Best Beginner Hiking Trails in the U.S.
As the weather begins to cool down and the days grow shorter, being able to enjoy the fall colors amid quiet natural reserves becomes more tempting. For those wanting to take their first hike or looking for a nice easy walk among breathtaking scenery, this list looks at the top beginner hiking trails in the U.S.
Researchers at InsureMyTrip analyzed a list of 50 popular hiking sites to highlight the best routes for beginner hikers, or those who want an easier route. The study investigated various metrics, such as the elevation, difficulty, average temperature, and the availability to find the overall best trek for beginners.
Top 10 Beginner Hiking Trails
California, Colorado, and Arizona all received two spots in the top 10. These states are known for their incredible natural vistas and multitude of trails for all levels of hiking. Many of the top 10 routes are also free to visit, while those located within certain national parks require the standard fee to access.
The top 10 beginner hiking trails are as follows:
- 1. Ledges Trail, Ohio – 8.4 overall
- 2. Horseshoe Bend Trail, Arizona – 7.1 overall
- 3. Mount Tammany via Red Dot and Blue Dot Loop Trail, New Jersey – 7 overall
- 4. Red Rocks Trading Post Trail, Colorado – 6.9 overall
- 5. Lower Yosemite Falls Trail, California – 6.8 overall
- 6. Lands End Trail, California – 6.6 overall
- 7. Saint Mary’s Glacier, Colorado – 6.5 overall
- 7. Devil’s Bridge via Mescal Trailhead, Arizona – 6.5 overall
- 7. Discovery Park and Lighthouse Loop, Washington – 6.5 overall
- 10. Zion Canyon Overlook Trail, Utah – 6.4 overall
It’s important to check before you visit any hiking trails in case of any natural hazards or seasonal closures that may impact plans.
Best Beginner Hiking Trails
In first place is the Ledges Trail, located in Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park with an overall score of 8.4. The trail is around 2.4 miles long with an estimated time of just under an hour at 55 minutes. It is also highly rated at 4.7 out of 5 and is free to wander at any time as the park is open 24 hours a day. In the fall months, the temperature averages at 52.5°F and it is 1.4 miles from the nearest town.
In second place is Horseshoe Bend Trail, found in Arizona with an overall score of 7.1. This trail is the shortest in the top 3 at 1.5 miles, taking just over half an hour. The average fall temperature is slightly warmer at 69.8°F and the visitor center is open between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., although it is recommended to visit here outside of busy times, either early morning or late afternoon. It also has a large number of reviews (21,860), establishing its popularity as a well-loved path.
Mount Tammany via Red Dot and Blue Dot Loop Trail is in third place, found near Pahaquarry in New Jersey with an overall score of 7. While this trail is considered moderate, it is a perfect fit for those looking to challenge themselves for their hike as it is slightly longer than the first two at 3.6 miles. It is also rated 4.7 out of 5 and is accessible throughout the day for free. The average temperature during fall is 57.6°F and it located five miles away from the nearest town.
Methodology
Each data point consists of the latest research available from reputable sources. All sources are destination specific level data points. The data was standardized using minmax normalization. The minmax normalization value is multiplied by 10 to create a score (between 0-10). A score of 10 is always the best result, while a score of 0 is the worst. Each hiking trail is then ranked on their overall rating for the easier spectrum of the metrics to find the best beginner hiking trails.
Sources
Trail popularity (based on the number of Google Reviews) – https://www.google.com/maps
Hike Rating/Distance/Estimated Time – https://www.alltrails.com/
Difficulty (based on elevation calculations) – https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/how-to-determine-hiking-difficulty.htm
Average Fall Temperature (across September and October) – https://www.accuweather.com/
Distance from nearest town – https://www.google.com/maps
Opening times/Fee Costs – from relevant national park or location sites, such as https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/hours.htm
