Skip to main content
Beginner Guide

Beginner Hiking Trails in Arlington County, Virginia

New to hiking in this county? We filtered the 155 mapped trails in Arlington County, Virginia down to those rated easy — capped at six miles for the routes with a mapped distance — 155 trails that prioritize a good first experience over mileage or elevation.

Beginner Guide for all of Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best beginner hiking trail in Arlington County, Virginia?

14th Street North is our top beginner pick in Arlington County, Virginia — easy difficulty, short and gentle enough for a first hike. 154 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 Arlington County, Virginia good for beginners?

Yes — with 155 mapped easy, short trails, Arlington County, Virginia has more beginner-friendly options than a lot of areas get credit for.

How many beginner-friendly trails are there in Arlington County, Virginia?

155 of Arlington County, Virginia's 155 mapped trails are rated easy difficulty and six miles or under — see the full list below.

Browse locally

Beginner Guides by city in Arlington County