in the park, and horseback riding is a popular activity on five dedicated trails. Operated by the Sierra Club, with fees of only $30 per weekend night per person, this hut is a worthy destination for almost anyone, no matter the age.

The Hut: There is electricity, a refrigerator, a microwave, and an indoor bathroom. This cabin is less about roughing it, and more about enjoying peace and quiet in a beautiful setting. A large deck out front offers lounging on the many sunny days the region sees throughout the year. The cabin is within the Santa Cruz Mountains, which have a mild climate, with snowfall a few times each year.

Booking Tips: , $20-$30 per night. Must email olliemayerhikershut@gmail.com for reservations. Reservations are accepted only for three calendar months in advance. All seasons.

Bonus Hut: Sheldon Chalet, Denali National Park, Alaska

Hiking Distance: 0 Miles

We include this (11th) one for fun and daydreams as well as the zero-distance, fly-in only approach. The Sheldon Chalet, deep within Denali National Park, may be the most alluring hut in the world. It is a luxury experience like no other, an exclusive vacation for those willing to pay the whopping $35,500 price per couple for a three-night minimum stay.

Set within the Don Sheldon Amphitheater of the Ruth Glacier, just 10 miles from the summit of Denali, the Sheldon Chalet occupies a place previously only accessible by mountain climbers. The views of enormous mountains right out the door is breathtaking, as is the required helicopter ride to and from the chalet.

The Chalet: With a sauna, hot showers, and private chef at hand, you will be pampered throughout your stay. Activities include “gourmet glacier picnic,” “star and meteor shower gazing,” and “avalanche viewing.” There are both private rooms and a common area, so you can mingle with other guests or enjoy peace and quiet. This chalet takes backcountry lodging to a whole other level of luxury.

Booking Tips: , $75,000 for up to four people for an exclusive three-night minimum.. Call 907-733-2414 for reservations. All season.

Hut-Life Tips and Tricks

Despite the ease of access to these huts, having the right gear (think rain jacket, hiking footwear, trekking poles), knowing the weather forecast (), bringing safety equipment (first aid kit, headlamp), and having proper navigation tools is imperative. It’s possible to get lost in the backcountry, even on a short trek. Using , a navigational app with maps available to reach the huts on this list, is a great way to know where you are at all times, and to have a backup in case you get lost. Check out the , a list of important items recommended to carry in the backcountry. Above all, have common sense, use good judgment, and stay within your capabilities.

David Gladish is a Seattle-based writer who has hiked, climbed, surfed, skied, and mountain unicycled all over the world. He has visited mountain huts near and far, from the shelter along the Laugavegur trail in Iceland, to those of the Rees-Dart track in New Zealand. His favorite local huts are the fire lookouts in his home state of Washington.

How to Get Reservations at These Popular National Parks in 2023

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I seek out urban hiking trails in every city I visit. It may be a happy side effect of the global pandemic or the result of city planners shifting to focus on quality of life, but urban hiking is a legitimate thing now. No longer does living in a big city mean ditching the great outdoors, as nonprofits like the Trust for Public Land work harder to protect wild spaces within our largest cities, and trail builders work to squeeze dirt paths into surprisingly rugged patches of forest between concrete canyons.

Now, you can start a 358-mile thru-hike from the George Washington Bridge in Manhattan—on an actual trail. In San Francisco, urban hiking trails are so prevalent that there’s a guide company called that focuses entirely on treks within their own city. In Chicago, groups can arrange for to take them to nature preserves on the outskirts of town.

This kind of accessibility to the outdoors is more important than ever. Consider the environmental implications of being able to ditch the car and walk or ride a train to the trailhead. Think about outdoor equity and accessibility and the mental and physical health implications of having the opportunity to hike so close to home.

With that in mind, here are our 13 favorite urban hikes in the U.S.

1. New York City

There are 51 nature preserves within the city’s five boroughs, protecting salt marshes, forests, and meadows. All in, the city has more than 12,000 acres of natural areas. You can walk the entire length of the Hudson River on a trail now—750 miles from New York City to Canada on the .

I consider to be the Empire State Trail’s wilder cousin, offering 358 miles of mostly singletrack from New York City to Albany. A particularly fun 11-mile section runs along the cliffs above the Hudson River starting at the end of the George Washington Bridge. The trail is rolling and rocky and offers a number of views of the river below and the city skyline. It’s arguably the most technical hiking in the city, and you can pick it up from 175th Street, making it very accessible.

2. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago has no shortage of open space. A complex of public forests sits to the west of town while the east side of downtown butts up against Lake Michigan and the 18.5-mile-long Lakefront Trail. An extensive trail system connects some of Chicago’s most popular parks, but most of those trails are paved, which is fine if you’re a roller blader, but less ideal if you crave a hike.

The exception to the rule is the , a 16-mile mostly paved greenway that traces the North Branch of the Chicago River, linking together several of Chicago’s urban forests. While the main trail is paved from point to point, there’s an eight-mile unpaved alternate trail that starts just south of the Skokie Lagoons following an old dirt bridle path. It’s a hard packed surface without much elevation change, but it gets you closer to the river than the paved version.

More importantly, it will deliver you to more primitive side trails that explore various pocket forests along the way. Check out the 1.2-mile which rings a horseshoe around Harms Flatwoods Nature Preserve, meandering through the 107-acre forest that’s characterized by its pancake-flat terrain and pocket wetlands.

3. Los Angeles, California

You know the reputation—Los Angeles is a city of cars and stars. Everything is paved and the traffic is horrendous, right? Yes, but that concrete jungle is flanked by 10,000-foot mountains to the east and a dramatic coastline to the west. The city is so big, it holds 25 different state parks and state beaches within its limits. That’s a lot of wild space within the concrete jungle. There’s even a long-distance backpacking trail— the 69-mile —that traverses the Santa Monica Mountains, connecting many of those state parks. There are a few campsites along the trail, but most people break the Backbone up into section hikes.

If you don’t have time to thru-hike the Backbone, tackle the seven-mile section from trailhead to Trippet Ranch in Topanga State Park. This section is all singletrack and takes you along Fossil Ridge—where you’ll find remnants of sea creatures stuck in the rock outcroppings—and climb Hondo Canyon, a dramatic gorge of purple-hewed sandstone. This section also has views of the ocean from rocky outcroppings, stretches through broad meadows, and a bit of recent history as you pass by former cattle ranches.

4. Austin, Texas

Keep Austin weird? The slogan should be “Keep Austin wild.” The most fun city in Texas has 60 miles of urban trail within its borders, and more importantly, Austin has funded a program designed to build out a more comprehensive network of paths for pedestrians and cyclists, that will almost double trail mileage in the next 15 years. You can already walk ten miles around Lady Bird Lake on the Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. Or pack a picnic and climb the 102 steps up Mount Bonnell for the sunset view. You can tackle the hills and climb the limestone cliffs along the Barton Creek Greenbelt. There are parks in every corner of Austin, all within walking distance of some of the best barbecue and tacos in the state.

If you want more of a challenge, head to the , where four miles of trail traverse a surprisingly rugged landscape. Hike the three-mile point-to-point Canyon and Panther Hollow Trails for creek crossings, too many stairs to count, and interesting rock outcroppings. Tack on the mile-long spur Fern Trail to meander past a series of waterfalls. All in, you’re looking at 1,000 feet of elevation gain on this out and back. Keep in mind that there’s a $10 access fee.

5. Washington, D.C.

Our nation’s capital is a walker’s city, laying claim to a comprehensive system of greenways, towpaths, and soft surface trails. And it’s only getting better. The Capital Trails Coalition is working to grow the region’s existing trail network to nearly 900 miles.

But you don’t need to wait for any trails to be built. The 1700-acre Rock Creek Park has been protected since 1890, making it one of the country’s first federally-managed parks. Today it preserves a mix of wild forest and streams and historic sites, like Civil War forts and colonial mills. The 3.5-mile gives you a solid introduction to what the park has to offer. Starting at the park’s Nature Center, hike along the bustling Rock Creek, through grassy fields and beneath the dense, hardwood canopy. You’ll be walking in the footsteps of President Teddy Roosevelt, who liked to stroll through this area during his tenure in D.C.

6. Phoenix, Arizona

I spent a few days mountain biking and hiking in Phoenix and was absolutely green with envy at the town’s access to the outdoors. This city understands the value of public land, boasting more than 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves that feature over 200 miles of trails. These aren’t just grassy lawn parks. This is a legit desert-scape with mountains, with the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve, Camelbak Mountain, and the South Mountain Park and Preserve punctuating the cityscape with their peaks and ravines. Long, sinuous trail systems seem to start at the end of every neighborhood cul de sac.

