Easiest Mountains to Climb
Which Mountains are Worth the Challenge?
Posted by Kellie on March 21, 2021
Table of Contents
Which Are The Easiest Mountains to Climb?
The Earth is covered in mountains - some easier to climb than others. We’ve done our research to find you the easiest mountains to climb.
When we say easy however, we don’t mean just any mountain … if you want “easiest” go climb a hill in your local neighborhood.
We mean easy mountains which are worth your effort.
Each of the top 5 easiest mountains to climb on this list are unique. They all have stunning views, they may be the tallest mountain in their respective countries, and one is even the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.
What makes a mountain easy to climb? A few things:
- The trail must be non-technical, no mountaineering skills required.
- The hike must be achievable by someone of average fitness.
- The journey must be safe; meaning no risk of life & limb due to the mountain conditions.
- The destination must be easily accessible by car or public transit.
We have one more requirement for our custom list, and it is that the hike must be “epic” - the mountain needs to be well-known or highly regarded in the mountain climbing community. We only want to recommend hikes to you which are well recommended by others.
Kopa Tours performed a research study with 108 mountain enthusiasts to find the “best” easiest mountains to climb. After tabulating the results, we present the rankings:
Survey Results
All of these mountains are non-technical - they require no special climbing skills, knowledge, or gear. There will be no rock climbing, crampons, or ravine crossing for each of these mountains. You will walk on a path until you reach the top of each of these mountains.
Make no mistake - these peaks take effort, time, and sweat. But if you can walk for multiple miles in a pair of hiking boots - you can make it to the top of these mountains.
Let’s take a look at each mountain in detail.
Top 5 Easiest Mountains to Climb
Mountain | Location | Climb Length | Distance | Elevation Gain | Season to Climb |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mount Kilimanjaro | Tanzania, Africa | 5-8 Days | 35 Miles | 13,960 Feet | Any Season |
Mount Whitney | California, USA | 2-3 Days | 22 Miles | 6,960 Feet | July-September |
Snowdon | Wales, United Kingdom | 1 Day | 4 Miles | 2,800 Feet | June-September |
Mauna Kea | Hawaii, USA | 1 Day | 12 Miles | 4,500 Feet | May-November |
Mount Fuji | Japan | 1-2 Days | 11.6 Miles | 5,800 Feet | July-September |
#1 - Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa
Mount Kilimanjaro sits along the Equator in Tanzania, Africa - this central location means the mountain does not experience typical Winter/Summer seasonal shifts. This is good news for hikers as it means Mount Kilimanjaro is available to climb year-round. The rainy seasons of Tanzania (March - May and November - December) can be a little more wet and make the climb more difficult but if hikers pack appropriate gear then Mount Kilimanjaro is still hikeable.
Why Kilimanjaro? Mount Kilimanjaro is THE tallest free-standing mountain in the world AND you can walk right up it.
You do not need any technical climbing knowledge or equipment to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. A solid pair of hiking boots, warm weather gear, and a reputable climbing tour company are the only items hikers will need to safely summit Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro is a protected national park - Tanzania’s government requires that you must be accompanied by a certified climbing crew - hikers are not allowed to climb on their own.
Kilimanjaro sits at 19,341 feet high and has no surrounding mountain ranges connected to it.
The only risk of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro which you need to worry about is the high altitude. Altitude sickness can happen to climbers who aren’t used to being at high levels of elevation. Mountain crews know of this concern, and a few of the routes on Kilimanjaro are built as ‘hike high, sleep low’ options. Lemosho Route is the most popular choice. You will hike to a high level of elevation midday and then the hike down into a lower elevation to sleep for the night. Midday elevation peaks allow your body to get used to the altitude in a more natural way. The head guide of your climbing crew does daily assessment of your health, and will tweak the hiking plan to optimize for your fitness..
Mount Kilimanjaro is an ambitious yet safe mountain to climb. With a team there to support you and an achievement which many climbers want to claim for themselves.
#2 - Mount Whitney, California, USA:
Mount Whitney - a towering behemoth, Mount Whitney proudly claims the title of the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states of the USA. The peak of Mount Whitney rises 10,000 feet above the saddles of its neighboring peaks. It’s huge, beautiful, and an accomplishment that thousands of hikers lay claim to each year.
Why Mount Whitney? This is hike is great for climbers who want to climb the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states of the USA! You can spend 2-3 days on the mountain to make the climb less daunting.
In order to climb Mount Whitney, a hiker must obtain a permit through the government-sponsored lottery system. Whitney is so popular that only 160 people are allowed to begin the climb each day. Hiker count is capped in order to protect the mountain and its climbers.
The Mount Whitney Trail from Whitney Portal is the best option for a non-technical climb. The most imposing obstacle of Mount Whitney is the high altitude - this can affect hikers who are not used to high altitudes.
Your best bet to fight altitude sickness while climbing Mount Whitney is to do your climb over 2 or even 3 days. Extra time on the mountain allows for your body to acclimate and adjust to the elevation you gain while hiking.
Most climbers choose the multi-day hike option on Mount Whitney.
On the first day, you will follow the trail for six miles until you reach Trail Camp. You will stop and rest for the night and then continue the last 5 miles to the summit of Mount Whitney on the second day of your hike. Please make sure to only camp at designated campsites.
#3 - Snowdon, Wales
The tallest mountain in Wales, Snowdon is a wonderful climb to tackle on a day trip out in the country. Venture to the beautiful city of Llanberis to begin your climb of Snowdon which sits at 3,560 feet above sea level.
