Here are some ideas for Hiking Challenges that include easy hikes as well as some of the hardest hikes in the world. This article focuses on the north east area of the United States and one of the best hikes in Southern Ontario.
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Hiking Challenges: Are my skills a match?
Consider the following in assessing if your hiking skills are a match for the hike you want to do:
- Length of the trail
- Elevation gain and loss
- How rugged the trail is
- How exposed the trail is
- Whether it is an end to end hike where you have to arrange shuttles or it a loop where you start and end at the same place
Looking for training for hiking? Check out my article Exercises for Uphill Hiking and Endurance Training
A Word on Hiking Challenges
Anyone can have an epic adventure on the trail as it is all about setting a goal and going after it. Keep in mind that if you are taking on one of the hardest hike in the world or an easy hike, preparation is key. Something unexpected can go wrong on the easiest hike or the most difficult.
Read my article on things that have gone wrong on my hikes and how I got myself out of a pickle!
Hiking Challenges in Southern Ontario
One of the best hiking challenges in Southern Ontario is the Bruce Trail and Hiking The Niagara Escarpment is the most accessible to the U.S.. At nearly 900 kilometres it runs from Niagara in the south to Tobermory in the north and has options for easy and hard hikes.
- Day hike options
- Multi day hike options
- Flat trail and elevation options available
- Loop course or out and back options
- 9 distinct sections including Niagara, Iroquoia, Toronto, Caledon Hills, Dufferin Highland, Blue Mountains, Beaver Valley, Sydenham and Peninsula
- Many trailhead options with plenty of parking at most
- Easy hikes to moderately difficult hikes
- Option of competing for a fastest known time on sections or the entire trail!
- Best month to hike: September or October for fall colours
- Weather in Niagara in the fall ranges from 7 to 21 C (45 to 70 F)
- Bruce Trail app available for nominal fee from Bruce Trail website
Hiking the Niagara Escarpment
Incredible views await Bruce Trail hikers as most sections entail hiking the Niagara Escarpment which is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. We may be biased living in Niagara but this section is not only closest to the U.S. border, making it easy for day trips but it is also situated right in Niagara’s wine country.
Looking for more Challenge ideas? Adventure Ideas Inspired by Movies
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See what hiking trails are by Megalomaniac Winery here
Hiking in Ellicottville NY
Why do we love hiking in Ellicottville NY?
- Part day to full day hike options
- Although many hikes are pretty challenging, easy hikes can be done by parking at the top of McCarty Hill and staying atop of the escarpment
- Single and double track trails
- Some serious elevation gain and loss is possible by combining multiple trails
- Short one and a half hour drive from the Niagara border in Canada
- One hour drive from Buffalo NY
- Start at the bottom of Holiday Valley ski hill or drive up McCarty hill and park for free at a trailhead on top of the escarpment
- Trail maps available at various locations in town
- Best month to hike: Spring or fall
- Weather in Ellicottville in the fall ranges from 3 to 21 C (37 to 70 F)
Ellicottville is a great ski destination!
The town boasts a very quaint town with lots of dining options from bar food to fine dining.
Check out more detailed hiking route in our article Hiking Near Ellicottville, NY
Mt Marcy Hike – New York’s only peak over 5000’
For a real challenge, do the Mt Marcy hike one day then Whiteface Mountain the next!
- Highest peak in NY state at 5,344 feet
- Part of the Adirondacks
- 7-8 hour return hike
- You will encounter a few false peaks en route to the summit
- Few boulder sections on the upper trail and a one on the final push to the summit
- It can be fairly windy on the peak
- Peak is a series of table tops making a great place to soak in the views and hang out
- Heads up that parking is along the road leading to the trail and you can expect to park a few miles away during peak hike season
- Best month to hike: fall
- Weather around Mount Marcy in the fall ranges from 6 to 22 C (43 to 72 F)
- Close to Lake Placid New York that held the 1932 and 1980 olympics
- Campground options scattered around the area or lodging in Lake Placid
Latest in Hiking Challenges: Fastest known times
Fastest known times (FKT) are the latest in Hiking Challenges. FKT is about setting a speed record for a hike or run, anywhere in the world. You can upload results, with proof to the Fastest Known Time (FKT) website. You can also wear a Garmin watch and sync it with Strava and compete in your age group for a fastest known time. Whiteface Mountain was the site of my own FKT!
Hiking Challenges on Whiteface Mountain, New York State
- 4.1 miles to summit
- 3200’ to 4000’ elevation gain depending on trail followed to summit
- Trails vary between approximately 5 and 6 miles from start to summit
- Peak sits at 4,865 feet
- Unbelievable 360 degree views from the peak
- Summit is a series of tabletops with lots of room to hang out
- Have your crew drive up the mountain highway and meet you at the summit (Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway)
- A fee to drive the mountain highway applies
- Summit can be busy in peak season with the ability to drive up the mountain highway
- Crew can either hike the stair to the actual peak or take an elevator to the top
- Best month to hike: fall
- Weather for your fastest known time pursuit on Whiteface in the fall: ranges from -2 to 13 C (28 to 55 F)
- Campground options scattered around the area or lodging in Lake Placid
Read the incredible story of Jason Hardrath going after an unbelievable FKT (July 2023)!
Take your hiking challenges to the next level!
Take the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center trail that quickly turns into a tough vertical climb that goes on an on until reaching the summit of Marble Mountain. Option to bag Esther Mountain peak as well.
Hiking Challenges in the White Mountains: Franconia Notch
The best thing about the Franconia Notch Hikes in the White Mountains is that it represents a triple peak hiking challenge. Want to up the ante on this hike? See our recommendation below on how to up the ante on your triple peak challenge on the Franconia Notch.
- Triple Peak Challenge includes Little Haystack Mountain, Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette
- 13.8 kilometres / 8.5 miles
- To do the Triple Peak Challenge, ascend via Falling Waters and descend via the Old Bridle Path
- Trailhead is across from Lafayette Campground on I-93
- Little Haystack is 4,780 feet, Mt Lincoln is 5,089 feet and Mt Lafayette is 5,260 feet elevation
- Lots of boulders as you approach and descend the summits
- Best season to hike: Summer to be guaranteed the views
- Weather in summer on Franconia Notch Hikes: xxxxx
- Warning! This is one of the most popular hikes in the White Mountains so be prepared for traffic on the trails!
- Lots of campground and resort options on the west side of the White Mountains where the Franconia Notch Hike are located
Take your Hiking Challenges to the next level!
The average time on Franconia Notch via Falling Waters and Old Bridge Path trails is 7 hours.
Can you beat the average time?
These are our recommendations for Hiking Challenges in the north east of the U.S. and just across the river from Buffalo, NY. Missing is one of the biggest challenges, the Presidential Traverse in the White Mountains of New Hampshire which you can read about in our article Hiking Solo: Presidential Traverse Almost any hike can be turned into an incredible challenge by attempting a fastest known time (FKT), a solo pursuit or incorporating lots of vertical. For more on FKT, check out my article on Endurance Events that Inspire.
Read more in-depth articles on these hikes:
