Looking For A Place To Hike? Here's A List Of Five Top Spots In The Northeast

Whether it's easy, moderate, or vigorous hiking you're after—and you're hoping to escape the Garden State for a bit—all manner of trails can be found in the Northeast. States such as Vermont, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York and New Hampshire boast countless scenic passes and overlooks amid miles and miles of hiking trails. If you want to take advantage, here are just a few of the hikes you should consider.

1. Rocky Peak Ridge, Adirondack Park, N.Y. This 11-mile, point-to-point hike includes a myriad of pleasures: blueberries, exposed ridges and sweeping views into Vermont. There's initially a steep 2.9-mile 3,000-vertical-foot ascent of Giant Mountain, the 12th highest peak in the Adirondacks, followed by a moderate ascent to the ridge. Views are said to be spectacular from several points. The trailhead is 6.2 miles west of Exit 30 from Interstate 87. For more information, call the Adirondack Mountain Club at 800-395-8080 or go here. 

2. Diamond Notch Falls, N.Y. Also in New York—this time in the Catskills—this relatively easy hike takes you to a 15-foot waterfall in a gorgeous steam valley. There's a 1.5-mile roundtrip walk to Diamond Notch falls—great for children—and also a scenic 4-mile roundtrip hike to Diamond Notch to choose from. Diamond Notch boasts gorgeous scenery, separating Hunter and Westkill Mountains. For more information, go to dec.ny.gov. Not far away, there's also Kaaterskill Falls which, at 260 feet, is the highest cascading waterfall in New York State. There's a 0.5-mile trail to the base of the waterfall, which is rocky, but not too strenuous.

3. Mount Greylock State Reservation, Mass. If you really want to do some hiking, try the 43-mile backcountry trail network that surrounds this popular 3,491-foot peak. The site, which is composed of various ridges, typically rises 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape and allows, if it's clear, glimpses of five different states some 70 to 100 miles in the distance: Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire. For more information, call the Greylock Visitor Center at 413-443-0011.

4. Northern Presidential Range, N.H. Also for serious hikers is the 51 miles of Appalachian Trail between the Franconia and Pinkham Notches in the White Mountains. Situated along the trail are eight Appalachian Mountain Club huts, strategically placed a day's hike apart from each other, costing $60 to $64 a night, with breakfast and dinner included. You must make reservations in advance by calling 603-466-2727. For more information about hiking in general in the gorgeous White Mountains, go here.

5. Camel's Hump, Vt. At 4,083 feet, Camel's Hump is Vermont's third-highest mountain, and the only one of Vermont's high peaks where major human development is nowhere to be found—which is a good thing. The open summit offers panoramic views, going from the Adirondacks to the White Mountains. Camel's Hump is midway between Burlington and Montpelier, with several trailheads around the perimeter of the mountain. This area is also great for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing in winter. For more information, go here.