Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in East Coast USA
Picture hiking America's East Coast trails - sections of the Appalachian Trail, White Mountains' challenging peaks, and Acadia's paths right along the ocean. These treks take you through proper wilderness from Georgia's forests way up to Maine's rocky coastline. You'll stay in mountain huts, summit peaks that test you and discover East Coast hiking that doesn't get enough credit.
10 best hiking & trekking East Coast USA tours
Compiled by
MelissaEast Coast USA travel expert at TourRadar
- The Colors of Autumn: New England Edition
- Autumn Colours (USA National Park Non Resident Fees)
- New England, White Mountains & Cape Cod - 10 days
- USA – Best of Acadia National Park Maine
- Northern Presidential Traverse
- Lonesome Lake and the White Mountains
- Zealand Falls and the White Mountains
- Acadia Hiking and Kayaking
- Womens Presidential Peaks Trek
- Slackpacking® the Appalachian Trail: Massachusetts (Women-Only)
Duration 6 days Destinations Boston, Franconia Notch State Park, Stowe, Woodstock, Quechee, Concord, MA, Lexington Age Range Ages 18+ Physical Rating Relaxing Distance 360 mi Operator WeVenture From
- US$4,875
Autumn Colours (USA National Park Non Resident Fees)
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour met our expectations and went beyond.”
Cheryl, traveled in September
Duration 9 days Destinations Boston, Lexington, Concord, MA, Burlington, Stowe, North Conway, Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, Portland, York, Maine Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Easy Distance 661 mi Operator Trafalgar From
- US$4,625+$72 upfront costs
Duration 10 days Destinations Boston, Kennebunkport, Portland, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Bretton Woods, Newport, Cape Cod, Plymouth Age Range Ages 7+ Physical Rating Easy Distance 703 mi Operator On The Go Tours From
- US$2,695
Duration 5 days Destinations Bangor, Acadia National Park, Cadillac Mountain, Bar Harbor Age Range Ages 8+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 85 mi Operator Bucket List Group Travel LLC From
- US$2,590
The premier mountain range spans 22.6 challenging miles. Mount Washington (6,288 ft) and Jefferson mark key summits, with stays in historic AMC mountain huts. Clear days offer hundred-mile views from exposed alpine ridges.
Duration 6 days Destinations Crawford Notch, Bretton Woods, White Mountains National Forest Age Range Ages 12+ Distance 49 mi Operator Wildland Trekking From
- US$2,525
The premier East Coast paths stretch 12.7 miles from Flume Gorge through White Mountain wilderness. Rocky Appalachian Trail portions and stream crossings near Lonesome Lake mark the route. Daily walks span 2.5-6 miles with rises up to 2,100 feet between Bretton Woods and Crawford Notch.
Duration 4 days Destinations Crawford Notch, Franconia Notch State Park, White Mountains National Forest Age Range Ages 12+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 32 mi Operator Wildland Trekking From
- US$1,590
The premier East Coast trails span 14.5 miles, reaching South Twin Mountain and Mount Guyot. Zealand Falls and Zeacliff Pond highlight the route, with lodging at mountain huts and AMC Highland Center in Crawford Notch.
Duration 4 days Destinations Bretton Woods, White Mountains National Forest, Crawford Notch Age Range Ages 12+ Distance 20 mi Operator Wildland Trekking From
- US$1,955
Beehive Trail and Schoodic Head offer challenging ascents along the East Coast. Great Head's granite cliffs stretch 8 miles through Birch forests. Views of the Atlantic Ocean unfold as trails climb 1,800ft daily.
Duration 5 days Destinations Bangor, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor Age Range Ages 12+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 99 mi Operator Wildland Trekking From
- US$3,510
The path follows Ammonoosuc River for 6.1 miles before climbing 3,800 feet to Lakes of the Clouds hut. Mount Washington's exposed slopes lead to Presidential Range's ridge on the historic Appalachian Trail with panoramic East Coast views.
