A new study recently set out to find the best hiking cities across the world—one U.S. city came out on top.
Cities aren’t typically considered top destinations for hiking, but the best hikes aren’t necessarily always in the backcountry. In fact, sometimes you can catch the most thrilling views from the densest of urban landscapes, and take in stunning landscapes and cityscapes at the same time. And a new report from the footwear commerce site SportsShoes set out to find out which cities were the best for hikers.
For its report, SportsShoes analyzed hiking trail data from 180 of the most popular tourist cities in the world. It took into account the number of trails in each place, how popular they are, and the average reviews of each trail, using data from AllTrails. After evaluating all the numbers, one U.S. city beat out the domestic competition.
With 119 hikes that are both highly popular and easily accessible, San Francisco, was named the top hiking city in the U.S. and the third best in the world—and it’s no wonder. The Golden City has many can’t-miss hikes, including the Dipsea Trail, Lands End Trail, and the Mount Sutro Loop. There are so many options in the city that, regardless of your skill and experience level, you’ll be able to find a hike in San Francisco that suits your abilities. Plus, odds are, there will be a scenic view at the end.
“From exploring Alcatraz Island to catching the sunrise over the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is packed with iconic sights,” SportsShoes wrote in its report. “… The wilderness behind San Francisco’s University Campus is touted as a stunning section of the city to explore, and the Golden Gate Park—the third most visited park in the U.S.—features tons of trails, as well as Botanical and Japanese Tea Gardens.
According to All Trails, the top five hiking trails in San Francisco are the Lands End Trail, the San Francisco Crosstown Trail, Seal Rocks Beach, the California Coastal Trail, and the Batteries to Bluff Trail. The longest trail in the city is the Ferry Building to Mount Tamalpais Cycle Route, which is 59.5 miles long.
Since San Francisco is so condensed, it’s the perfect place to pair an outdoor adventure with the benefits of city living. You could follow up a hike with fine dining, a museum visit, or even take time to explore the Bay Area’s unique neighborhoods, like the Mission District.
But there are plenty of other great cities for outdoor adventure in the U.S. According to SportsShoes, other great destinations for hiking in the country include:
- Los Angeles, California
- Portland, Oregon
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Seattle, Washington
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Washington D.C.
- Boston, Massachusetts
