Beginner Hiking Trails in Missouri
New to hiking in this state? We filtered the 7,283 mapped trails in Missouri down to those rated easy — capped at six miles for the routes with a mapped distance — 7264 trails that prioritize a good first experience over mileage or elevation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best beginner hiking trail in Missouri?
ADT - Illinois (South) - J - Seg 2 is our top beginner pick in Missouri — easy difficulty at 0.1 miles, short and gentle enough for a first hike. 7263 more beginner-friendly options are listed below.
What makes a trail beginner-friendly?
Easy OpenStreetMap difficulty classification (gentle terrain, well-marked, no technical sections) combined with a shorter distance — long enough to feel like a real hike, short enough to finish comfortably without prior conditioning.
Is hiking in Missouri good for beginners?
Yes — with 7264 mapped easy, short trails, Missouri has more beginner-friendly options than a lot of areas get credit for.
How many beginner-friendly trails are there in Missouri?
7264 of Missouri's 7,283 mapped trails are rated easy difficulty and six miles or under — see the full list below.