Planning second hike

Hi, everyone.  We are planning our second backpacking trip and everything I read about specific trails omits certain criteria important to me.  We recently did day hikes in Acadia and the trails were described as "strenuous", "moderate", etc. without really explaining what that means.  Sometimes it seemed "strenuous" meant it would be a tough cardio climb.  Other times it seemed to mean there would be difficult rock scrambles.  Still other times, it seemed to mean there would be significant exposure on ledges.  And when ledges were described, it would say "open" but didn't really describe the exposure.

The two biggest concerns I have when planning a trip relate to rock scrambles and height exposure.  We did some scrambling in Acadia with no difficulty, but if I had a pack on my back, I don't think I would have been able to do it.  As for exposure, I have a severe fear of heights.  If I am on a narrow and exposed ledge, I am paralyzed.  Heights from a safe distance are not a problem.

So...can anyone recommend either a way to determine these elements or, better yet, any 25-40 mile hikes in the mid-Atlantic that will be challenging, but accommodate my above concerns?  My one and only backpacking trip was the 30 mile West Rim Trail of the Pine Creek Gorge in PA.  Only issue was a mile of exposure near the northern terminus that was really tough on my fear of heights.  Throw in no venomous snakes and that will be the trifecta! Haha!

Thanks and happy hiking!

Tom