Duration 4 days Destinations Crawford Notch Age Range Ages 12+ Physical Rating Moderate Operator Wildland Trekking From
- US$2,070
Duration 8 days Destinations Stockbridge Age Range Ages 18+ Physical Rating Heart-pumping Operator Adventures in Good Company From
- US$3,595
What people love about Hiking & Trekking Tours in East Coast USA
- Autumn Colours (USA National Park Non Resident Fees)
Pam and Shawnee were exceptional. The tour met our expectations and went beyond.
- Autumn Colours
Beautiful scenery with lots of wonderful stops. The bus was very comfortable and our tour director and driver were both outstanding
Trip was amazing. Really well organised and planned. John was a brilliant guide - incredibly knowledgeable about the area, the physical geography and the historical and cultural connections. Everything ran smoothly from beginning to end. Cannot recommend this trip (or John as a guide!) highly enough
Paddle and Hike Adventure
What our customers ask about Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in East Coast USA
What is the best time of year for hiking in East Coast USA?
The East Coast hiking season peaks during fall from September to October with New England's colorful foliage and mild weather making it an ideal time to hit the trails. The White Mountains and Appalachian Trail see their busiest period during summer months while spring brings excellent hiking conditions to the Great Smoky Mountains with abundant wildflowers. Places like Dancing Bear Lodge in Tennessee and Green Mountain Inn in Stowe serve as convenient bases during these peak periods. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The mountains are beautiful especially during fall when the leaves change colors and everyone had a friendliness that one doesn't often find."
What's included in hiking tour packages for East Coast USA?
Standard East Coast hiking packages come with expert guides meals during treks quality gear including backpacks and trekking poles plus emergency equipment and trailhead transportation. Tours range from hotel stays to backcountry camping experiences. Additional activities vary by region with Acadia tours featuring sea kayaking and Vermont routes including local vineyard visits. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Everything was well-organized and included - from the excellent gear to our guide's knowledge of local flora and fauna."
Where do I sleep on multi-day hiking trips in East Coast USA?
East Coast hiking accommodations range from basic to luxurious. The historic Thayers Inn in Littleton and Christmas Farm Inn & Spa in Jackson welcome White Mountain hikers. Near Acadia National Park the Best Western Acadia Park Inn puts travelers close to trails while Vermont's Trapp Family Lodge offers direct trail access. Mountain huts along White Mountain trails provide more basic overnight options. A TourRadar traveler shared "The Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe was perfectly located for hiking access and the mountain views from our room were breathtaking."
How physically demanding are East Coast USA hiking tours?
Tour difficulty levels vary across the region. Vermont's fall foliage routes keep things moderate with 3-8 mile daily hikes and elevation gains between 1000-2500 feet. For a bigger challenge the Presidential Traverse in New Hampshire pushes hikers with daily climbs up to 3500 feet over technical terrain. The Smoky Mountains balance difficulty with 6-8 mile daily treks. A TourRadar traveler advised: "To be fair mountain trail hiking is the real deal and I was not physically prepared for it especially the first day which was the most difficult."
What are the best hiking trails in East Coast USA for various skill levels?
Hiking options span all difficulty levels from Boston's gentle 4km Freedom Trail to Acadia National Park's more demanding paths. The White Mountains network covers about 2000km with trails ranging from the family-friendly Flume Gorge to Mount Washington's challenging 1917m summit climb. Vermont's Green Mountains feature well-marked routes including the moderate Quechee Gorge trails. As one TourRadar traveler noted "The hiking trails in Acadia National Park were incredibly well-maintained and offered stunning coastal views - perfect for our mixed-ability group."
What wildlife might I encounter while hiking in East Coast USA?
East Coast trails offer frequent wildlife sightings including black bears moose white-tailed deer and various birds such as Peregrine Falcons. The White Mountains of New Hampshire provide opportunities to spot moose and foxes particularly at lower elevations. In the Great Smoky Mountains especially around Cades Cove hikers often encounter black bears elk and wild turkeys. Guides at locations like Dancing Bear Cabins in Tennessee help visitors safely observe local wildlife.