5. Sunken Forest Nature Trail, New York
This Fire Island National Seashore trail is on car-free Fire Island. It’s not far from New York City, but you need to take a ferry to get there. This 1.6-mile trail is a nature trail that runs mainly over an elevated boardwalk. Enjoy a rare ecosystem that includes the swamp, beaches, and the maritime holly forest.
6. Lost Coast Trail, California
This almost 25-mile trail begins in Mendocino County where the well-known Pacific Coast Highway merges into the 101 freeway. It runs from Mattole to beautiful Black Sands Beach, traveling through an untamed wilderness of salt-sprayed forests, wildflower meadows, and driftwood-dotted beaches. Get a backcountry permit and you can even camp on the route.
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