Beginner Hiking Trails in North Dakota
New to hiking in this state? We filtered the 419 mapped trails in North Dakota down to those rated easy — capped at six miles for the routes with a mapped distance — 415 trails that prioritize a good first experience over mileage or elevation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best beginner hiking trail in North Dakota?
Maah Daah Hey Trail is our top beginner pick in North Dakota — easy difficulty at 0.1 miles, short and gentle enough for a first hike. 414 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 North Dakota good for beginners?
Yes — with 415 mapped easy, short trails, North Dakota has more beginner-friendly options than a lot of areas get credit for.
How many beginner-friendly trails are there in North Dakota?
415 of North Dakota's 419 mapped trails are rated easy difficulty and six miles or under — see the full list below.