The Best Hikes near Breweries, Wineries, and Sober Bars in the U.S.
This article originally appeared on Outside
On the trail, my friends crave hamburgers and fries, fried chicken, and buttery pastries. Me? I salivate thinking about ice-cold drinks. Not only is hydration essential to recovery, apres refreshments are a celebratory treat to look forward to at the end of a journey. While most watering holes are located a drives' worth away from the trailhead, a handful of wineries, breweries, and sober bars have set up shop right along hiking areas to serve thirsty trekkers as soon as they're ready to kick up their feet. Smart for business, convenient for you. Below, we've vetted 20 gorgeous hikes--of varying distance and difficulty--located near trailside drinking establishments across every region in the U.S. There on their patios and in their taprooms, you can cheers to a day well spent.
The West
North Table Mountain to New Terrain Brewing Co.
Golden, Colorado
If the trailhead shares a parking lot with a brewery, we encourage you to indulge. New Terrain Brewing Co. is situated right at the bottom of Golden's North Table Mountain, a rocky mesa with 360 degree views of the Front Range. Park in the shared lot and start your trek at the East Access Trail, which climbs more than 1,000 feet before looping the mesa's outer rim for a total of 8 miles. Follow signs for the North Table Loop. Once you finish your hike and descend, a crisp craft beer is waiting for you at the bottom. The spacious taproom and patio hosts live music and food trucks, making it a bustling spot for other thirsty hikers, mountain bikers, climbers, and dogs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjJcJ1avT7e/
Ocean Beach Cafe to Lands End Lookout
San Francisco, California
For one of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge, head to Lincoln Park and the Presidio on the northwest side of San Francisco. The California Coastal Trail hugs the shore for four miles from Golden Gate Overlook to Lands End Lookout, passing by several beaches and photogenic rock formations, a labyrinth, and sutro bath ruins. Right where Balboa Street ends and the sand begins, you'll find Ocean Beach Cafe, a non-alcoholic bar and bottle shop with a daily happy hour. Fall menu items include libations like the Hummingbird with tennyson black ginger and the Devil Mountain with a spiritless Kentucky 74. Reserve a one-hour Temperance Tasting for a sampling of the latest alcohol-free wines, beers, elixirs, and mocktails.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BK159ydgZ62/
7:30 Mine Trail to Bread Bar
Silver Plume, Colorado
Tired of waiting in traffic on I-70? Reroute to Silver Plume west of Georgetown, a historic mining town tucked in the narrow canyon. Right downtown, hop on the out-and-back 7:30 Mine Trail from Main Street, then climb more than 1,200 feet in 2.5 miles, one way. Highlights along the route include historic mining structures, closed mine shafts, and the grave of the man who discovered silver and gold in the area. Historians say he used to play the violin outside his cabin. At the bottom of the hill, Bread Bar awaits with treats. In addition to beer, wine, and cocktails, this comfy bar housed in a 1800s-era bakery also caters to sober drinkers. Order the No Bones Tabor, a zingy zero-proof mocktail mixed with blackberry sage jam, citrus, and soda. One caveat: it only seats ten or so people, so plan to go during Colorado's off-season.
