It was impossible to narrow down a list of the 25 best hikes in the US because there are literally hundreds of thousands of hiking trails in America. If you are looking for an epic hike, look no further. The Broke Backpacker compiled a list of 25 of the best hikes. Here are the best hikes in the United States. North Carolina made the list. Two times!

We have to disclose, that we didn’t include the Appalachian Trail in our count of two. Our reason is that this hike is over 2,190 miles long and goes all the way from Georgia to Main. Check out the 25 best hikes in the United States below. When you see what North Carolina hikes made the list you might have even done them yourself.

• 25. Appalachian Trail, Georgia through Maine

  Length: 2,190 miles (3,524 km)
  Days: 4-6 months +
  Best time to hike: March – October
  Nearest Town: Hot Springs (you’ll pass lots of other towns on the way)

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  A post shared by Adam Gravett (@adamgravett)

• 24. Mt. Washington Summit via Tuckerman’s Ravine, New Hampshire

  Length: 8.4 (17 km)
  Days: 1 (8-10 hours)
  Best time to hike: June – September
  Nearest Town: Gorham

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  A post shared by Working Joe Travel (@workingjoetravel)

• 23. Petrified Forest Loop, North Dakota

  Length: 10.6 miles (17 km)
  Days: 1 (7-9 hours)
  Best time to hike: May – September
  Nearest Town: Cripple Creek

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  A post shared by North Dakota (@northdakotalegendary)

• 22. Mt. Mitchell Summit, North Carolina

  Length: 11.4 miles (18.3 km)
  Days: 1
  Best time to hike: March-November (fall colors are best in October)
  Nearest Town: Asheville

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  A post shared by Heather A. Hawkins (@hahawkins)

• 21. The Long Trail, Vermont

  Length: 272 (437 km)
  Days: 20-39
  Best time to hike: April – October
  Nearest Town: Williamstown

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  A post shared by Leisel Bailey aka Gilmore (@leiselb)

• 20. Smokey Mountain National Park Section of the Appalachian Trail, Tennessee

  Length: 71 (114 km)
  Days: 3-4
  Best time to hike: April – October
  Nearest Town: Hot Springs

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  A post shared by Lex Paige (@official_lexpaige)

• 19. Red River Gorge Loop, Kentucky

  Length: 36 miles (57.9 km)
  Days: 2-3
  Best time to hike: Fall
  Nearest Town: Slade

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  A post shared by jenna cooper (@jennacooper97)

• 18. Mount Adams South Climb, Washington

  Length: 11.2 miles (18 km)
  Days: 1-2
  Best time to hike: May – September
  Nearest Town: Trout Lake

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  A post shared by Gabie Mathiesen (@ms.math)

• 17. Tomales Point Trail, Califonia

  Length: 9.4 miles (15.1 km)
  Days: 1
  Best time to hike: All year!
  Nearest Town: Point Reyes Station

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  A post shared by Larissa Babicz (@larissababiczart)

• 16. Art Loeb Trail, North Carolina

  Length: 30.1 miles (48.4 km)
  Days: 3
  Best time to hike: Spring – Fall
  Nearest Town: Brevard

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  A post shared by erin + caroline (@authenticasheville)

• 15. Kesugi Ridge Trail, Alaska (Denali State Park)

  Length: 36.2 miles (58.3 km)
  Days: 2-3
  Best time to hike: July – August
  Nearest Town: Anchorage

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  A post shared by Devin DeBoer (@devindeboer)

• 14. John Muir Trail, California

  Length: 211 miles (339 km)
  Days: 15-21
  Best time to hike: July-September
  Nearest Town: Curry Village

  https://www.instagram.com/p/CEGQNu2ppxk/

• 13. Titcomb Basin, Wyoming

  Length: 28 miles (45 km)
  Days: 2-3
  Best time to hike: July-September
  Nearest Town: Pinedale

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  A post shared by jordan (@jordoshredz)

• 12. Half Dome, California (Yosemite National Park)

  Length: 17 miles
  Days: 1 (12 hours)
  Best time to hike: May-September
  Nearest Town: Curry village

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  A post shared by Yosemite Nation (@yosemitenation)

• 11. Grayson Highlands, Virginia

  Length: 8.5 miles (13.6 km)
  Days: 1 (5-8 hours)
  Best time to hike: April-November
  Nearest Town: Jefferson

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  A post shared by Wally + Ranger | Taylor (@probablywithdogs)

• 10. The Narrows, Utah (Zion National Park)

  Length: 5-16 miles (depending on the route)
  Days: 1 (5-10 hours)/2 days
  Best time to hike: May-October
  Nearest Town: Springdale

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  A post shared by Brian Johns (@brianjohns2.0)

• 9. Long’s Peak, Colorado

  Length: 15 miles (24.1 km)
  Days: 1 Day (12-14 hours)
  Best time to hike: May – October
  Nearest Town: Estes Park

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  A post shared by Samuel Forsyth (@samuel_forsyth)

• 8. Mauna Loa Summit, Hawaii (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park)

  Length: 17 miles (28 km)
  Days: 1
  Best time to hike: All year!
  Nearest Town: Hilo

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  A post shared by Thierry aka Bud (@buddy.lotion)

• 7. Cracker Lake, Montana (Glacier National Park)

  Length: 12.6 miles (20 km)
  Days: 1-2 days
  Best time to hike: Summer
  Nearest Accommodation: Many Glacier Hotels

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  A post shared by Cameron Williams (@stripedmoonstudios)

• 6. The Wave, Arizona

  Length: 5.2 miles (8.3km)
  Days: 1 day (2-4 hours)
  Best time to hike: All year
  Nearest Town: Kanab

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  A post shared by Nikhil Shahi | The Light Explorer (@thelightexplorer)

• 5. Kalalau Trail /Napali Coast, Hawaii

  Length: 22 miles (35.4 km)
  Days: 2-3
  Best time to hike: All year
  Nearest Town: Hanalei

  https://www.instagram.com/p/CYDWGqKLpyQ/

• 4. Mount Katahdin, Maine

  Length: 2.4-9 miles
  Days: 1 (8-12 hours)
  Best time to hike: Summer
  Nearest Town: Millinocket

  https://www.instagram.com/p/CQmM3LRLkFb/

• 3. Trans-Catalina Trail, California

  Length: 38.7 miles (62km)
  Days: 3-5
  Best time to hike: All year, (Summer is HOT AF)
  Nearest Town: Avalon

  https://www.instagram.com/p/CdZgFeVlvfO/

• 2. Tonto Trail, Arizona (Grand Canyon National Park)

  Length: 70 miles (113km)
  Days: 4-6
  Best time to hike: Spring, Fall, Winter (avoid July and August, you will melt.)
  Nearest Town: Grand Canyon Village

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  A post shared by Matt (@mbloom990)

• 1. Lost Coast Trail, California

  Length: 24.6 miles (39.6km)
  Days: 3-4
  Best time to hike: All year, Fall is best.
  Nearest Town: Shelter Clove

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  A post shared by Shalaco (@shalaco)

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