A lot of us need to travel to get to excellent hiking destinations. If you love hiking on any of these trails, why not consider moving nearby? Then you can scratch that hiking itch whenever the mood takes you!
Bruce Trail
The Bruce Trail is the oldest marked hiking trail in Canada. It stretches for almost 550 miles, from the Niagara River to Tobermory, Ontario, making it one of the longest in Canada.
The trail follows the edge of the Niagara Escarpment. You will see a lot of waterfalls as rivers and streams flow over the escarpment.
Where to Move to – Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is close to Toronto but has much lower rent. This has attracted a lot of young people, and creative professionals to Downtown Hamilton. This, in turn, has led to a lot of new amenities, restaurants and shops opening.
The city does not have a high population density, meaning spacious properties are very affordable. There is a lot of open space within the city, and you also have easy access to the Bruce Trail.
It is a great time to purchase property in Hamilton. If you are considering buying your dream house, my advice would be to get it now.
Wasatch Mountain State Park
The Wasatch Mountain State Park is located south-east of Salt Lake City. It has many trails of varying difficulty, including some that are good for children.
It is great to visit in Autumn, as you have a better chance of seeing wild turkeys, deer, and elk as they descend to lower ground.
Where to Move to – Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is a beautiful city. There are views of the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains, and sunsets over the Great Salt Lake can be breathtaking.
It is another city with an excellent public transportation system and has many culturally diverse neighborhoods.
If you like skiing, there are many resorts in the vicinity, and the locals swear that the snow in the area has the ideal combination of density and moisture.
Forest Park
Forest Park is located on the western edge of Downtown Portland and is one of the countries largest urban forest reserves.
There are many trails and places to visit, including the Wildwood Trail that is lined with an abundance of wildflowers in the summer months, and the Pittock Mansion Museum.
Where to Move to – Portland, Oregon
Portland is home to many great companies such as Adidas, Columbia Sportswear, Nike and Intel, which means there are always plenty of great job opportunities.
It is also great for outdoor activities such as hiking and year-round skiing. The city’s motto is ‘Keep Portland Weird’ which sums up the quirkiness of the city. It has a great arts scene, and the Pearl District is a real creative hub.
Wissahickon Gorge
The Wissahickon Valley Park contains over 50 miles of trails, rugged enough to keep even experienced hikers happy.
It is situated in North West Philadelphia and is one of the 600 National Natural Landmarks of the United States.
Where to Move to – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is still a very affordable city. There has been a lot of development in recent years, and a lot of new shops and restaurants have opened. So far, this has not had any significant impact on rental costs.
It also boasts an excellent public transportation system and a pleasant moderate climate. So you should be able to leave the car at home a lot of the time. You also have other great hiking areas nearby such as Mt Minsi and Loyalsock State Forest.
Conclusion
If hiking is your passion, it makes sense to live somewhere where great hiking is accessible. As this list shows, you do not need to give up the amenities provided by city living. With a bit of research and planning, it is possible to have the best of both worlds!