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6 Great Hikes

Some of the nation's best walking trails may be closer than you think

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Olympic Paradise / Washington State

A couple of hours' drive from Seattle, Olympic National Park boasts some of North America's most rugged mountain country — and some of its greatest salmon rivers. An easy-to-moderate amble through this wild country is the Sol Duc River Trail, on the park's northwest side. The trail winds along the Sol Duc River, then climbs toward a high divide with views of the sawtooth-topped Olympics to the south. Keep an eye out for bears; they enjoy salmon as much as we do. The walk ends in a treat: a soak in the Sol Duc Hot Springs. — Photo by Alamy

Even on vacation, Americans tend to see the world at 65 mph. But as a walker and constant traveler, I've discovered that our nation's virtually limitless trails offer a new, more leisurely perspective on everything from wild rivers to architectural wonders. Here are six of my favorite places to walk. Some are in the wild, others are in the city (and still others are in the wild in the city!), but all are easy to get to — with rewards you'll reap only on foot.

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