Why Snowdon? This hike is great for those who are beginner hikers yet also want to claim an achievement of climbing the highest mountain of a country. This hike is non-technical - there isn’t a need for any mountaineering gear or specialized knowledge.
A good set of hiking boots, a first aid kit, plenty of water, and snacks will be the only essentials necessary for this climb. Always check the weather forecast before beginning a climb, adverse weather conditions can create an entirely different hiking experience. For Snowdon, look for snow in the forecast. Frost and snowfall can create dangerous conditions near the summit if hikers are not prepared. It is best to complete this hike during the summer months when snow is not an issue.
The most popular trail up to the summit of Snowdon is the Llanberis trail. This is an easy to follow trail which begins in the town of Llanberis. To begin the climb, start in town near the Royal Victoria hotel. As you reach the mini roundabout, you will keep right towards Victoria Terrace.
You will know you are on the correct road when you see the cattle grid. Continue climbing until you reach the Penceunant Isaf Tea Rooms - then continue on this small road through a small gate. After the gate, you will soon reach a trail marker that says ‘Llanberis Path’. From here, the trail is very clear and easy to navigate. This trail follows along the Snowdon Mountain Railway - you’ll even pass underneath the tracks on a portion of the trail.
Enjoy the views while on your Snowdon climb, Snowdon is an easily accessible trail for walkers who want to see beautiful vistas and enjoy a day in the wilderness.
Eventually, hikers reach the Halfway House - stop at this cafe for a little bite or cup of something warm. The next part of the trail, ‘Allt Moses’, is the most difficult part - 820 feet of elevation gain awaits you in the final ¾ a mile.
Hikers pass the Bwlch Glas standing stone on their way to Snowdon’s summit. The trail flows along the side of the train tracks for final push to the summit.
#4 - Mauna Kea, Hawaii, USA
Mauna Kea is the highest point on the islands of Hawaii and rests on the Big Island. Sitting at 13,796 feet high, this mountain sits well above the peaks surrounding it.
Why Mauna Kea? This hike is great for people who want to complete a hike in one day. You do not need any technical climbing skills to climb Mauna Kea. You will begin on the trail and then continue hiking until you almost reach the top.
Hawaiian natives ask that you do not climb all the way to the summit’s peak - Mauna Kea is sacred to their culture and it is quite disrespectful to climb all the way to the top. That being said, you can still enjoy the hike and journey without reaching the very top - you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the island and ocean.
Many climbers experience altitude sickness on this trail. The big mistake climbers make is to stay at an oceanside hotel at sea level, and then attempt this climb in one day. To better prepare your body for the altitude gain, spend the night before at the Mauna Kea State Recreation cabins. These lodgings sit 6,500 feet up on the mountain, and will serve you well in preparation for hiking to the summit.
While hiking Mauna Kea, there is absolutely no protection from the elements.
Lather on a lot of sunscreen and wear SPF protective clothing to protect yourself from the Sun. Bring at least a gallon of water to ensure you are well hydrated on your climb. Dehydration happens more rapidly at high levels of elevation - consider also supplementing yourself with electrolyte beverages.
You will begin at the Visitor Center, which sits at 9,300 feet. Most of the climb is over volcanic rock. Visuals for the Mauna Kea hike are not of flora and fauna but rather of the island and surrounding ocean. Due to low humidity and thin atmosphere, visibility on Mauna Kea is excellent - you will be rewarded with stunning views.
Close to the summit, you will get a chance to see the huge, permanent structure telescopes. Astronomers travel from around the world, to come here and take advantage of the great visibility on top of Mauna Kea.
There is a possibility to hitchhike back down to the Visitor’s center - but don’t rely on this. Car traffic is infrequent on Mauna Kea. You must be prepared to hike back down to the Visitor’s center.
#5 - Mount Fuji, Japan
Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan. On a clear day, passengers aboard the Tokaido Shinkansen high speed train catch a full view of the snow capped peak. Mount Fuji is a significant landmark for the country, and is a destination in itself.
Why Mount Fuji? It is the tallest mountain of Japan - you don't want to miss this famous landmark.
This hike is great for people who want to complete a hike in 1-2 days. Mount Fuji is not a difficult mountain to climb if you are in good health and are used to high levels of altitude. The most popular trail to the summit of Mount Fuji is non-technical; strong will and determination is all that is needed to make it to the top.
Climbing to the summit of Mount Fuji can be completed in one day, although it is not recommended. An attempt to summit in one day will likely result in symptoms of altitude sickness.
Instead, plan to climb Mount Fuji in two days. The most popular route is the Yoshida trail - you catch a bus from Shinjuku to the Subaru 5th Station, which is located halfway up the mountain. You begin your climb from this station and then stop for the night at one of the mountain huts, which you reserve ahead of time. You should be prepared with adequate food, water, and clothing for all types of weather.
Stopping for the night allows you to acclimatize their bodies to the higher level of elevation which helps minimize the effect of altitude sickness as you approach summit the following day. Hikers are encouraged to wake up very early before dawn - such that you summit Mount Fuji in time for sunrise.
After reaching the summit, you climb back down to Subaru 5th Station. The hike down takes 3-4 hours.
Are you looking for a more intense challenge? Learn about the Seven Summits of the World - the seven tallest peaks of each respective continent. There's even one overlapping mountain between the easiest mountains to climb and the Seven Summits. Read on to learn more.