Favorite / Most Rewarding State

[dmperkins74]

Hey Hikers, what's your favorite / most rewarding state. I mean in regards to quality of the hiking, scenery, whatever you value in hiking (as opposed to "Maine, because it was so rewarding getting to Katahdin!)? I haven't done enough states so far, so I'm not feeling qualified to answer, but curious what you all think.

Alpha Pig

[lush242000]

Virginia. Mt. Rogers

[Spokes]

You'll think I'm crazy but it was New Jersey. Totally blew me away. If you had blindfolded me and dropped me off on the trail there I would have never figured out where I was. I know now why they call it the Garden State!

Cheers

[kayak karl]

New Hampshire

[DLANOIE]

This should be a poll. My vote is for Maine with NH a close second. Love them big mountains and steep climbs.

[BrianLe]

Oregon. Somewhat of a high getting (finally) out of California, lots of scenery, still not much rain, easy still to find campsites, and you can really move with overall good trail. I do admit that I enjoyed Maine on the whole; felt a bit like I was back in the PNW but in some weird, twisted, alternate universe sort of way.

[brian039]

Maine and New Hampshire. It's awesome to be above treeline at only 4,500ft and have the big views. The woods are enchanted, I love the wood thrush's song, it's cool to see moose and camp by ponds and listen to loons at night.

[dmperkins74]

Glad to hear so much love for Maine and New Hampshire. I haven't touched those yet, so nice to know I've got some great stuff ahead of me. And yeah Spokes, I agree... New Jersey has been VERY surprisingly rewarding for me.

[Carbo]

I agree with Spokes. Yes, I live here, but when I get out there on the AT section in NJ, I just can't believe I'm in NJ.

[4eyedbuzzard]

I agree with Spokes. Yes, I live here, but when I get out there on the AT section in NJ, I just can't believe I'm in NJ.

I'm a NJ escapee. My first hike was on the AT in NJ back in the late '60's. Took my kids hiking there when we lived there too. Yeah, it's surprising that anything like it exists there if all you ever think of is the the way the media portrays NJ. Some really pretty trail and a surprising climb up and out of the water gap if you don't expect it to be there.

[LIhikers]

As a section hiker, who's only seen the trail from Harper's Ferry to Pinkham Notch so far, Vermont and New Hampshire are tied.
Vermont for its lush greenery and New Hampshire for its rugged handsomeness.

[garlic08]

New York. The food.

[Cookerhiker]

Maine in late summer/early fall for the mountains, lakes, wildlife (especially loons), evergreens, clean air
North Carolina/Tennessee in mid-spring for the flowers

[Grampie]

After hiking the whole AT I would have to say Maine was my favorite state. Besides the beautifull mountains, lakes and streams the views from the mountain tops are unbeatable. Maine is probably the only place you will see a moose. The trail is kept in a more natural condition. Most rivers and streams have no bridges. You have to ford. Fewer roads cross the trail you get more of a feeling that you are in a wilderness.

[on_the_GOEZ]

Maine - most quiet state along the whole trail, best water, most rewarding terrain, and MOOSE!

Tennessee - Bob People's section...

[rocketsocks]

Wow,I cannot believe all the responses to my little state of NJ,yes were not all refineries,and highways.I have never been in the Whites and long to go,it is probably going to be my first stop on a long list of want-to-see though above tree line anywhere would be spectacular too...one day

[takethisbread]

West Virginia.

[obscura]

The balds of TN/NC. Overall, the first 700 miles in general. NH and Maine had some lovely scenery, but I figured out I really just don't care much for rock climbing.

[Lone Wolf]

Va, nj, ct

[Smooth & Wasabi]

Maine is great overall