For a first hike, pick a popular, well-kept trail under 3 miles with little climbing. The best first trail is one you can finish comfortably and want to repeat.
Turning around early is fine if the day isn’t going well.
Popular, well-maintained trails make a good start. Distance alone doesn’t tell the full story, since elevation gain changes how hard a trail feels.
Honestly Gauge Your Fitness Before Picking a Trail
Before you lace up, take a moment to assess where you’re starting from. Can you climb stairs without struggling? How far can you walk before fatigue sets in?
If stairs leave you winded or your knees ache on them, start with flat trails and short distances.
The National Park Service says you won’t miss the views by choosing an easier trail.
Your current fitness is the real starting point, so pick the trail for the body you have today.
If you have a heart or lung condition, or a joint that aches on stairs, ask your doctor what distance and hills suit you. Regular hiking builds cardiovascular health, so a modest start pays off.
Why Elevation Gain Matters as Much as Distance
It is easy to compare trails by distance alone. Elevation gain matters just as much.
A flat stretch of a few miles is a very different walk from the same distance up a steep hill. Climbs tax your legs and lungs, and the way back down is often what sore knees feel most.
For a first trail, look for gentle slopes as well as a short distance. Two park examples give you numbers to compare:
- Shenandoah’s Easiest hikes are mostly level or slightly inclined, and generally under 3 miles
- Zion’s easy hikes gain no more than 100 feet
Trekking poles help on the way down, too. The American Hiking Society says hikers using two poles feel less knee pain, especially on descents. The guide on how to use trekking poles shows how to set them up.
The National Park Service tells hikers to plan for uphill sections to take at least double the time of downhill ones.
Difficulty labels differ between parks, so read how trail difficulty ratings work before you trust one.
Stick to Popular, Well-Kept Trails When Starting Out
Well-maintained paths have clear signs and defined routes, so you are less likely to get lost. Learn how to read them in trail markers and signs.
More hikers around means help is nearby if something goes wrong. Established trailheads often have restrooms and picnic areas.
Easy local options include rail trails and the paths in easy nature walks for beginners.
Calculate Drive Time and Parking Accessibility
Pick a trail close to home, so it’s easy to go back.
Check road conditions beforehand, since potholes and closures add delays. Arrive early on weekends to get parking at popular trailheads, and verify whether the area requires permits.
The hike starts when you leave the house, so plan the drive too.
Pick a Mild Season for Predictable Conditions
Mild weather avoids the summer heat and winter ice that make a hike harder. In many regions, spring and fall are the easiest seasons.
Here is what makes them a good starting point:
- Cooler air. It is easier on the body than midsummer heat
- Clear trails. Snow and ice gone from most low-elevation trails
- Fewer crowds. Trails less crowded than on summer holiday weekends
In mild weather you can skip winter traction and heat gear, though the basic essentials still go in the pack.
Summer works too if you start early, and the heat index shows how hot it will really feel. The guide to hiking in hot weather covers how, and hiking in cold weather after 50 covers the other end.
Check Current Trail Conditions and Hazard Alerts
Even in good weather, conditions change. State and national park websites, and local ranger stations, post current information about closures, flooding or landslides.
Check the park’s website the day before, and again the morning you go. A few minutes of research can save a wasted trip.
Use a State Trail Association and AllTrails to Compare Trails
Two kinds of tools will show you what you’re getting into: a state or regional trail association, and a trail app such as AllTrails. Many states have a trail association, such as the Washington Trails Association.
Together they help you:
- Narrow the choices. Filter by distance, elevation gain, and difficulty rating
- Learn from hikers. Read recent reports from hikers who walked the trail
- Cross-check. Compare both sources to verify current conditions
- Preview the route. Check photos of the trailhead and terrain
A state trail association often has detailed local reports, and AllTrails covers trails across the country.
The National Park Service notes it is safer to hike with a companion. Look at hiking groups and clubs and the beginner hiking tips for ways to find company.
Take Your First Trail Test Run This Season
Now’s the time to pick a trail and go. Here’s a simple plan:
- Pick the trail. Select a trail under 3 miles with little climbing
- Go slowly. Allow plenty of time at a comfortable pace
- Look ahead. Check the weather and trail conditions the day before
- Carry the basics. Pack water, a snack and basic supplies.
The basics to pack are listed in the daypack essentials.
Don’t overthink it. Pick a short, gentle trail with good recent reports, grab your water bottle, and get out there. If you are new to the whole idea, how to start hiking after 60 walks through the first steps.
Set a turnaround time and stick to it if the hike runs longer than planned, as the National Park Service advises.