For snow-capped mountains and lush trails, head to the northern states.

Connecticut: Mount Frissell

A strenuous trail for advanced hikers only, Mt. Frisell is the highest point in the state if you can make it to the summit. Lush forest covers the entire mountain and obscures part of the view from the top, but you can still enjoy the fall colors, as there are some nice lookout points on the hike up. Once on the summit, leave your mark by signing the little diary fastened to a tree. This is an isolated area, so make sure you know what you're doing before attempting the hike –If you get lost or are hurt, help won't be around the corner. 

Delaware: Brandywine Creek State Park

Two-hundred-year-old tulip trees offer a magnificent introduction to trails laden with rich foliage. Short, steep trails are the common denominator here, and many follow creeks or come to an end over marshes. Canoeing and tubing are popular summer activities, and cross-country skiers take up to the trails in winter.

Idaho: Mount Borah

Primarily a climber’s mountain, the advanced hiker can still reach the top if willing to go through some daunting paths of loose rock and around steep vertical drop-offs. Not for the faint of heart, the 11,600-foot hike to the top can take a toll. Covered in snow year-round and prone to abrupt storms, Mt. Borah is a tricky hike. Go in July for the best chance to avoid severe weather. An open pine forest guides you on the way up, providing shade and plenty of opportunities for birdwatching. Snow crossings are frequent even in summer, and altitude sickness is usual when hiking up, so take precautions and bring plenty of water.

Illinois: Forest Glen Preserve

Over twenty five miles of trails, including a 1/3 mile handicapped trail, make for stunning wildlife spotting. Deer, coyotes, foxes and geese pack the area, and the preserve is a bird-watchers' paradise. The hike up calls for mushroom hunting (allowed in the preserve), and is rewarded by spectacular views from the 72-foot observation tower. 

Indiana: Turkey Run State Park

Eleven different trails offer the right length and intensity for any hiker. Cross canyons, the 1822-Narrows Covered Bridge, huge black walnut trees, and historic pioneer homes on your way around the park. Trails interlink with each other, so you can decide the length of your hike as you go along.

Iowa: Hawkeye Point

Hike 20-foot to Hawkeye Point's farmland summit for great 360-views of typical Iowa landscape –Flatlands covered by lush crops. Privately owned but hiker-friendly, the best times to visit are summer and fall, when crops are at their finest.

Maine: Appalachian Trail

Bear, moose, and deer abound at the Appalachian Trail's end. Hike through thick, lush pines and maple forests to reach Katahdin, a sacred Native American area. The trail crosses the Kennebec River, which can turn dangerous because of unannounced water dam releases. During the summer, the Maine Appalachian Trail Club offers a ferry ride across the river to hikers and tourists alike. If you start the Appalachian Trail back in Springer Mountain, Georgia, it will take 2,174 miles of walking and an average of five months to get to Katahdin.

Maryland: Assateague Island

A barrier island, Assateague is known for its great beach camping and its herds of wild ponies. Thousands of visitors come every year during spring and fall to explore backcountry trails. A bird-watchers' paradise, Assateague is renowned for the quiet opportunities to enjoy nature without the disruptions of the real world. Great trails leading to the island's four bays and through the backcountry.

Massachusetts: Mount Everett

A difficult climb unless you're in great shape, Mount Everett offers rewards that make it worth the pain. Frog-filled ponds and blueberry picking make you partly forget the leg burning and breathlessness. Stunning summit views of New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut make it all worthy.

Michigan: Isle Royale National Park

165 miles of scenic hiking trails crisscross the island, 99 percent of which is protected wilderness. Wolves and moose roam free, historic lighthouses spread along the rugged coastline, and opportunities to spot shipwrecks and wildlife abound. Untouched by the outside world, Isle Royale is a paradise for backpackers and day hikers alike. There is no means of transportation on the island, and the only way to access it is by ferry. Overnight stays are possible (and recommended) in both campgrounds and rustic log cabins. Go in the fall to avoid the mosquitoes.

Montana: Glacier Park

Glacier Park may offer some of the most extraordinary fall colors in the country –Reds, golds, and pinks mix with the incredible wildflower variety in the area. Cross paths with big horned sheep and mountain goats, and watch the grizzlies from the distance. Stay overnight at the Granite Park Chalet, a rustic lodge almost a century old. Only accessible by foot, the chalet is a lesson in backcountry charm.

New Hampshire: Mount Washington

The highest peak in the northeastern U.S. tops at 6,288 feet and has the world record for wind speed (231 MPH) and a reputation for severe weather. Snow is possible any month of the year, and changes in weather are usually so sudden that it's easy to get caught off-guard in the middle of a hike. There are several trails that can take you to the summit, but be warned that none of them are easy. Rocky, steep and wet, they are not for the untrained hiker. Loose rocks make the way downhill even harder. The Great Gulf Trail is the steepest trail, rising 1,600 feet in less than a mile. Tuckerman's Ravine is the most popular trail because it's slightly easier than the others, with breathtaking views along the way. The trails are always crowded in summer, as Mt. Washington is a top hiker's destination. For solitude, choose the steepest climbs.