Snoqualmie Pass to DruBru
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
Up at Snoqualmie Pass, just outside of Seattle, hiking, skiing, and beer-drinking worlds collide. In the resort area, DruBru is right next to the iconic Pacific Crest Trail and other Washington day hikes. Kendall Peak Lakes Trail is an 8.5 out-and-back with a glassy lake at the top, and Lodge Lake climbs the ski hill for two miles to another scenic lake. Once you're back in the village, choose from 15 active taps or the grab-and-go selection, then kick back on the heated outdoor patios to admire views of Guye Peak and Snoqualmie Mountain. The Lemon Lime Lager is crisp and light, while the Alpha Female Double IPA has a simple malk backbone with floral and fresh-cut-grass flavors.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj0Z62juIT3/
Eola Hills Wine Cellars
Salem, Oregon
Hiking with wine has its very own terminology: it's called wiking. In the Willamette Valley, where wineries are as abundant as trails, Eola Hills Wine Cellars combines the two pastimes on private pathways through their 165-acre wooded Legacy Estate Vineyard. The winery provides trail maps for the self-guided hike in the hillsides, and the entry fee is waived with a post-hike wine bottle purchase. Take note: This wiking experience is only available by reservation. Check the calendar to plan your visit around the many other outdoor events, such as Yoga + Wine classes. Camping is also available to members of Harvest Hosts, a network of unique overnight RV and campervan spots. Pour yourself a glass and overlook the lake from the private dock during quiet hours.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYcbvOmsF6D/
Treasure Hill Trail to High West Saloon
Park City, Utah
When there's no snow on the ground, ski resorts become hiking hotspots. Instead of relying on a chairlift, use your legs to travel the Treasure Hill Trail from Old Town to the top of the Payday Express Lift, a total of 1,000 feet of vert and six miles round trip through aspen groves. The first payoff for your hard work is panoramic views of the Park City Mountain Resort base, Park Meadows, and Quarry Mountain. The second payoff is down at the base at High West Saloon, an old-timey bar with a wide range of whiskeys and more than a century of history. In 2006, the company became Utah's first legal distillery since 1870. Whiskey wonks will appreciate the 45-minute tour at the tasting room and distillery 18 miles to the north. You can also scroll through the online recipe book for drink inspiration.
The Midwest
Smale Riverfront Park to Aster Social Sippery
Cincinnati, Ohio
Exploring a city, especially its green spaces and waterfronts, by foot is called urban hiking. In downtown Cincinnati, there's no better place to enjoy nature than along the Ohio River at Smale Riverfront Park. Huge pollinator gardens attract bees and birds, public art like the Black Brigade Monument and Marian Spencer Statue honor historical figures and events, and Carol Ann's Carousel delights kids and adults alike. You can even walk across the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge to Kentucky. Or, extend your adventure by hopping on the Ohio River Trail, which spans over 20 miles to its end point in New Richmond. Aten-minute walk from the water, Aster Social Sippery serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic libations concocted from healthy ingredients like kombucha, lemongrass, fresh fruits, and handpicked herbs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjvHm-muNAA/
Mount Tabor Trail to Round Barn Estate and Tabor Hill Winery
Buchanan and Baroda, Michigan
Sip and stroll through the woods of this quaint southwest Michigan town, where a 3.6-mile trail network connects two wineries. Round Barn Estate has been making small-batch wines, craft beer, and spirits for more than 30 years out of its domed building, while Tabor Hill Winery specializes in sweet, sparkling, and dry wines. The sibling locations put the beautiful woodlands around their properties to good use by creating an immersive tasting experience. Access the trail from either winery during normal business hours, and meander through vineyards with drinks and snacks in hand. There's also an easier 1.3-mile round trip shortcut. The area is especially scenic during harvest time, when the plump grapes hang off the vines.
Superior Hiking Trail to Ursa Minor Brewing
Duluth, Minnesota
Whether you're preparing for your next thru-hike or just looking for a day outing, the 310-mile Superior Hiking Trail offers breathtaking views of Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountains. The trail starts in Duluth and ends at the Canadian border, winding through boreal forests, past babbling brooks and cascading waterfalls, and nearby native flora and fauna. Right in Duluth, either before you start your trek or after, fill up at Ursa Minor Brewing. Set in an industrial space with a pizza oven and outdoor fire pits, this taproom slings brews from its rotating tap, which includes sober-friendly drinks like kombucha, ginger beer, and their own non-alcoholic cream ale called N/A Time N/A Where. If you're local, keep an eye on the calendar for various community events and fundraising initiatives.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYJ5DzXsRtV/
Crow Peak Trail to Crow Peak Brewing
Spearfish, North Dakota
Spearfish is where South Dakota's outdoorsy people live and visit. There are waterfalls, cross-country skiing tracks, and hiking and biking routes galore. While the brewery isn't exactly next to the trail, it's on our list because it's pretty damn close. Crow Peak Brewing Company is at the mouth of Higgins Gulch Road, which leads to the trailhead to 5,760-foot Crow Peak, a 6.8-mile out and back overlooking the Black Hills National Forest. Wildflowers pop in the spring, and trees turn golden in fall. The brewery is housed in a cool two-story building with a long bar and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Year-round beers from the five-barrel brew system include the 5 ABV Canyon Cream Ale and 6.5 ABV Pile O'Dirt Porter.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch3Us1tDZd7/
Katy Trail to Good News Brewing Company
August, Missouri
Similar to the inn-to-inn style footpaths in Europe, the Katy Trail is a converted railroad trail spanning nearly 240 miles through some of Missouri's smallest communities. Few have thru-hiked the route, but many more consider it for scenic day outings. Some sections of the trail follow the Missouri River, varying from rolling farmland, forests, tallgrass prairies, and metro areas. Pick up the path in the little towns of Defiance or Augusta, where Good News Brewing has two locations located near trailheads servicing hikers and cyclists with seasonal beers, ciders, and guest taps. The Augusta trail entrance is also nearby Augusta Winery and Mt. Pleasant Estates. Spring and fall are the best times of year to hike the trail to avoid Midwestern heat and chill in summer and winter.
