If you’re ready to tackle your first peak, or want to explore some of America’s amazing beginner treks, then consider one of these great beginner “walk up” mountains for your next climb. These are some of the easiest of the beginner mountains, and are great for most adventurers in good physical condition. Climbing one of these is a good way to gauge your mountain hiking abilities if you’re just starting out, as they have minor challenges.
Be sure to come prepared with any necessary mountain climbing equipment for your walk, and talk with a park ranger before your climb for additional information. Wildlife in certain mountains can present a challenge, especially the regions where bears are common, and a good ranger will know about the area wildlife and precautions that need to be taken. Also keep in mind that sometimes climbers need permits to climb certain paths and rangers can advise on that. They can fill you in on specific dangers pertaining to each route, as well. Plus, it’s always good to let a professional know where you are when venturing into the wild!
The mountains are arranged in order of elevation, starting with the lowest and ending with the highest, and each has its own varying challenges.
Each of these peaks has incredible scenery to offer, so rest assured that you will enjoy some breathtaking views along the way!
Cascade Mountain, New York (4,098′)
New York’s Cascade Mountain is a popular destination for tourists wanting to experience the Adirondacks, since it is the easiest climb in the Adirondack Mountain Range. The hike has a few fairly steep sections, but is generally an easy hike.
The Trails
Cascade Mountain Trail starts at Route 73 and ascends 1,925 feet, with markers along the way. The distance from the base to the peak is a little over 2.4 miles, making it approximately 4.8 miles roundtrip. It is a “walk up” trail, but has a few steep sections to be cautious of.
Climbers will cross paths with the Porter Mountain Trail along the way, which is a great trail for climbers who want to climb both Cascade Mountain and Porter Mountain. Both trails are very popular among tourists.
Mount Washington, New Hampshire (6,288′)
New Hampshire’s Mount Washington is a popular climbing mountain because of its walkable, although strenuous beginner trails which can be hiked in a day for the most part. It has minimal technical challenges, the worst being winds and some very cold sub-arctic temperatures, so be sure to come dressed properly if you plan to climb this peak to avoid frostbite! It is the highest peak east of the Mississippi at 6,288 feet, which will earn you some bragging rights!
The Trails
The easiest trail to Mt. Washington’s peak is the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, which typically has the most tourists on it. Boott Spur Trail offers some better views than Tuckerman Ravine Trail, but it is a longer trail to the peak. Lion Head Trail also offers better views and is about the same distance as Tuckerman Ravine Trail, but it is more difficult because it has steeper areas to climb.
Guadalupe Peak, Texas (8,751′)
Visitors can enjoy the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park and walk Guadalupe Peak to “the highest point in Texas.” From the peak, climbers get a pretty 360 degree view of the surrounding deserts and mountains. The round-trip 8.4 mile hike (about 4.2 miles each way on the popular Guadalupe Peak Trail) takes about six to eight hours for a healthy climber.
The Trails
Guadalupe Peak Trail is the most popular trail because it leads to the summit, and it is a trail that starts as a strenuous steep climb but gets easier along the way. It’s approximately 4.2 miles each way and an average of six to hour hours to hike up and back.
For a shorter climb, hikers can take Hiker’s Stairway on Devil’s Hall Trail which leads to Devil’s Hall. This hike takes climbers on a journey through plant varieties of the Chihuahuan desert, maple trees, and ponderosa pine trees. This average climb via this route takes three to five hours.
Find a complete list of Guadalupe Peak trails.
Avalanche Peak, Wyoming (10,566′)
The Avalanche Peak Trail takes hikers a beautiful climb of Avalanche Peak in the Absaroka Mountain Range in Yellowstone National Park, situated east of Yellowstone Lake.
The Trail
Avalanche Peak Trail leads through 4.2 miles of Avalanche Peak’s beautiful forestry and wildflower meadows. It’s fairly short but has some very steep sections that leave many climbers out of breath. Also, be aware that Yellowstone wildlife runs free on the mountain, including bears. Hikers enjoy the scenery and light traffic on the trail.