New Jersey: Palisades Interstate Park

The Palisades is a complex that comprises twenty-four parks and eight historic sites. Over 100,000 acres extent on the Hudson River shoreline and offer a wide range of hiking opportunities for all levels. If you're a beginner or are hiking with children, take the Women's Federation Monument trail, which crosses a set of barrier stone walls, cuts through the forest, and ends in the watchtower that gives the trail its name. More advanced hikers can take the Pergola, a steeper trail with excellent views of the river and the Half-Moon Falls. Cross a number of old wooden bridges and end at the stone ruins of a garden designed by Mary Lawrence-Tonetti over a century ago.

New York – Bear Mountain State Park

Bear Mountain State Park is a 5000-acres recreational area that sits on the west side of the Hudson River in Rockland County. Opened since the beginning of this century, Bear Mountain welcomes more visitors annually than Yellowstone National Park. Besides hiking, boating, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are very popular activities. The park offers a trailside museum, a hotel, and a restaurant. 

Ohio: Cincinnati Nature Center Rowe Woods

The 14 miles of hiking trails cross a variety of well-preserved wildflower fields and numerous water bodies, from ponds to waterfalls. Famous for its Prairie grasslands, the center also boasts old wooden bridges and charming shelter houses along the trails.  One of the top ten nature centers in the US, it offers educational programs and day hikes for people of all ages.

Oregon: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Mountain biking, boating, birding, rock climbing, wildlife-watching, camping… Once you reach the Columbia River Gorge, hiking is only the beginning. See the Multnomah Falls, the second largest in the country (and one of the most imposing) and then go on to see the breathtaking 77 additional waterfalls that dominate the area. Hike among lush fir forests and canyons cut by crystalline rivers and over the basalt cliffs volcanic rock. Ready for more action? The Gorge has been dubbed "the boardsailing capital of the world." Experience its 30-knot winds to learn why.

Pennsylvania: Tohickon Valley Park

Old stone walls mark the property perimeter, giving you a sense of enclosure throughout the whole hike. High rocks is a vertical formation popular among climbers. On either side of it, winding trails afford you spectacular views of Tohickon Valley and the creeks below. Class 3 & 4 whitewater rafting is popular in March and November, and numerous rustic cabins are available for rent throughout the park. Almost a hundred species of bird inhabit the park. In winter, hikers can snowshoe through the park for a stunning sight of the hardwood forest. 

Rhode Island: Norman Bird Sanctuary

Besides the abundance of bird species (blue jays, snowy egrets, hawks, goldfinches, and peregrine falcons, among many others), the sanctuary is also home to a good population of wild rabbits and foxes. Stop at the check-in center for trail maps before getting started --They will help get through the woods to reach the seaside ledge. The ocean's view is a no-miss.

South Dakota: The Centennial Trail

One of the finest hiking trails in the country, the Centennial Trail twists through the Black Hills trail system for over 100 miles. Day hikes are possible, but to best experience the location you'll have to obtain a backpacker's permit and spend about a week following the tracks. 

Vermont: Haystack Mountain

Originally designed as a cross-country skiing link to other areas, the trail may be hard to find, as it's not often marked in many maps. Going up, you get a unique, unobstructed view of mountains (including the Adirondacks to the west) and reservoirs in three different states: Massachusetts, New York, and New Hampshire. Cross the Haystack Ponds for some birdwatching, and after three hours, reach the wooded summit at 1020 ft.

Virginia: Old Rag

Over 100,000 hikers come to Old Rag each year to experience one of the best mountain views of the country. Wild turkeys and black bears walk around at mostly safe distances, and you can run into a few snakes in the hike up. Once you reach the 3291-foot summit, your reward is an incomparable view of Virginia's farm county and the surrounding mountains and ridges. If you need a break, stop at one of the two open shelters (complete with fireplaces and cooking facilities) along the way. Do not attempt if you're not in top shape.

Washington: Cougar Mountain Regional Wildlands Park

Fifty miles of trails that offer great waterfall views to the beginner hiker. Popular because of its well-marked trails, the park also offers subtle remainders of times gone by, when coal mining was the main industry in the region. Hike along the streams and against hillsides for a chance to spot bits of coal. Lush vegetation and rich fauna (bears, coyotes, and bobcats live here) attract enthusiasts from around the country. Guided tours are available from the King County Parks and Recreation Department.

West Virginia: Cranberry Wilderness

A black bear sanctuary, the Cranberry Wilderness offers a unique opportunity to spot these magnificent animals while hiking the unspoiled 35,000 acres of the park. Deep woods are cut by glistening mountain streams, justifying more than one stop along the way. Hike the Williams River's Middle Fork to cross historic ruins of a 19th century logging camp, century old trees, and cascading brooks.

Wisconsin: Blackhawk Ridge

For some of the best trails in Wisconsin, head to Blackhawk Ridge. Peek through the hardwood forests on your way up for amazing views of the Wisconsin River valley. Snow doesn't clear until mid-June, so be prepared if hiking in spring. Mushroom hunting is popular in the trails, and so is wildlife spotting and photography.

Wyoming: Grand Teton National Park

Two hundred miles of trails offer the right intensity for any hiker, from beginner to advanced. Because of sudden weather changes, the trails at the park can be tricky --You can set off on 80 degree sunny weather and then get caught up in a lighting and hail storm midway in the trails. Extreme caution is recommended. Follow the trail up to Lake Solitude for spectacular views, or take a boat ride up to Cascade Canyon and hike among secret mountain waterfalls. Brown bear cubs (and their zealous mothers) are a frequent sight in the park.