The South
Hot Springs National Park to Superior Bathhouse Brewery
Garland County, Arkansas
You've heard of beer brewed with snowmelt, but what about thermal spring water? Superior Bathhouse Brewery is the world's first to use the ingredient for making beer, from sours to saisons. Built in 1916, the brick building with green window casings operated as a bathhouse for nearly 70 years and sat vacant for another 30 until the brewery inked a deal with the U.S. Department of the Interior. With 26 miles of hiking trails in the park, catch views of the surrounding Ouachita Mountains: the 1.4-mile Oertel Trail ascends a staircase from the visitor's center, and the 1.2-mile Whittington Trail is an easy stroll. When your muscles grow tired, head to Bathhouse Row for a soak in the ancient thermal springs. Unfortunately you can't take beer into the baths. But at the brewery, order the Beer Bath to sample 18 beers on tap.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjGsxF9goPC/
Shelby Farms Greenline to Wiseacre and Hampline Breweries
Memphis, Tennessee
The product of the city's commitment to walkability and accessibility, the Shelby Farms Greenline is a 10.65-mile bikeway and pedestrian network right in Midtown Memphis that connects several neighborhoods, landmarks, bicycle shops, and parks. One section of the route, the Hampline, features the city's first bicycle-specific traffic signals. At one end, Overton Park, or Old Forest State Natural Area, is the only old-growth forest in the Southeast that's located in an urban environment. At the other end, the community-supported Shelby Farms Park has loops of hiking and biking trails around clusters of ponds. Fuel up on snacks and beer at Wiseacre Brewing Co. or Hampline Brewing Company, steps from each other right off the route. Order a few snacks alongside a rotating tap of seasonal and year-round brews.
Lady Bird Lake and Boggy Creek Greenbelt to Sans Bar
Austin, Texas
Mocktails have come a long way from Shirley Temples, and there's a serious craft to elevating alcohol-free drinks beyond soda water with syrup. A first for Texas, Sans Bar creates a space for the sober serious and sober curious to imbibe on non-alcoholic bubbles in a cozy environment. It's only open from 7 P.M. to 12 A.M. on Fridays, so we recommend spending the day exploring the nearby waterfront trails. Start at the Lady Bird Lake Trail, which stretches for ten miles along the Colorado River. The Zilker Botanical Garden and the lake's boardwalk are highlights. Then in the afternoon, make your way into town and stop at the Boggy Creek Greenbelt, which has a 1.7-mile trail through fields and over bridges. From there, you're four blocks from your end-of-day destination at the bar.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cik_L5BO72l/
Gulf State Park to Big Beach Brewing
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Along the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama's shoreline spreads for 60 miles. For folks in the South, Gulf Shores is one of the most popular beach getaways for enjoying the balmy waters, and the namesake state park encompasses 6,5000 acres. A string of boardwalks, campground roads, and trails create a lovely walking path around Shelby Lake, and seven trails through six distinct ecosystems make up more than 15 miles of the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. Look out for butterflies in the gardens, white tailed deer on the ridges, and alligators in the marshes. On the northern outskirts of the park, Big Beach Brewing invites beach goers to enjoy the ocean breeze from the taproom.
