Stop second-guessing yourself – here's how to pick trails that match your abilities and set you up for success
Picture this: You're scrolling through AllTrails, excited about your first real hiking adventure, when you come across a trail description that says "7.2 miles, 2,847 feet elevation gain, hard difficulty." Your heart sinks. Hard? Are you ready for that? What if you can't make it? What if you're holding everyone back?
I've been there, and I've watched countless beginners struggle with this same dilemma. The truth is, choosing the right trail difficulty isn't about proving how tough you are – it's about setting yourself up for an enjoyable, safe, and confidence-building experience that makes you want to come back for more.
Today, I'm going to break down exactly how to evaluate trail difficulty, understand your own abilities, and choose hikes that challenge you without overwhelming you. Let's turn that anxiety into excitement.
Understanding Trail Difficulty Systems
Before we dive into choosing trails, let's decode the various difficulty rating systems you'll encounter. Different organizations use different scales, but understanding the basics will help you make informed decisions.
The Standard Difficulty Levels
Easy/Beginner Trails:
- Daily hiking mileages of 3 to 6 miles, well-maintained trails with 500 feet or less of elevation change
- The easiest type of hike you can get with no real inclines. Stroll in the park
- Perfect for first-timers, families, and building confidence
Moderate/Intermediate Trails:
- Daily hiking mileages of 5 to 10 miles, generally well-maintained trails with up to 3000 feet of elevation change
- Perfect for the occasional hiker, mostly easy but may include longer moderate stretches on some days
- Requires some hiking experience and basic fitness
Difficult/Advanced Trails:
- Hiking mileages of 6 to 10 miles, generally unmaintained trails with up to 3000 feet of elevation change. Trails are often steep with loose footing and there may be some exposure to heights
- Suitable for only experienced hikers in excellent physical condition
- Requires significant experience and excellent fitness
The Yosemite Decimal System
For more technical trails, you might encounter the Yosemite Decimal System, which uses classes to rate difficulty:
- Class 1: These hikes will deliver easy, straightforward hiking, usually on a well-maintained and well-marked trail
- Class 2: These hikes will not be as clearly marked. They will be a little more challenging and may take you off trail. You may have to use your hands occasionally for balance
- Class 3: Class 3 hikes will involve some scrambling, or unroped climbing. Expect to use your hands and feet at points on these trails
The Three Key Factors: Distance, Elevation, and Terrain
Understanding trail difficulty requires looking at three main components that work together to determine how challenging a hike will be.
1. Distance: More Than Just Mileage
Mileage is only one piece of the puzzle for determining a hike's difficulty level. For beginners, the average hike will be in the 3-8 mile range without crazy elevation
Time estimation: For an idea of how long it takes to do a hike, consider that the average time it takes to walk a mile is 20 minutes, give or take a bit. When hiking uphill, elevation joins the party and a mile takes around 30 minutes or so to hike
Rule of thumb: Most hikers travel at approximately 2 miles per hour on flat surfaces. Faster walkers may hike at 3 miles per hour. Add 30 minutes to 1 hour for every 1,000 feet gained in elevation
2. Elevation Gain: The Real Game Changer
In tandem with mileage, elevation is what determines a trail's difficulty. Understanding how it works is essential to choosing hikes that fit your experience level
Important distinction: Always look for "elevation gain" rather than just "elevation." Elevation gain is the amount of elevation between the trailhead and the end point. AKA, the actual amount you will climb
Beginner guidelines:
- Under 500 feet: Very manageable for most beginners
- 500-1500 feet: Moderate challenge, good for building fitness
- 1500+ feet: Significant challenge, requires preparation
3. Terrain and Trail Conditions
The trail surface and conditions can dramatically affect difficulty:
- Well-maintained trails: Clear path, minimal obstacles
- Unmaintained trails: Loose rocks, fallen trees, unclear paths
- Technical terrain: Rock scrambling, stream crossings, exposure
Reading Trail Descriptions Like a Pro
When you're researching trails, here's how to decode the information you'll find:
Understanding Topographic Maps
The most commonly used trail maps are topographic maps, often referred to as topo maps. These maps show detailed information about a region's geographical features
Key features to look for:
- Contour lines: The terrain's degree of slope. Each line represents and connects points that share the same elevation
- Where contour lines are close together, elevation is changing rapidly in short distance and the terrain is steep. Where contour lines are wide apart, elevation is changing slowly, indicating a gentle slope
Trail Maps vs. Topographic Maps
Simplified trail maps—such as the JPEG images you might find on a national park's website—don't always include all the information you need for complete navigation. There's no elevation data, no magnetic declination, and not as many symbols
For serious hiking, invest in proper topographic maps that show terrain features, elevation changes, and detailed trail information.