Mount Baker, Washington (10,781′)
This is a climb for beginners who want a serious climbing challenge. Hiking Mount Baker does require some technical mountain climbing skills because climbers are likely to traverse over ice, and it is a somewhat lengthy climb, taking about three days for the novice climber or one day for an experienced climber starting very early in the morning (think 2 a.m.). Hikers can hire guide services or take classes before the climb.
Mount Shasta, California (14,179′)
Although Mount Shasta is a potentially active volcano, it is considered safe to climb because it hasn’t erupted in over 200 years. Novice climbers can enjoy some walk-through trails towards the top, although they won’t be able to take a trail to the peak of Shasta, because the only ones offered are cross-country routes. Mount Shasta has a variety of trails, ranging from beginner to difficult, with Avalanche Gulch on the south side being the easiest route. Most beginners will need two days to climb the mountain, camping out near the peak to get acclimated to the elevation. While Avalanche Gulch is the least technically difficult route, it is recommended that climbers wear a helmet and bring crampons and an ice axe for the climb as well as basic climbing essentials. The peak is considered a sacred mountain and it sits in gorgeous Mt. Shasta Wilderness, so climbers can expect to see some amazing views during their experience.
The Trails
Avalanche Gulch is the easiest route with the most tourist traffic, however, as the name suggests, it is subject to rockfalls so climbers be warned. This makes wearing a helmet a necessity. The conditions on Avalanche Gulch are best between May and July. Cascade Gulch is the next easiest trail, but it does contain some technically difficult spots, particular the area that crosses Whitney glacier. West Face Gully is another trail that is considered non-technical, however it is more difficult than Avalanche Gulch because it has steeper sections.
Mount Evans, Colorado (14,271′)
Mount Evans offers climbers breathtaking views of the Rockies including mountain lakes, wildflowers, and often mountain goats at the summit. Tourists can drive or climb through much of Mt. Evans, choosing various points for parking and climbing along the way.
The Trails
The Summit Lake Trail is a fairly easy 2.9 mile climb, 5.8 miles round trip, from Summit Lake towards the peak offering amazing wildlife and terrain views along the way, with a few steep sections.
The Meridian Trail is one of Mt. Evans wilderness trails that does not take climbers to the peak, but is a 6.6 mile round trip trek that leads through lovely aspen groves, and is also considered to be one of the easier Mount Evans trails.
Blanca Peak, Colorado (14,351′)
Blanca Peak climbers get to enjoy many natural terrains during their climb, including tundra and beautiful alpine lakes, as well as amazing views of the surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range. It is a great fourteener to start with, if you’re up to the challenge of climbing at that elevation. The first part of the climb is rocky which poses a challenge, but it gets easier after that. The local wildlife can also present a challenge, especially since bears also live on Blanca Peak.
The Trail
The Blanca Peak Main Trail is a tough 19.6 mile total trek that is doable for beginners, but not for the faint of heart! You definitely want to be in prime physical condition before taking on this climb. Be sure to wear a helmet because the mountain has regular rockfalls.
Mount Elbert, Colorado (14,440′)
Our last recommendation is also in Colorado, home to some of the most popular mountain climbing destinations in the country. Mount Elbert is Colorado’s tallest mountain and considered the “Gentle Giant” of U.S. mountain climbing because most routes on the ascent are ranked relatively low on the scale of difficulty. This is another fourteener that’s good for novices who would like to tackle a mountain of this height. It’s also a great way to hike a tall Colorado peak with little to no technical climbing skills. The shortest routes are about 4.5 miles from the base to the top, so be prepared for a long climb. Hikers get to experience the lush pines of the region and the amazing views of the surrounding Sawatch Mountains.
The Trails
North Mount Elbert Trail is the shortest route, but a bit trickier to climb than the South Trail, mainly due to steeper climbs. Hikers need to be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms that are a regular occurrence on Mt. Elbert, as well as high elevations that can be quite challenging for novices. It is eleven miles in total, taking a full day for most climbers.
South Elbert Trail is technically the easiest route, but longer that the North route at approximately twelve miles round trip.
