Utah boasts a plethora of scenic walking and hiking trails, from the Wasatch Front in the northern part of the state, to the red rocks in Southern Utah, and points in between — there is a path for everyone regardless of their skill level.

According to AllTrail.com, out of 3,500 trail routes in Utah 2,500 of those are considered “easy” or “moderate.” 

The website examines difficulty ratings, photos, community reviews, and trail stats (like distance and elevation gain) to help adventure seekers  determine if the trail matches the experience they’re after.

Pitt Grewe, the head of social and environments impact at AllTrails says the easy-rated trails  are a good place to start for people who aren’t as experienced in the outdoors 

“It’s essential for hikers of all experience levels to carefully consider the terrain and expected weather conditions in relation to their physical capabilities — and to arrive prepared with the proper gear,” Grewe said.

Utah’s diverse range of trail routes vary in lengths, estimated time to complete, and terrain. Other things to keep in mind are that many do not allow dogs on the path and may require a certain footwear.

Grewe says preparation is key when planning to go on any hiking route regardless of its intensity.

“If you are prepared with the proper gear, it’s easier to stay safe if you stay on the trail. Not only does it help you avoid getting lost or in a precarious spot, it also helps minimize impacts on the environment,” he said.

Aside from ensuring you have the proper gear, hydration and a medical kit handy, doctors say one of the more important factors in being outdoors is knowing weather conditions.

Colin Grissom, MD, senior medical director for Medical Specialties at Intermountain Health, he also specializes in critical care physicians and is a wilderness medicine expert, who says the higher people go into elevation, the greater the risk of being caught in an unfortunate situation.

“As we move into the summer season, thunderstorms and lightning are not as much a problem in the Wasatch, as it is in the winters in the high Uinta’s, there’s a lot more predictable weather pattern of afternoon thunder showers with significant lightning risk,” Dr. Grissom noted. “So you just don’t want to be up on a ridge or in an exposed area when there’s lightning, so you need to plan accordingly.”

With those factors in mind, these are ten easy or moderate skill level trails in Utah.

Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail

Location: Bryce Canyon

Length: 3 miles

Dogs allowed: No

Courtesy AllTrails.com

According to AllTrails.com, the best times to visit the trail are from March through October. It’s a popular area for hiking so be prepared to encounter many others on your adventure. The trail includes iconic views and unique rock formations.

Bells Canyon Trail

Location: Sandy

Length: 4.8 miles out and back

Dogs allowed: No

Courtesy Utah.com

Much of the trail is considered moderately challenging but provides majestic views overlooking the Salt Lake Valley. Bell Canyon Reservoir is located about a half mile above the trailhead which is the easiest part of the trail, according to Utah.com many people choose to turn around at this point to avoid the more strenuous trek up to the lower falls.

Donut Falls Trail

Location: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Salt Lake County

Length: 3.3 miles

Dogs allowed: No

The trail is considered an easy hike for individuals or families looking to explore nature.

AllTrails.com says people may experience snow and ice into the early spring.

This is another popular trail so be prepared to share the route with many others and wildlife.

Waterfall Canyon Trail

Location: Ogden

Length: 2.4 miles

Dogs allowed: Yes, but they must be on a leash

Courtesy AllTrails.com

The moderately challenging route includes an area for biking, hiking and snowshoeing.

The trail is open year-round, but visitors are urged to check weather conditions beforehand.

The trail contains a steep hike offering breathtaking waterfall views and overlooking Ogden Valley.

Double Arch Trail

Location: Arches National Park, Moab

Length: less than a mile

Dogs allowed: No

Courtesy AllTrails.com

One of the easier hikes for outdoor enthusiasts to take advantage of during their trip to Moab. The 0.6-mile out-and-back trail only takes an average of 16 minutes to complete, according to AllTrails.com The trail is also wheelchair accessible, people using mobility equipment, or strollers may need all-terrain tires or some other adaptive/motorized equipment to handle the surface type and grade.

Stewart Falls Trail

Location: Sundance, Provo Canyon

Length: 3.5 miles

Dogs allowed: Dogs are welcome, and allowed off leash in some areas

Courtesy Utah.com

Located on the east side of Mount Timpanogos, the 90 minute route takes hikers through a portion of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National forest. The hike is considered fairly moderate but there is a steep hike down to the base of the waterfalls. People are encouraged to visit during the summer and in the fall to see the foliage of leaves.

Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge

Location: Draper

Length: 3.5 miles

Dogs allowed: In most areas, dogs are allowed

Courtesy AllTrails.com

We’d be remiss to not mention the Bonneville Shoreline Trail on this list. This trail enters the Bonneville Shoreline Trail at Hidden Valley Park and leads to the Bear Canyon Bridge. AllTrails.com says the route is popular for hiking, biking, and running, and the best times to visit are between January through October. Some sections of the trail near Bear Canyon does not allow dogs, visitors are encouraged to take notice of posted guidance along the route.

Silver Lake Trail

Location: Alpine

Length: 4.5 miles

Dogs allowed: Yes, but must be on a leash

Courtesy AllTrails.com

You’ll want to carve out some time to explore this route which takes on average 2 hours and 47 minutes to complete. The hike features scenic views with cliffs on one side and a panoramic view of the valley on the other, ending at Silver Lake (not to be confused with Silver Lake near Brighton ski resort). AllTrails.com says the best time to visit is between April through October, the road to the trailhead requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle.

There are thousands of other options for outdoor exploring in Utah, visit AllTrails.com or Utah.com for more ideas.