There’s legitimately good hiking in all directions, but head to 16,000-acre for my favorite hike. There, you can form a ten-mile loop through the east side of the park that uses the National Trail as its backbone and takes you through canyons, past massive rock outcroppings, and along ridgelines with big views. It’s a highlight tour of the Sonoran Desert, complete with plenty of surprisingly vibrant flora.

7. Boston, Massachusetts

Boston’s city-wide green space is unique because several key parks are connected in a line running through the heart of town. Revered landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted designed the system of parks in the late 1800s, envisioning an artery of meadows, forests, creeks, and ponds within Boston’s concrete landscape. Today, the system—known as —runs for seven miles, connecting seven different parks (from Franklin Park to Boston Common) and protecting 1,100 acres.

You can knock out a seven-mile thru-hike of the entire system on paved paths, or focus your energy on Franklin Park, Boston’s most expansive open space at 485 acres, and the park that Olmstead considered to be one of his greatest achievements. A 2.9-mile mostly paved loop will give you a good introduction, passing by Scarboro Pond and stands of old growth beech trees.

For a wilder experience, veer off the main path into an area dubbed “The Wilderness,” where more than a mile of intersecting singletrack and doubletrack explores a 65-acre forest of oaks, hemlocks, and rock outcroppings. The trails are also the backyard of the Appalachian Mountain Club, which protects and maintains trails throughout the Northeast and is headquartered in Franklin Park. The club uses The Wilderness area for urban hiking programs. Be sure to tackle the 99 Steps, a staircase carved out of local puddingstone on the edge of the small trail system.

8. San Diego, California

I spent a year living in San Diego in my early twenties. I was drawn to the city for its surf, but I spent a surprising amount of time hiking and running the trails around town. Southern California’s coolest city is sandwiched by epic terrain—the Pacific Ocean and its sandy beaches to the west and the Laguna Mountains to the east. In between, there are almost 40,000 acres of open space and more than 340 parks. Balboa Park is the city’s Central Park, at 1,200 acres, offering a mix of museums, manicured gardens, and trails. Mission Trails Regional Park (8,000 acres) is the city’s largest, with 65 miles of trails.

My favorite hike, and one that I feel is quintessentially San Diego, sits inside the small . At a mere 68 acres, Sunset Cliffs is easy to overlook, but the drama of the terrain will stick with you long after you leave. As the name implies, the park is home to a long band of cliffs on the Point Loma Peninsula jutting out into a rocky stretch of the Pacific Ocean. Combine the Main Trail with the Overlook Trail and the Sunset Cliffs Loop Trail for a 1.5-mile romp along the cliffs, past sandstone arches and unique rock formations. Definitely take the steps down to the tidepools and the small, sandy beach at the bottom of the park.

9. Atlanta, Georgia

I grew up in Atlanta and am constantly amazed at how wild the South’s busiest city can feel, thanks to the presence of its urban refuges. The city has put a lot of resources into building out its trail infrastructure, particularly the Atlanta Beltline, a project aimed at creating 33 miles of multi-use trail that connects existing parks and 1,300 acres of new green spaces throughout diverse neighborhoods.

What you might not know is that Atlanta has been dubbed “tree city” because of its dense canopy of hardwoods and pines. That canopy hides an extensive system of urban parks and trails that entice hikers looking for an escape. The is one such jewel of a park, protecting 120 acres of forest, creeks, and historic sites within a bustling southwest Atlanta neighborhood. Hike the 1.9-mile round trip Cascade Springs Trail through a hilly forest punctuated with mossy boulders and earthworks leftover from a Civil War battle. The highlight comes when the rocky Utoy Creek drops over a stone ledge forming a small waterfall. You might be amazed that a setting this serene could be found so close to the nearest Waffle House.

10. Portland, Oregon

Is it any surprise that Portland puts a priority on parks? This Pacific Northwest city is arguably one of the most active with quick access to the rugged coast to the west and canyons and mountains to the east. The city itself is home to more than 12,000 acres of park land, with 150 miles of trail traversing it. The 40-Mile Loop connects a series of smaller parks and open spaces, and many of those trails can be reached by Portland’s TriMet bus system. Portland has an aggressive plan to expand the regional trail system and fill in the gaps, with a goal for the city and surrounding communities to be home to a 1,000-mile network of trails.

