The perfect hike often concludes with the perfect reward—a cold, craft beer in a charming small-town setting. Across America, trail systems increasingly connect with local brewing culture, creating experiences that satisfy outdoor enthusiasts and beer aficionados.
These trail-to-taproom routes offer hikers the pleasure of natural beauty and handcrafted beverages. Here is a list of 15 states where you can find exceptional hiking trails that conveniently end at small-town breweries, combining outdoor adventure with craft beer exploration.
Vermont
The Long Trail connects with several breweries in small mountain towns, including the Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro Bend. This moderately difficult hike of 4.5 miles winds through maple forest and meadows to its terminus at what many call one of the finest craft breweries in America.
The farmhouse ales feel refreshing after climbing up and down so gently.
Oregon
The 3-mile-long Waterfront Trail in Hood River follows the Columbia River before finishing at pFriem Family Brewers. The well-maintained path has impressive views of the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood and interpretive signs related to the local natural history.
Friem Belgian-style beers are perfectly complemented by their outside seating area, where hikers may rest their weary legs while enjoying views of the river and observing windsurfers.
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Colorado
The Clear Creek Trail at Golden is a wonderful hike that ends at Golden City Brewery, Colorado’s second oldest microbrewery, after 5.5 miles of canyon scenery. The trail runs through historic gold rush trails complete with interpretive signs marking mining history.
It’s like finding a neighborhood secret-a beer garden in the brewery’s backyard, picnic tables under towering trees, and award-winning ales in an informal setting.
North Carolina
Asheville’s Bent Creek Trail System links Burial Beer in the South Slope brewery neighborhood to a 6-mile route through laurel thickets and hardwood forests. The moderately difficult trail includes creek crossings and some technical terrain, making the end destination particularly worth it.
Burial’s farmhouse-style taproom features brews using local ingredients to create a true farm-to-glass experience.
Utah
Trade cherries and dunes for red rock majesty. The Moab Canyon Pathway offers a four-mile paved trail starting at Arches National Park and winding through canyons and sandstone formations before finishing in downtown Moab at Moab Brewery.
The brewery’s jalapeño cream ale and desert-themed beers provide a bold reward after hiking or biking in Utah’s rugged terrain.
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Maine
The Carriage Road Trail in Bar Harbor takes hikers on an 8-mile journey through Acadia National Park’s stunning terrain before ending at Atlantic Brewing Company. The trail features crushed stone paths built by John D. Rockefeller Jr., offering relatively flat terrain despite the impressive coastal views.
Atlantic’s small-batch brews often incorporate Maine blueberries, honey, and other local ingredients that celebrate the region’s natural bounty.
Washington
Methow Valley’s Sun Mountain Trail creates a 5-mile backcountry experience before hikers emerge at Old Schoolhouse Brewery in Winthrop. The path traverses pine forests and open meadows, with views of North Cascade peaks throughout the journey.
Old Schoolhouse operates from a restored 1912 schoolhouse, where their award-winning IPAs and lagers attract outdoor enthusiasts year-round.
California
The Armstrong Redwoods Loop near Guerneville takes hikers through ancient redwood groves before connecting to Stumptown Brewery via a 3-mile connector trail. Walking among these giants—some over 1,400 years old—creates a humbling experience that contrasts perfectly with the brewery’s lively riverside atmosphere.
Their deck overlooking the Russian River provides the ideal setting for sampling their signature Rat Bastard Pale Ale after a day among the towering trees.
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New York
Lake Placid’s Peninsula Trail forms a 4-mile loop through Adirondack woodlands before connecting to Lake Placid Pub & Brewery. The trail hugs the shoreline of Mirror Lake, offering consistent views of the water and mountains beyond.
The brewery’s heritage dates back to 1996, making it one of the region’s pioneering craft establishments. It is known especially for its Ubu Ale, which was named after a local chocolate lab.
Wisconsin
The Ice Age Trail segment near New Glarus winds 6 miles through glacial landscapes before reaching the famous New Glarus Brewing Company. This national scenic trail features kettles, moraines, and other fascinating geological formations from the last ice age.
The brewery’s Swiss-inspired architecture reflects the town’s heritage, and their Spotted Cow farmhouse ale has achieved cult status among Midwestern beer enthusiasts.
Montana
The Drinking Horse Mountain Trail near Bozeman offers a moderately challenging 2-mile path that connects to Mountain Walking Brewery. The trail climbs 700 feet in elevation, providing panoramic views of the Gallatin Valley and surrounding mountain ranges.
Mountains Walking embraces a Japanese-inspired approach to brewing, focusing on balance and subtlety—qualities that resonate with hikers who’ve just experienced Montana’s expansive landscapes.
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Pennsylvania
The Ghost Town Trail near Indiana, PA, traverses four miles of reclaimed rail corridors before reaching Levity Brewing. The trail passes abandoned coal mining communities, with interpretive signage explaining the region’s industrial past.
Levity’s taproom occupies a converted warehouse space, where its experimental brews often incorporate foraged ingredients from along the very trail hikers traveled.
Arizona
Sedona’s Bell Rock Pathway stretches 3.5 miles through red rock country before connecting to Oak Creek Brewery. The trail offers close-up views of Sedona’s famous buttes and spires with characteristic rusty hues.
The brewery’s shaded patio provides the perfect vantage point for continued rock formation viewing while sampling their Nut Brown Ale, which has won multiple Great American Beer Festival medals.
Minnesota
The Superior Hiking Trail segment near Duluth offers a 7-mile trek along Lake Superior’s dramatic shoreline before ending at Castle Danger Brewery in Two Harbors. The trail features boreal forest, waterfalls, and cliffs overlooking the world’s largest freshwater lake.
Castle Danger’s Cream Ale has developed a strong following among hikers for its approachable flavor profile that satisfies after a day on the rugged north shore.
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Missouri
The Ozark Trail spur near Rolla creates a 5-mile hiking experience through hardwood forests before connecting to the Public House Brewing Company. The trail showcases the rolling Ozark landscapes, with limestone bluffs and crystal-clear streams along much of the route.
The brewery occupies a welcoming space, and its craft beers often incorporate regional ingredients like Missouri-grown wheat and hops, creating a refreshing finish to a day of exploring the ancient terrain of the Ozarks.
Where Trails and Taps Converge
These trail-to-brewery connections represent more than convenient pairings—they embody a distinctly American approach to experiencing landscapes through multiple senses. Local brewers often draw inspiration from the same natural environments that attract hikers, creating beverages that reflect regional ingredients and character.
The next time you plan an outdoor adventure, consider these destinations where the journey through nature concludes with a trip through flavor, creating memories that engage both body and palate.
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