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If there’s any single best way to explore the bounties of Mother Nature, it’s by strapping on your backpack and boots to hike through serene miles of forests, mountains and rivers. Around the U.S., you’ll find plenty of natural escapes worth a trek, from national parks to shoreside strolls.

Some of the most scenic national parks for hiking include the Smoky Mountains National Park, Zion National Park and Yosemite National Park. You’ll also find endless miles of beautiful vistas along the Appalachian Trail and the islands of Hawaii. Check out some of the country’s best natural beauty with these gorgeous hikes in the U.S.

(Main image: jmenard48 used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)

About the author

Marissa WillmanMarissa Willman earned a bachelor's degree in journalism before downsizing her life into two suitcases for a teaching gig in South Korea. Seoul was her home base for two years of wanderlusting throughout six countries in Asia. In 2011, Marissa swapped teaching for travel writing and now calls Southern California home.

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