Due South: The Best Day Hikes on the Appalachian Trail

Plus: A Bass Pro Shop sleepover and where to spot rare Southern lilies

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY

Hiking the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina.

You don’t have to hike all 2,197 miles of the Appalachian Trail to experience its magic. To suss out the best day hikes in each of the fourteen AT states (and to mark the 100th anniversary of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy), we tapped into the wisdom of those who know the trail best—stewards, volunteers, and lifelong hikers. So pack a snack, lace up your boots, and follow their recommendations to the perfect stretch of trail.

Mount Hood, Oregon. I think of mountain communities as akin to beach towns—laid-back, at times a little dingy, but chock-full of character (and characters). I can’t resist their charm, which is how my family and I ended up on Mount Hood, about an hour outside Portland. The area is part of the Columbia River Gorge and reminded me of Appalachia, only amplified—those pine trees are tall.

Explore the outdoors. November to May offers snow fun on Mount Hood, including skiing at Timberline Lodge and Mt. Hood Meadows. I don’t ski but got a kick out of “cosmic” snow tubing at Mt. Hood Skibowl. The 620-foot Multnomah Falls enchants even on a gloomy day. Rooster Rock State Park sits directly on the river, making it a great spot for a scenic stroll.
Eat local. Guests line up at Sugarpine Drive-In in Troutdale for hearty sandwiches with smoked meats, but the lofty soft-serve sundaes are the stars. At Solstice Pizza in Hood River, the pies make use of ingredients like Columbia River salmon and locally foraged mushrooms. While Multnomah Falls Lodge is touristy, you can’t beat the hazelnut-crusted French toast paired with those views.
Get caffeinated. The Pacific Northwest is known for its strong coffee culture, and Mount Hood and the gorge are no exceptions. Part coffee shop, part bookstore, Coffee House 26 in Welches serves a mean breakfast sandwich. From a shack in Rhododendron, Fernie’s Coffee sells delicious java alongside yogurt parfaits and loaded bagels. Good Coffee in Troutdale lives up to its name with smooth roasts and a mellow, plant-filled shop.

For G&G’s sixteenth annual Made in the South Awards, we’re on the hunt for the kinds of products that are worth a pit stop: hand-embroidered linens, custom fly rods, innovative skin care products, bespoke sneakers, zesty spice mixes, creative canned cocktails—you name it. If you make a standout product in the South, enter now for a chance to win $10,000 and be featured in the December 2025/January 2026 issue (or forward this to a friend who deserves the spotlight).