Four Historical Areas to Hike

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

When you’re hiking, you can’t help but feel that you’re directly experience some sort of natural history – usually, the history of the Earth. But there’s more to the history you can experience if you’re willing to go out and take a look at some of the more famous areas you can hike. If you’ve been wanting to spice up your hikes by ditching the ordinary state park trails and head to somewhere historical, it’s time to lace up the shoes or boots and get going. Here are some historical areas you can hike.

1. Lolo Trail, Idaho.

What passed through Idaho? The Lewis and Clark Expedition, on their way to the Pacific. Find Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures and you’ll be able to experience what Lewis and Clark experienced on their journey through North America’s frontier. If you ever wanted to know what it was like on an expedition like that, around two hundred years ago, this hiking trail is one of the best ways to do it. What better excuse to enjoy the scenery of Idaho and the majestic beauty it offers?

2. Bartram Trail, North Carolina.

In the late 18th Century, William Bartram traveled through the southern portion of the Colonies – and then states. He recorded his findings in a book called “Travels”; the trail the commemorates his journey begins at the Georgia border and heads 80 miles before it joins the Appalachian trail. Along this path, you’ll also see the Blue Ridge mountains, a large section of the Appalachian mountain range that runs through the area.

3. Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Valley Forge wasn’t an especially happy time for George Washington or the Continental army, but today you can enjoy the trails of Valley Forge National Park.

4. Louisiana Purchase Boardwalk, Arkansas.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition was created in order to explore the recently-purchased Louisiana Territory. Well, in Arkansas you can find where the surveying of the Louisiana territory took place – signs along the hiking trail give you different facts about the Lousiana Purchase and how it took place. This is known as an especially beautiful area that attracts plenty of photographers.

You don’t have to be in a famous state to check out some history. Chances are, there’s some interesting hiking near where you live; you only need the patience and the preparation to find out where it is.

Photo Credits: michaelwm25