Best cities for parks and hiking in VA,NC,MD, and TN?. (mountain, why)

[JadeL2206]

We want to relocate to a city with 4 seasons with lots of hiking trails in or near the city and also lots of parks. Which cities in VA, NC, MD, and TN would you recommend that are either college towns or have a population greater than 55,000?

[Florida2014]

None of the above. Denver, CO or one of its suburbs. 4 seasons, tons of trails both in the city and in the foothills/mountains, which are a short drive away. If you want a college town Boulder would be ideal.

[BigCityDreamer]

Silver Spring, Maryland and Frederick, Maryland have a lot of trails.

But there are trails, parks and plenty of green spaces all over the Washington DC metro area.

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by JadeL2206

We want to relocate to a city with 4 seasons with lots of hiking trails in or near the city and also lots of parks. Which cities in VA, NC, MD, and TN would you recommend that are either college towns or have a population greater than 55,000?

Why not post your questions under each of those states' subforums for yourself OP? Doubt anyone here will do all this research for you. Pretty tall order!

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

Johnson City might tick a few of those boxes.

[NJ2MDdude]

DC has the C&O Canal Towpath that connects Georgetown and Cumberland, MD. It intersects the Appalachian Trail at Harpers Ferry, WV.

[recycled]

Chattanooga TN is a likely candidate. Excellent variety of hiking trails in or next to the city such as Lookout Mountain, and a huge variety of hiking in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of northern GA and SE TN just outside the city. Not many years ago it was picked as the #1 city for active outdoor activities in the US by Outside magazine.