You lace up your boots and step onto a trail surrounded by trees that seem to whisper with every gust of wind. You’re not just hiking for views today; you’re walking paths steeped in legend, where ghost stories cling to every shadow and chill. Across America, certain trails promise more than nature’s beauty; they offer eerie encounters and tales of the unexplained. If you crave a touch of the supernatural in your adventures, these haunted hikes are your next test of courage.
Appalachian Trail, Virginia
You hear it before you see it, a faint humming said to belong to the “Phantom Hitchhiker of Route 29.” Stretching through Virginia, the Appalachian Trail hides tales of lost hikers and flickering lanterns seen at twilight. Locals speak of sudden cold spots and voices echoing through the Blue Ridge Mountains. When you wander these fog-laced paths, you might sense the presence of those who never reached the trail’s end.
Griffith Park, California
You wander beneath Griffith Park’s dense oaks, where ghostly tales rival the city lights below. Legend says Dona Petrenilla, an angry spirit from the 1800s, curses anyone who dares disturb her land. Visitors report strange laughter near old picnic areas and spectral horses galloping at dusk. When you hike toward the Hollywood Sign, you may feel eyes following your every move from the trees above.
The Long Trail, Vermont
You move along Vermont’s misty Long Trail, where the spirit of a woman named Emily is said to roam. Heartbroken after losing her love, she lingers near Glastenbury Mountain, a site notorious for disappearances. Some hikers speak of sudden silence in the woods or compasses spinning wildly. When you brave this trail’s remote stretches, you may feel nature and something unseen closing in.
Ghost House Trail, Tennessee
You cross into Big Ridge State Park, where the Ghost House Trail lives up to its name. The Hutchinson family once called this land home, but tragedy left them bound to its hills. You might hear the soft howl of a phantom dog or see the glow of lanterns near the ruins. As you loop through the forest, each crunch of leaves feels heavier, as though someone unseen walks beside you.
Iron Goat Trail, Washington
You step onto the Iron Goat Trail, where snow-covered mountains hide sorrowful history. In 1910, an avalanche wiped out a train and its passengers, leaving restless spirits along the old railway. Hikers often hear distant whistles or feel cold gusts through abandoned tunnels. When fog rolls in, the sound of steel on tracks reminds you that the past still echoes here.
Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery Trail, Illinois
You wander through thick woods outside Chicago, following a path that leads to Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery. Once a burial site turned ghost haven, it’s infamous for phantom cars, glowing orbs, and a mysterious woman in white. You may catch her reflection beside you in the water’s edge or hear footsteps crunch behind you. The air grows colder as you approach the iron gate that guards its secrets.
Hell’s Hollow Trail, Pennsylvania
You descend into McConnells Mill State Park, where Hell’s Hollow Trail feels aptly named. Legends tell of an old mill worker whose cries echo from the falls after dark. You might notice faint lights floating above the creek or whispers in the rushing water. As you cross the wooden bridge, your heartbeat syncs with the haunting rhythm of the forest around you.
Green Mountain Ghost Trail, New Hampshire
You follow the Green Mountain Ghost Trail, a quiet stretch with a chilling past. Locals claim it’s haunted by railroad workers who died during tunnel construction in the 1800s. On still nights, hikers hear hammering deep within the mountain or see flickering lights underground. You keep your steps steady, half-expecting the ground to rumble with echoes from another time.
Slaughter Canyon Trail, New Mexico
You trek into Carlsbad Caverns National Park, where Slaughter Canyon Trail winds through stark desert and hidden caves. Once a refuge for miners, it’s now rumored to host their ghosts. Some visitors report the clink of unseen tools or the faint smell of gunpowder in still air. When twilight hits, shadows seem to move on their own against the canyon walls.
Lost Lake Trail, Colorado
You make your way along the Lost Lake Trail in Boulder County, where legends of a phantom miner persist. He’s said to appear before storms, swinging his lantern through the fog. Some claim his warnings save hikers from danger, while others say he’s searching for gold he never found. When thunder rolls over the peaks, you might glimpse his light before it vanishes into the mist.
