What’s the most popular hike in Idaho? This iconic trail is ‘well worth’ the trek
Whether you prefer well-tested hiking trails or want to avoid crowds, it helps to know how popular a route is before you head out.
Outdoor outfitter Kühl recently released its 2025 list of America’s most-loved hikes, examining the 20 most popular hiking trails in each state.
These trails are guaranteed to “challenge adventurers of all experience levels,” Kühl contributor Ivan Slovic wrote in an article published July 13.
Here’s which Idaho trail topped the list.
Most popular hike in Idaho? Try this Boise trail
According to Kühl, the most popular hike in Idaho is the Table Rock Trail just east of downtown Boise.
The 3.9-mile round trip leads to the top of Table Rock, a sandstone mesa that’s sacred to the Northern Shoshone tribe.
Along the way, you’ll see a towering white cross and the Boise “B,” a giant letter fashioned from rocks.
“From the top of Table Rock, you’ll be able to take in great views of the Boise cityscape,” AllTrails said.
With an elevation gain of about 880 feet, the Table Rock Trail has a moderate level of difficulty, making it an option for beginners and experienced hikers.
As of Aug. 27, Table Rock Trail had an average rating of 4.7 stars on outdoor recreation platform AllTrails with more than 5,600 reviews.
Reviewers praised the “well-maintained” trail and its “beautiful views” of Boise and the Old Idaho Penitentiary, calling it a perfect spot to watch sunsets.
“Loved this hike,” AllTrails reviewer Kenya Sanchez wrote. “The people are friendly and the views are so worth the climb up.”
“(It’s) totally worth the hike up and definitely worth the hike down,” AllTrails user Kate Elizabeth wrote in her review.
“The breathtaking view of Boise at night is truly captivating!” another reviewer wrote. “You can see the shimmering city lights and the stunning white cross that stands tall against the skyline, lighting up the darkness. It’s an unforgettable sight that adds a magical touch to the evening!”
Table Rock Trail was the highest-ranked Idaho hike on Kühl’s list, landing at No. 39 nationwide.
What other Idaho hiking trails made the list?
According to Kühl, the best-loved hikes in Idaho include Iron Creek and Alpine Way trails leading to Goat Lake and Goat Falls in the Sawtooths, which ranked 44th nationwide.
Kühl also showcased the Pulaski Tunnel Trail in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Iron Creek Trail to Sawtooth Lake and Tubbs Hill just south of Coeur d’Alene.
Where are the top 10 hiking trails in the nation?
Here are the 10 most popular hikes in the United States, according to Kühl:
- 1. Centerpoint to Goat Trail, Arkansas
- 2. Lands End Trail, California
- 3. Bright Angel Trail, Arizona
- 4. Indian Head and Rainbow Falls, New York
- 5. Half Dome via the John Muir Trail, California
- 6. Cathedral Rock Trail, Arizona
- 7. Devil’s Bridge Trail, Arizona
- 8. Highline Trail, Montana
- 9. Waihe’e Ridge Trail, Hawaii
- 10. Gold Strike Hot Springs Trail, Nevada
How did Kühl pick most popular hikes in US?
To determine the most popular hikes in all 50 U.S. states, Kühl looked at Google searches, Instagram mentions, AllTrails ratings and the total number of AllTrails reviews for each trail.
The retailer then gave each trail a weighted average score based on those results.
“These scores determined the final rankings, with higher scores indicating greater overall popularity,” Kühl said.
This story was originally published August 30, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "What’s the most popular hike in Idaho? This iconic trail is ‘well worth’ the trek."