If you’re ready to hike right now, head to the aptly named Forest Park, which at 5,200 acres happens to be the largest urban forest in America, with 80 miles of trail traversing the mellow Tualatin Mountains. The 30-mile is the anchor of the system (it’s also designated a National Recreation Trail), running the length of the park. You can break the trail apart into sections—the Balch Creek Canyon is a popular destination for a short hike—or tackle the entire length. If you hike the whole thing, you’ll see the ruins of the Witch’s Castle, stands of towering redwoods, long range views of the Cascade Mountains, and meadows of wildflowers in the spring. You’ll also gain 2,800 feet along the way. Keep in mind you’ll have to knock it out in a day because there’s no camping inside the park.

11. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With more than 166 miles of trail spread across 300 city parks, Philadelphia is an urban hiker’s dream. The City of Brotherly Love even lays claim to the first urban wildlife refuge in the nation, the 1,000-acre John Heinze National Wildlife Refuge.

If you want city trails at their finest, head to Wissahickon Valley Park, an 1,800-acre wild space of river, forests, and gorges that’s accessible by Philadelphia’s rail and bus system. There are more than 50 miles of trail within the park, much of which is singletrack. You’ll get a solid dose of American history along with the rugged terrain of the gorge that the creek has carved. You’ll also see crumbling dams that were once part of paper mills and historic covered bridges that date back to the late 1700s.

Forbidden Drive, a wide, hard packed path that follows the creek, is the main thoroughfare through the park. It gets the most attention from walkers and cyclists, and it’s a good backbone to access other, more adventurous paths, like the 5.9-mile , which traces the edge of the creek. The tread is rocky and technical with some occasional scrambling. You’ll also be able to access Devil’s Pond, a swimming hole at the bottom of a short waterfall.

12. San Francisco, California

The hiking terrain within San Francisco’s city limits is legit. The 47-square-mile city encompasses a notoriously hilly stretch of California’s coastline, laying claim to the tip of a peninsula that divides the Pacific from the San Francisco Bay. According to the Trust for Public Land, every single city resident lives within a ten-minute walk to a park. There’s even a new 17-mile route, called the Crosstown Trail, that slices through the heart of the city connecting existing parks, paths, sidewalks, and community gardens.  Meanwhile volunteers are hard at work building out the , a planned 500-mile multi-use path that forms a ring around the Bay connecting 47 different cities.

For an epic hike on dirt that takes in the best of San Francisco’s dramatic terrain, focus on the , a 1,500-acre national park unit that protects a former military post at the heel of the Golden Gate Bridge. I stumbled onto the Presidio during a visit to San Francisco. My plan was to knock out a short, three mile run from my hotel to shake out a long day of travel, but I ended up running for almost 12 miles. I didn’t want to stop because the scenery was so good.

There are 24 miles of trail to explore, including a section of the 1,200-mile California Coastal Trail. The 2.7-mile portion that sits inside the Presidio’s borders starts at Baker Beach, a sandy nook facing the Pacific, before climbing to trace the edge of a rocky cliffline. The views of the Pacific are postcard worthy as you navigate the occasional stand of cypress before the trail ends near the Golden Gate Bridge. Options for side hikes deeper into the Presidio are plentiful, and you’ll also find side trails that drop from the cliffs to the water.

13. Seattle, Washington

Last but hardly least, Seattle is basically a large inholding surrounded by public land. On one side of the city sits Olympic National Park, on the other, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. A series of state forests sit to the south. You can even see Mount Rainier from the edge of town. You don’t need to catch a ferry or hit the highway to experience the outdoors. There are 120 miles of trails within city limits, from meandering greenways to lung-busting singletrack.

The best can be found inside Discovery Park, where 12 miles of trail explore 534 acres of lush forest on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound. The 2.8-mile , a national recreation trail, will take you through the forest, where a dense undergrowth of ferns thrive in the shade, and through grassy meadows with long range views that take in the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains on the horizon. Tack on short side hikes to beachy areas and the West Point Lighthouse.

Longtime şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř contributor Graham Averill grew up hiking and biking the trails around Atlanta, Georgia, and heads out on hikes in every city he visits. He now lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

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