I have always believed the best trails are where wide-open spaces meet true solitude, far from city lights and traffic. It’s a view that’s been confirmed time and time again as I’ve spent the last 25 years hiking thousands of miles across countries like Chile, India, Switzerland, and beyond. It wasn’t until recently, when I hiked sections of the Chicago OuterBelt, a 220-mile network of forests trails, greenways, and parks that loops around the Windy City, that this view was truly challenged. The experience reminded me that outdoor adventure doesn’t always require packing a heavy backpack and flying halfway across the world.
I have since learned that “urban hiking” is a growing trend, both for hikers and city planners. In the last few years, trails have begun popping up across America—while others, like Portland's Forest Park, have long been engrained in the city's identity—with city planners are repurposing old rail lines, connecting city stairways and urban parks to create multi-use walkways to make the outdoors more accessible. The trails provide an ideal experience for anyone who loves being outdoors but may not want to spend hours driving to a remote trailhead. “They share a similar sense of discovery as wilderness treks—just in a different setting,” said Kristina Lambrecht, Destination Manager at Intrepid's Urban Adventure Day Tours in Denver. “Instead of mountain vistas, you might stumble upon a cozy shop, a serene park, or striking architecture you’d never noticed before, often in a compact area.”
Many also link historic neighborhoods, rivers, and public art, giving you a sense of the city’s character while moving at your own pace. “The way I urban hike is quite deliberate and involves months of planning, talking with locals, and learning about the history and culture of a place,” adds Liz Thomas, editor-in-chief at TreelineReview and an avid urban hiker.
To give you a sense of the scope of these adventures available in and around some of America’s cities, I have outlined 13 of the best urban trails across the United States. If you find yourself in any of these cities in the near future, itching to stretch your legs, take the time to check them out.
Our Selection Process, Explained.
We curated this list with insights from speaking with experts like Jay Readey, Liz Thomas, and Field Mag’s own editorial team, highlighting a mix of well-known urban trails and hidden gems. Designed to be a starting point for your own urban hikes rather than a comprehensive list, the selection reflects a geographical spread across the US, from the West Coast to the East, and through the South and Midwest. If you'd like to suggest an addition, reach out to hello [at] fieldmag [dot] com.
