If you are new to hiking and backpacking, the whole idea can seem intimidating. What if something bad happens? How will you get help? Is it going to make you sore or tired? Will you get any sleep if you decide to camp overnight after hiking all day? You aren’t alone in worrying about these things. The truth is, hiking is not easy, particularly if you aren’t already physically fit. But that doesn’t mean that it can’t be a rewarding experience that you will grow to love. If you have decided to brave through all of your worrisome emotions and embark on a hiking trip in the USA, we have complied a list of 10 beginner hiking and backpacking routes in the USA.
To do so, we have set the criteria that the hike, round trip, must be less than 15 miles. You must be able to complete it in one day, if necessary. And the elevation gain must not be too extreme. Before we dig into our list of hikes, though, lets go over some basic planning and safety tips to make your trip a success.
Proper Planning
The number one thing you can do before embarking on a hiking trip, even a day trip, is to plan your day. You want to know exactly where you’re going, how to read your map, and how to get back to your starting point. You also want to know the weather, if there are any areas with unpredictable weather changes, and what to do in the event that you encounter a dangerous wild animal. You can get a lot of information on the park services website regarding proper hiking safety, etiquette, and regulations. You can also stop into a local ranger station and get tips first hand from the experts.
You also need to make sure that you plan your hiking time accordingly. Leave out early if you are planning to return in the same day. The last thing you want is to get stuck after dark, trying to find your way back. The average hiker can cover around 1.5 miles per hour. Since you are new to this, give yourself a full 2-3 miles per hour when calculating your hiking time, or longer, if you are hiking a tougher terrain. By allowing yourself the extra time in your planning, you allow yourself the opportunity to rest along the route, which is crucial to having a good time.
Albright Grove Loop – Great Smoky Mountains
Albright Grove Loop, located in the Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg, is less than seven miles long, round trip. While it does have an elevation gain of about 440 feet, making this a moderately difficult hike, the brevity of the hike will allow you to complete your full backpacking route in one day (about five hours). If you wanted to draw it out, or find that you need to pitch a tent, by all means, do so, just make sure you get a reservation and permit. This trek takes you right through the thick of an old-growth forest, virtually untouched for years. Because it doesn’t offer much in the way of views, it is off the normal beaten path of the Great Smokies.
What you’ll see:
- Willis Baxter Cabin
- Thick, lush woods
- Bears?! – Please be prepared to see bears. The National Park Service offers an extensive guide of hiking safety tips for the Great Smoky Mountains.
Lake Aloha Trail – Desolation Wilderness
Lake Aloha Trail is another loop trail. Loop trails are great for returning you to your starting point. This one is about thirteen miles round trip, so you should plan for 7 hours of just hiking. However, on this trek, you will see beautiful wildflowers and lakes. It may be worth your time to slow this down from a one-day hike to a two or even three day hike. As is almost always the rule, register with the local forest or park service before embarking on your journey. You can get Desolation Wilderness permits and more information about Desolation Wilderness regulations and safety tips from the El Dorado Ranger site.
What You’ll See:
- FIVE lakes
- Rocky terrain
- Glacial plains
Ouzel Lake, Wild Basin – Rocky Mountain National Park
Ouzel Lake Trail is about ten miles round trip. As a beginner backpacker, plan for six hours round trip. Again, you can extend this into an overnight trip, but only on the designated campsite between Ouzel Lake and Chickadee Pond. It does have a total elevation gain of 1,695 feet and is continuously steep, making this a harder route on our list. If you are physically fit, but new to backpacking, this trail is perfect for you. If you are not physically fit, you may want to save this one for another time. Make sure you check out the National Park Service’s guide to the Rocky Mountains before you head out.
What You’ll See:
- At least three different waterfalls
- Lakes
- Mountains
- Lush vegetation
Big Ridge State Park
Choose any trail at Big Ridge State Park, except for Indian Rock Trail. Big Ridge is a great place to travel, camp, and hike with family. Experienced backpackers may not consider this a true backpacking location, but for the beginner, you will experience an abundance of history and lush hollows, all surrounding Norris Lake. All of the hikes are less than 3 miles, with most of them falling in the “easy” to “moderate” categories.
