Many of us want to become pro hikers one day, exploring mountains, challenging trails and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. But every great hiker has to start somewhere, and not every adventure needs to involve steep climbs or exhausting miles. Sometimes, the best way to begin is with a simple trail that rewards you with an unforgettable view.
According to PureGym, an international health club, the answer may be closer to home than you think. In its recent Hiking Difficulty Index, PureGym analyzed 136 bucket-list hiking routes around the world to compare their physical demands.
The study considered nine factors, including trail distance, elevation gain, gradient, altitude, scrambling, temperature, wind speed, humidity and precipitation. These factors were combined into a score out of 100 to assess the difficulty of popular hiking destinations.
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And of course, Arizona made the list, but not for the most difficult hike, but the easiest.
Horseshoe Bend, located near Page, was ranked the No. 1 easiest hike in the world.
Horseshoe Bend's appeal lies in its combination of accessibility and scenery. Unlike challenging mountain trails that require advanced hiking skills, significant endurance or technical climbing, this route allows visitors to experience natural wonder without an exhausting trek.
Its short distance, gentle gradient and lack of scrambling helped make it a strong candidate in PureGym's hiking difficulty analysis.
Horseshoe Bend is part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Its iconic curve was carved by the Colorado River.
10 easiest bucket-list hikes
Here is the full list of the rankings:
Horseshoe Bend Trail.
Delicate Arch Trail, Utah.
Wineglass Bay Lookout Track, Tasmania, Australia.
Wild Pacific Trail: Lighthouse Loop, British Columbia, Canada.
Buttermere Lake Circuit, Lake District, England.
Mount Iron Track, Wanaka, New Zealand.
Lago di Braies Circuit, Dolomites, Italy.
Bear Lake to Nymph Lake Trail, Colorado.
Levada dos Balcões Trail, Madeira, Portugal.
Observation Point via East Mesa Trail, Utah.
