Stephanie Pearson is a travel journalist and a National Geographic Explorer. The latter is a term used for ‘individuals in their fields’, from marine biologists to youth adventurers, who receive financial support from Nat Geo to spearhead new travel projects.
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They’re kind of a big deal, in other words. They’ve traveled to far-out places with a hyper-focus on specific topics… like limitless hikes that showcase the power and grandeur of Mother Nature.
Enter Pearson, who has spent decades hiking around the world. She recently published a book, 100 Hikes of a Lifetime U.S.A., from National Geographic and Disney Publishing. The book showcases her favorite trails, from hidden gems to bucket-list locations. She outlines tips and planning hacks, along with displaying some of her top shots.
Of those hundred trails, Pearson has also laid out her six favorites—which you probably haven’t heard of before, even if you’re a naturalist with a great pair of hiking boots.
Pearson’s favorite hidden-gem hiking trails across the United States
Ready to see which hikes have moved Pearson? Here are her top six picks, from Hawaii to Minnesota, that you can check out on AllTrails.
The Superior Hiking Trail (Minnesota): This moderate trail is located in the Superior National Forest and passes by Bean Lake and Bear Lake. The terrain includes dense forests, rugged terrains, and slight inclines.
The Kalalau Trail (Hawaii): This is a challenging trek that takes you along the Na Pali Coast of Kauai, one of Hawaii’s lushest islands. While you need to watch out for rain showers and steep terrain, you’ll get a gorgeous view of Hanakapi’ai Beach.
The Beaten Path (Montana): Take on this difficult trail through the Custer Gallatin National Park and Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness to explore some of the country’s most unspoiled mountain views, alpine lakes, and waterfalls. Just watch out for the Grizzlies.
The Maah Daah Hey Trail (North Dakota): Appreciate the Midwest with this trail that passes through the Badlands and Little Missouri National Grasslands. Both are more scenic thank you think. As Pearson puts it, they’re ‘otherworldly’.
The Pueblo Alto Trail (New Mexico): Pearson enjoys the Pueblo Alto Trail through Chaco Culture National Historical Park for its cultural and historic offerings. It’s an area where Pueblo people once made their home, and includes sites that remain sacred to Native American tribes.
The Continental Divide Trail (Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana): This grand trail traverses some of the continent’s most dramatic and powerful natural sights. It starts at the border with Mexico and ends at the border with Canada along the continental divide. Unsurprisingly, this is a highly taxing journey that includes extreme elevation changes, amongst other challenges.
