Top Hiking Routes for Beginners
Hiking presents a great opportunity to connect with nature and stay physically active. As someone who started hiking later than most, I remember being overwhelmed by trail options and worried about picking something too difficult. For beginners, choosing the right trail can make all the difference between falling in love with hiking and giving up after one miserable experience. The following is a list of some of the best hiking routes ideal for those new to the trail. These routes offer manageable distances, relatively easy terrain, and plenty of natural beauty.
Bear Mountain Loop, New York
Located in Bear Mountain State Park, this loop trail is an excellent choice for those just getting started. The trail spans about 4 miles, offering scenic views, wooded paths, and an elevation gain that’s manageable. It also includes the Perkins Memorial Tower for panoramic views. This was one of my first real hikes, and I still go back regularly.
Runyon Canyon, California
Runyon Canyon is one of Los Angeles’ most popular hiking spots. Its 3-mile loop offers a gradual incline, making it accessible for beginners. Known for its accessible trails and stunning views of the city, this route is great for a casual hike with friends or family. Fair warning: you will see a lot of dogs and celebrities, sometimes simultaneously.
Garden of the Gods, Colorado
This public park in Colorado Springs features breathtaking rock formations and several easy trails. The Perkins Central Garden Trail is a 1.5-mile paved path that is both stroller and wheelchair accessible. Beginners can enjoy awe-inspiring red rock formations while walking on a user-friendly path. The geology here is genuinely remarkable—I had to stop multiple times just to take it all in.
Arthur’s Seat, Scotland
This ancient volcano located in Edinburgh offers a well-signposted 2.6-mile loop trail. The hike is relatively easy, providing outstanding views of the city once you reach the summit. A perfect blend of cultural history and natural beauty awaits. Probably should have led with this: you can hike up an ancient volcano and then grab a pint in the city center within the same afternoon.
Muir Woods, California
Muir Woods National Monument offers several easy trails among towering redwoods. The 2-mile Main Trail Loop provides a relatively flat and shaded path, making it suitable for beginners. The serene environment offers a peaceful hiking experience. Standing among redwoods for the first time is the kind of thing that stays with you.
Pinnacles National Park, California
The Moses Spring and Rim Trail Loop is 2.2 miles long, featuring fascinating rock structures and caves. This trail is accessible year-round, with the brushy terrain providing ample shade and bird-watching opportunities. The talus caves require a flashlight and add some adventure without demanding technical skills.
Torrey Pines Reserve, California
The Beach Trail in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a 3-mile out-and-back trail. It gradually descends through coastal landscape, ending at a scenic beach. The trail offers stunning ocean views and is relatively simple to navigate. Ending a hike at a beach feels like cheating in the best possible way.
Twin Falls Trail, Washington
This 3.6-mile round-trip trail near North Bend is fairly straightforward, guiding hikers to two stunning waterfalls. The trail is well-maintained and offers a mix of wooden bridges, forest paths, and river views. The payoff-to-effort ratio here is excellent for beginners looking to feel accomplished.
Mount Monadnock, New Hampshire
White Dot Trail on Mount Monadnock provides a slightly challenging yet beginner-friendly 2.1-mile path. Although it can be steep in parts, the well-marked trail rewards hikers with panoramic views from the summit. This one pushes the definition of beginner-friendly, but most reasonably fit people can handle it with breaks.
Trillium Lake, Oregon
This accessible 2-mile loop trail around Trillium Lake offers beautiful views of Mount Hood. The terrain is relatively flat and ideal for beginners. The lake and surrounding forests provide a picturesque backdrop. On a clear day, the reflection of Hood in the lake is postcard-worthy.
Sedona’s Bell Rock Pathway, Arizona
The Bell Rock Pathway offers a 3.6-mile round-trip hike that is perfect for beginners. This trail in the stunning red rock region of Sedona provides gentle slopes and striking views of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. The red rocks at golden hour are something I think about often. That’s what makes Sedona endearing to us hiking enthusiasts—it delivers visual spectacle without demanding much physical effort.
Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail, Maine
Located in Acadia National Park, this 3.5-mile route offers a gentle incline with beautiful vistas. The trail is well-marked and showcases the rugged coastline of Maine, making it a fantastic option for new hikers. Getting to the summit for sunrise is a tradition, though you can also drive up if time is short.
Elk Meadow Park, Colorado
Situated in Evergreen, the 4.7-mile Bergen Peak Meadow View Trail is optimal for those looking to start hiking. The trail offers several switchbacks, a moderate incline, and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and meadows. It’s longer than some beginner trails but never gets too steep.
Griffith Observatory Trail, California
This 2.5-mile out-and-back trail leads to Griffith Observatory. The route offers a moderate gradient and breathtaking views of Los Angeles. Perfect for those interested in combining exercise with a bit of astronomy. The observatory itself is worth spending time at after your hike.
Cades Cove Loop Road, Tennessee
This trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers an 11-mile loop that is suitable for biking or hiking. The well-paved road makes it accessible and features historic cabins, churches, and a variety of wildlife. You’re likely to see deer and possibly black bears from a safe distance.
Glyndwr’s Way, Wales
A segment of Glyndwr’s Way near Machynlleth offers a gentle 2-mile hike across pastoral landscapes. The route is relatively flat and passes historical landmarks and scenic views, ideal for those new to hiking in the UK. The Welsh countryside rewards slow walking and attention to detail.
Eklutna Lake Trail, Alaska
This 13-mile trail features stunning lakeside views. Beginners can choose to hike shorter sections of the trail—you don’t need to do all 13 miles. The route is usually flat and well-maintained, ideal for those who prefer longer, albeit less challenging hikes. The glacial lake color is striking even from the early portions of the trail.
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