For the best views of the mountain, you'll want to take the Presidential Trail, a fantastic 0.6-mile loop that gets you right up close to the base of the carvings. The path, which starts from the Grand View Terrace, meanders through beautiful ponderosa pines and offers unique perspectives of the presidents you just can't get from the main viewing platform. While the first section is an easy, accessible boardwalk, be prepared for a bit of a workout on the return trip, as the full loop includes over 400 stairs.