Art Loeb Trail to The Hub and Pisgah Tavern
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
In Western North Carolina's land of mile-high peaks and gushing waterfalls, the Hub & Pisgah Tavern was one of the first outdoor gear shops to moonlight as a tavern, attracting connoisseurs of both beer and gear. The shop is located at the southern terminus of the 30-mile Art Loeb Trail, which is considered one of the most challenging point-to-point hikes in the state because it traverses high points. Shorter out and back segments are also possible. At the end of your trek, you might be in need of a new tent or hiking boots. Peruse the shelves of the warehouse-like shop in search of gear to replenish your backpacking setup. Then head to the tavern to order from eight rotating taps and sit at one of the picnic tables under the string lights on the front deck.
The East
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjLInAyoKcb/
Nordic Trails to Oxbow Beer Garden
Oxford, Maine
Some of the best apres experiences are found in unassuming places--like in the small town of Oxford in western Maine. Oxbow Beer Garden is half taproom, half restaurant in a renovated 200-year-old barn that's so quintessentially New England with its cabin-curated interior. Wood-fired pizza topped with fresh ingredients from the surrounding farmland pairs with the reviving farmhouse ales and fruited beers. Adjacent to this local hotspot is an extensive Nordic skiing trail system that loops for several miles around primitive hut, camping area, and Whitney Pond and the Little Androscoggin River. The trails are ideal for hiking, running, and walking the dog during the dry months, and when the trails are frosted with snow, the local nonprofit Portland Gear Hub rents out nordic skis, fat bikes, and snowshoes.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CiSsCZVOQ7p/
Hoodlebug Trail to Levity Beer and Noble Stein Brewing
Indiana, Pennsylvania
Even easy hikes deserve to be celebrated. The Hoodlebug Trail stretches for ten flat gravel miles from Indiana to Black Lick in Western Pennsylvania, over creeks, under tree canopies, and through wooded areas. Multiple access points at road crossings and parking lots allow you to begin and end your journey wherever you decide. A connector trail also links the 46-mile Ghost Town Trail near Saylor Park. In Indiana, order hoppy refreshments at Levity Brewing, where you can sit around fire pits, listen to live music, or watch a friendly game of wiffle ball. Only a 20-minute walk to the north, Noble Stein Brewing has a robust menu of sours, ciders, lagers, and saisons. The two breweries have been known to collaborate on tasty brews.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjQ-a6xP80W/
Hunter Mountain to West Kill Brewing
West Kill, New York
Compared to out west, New York has a smaller percentage of public land. That's what makes places like the Hunter-West Kill Wilderness so special. Right near West Kill Brewing, link up with the Hunter Mountain Trailhead for a strenuous climb about 2,000 feet to a fire tower. Keep following Diamond Notch Trail to Devil's Path to Hunter Mountain Trail to reach the summit at 4,039 feet. Your reward at the bottom is a cold one on the 127-acre historic dairy farm, where breweries use foraged and locally-grown ingredients along with mountain water to brew beer. The Basil IPA has hints of strawberry and pine, while the Oyster Stout was brewed with, you guessed it, fresh Barnstable oysters.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CW6LTd0vdY4/?hl=en
Trapp Family Lodge to Von Trapp Brewing's Bierhall
Stowe, Vermont
Paying homage to the Von Trapp family history and mountain resorts of Austria, the Trapp Family Lodge is a four-seasons, all-inclusive property for outdoor adventurers in Vermont's Green Range (from $245). Visitors can either come for the day (requires a day pass) or book an extended stay in the suites and villas, and vacation packages cater to people who love moving their bodies in the mountains. Spend your energy exploring more than 35 miles of trails that lead to summits and ridges. Snowshoe and cross-country ski in the fall and winter, mountain bike and hike in the spring and summer. A steep hike leads to the family-built chapel, and an educational tour leaves from the outdoor center. End the day hunkering down with a crisp and clean Austrian lager at Von Trapp Brewing's Bierhall, a cozy lodge with high ceilings, wooden beams, and touches of Bavarian influences.
For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today.
