This year injury and busy-ness have curtailed our hiking adventures, but we still got some trails in that we’re thankful for - including a terrific trip to Scotland! Here is our 3rd annual list of ten trails we’re thankful for this Thanksgiving 2024! 

#10: WOODLAND TRAIL | NEWTON HILLS STATE PARK | CANTON, SD

The Woodland Trail at Newton Hills State Park is around 2 miles. It takes you through a hilly deciduous forest that’s beautiful all year round.
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#9: ST. ANTHONY FALLS TRAIL | MINNEAPOLIS, MN

St. Anthony Falls Located near downtown Minneapolis on the riverfront of the Mississippi River, this loop trail around the Minneapolis riverfront is a favorite for tourists, bicyclists, runners, and walkers - for good reason. It shows you a lot of history in only two miles.
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#8: OLD MAN OF STORR | ISLE OF SKYE | SCOTLAND

The Old Man of Storr is actually what’s called a volcanic plug, a remnant of volcanic activity that created the island around 2,800 million years ago and is one of the most iconic rock formations in Scotland. Local legend says the Old Man of Storr was a giant who was killed in a battle. After his death, his “thumb” remained partially above the ground. The area was once a farming community using the “rig and furrow” form of agriculture, which created a distinctive ridged pattern in the earth.
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#7: CONIC HILL | LOCH LOMOND AND THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK | SCOTLAND

The hike up Conic Hill is steep but short, and gives you gorgeous views of Loch Lomond. The path leaves the parking lot to take you through a beautiful forest, then heads up a large number of steep stone steps. Be sure to stop at the overlooks along the way to enjoy the view just in case the fog rolls in before you reach the top. Some big rewards for a short hike!
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#6: BUR OAK TRAIL | LUVERNE, MN

The Bur Oak Trail in Blue Mounds State Park near Luverne, Minnesota is a beautiful wooded trail that leads past rose quartzite cliffs. It’s around two miles long.
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#5: FLUME TRAIL  | NEAR ROCKERVILLE, SD

This trail takes you up a ridge to spectacular views of the surrounding hills and beyond, and features the remains of an historic flume that carried gold through the Black Hills of South Dakota. Read more…

#4: HORSETHIEF LAKE TRAIL TO CENTENNIAL 89 | KEYSTONE, SD

This trail starts out at beautiful Horsethief Lake near Keystone, SD and winds its way through deciduous and pine trees in the Black Elk Wilderness to Centennial Trail #89. From there, you can take 89 to the Blackberry Trail which leads to Mount Rushmore.
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#3: THE QUIRAING | ISLE OF SKYE | SCOTLAND

The Quiraing was formed when a thick layer of flood basalt spread over the peninsula and caused a succession of landslides. Left behind was a landscape of unique rock formations including high cliffs, plateaus, peaks, and small ponds. This was one of our favorite hikes in Scotland; from its green slopes and fantastic formations to its thin waterfalls and amazing views, it’s an incredible trail packed into around 4 miles.
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#2: MEILL A' BHUACHAILLE | CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK | SCOTLAND

Cairngorms National Park is lush, green, and beautiful, and not as crowded as some of the more popular hiking destinations in the United Kingdom. We chose Meill a’ Bhuachaille because of its moderate length and ascent, and because it had plenty of trees with a great view.
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#1: BEN NEVIS | FORT WILLIAM | SCOTLAND

Ben Nevis is the tallest peak in Scotland, the United Kingdom, and the British Isles. It stands at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in the Highlands near Fort William. The beginning of the hike takes you up stairs, rocks, and aggregate path to journey between two mountains. As you journey upwards, take the time to enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
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