What You’ll See:
- Depending on the routes you take, you may see …
- Sinkholes
- Springs
- Norris Lake
- Norton Gristmill
- Big Ridge Dam
- Snodderly Cemetery
- Ghost House
- Norton Cemetery
Hike to the Chimney Tops – Great Smoky Mountains
The Chimney Tops trail is a heavily trafficked route. It is just under four miles round trip, making this trek doable in three hours. It does have an elevation gain of 1,289 feet, so prepare for some steep travels up to the Tops. Although this is listed as a beginner trail, be sure to get your workouts in and consider bringing trekking poles to help you climb the steep pathways to the top.
What You’ll See:
- Rushing creeks
- Mountains
- Possible snow and ice
High Sierra – Yosemite National Park
The High Sierra loop is actually 46 miles all the way around, which means, at first glance, it doesn’t meet our criteria for an easy hike. However, there are actual campsites set up throughout the loop with pre-pitched family tents. Some have showers and canteens to grab a hot meal. And each of the campsites is less than a full day’s hike from the one before. You can make this trip as short or as long as you want, travelling all of the camps and all 46 miles, or turning around and heading back. This is a great opportunity for a beginner backpacker, as you won’t have to tote and pitch a heavy tent or an excessive amount of food, giving you the ability to focus on building up your hiking skills.
What You’ll See:
- Ancient sequoia trees
- Sierra Nevada Mountain peaks and cliffs
- Waterfalls
Mount Washburn Trail – Yellowstone National Park
This trail is one of the most popular trails in Yellowstone, and for good reason. It is a little under seven miles round trip, following the same path out as you took in. It does have an elevation gain of around 1,400 feet. You are heading to the top of Mount Washburn, where you will have a panoramic view of Yellowstone National Park. You can see everything for 20 or so miles and it is quite stunning. You should hike this trail in summer, otherwise you will be climbing in snow and ice.
What You’ll See:
- Mountains
- Valleys
- Wildlife
- Lookout tower
Rim Trail – Grand Canyon National Park
Hiking into the canyon is not recommended for any novice hiker, unless you are on a guided hike. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t hike along the Rim Trail atop of the canyon to take in various stunning views. There is not much elevation change either. The full trail is thirteen miles and paved. However, there are shuttle points all along the trail, so if you want to hike the full thirteen miles, but not thirteen miles back, you can catch a shuttle. All of the shuttle stops are around a mile from each other, which makes this very convenient if you overestimated your hiking abilities and you are ready to call it quits.
What You’ll See:
- Panoramic canyon views
- Colorado River
- The Abyss
- Raptors/Birds of Prey
Off Trail Hiking – Denali National Park and Preserve
Most of Denali is without trails, and the trails that are offered are somewhat mundane. You will enter the park and everything you see if fair game (unless otherwise marked). While this may sound extremely intimidating for first time hikers, Denali Park makes off trail hiking easy. There is a well developed shuttle system throughout the park, so you need only return to the road to be escorted back to the park entrance. With a map and shuttle schedule in hand, you are all set. Just make sure you check out the National Park Service guide to learn about the terrain and wildlife and general hiking safety tips.
What You’ll See:
- Mountains
- Frozen tundra
- Bears!?
Ozette Triangle Loop Trail – Olympic National Park
This loop trail is just under ten miles round trip. You will view both the coast and the temperate rain forest, allowing you to experience the best of the park in one hiking trip. It can be hiked in any season, and only has an elevation gain of about 50 feet, making this a relatively easy trek. If you would like to see Cape Alava at sunset (as you should), carry your tent and camp in the designated Cape Alava Camp Area. Be sure to only build fires on the beach using driftwood. This area also has native history to explore.
What You’ll See:
- The west coast/Pacific Ocean
- Temperate rain forest
- Wildlife
What is your favorite hiking experience? Let us know in the comments!
Leave a Reply