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Summer’s here, and I want to fill it with adventure, but I don’t have the time to go on a long trip. Where are the best 3-day backpacking trips to spend a long weekend? —Weekend Warrior

Dear Weekend Warrior,

I’m a big fan of taking lots of mini adventures throughout the summer. You get little bites of hiking that keep you satiated throughout the season more than a single trip can. I also believe three days is the perfect length for a backpacking trip: Any shorter, and it’s hard to really get into the swing of things; any longer, and you have to do a lot more planning and training.

Here are five of our favorite hikes you can fit into a long weekend.

Four Pass Loop, Colorado

This 25-mile loop through Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness gets its name from the four mountain passes above 12,000 feet along the trail: Buckskin, Trail Rider, Frigid Air, and West Maroon. Hike it clockwise and the views of lupines, Columbines, evergreen forests, and alpine lakes will get better and better with every pass. Fair warning: With 8,339 feet of elevation gain, you will certainly have to earn the views. This trek is a tough one thanks to sustained climbs and steep descents (especially down Buckskin Pass)—but navigation is simple, there are plenty of water sources, and it’s by far one of the most beautiful hikes in the country.

July, August, and September are the best times to hike the Four Pass Loop. Early summer brings snowmelt-swollen rivers and deep snow on the high passes. Permits are required year-round, which you can get here.

Got an extra day? Do the trail in four days, three nights, and summit one pass per day. You can also extend your trip with side excursions to Geneva Lake and Willow Pass.

Art Loeb Trail, North Carolina

Asheville is an iconic hiking town because of its proximity to Pisgah National Forest, the Great Smoky Mountains, and the Appalachian Trail. But, it’s also close to a thru-hike about one percent of the distance of the AT: The Art Loeb Trail. Named after a North Carolina hiker who “deeply loved these mountains,” this 29-mile point-to-point trail is also a National Recreation Trail.

With 8,333 feet of vert, this trail’s a hilly one with constant climbs and descents, but the biodiversity will keep you entertained through the steeps. In the summer, you’ll be surrounded by dense, verdant greenery—even if that means hiking through some overgrowth after particularly rainy springs. This trail’s also a forager’s paradise: Find mushrooms, blueberries, and more, with foraging tips from a local expert. Most take this trail from north to south for a slightly easier traverse.

Doing a point-to-point hike can be a logistical nightmare, but with shuttle services like Pura Vida Adventures, you can complete the whole trail without worrying about transportation. One thing to plan for: Irregular water sources, even during wetter months. Be prepared for long water carries and check online which streams are flowing before your trip.

Presidential Traverse, New Hampshire

Some people try to complete the whole 24-mile Presidential Traverse in one day. Those people are missing out. The best way to experience New England’s most iconic ridgeline is by taking advantage of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s pristine huts along the route, such as Lakes of the Clouds and Mizpah Spring. These huts have food, water, beds, and more amenities, which will feel like a royal treatment after facing sideways winds on an exposed ridgeline.

Most hikers travel from north to south between Mt. Madison and Mt. Pierce. No need to worry about the transportation logistics: There are AMC shuttles that drive hikers between trailheads. Because taxis and ride shares aren’t reliable, this is highly recommended. Check out the shuttle schedule here.

Ruby Crest Trail, Nevada

There is so much more to Nevada than dusty desert and slot machines. On the Ruby Crest Trail, you can hike through aspen forests, alpine lakes, sweeping canyons, and craggy, granite monoliths. Here, you traverse the spine of the Ruby Mountains in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest on a 36.6-mile point-to-point hike starting at Harrison Pass and finishing at Roads End Trailhead.

Not looking for much hassle? This permit-free hike also isn’t too popular, allowing for plenty of solitude.

One thing to keep in mind: Pack sunscreen. There is plenty of sun exposure on this trail—hardly any shady spots—but thanks to the elevations between 7,200 and 10,893 feet, temperatures are hikeable even through late July.

Timberline Trail, Oregon

Hiking the Wonderland Trail is so yesterday. The Timberline Trail, which circumnavigates Mt. Hood, offers as much grandeur as its sister trail around Mt. Rainier in fewer miles. On this aptly named trail, you hover the timberline—also known as the treeline, the altitude where trees stop growing—as you snatch glimpses of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and the Three Sisters; from a distance, you can see Portland, the Coastal Range, and the Columbia River. Got a geology buff in your group? Within the landscape, you can see evidence of lava from an ancient volcano that preceded Mt. Hood. Some other highlights include plenty of stream crossings and also towering waterfalls, glaciers, and even more glacier-carved canyons.

Most hikers move clockwise, starting and ending at Timberline Lodge (stay after your hike for their buffet); three-day backpackers can camp at Ramona Falls and Cloud Camp. The trail requires wilderness permits between May 15 and October 15, but they’re free and self-issued at multiple trailheads as well as at ranger district offices.

Want an adventure longer than a weekend? Hike farther on these week-long trails.