7 best hikes in the world for beginners

A man looking at the view from Lion's Head in Cape Town, with Table Mountain in the background. (Photo: South Africa Tourism)

Hiking is an excellent way to exercise and explore the natural beauty of the world. For this reason, we have compiled a guide for the best hikes in the world for beginners.

These hiking trails are relatively easy and offer picturesque natural sights, making them perfect for new hikers looking for a rewarding experience.

Bookmark this guide, grab your sturdy shoes, and keep a water bottle and snacks handy! Here are the 7 top hikes for beginners:

Hike to the Hollywood sign, Los Angeles, the US 

Hike to the Hollywood sign in LA, the US. (Photo: Daniel Schludi via Unsplash)

The Hollywood sign is celebrating its 100th year anniversary in 2023, and what better way to celebrate it than by hiking to it. This hike is a favourite of celebrities and has been done by the likes of Soonam Kapoor Ahuja and Taapsee Pannu.

You can hike to the back of the Hollywood sign on Mount Lee, which will take about three hours, or you can do a shorter 90-minute hike, which will take you right below the sign.

Both hikes are apt for beginners, but the three hour hike is recommended for people who regularly work out. These hikes offer awe-inspiring vistas of Los Angeles' skyline and the Pacific Ocean.

We suggest taking a guided hike by companies such as Bikes and Hikes LA as this trail is not easily identifiable.

Hike to Taktsang Lhakhang, Paro, Bhutan

Paro Tiger's Nest, Bhutan. (Photo: Amankora, Bhutan)

Also known as the Tiger’s Nest, Taktsang Lhakhang is a Buddhist cliffside monastery encompassed by a verdant natural landscape.

The hiking route to Taktsang Lhakhang clocks in at two to three hours, depending on your fitness level. The hike's first half is a primarily flat wide dirt trail through a pine forest, and the second half is more steep.

This trail is well-maintained and easy to follow. However, it is advisable to go slow as the hike has an elevation gain of about 1,700 metres.

While this hike is appropriate for beginners, it is not recommended for young children or people with health problems.

Moreover, local hotels such as Amankora offer guided treks to Taktsang Lhakhang.

​​Maclear’s Beacon Trail, Table Mountain, Cape Town

Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: South Africa Tourism)

A playground for adventure enthusiasts, Cape Town, has become increasingly popular for hikes amongst locals and tourists alike.

The Table Mountain features several hiking trails across all experience levels, including the Platteklip Gorge Trail, India Venster Trail, Skeleton Gorge Trail, and Maclear’s Beacon Trail.

The Maclear’s Beacon Trail, which is relatively flat, is ideal for beginners. This hike begins at the Upper Cableway section and covers a distance of 5.4 kilometres.

This trail takes hikers to the peak, which is 1,086 metres above sea level, and offers a bird's eye view of Cape Town.

Blue Pools Track, ​​Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand

Blue Pools Track, ​​Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand. (Photo: Miles Holden via Unsplash)

This unique trail takes hikers through lush green forests to the Blue Pools, a series of glacial pools known for their crystal-clear turquoise waters.

This 1.5-kilometre hike features gentle terrain and well-marked paths, perfect for those new to hiking.

The track starts as a boardwalk through the forest. You will reach the first pool after about 10 minutes of walking.

The track continues past the first pool to a second pool, which is even bigger and more beautiful. There is also a swing bridge that crosses the Makarora River between the two pools.

The Blue Pools Track hike is best done early in the morning to avoid crowds.

​​Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C., the US

​​Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C., the US. (Washington DC Tourism)

Rock Creek Park is a 1,754-acre park in Washington, D.C., United States. It is a top destination for hiking, biking, fishing, and boating.

Rock Creek Park’s asphalt trails are mostly flat, apt for new hikers. The park’s hikes, suitable for beginners, include the Boulder Bridge Loop, Western Ridge and Valley Trail Loop, ​​Milkhouse Ford Loop and the Rapids Bridge via White Horse and Black Horse Trail.

These hikes are through breathtaking natural landscapes, including hardwood trees, a boiling brook, and rocky outcrops.

Rock Creek Park enables people to be one with nature in the middle of a bustling city. We suggest taking a guided hike with a National Park Ranger to learn more about the park.

Chemin de Nietzsche (Nietzsche's Way), ​​Eze, France

Chemin de Nietzsche (Nietzsche's Way), ​​Eze, France. (Photo: Getty Images)

Eze is a beautiful hilltop village about a 15-minute-drive from Nice on the French Riviera. This village is renowned for its narrow winding streets, vibrant homes, and jaw-dropping vistas of the Mediterranean Sea.

The Chemin de Nietzsche trail is a family-friendly hike that takes about an hour and a half to complete.

This easy hike begins in the mediaeval village of Eze, which is built atop a hill and winds downwards to the pristine Eze beach.

Throughout the trail, hikers are treated to unobstructed views of the mesmerising Mediterranean Sea.

Lake Tahoe, the US 

Lake Tahoe, the US. (Photo: Rachid Dahnoun for Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority)

Lake Tahoe is a freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the border of California and Nevada. It is a popular spot for swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and skiing.

There are numerous hiking trails around the lake that offer panoramic vistas of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains.

The best trails for beginners include the Eagle Falls Trail, Larkspur Trail, Spooner Lake Trail, and Tahoe Meadows Trail.

These trails take hikers past scenic waterfalls, meadows, lakes, and mountains.