Assessing Your Own Abilities
Before choosing a trail, you need to honestly evaluate your current fitness level and experience. Here's how:
Physical Fitness Assessment
Be honest about your current fitness level. Consider your stamina, endurance, and ability to handle various terrains
Questions to ask yourself:
- How long can you walk without getting winded?
- Are you regularly active, or has it been a while since you exercised?
- How do you handle stairs or hills in your daily life?
- Do you have any injuries or physical limitations?
Experience Level
True Beginner: Never hiked before or only very short, flat walks
- Start with: Level 1-2 trails, 3-5 miles, minimal elevation gain
- Focus on: Learning basic hiking rhythm and gear familiarity
Some Experience: Comfortable with longer walks, basic fitness level
- Progress to: 5-8 mile trails with moderate elevation gain (500-1500 feet)
- Focus on: Building endurance and navigation skills
Intermediate: Regular hiker with good fitness
- Try: 8+ mile trails with significant elevation gain (1500+ feet)
- Focus on: Challenging terrain and technical skills
Choosing Your First Few Trails
Start Close to Home
Good hike planning means choosing a hike for your abilities and for the amount of time you have to spend on the trail
Begin with local trails where:
- You can easily retreat if needed
- You're familiar with the area
- Help is readily available
- You can practice without pressure
Build Progressively
Trail 1: Easy, 3-4 miles, under 500 feet elevation gain Trail 2: Easy-moderate, 4-6 miles, 500-1000 feet elevation gain Trail 3: Moderate, 6-8 miles, 1000-1500 feet elevation gain
Consider Trail Type
Loop trails: Return to your starting point via a different route Out-and-back: Hike to a destination and return the same way Point-to-point: Start and end at different locations (requires shuttle)
For beginners, out-and-back trails are often the safest choice because you can turn around at any point if you're getting tired.
Red Flags to Watch For
Certain trail descriptions should make beginners think twice:
Avoid These Terms as a Beginner:
- "Scrambling required"
- "Exposure to heights"
- "Unmarked or poorly marked trail"
- "Stream crossings" (seasonal)
- "Technical terrain"
- "Experienced hikers only"
Weather Considerations
Weather conditions (heat, rain, snow, ice) can affect difficulty, but this is not included in our rating determination
Always check weather forecasts and consider how conditions might affect your chosen trail's difficulty.
Using Technology to Your Advantage
AllTrails and Similar Apps
Modern trail apps provide:
- Recent reviews from other hikers
- Photos showing current trail conditions
- GPS tracking for navigation
- Difficulty ratings and detailed stats
Reading Reviews Strategically
Look for reviews from hikers with similar experience levels to yours. Pay attention to:
- Recent conditions (weather, trail maintenance)
- Actual vs. estimated hiking times
- Specific challenges mentioned
- Photos showing trail conditions
Building Confidence Through Success
Set Realistic Goals
Take into account the distance you are comfortable covering. Beginners might start with shorter trails and gradually work up to longer distances
Your first goal should be completing a trail feeling good about the experience, not conquering the most difficult peak in your area.
The 10% Rule
Increase your hiking distance or elevation gain by no more than 10% each week. This progressive approach prevents injury and builds sustainable fitness.
Learn from Each Hike
After each trail, ask yourself:
- How did I feel physically?
- What challenged me most?
- What would I do differently?
- Am I ready for the next difficulty level?
Safety First: When in Doubt, Choose Easier
By all means, challenge yourself with a moderately difficult or difficult hike. In fact, in order to reach some scenic treasures by trail you might need to take a hike that's a real "butt-kicker"
But remember: Choose the hike that's right for you
It's always better to finish a slightly easier trail feeling strong and confident than to struggle through a difficult one that leaves you discouraged.
Your Trail Selection Action Plan
- Research thoroughly: Use multiple sources (AllTrails, local hiking groups, ranger stations)
- Check recent conditions: Weather, trail maintenance, seasonal closures
- Plan your day: Start early, inform someone of your plans, check gear
- Have an exit strategy: Know where you can turn back or call for help
- Trust your instincts: If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right trail difficulty is an art that improves with experience. Every hiker, regardless of experience level, occasionally chooses a trail that's too easy or too challenging – and that's perfectly normal. The key is learning from each experience and gradually building your skills and confidence.
Remember, the "perfect" trail isn't necessarily the hardest one you can complete – it's the one that challenges you appropriately while keeping you safe and excited about your next adventure.
The mountains will always be there. Start where you are, build gradually, and soon you'll be tackling those "hard" trails with confidence and joy.
Your hiking journey starts with a single step – and choosing the right trail for that step is half the battle won.
What's your biggest concern when choosing a trail? Have you ever been surprised by a trail's difficulty? Share your experiences in the comments below – your insights might help another beginner choose their perfect trail!