The U.S. West has a lot of high, spectacular mountains that include some of the most beautiful in the world.
Often overlooked by overseas visitors and even many fellow Americans, though, is the fact that the Eastern United States also has a lot of mountains, and while they aren’t as high and as jagged as the peaks of the West are, they’re still beautiful.
If you love mountains, you shouldn’t skip a hike or scramble up any of these! From north to south, here they are:
Baxter Peak, Maine
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Baxter Peak is the highest point of Mt. Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine. Its summit rises past timberline and features alpine tundra. Baxter is the northern end of the famous Appalachian Trail. There are multiple ways up it, with the most exciting and iconic being the adventurous Knife Edge. Many contend that Katahdin is the best mountain in the East.
Mt. Washington, New Hampshire
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Mt. Washington has a number of distinctions. It’s the highest peak in the White Mountains, New Hampshire, and all of New England.
In addition to that, it’s known for having the highest wind speeds ever recorded in the U.S., and it has some of the world’s worst and most unpredictable weather. It’s also one of several peaks in New Hampshire that rise into the alpine zone. You can drive to the top, but there are also challenging ways by foot if you want to “earn” this summit.
Franconia Ridge, New Hampshire
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Franconia Ridge is a chain of peaks in Franconia Notch State Park. A very strenuous loop trail that includes several waterfalls crosses the alpine summits of Mount Lafayette, Mount Lincoln, and Little Haystack.
Mt. Marcy, New York
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Mt. Marcy is in the mighty Adirondacks, a region in Upstate New York known for high peaks and for lakes carved by glaciers ages ago. Marcy is the highest peak in the range and in the state, and a long hike gets you to its rocky, tundra-covered summit.
Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland
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In Frederick County of Maryland, Sugarloaf rises stocks out in a sea of farmland. Although it’s privately owned, it’s long been open to the public, and it’s a popular weekend spot for hikers, picnickers, and rock climbers.
Seneca Rocks, West Virginia
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In the valley of one of the Potomac River’s tributaries, two narrow fins of hard sandstone called Seneca Rocks rise up from the flats. This formation is an iconic U.S. rock climbing destination, and the south peak is the highest peak east of South Dakota’s Black Hills only reachable by technical rock climbing. Don’t worry, though; the north peak, which is higher, has a trail to its top.
Big Schloss, Virginia
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The last-known peak on this list, Big Schloss is in the Appalachians on the west side of the fabled Shenandoah Valley. It’s a long drive to the trailhead, but the open, rocky summit, a rarity in the Southeast, has outstanding views.
Old Rag Mountain, Virginia
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If Katahdin is the best mountain in the East, Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park is many people’s choice for best in the Southeast. It’s more “mountain-like” than most of the rest of the Blue Ridge because it stands apart from the main crest, making it more prominent than higher peaks nearby. The Ridge Trail up it is a regional classic, and the open, boulder-studded summit means the views are fantastic.
Hawksbill Mountain, Virginia
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Shennadoah’s highest peak, Hawksbill is on the main crest and has a rocky summit with a viewing platform. A couple of short but steep trails get you there, where you have stunning views of the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Valley.
Sharp Top Mountain, Virginia
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South from Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway continues through the mountains and Piedmont into North Carolina and ultimately to the Great Smoky Mountains. Sharp Top is a prominent, rocky-topped mountain in the Peaks of Otter area. Shuttle buses take people up a closed road to within a short distance of the summit, but a moderately strenuous trail is available for those wanting more adventure.
Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina
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The highest mountain in the Blue Ridge, Grandfather Mountain is accessible via a privately owned park a short drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway. To really appreciate its size, view it from the valleys and towns on its east side, or hike a short, easy trail from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Flat Rock, which has an outstanding view of the mountain.
Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina
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Mt. Mitchell isn’t much different in appearance from other peaks in the North Carolina mountains, but it’s claim to fame is being the highest peak east of the Mississippi. A spur road from the Blue Ridge Parkway gets you to the top and the observation tower there.
Looking Glass Rock, North Carolina
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A marked viewpoint on the Blue Ridge Parkway is the easiest way to appreciate how special Looking Glass Rock is. It’s a dome-shaped monolith formed from granite and with massive amounts of steep, exposed slabs. If the view makes you want to see the view from the top, there are moderately strenuous trails starting from its base in Pisgah National Forest that will get you there.
Mt. LeConte, Tennessee
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LeConte is one of the highest peaks of the Smoky Mountains and in all of the East. The most scenic way to its top is the Alum Cave Bluffs Trail, and if you’re lucky, you can snag a reservation at the lodge up there and spend the night high on the mountain.
Chimney Tops, Tennessee
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The Chimney Tops are a pair of steep, mostly forested open-topped outcrops in the Smokies. There are good views of them from the main road through this national park, but there’s also a trail that gets you to one of the summits, and then you can do a fun scramble across to the other.
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