The Best Romantic Hikes (According to Some of Our Staff and Friends)

Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching, so we polled our Twitter followers and some of our staffers for their favorite “romantic” hikes. We made sure to say that these hikes don’t have to be in some remote national park -- it could be something as simple as a walk in a local park. Here’s what we got:

 

“For years, my partner and I have been exploring all of the corners of this national seashore just a scant 90 minutes from San Francisco, and the Estero Trail is one of our favorites. It's got a bit of everything: pine and fir forested hillsides, open grassland, and epic Pacific Ocean views. Plenty of spots for a romantic picnic, and if you're lucky you'll spot the tule elk herd that lives there.”

 

“It is less trafficked than other nearby spots. and has a lovely hike to a waterfall and some kilns in the forest that are integral to California history.”

Zachary from Twitter - That's Zachary's photo above!

 

“They have shaded picnic tables on the way up where you can do a romantic picnic spread, and the view from the top of Royal Arch is breathtaking.”

 

“If you keep walking south, it'll take you all the way down to the tip of Delmarva Peninsula!”

 

Michael from Twitter

Florida - Oleta State Park Trail near Miami
Sierra Club staffer Vanessa Cordova
You can actually get married on the beach at this state park!

Illinois - The Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary in Chicago

"It's a beautiful and easy-to-access spot.”

 

Ohio - The Holden Arboretum, located east of Cleveland
Sierra Club staffer Vanessa Cordova

Louisiana - Swamp tours in the Atchafalaya Natural Heritage Area
Sierra Club staffer Courtney Naquin
“Swamp tours are underrated and super fun. Swamps get no love!”

According to this website, “Cadillac Mountain is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard and the first place to view sunrise in the United States from October 7 through March 6!” 

 

“This is an easy hike that yields what might be the best view in southeast Massachusetts. You'll gain about 700 feet, but it's spread out over 2.7 miles, so it's not too strenuous. It’s a great spot to catch a sunrise or sunset -- just be sure to pack your headlamp!” 

 

 

“After enjoying the falls and a stroll along the creek, you can enjoy wine, craft beer, ice cream and seafood at SeaSaltEatery.”

 

“Steep but the views are amazing, and it's right in town.”

 

 

New York - Green-Wood Cemetery in Sunset Park, Brooklyn

"A cemetery might not seem like the most romantic place to go on Valentine's Day. But Green-Wood is a leafy green sanctuary full of stories of notable New Yorkers like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Leonard Bernstein."

 

North Carolina - Mount Mitchell Summit & Balsam Nature Trail near Asheville
Sierra Club staffer Melissa Williams
According to the park’s website, “It’s a mile-high hike that’s unlike any other in North Carolina. At 6684 ft, Mount Mitchell stands as the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, and the highest mountain in the Appalachian Mountains. The clear-day views from the summit are just outstanding, offering sweeping panoramic vistas in every direction.”

 

“It's a nice walk with a great view!”

 

 

“It’s definitely one of the most unique city parks!”

 

 

Washington State - Dog Mountain in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area 

 

“In the Chuckanut Mountains, the hike extends to a giant rock dome with panoramic views of tulip fields, islands, and the oyster beds that give the hike its name. At the trailhead is a lone restaurant with giant bay windows overlooking Samish Bay and the Olympic Mountains -- where you can eat the oysters you just saw growing in the ocean.”

 

Of course there are beautiful hikes long and short all over the US, so we know we've missed a bunch. Feel free to suggest your own in the comments!

And finally -- there are a number of Sierra Club Outings that will take you to romantic places. Check out these opportunities to hike California’s Lost Coast, trek through Nevada’s Ruby Mountains, and backpack through Michigan’s Pictured Rocks.