These spots are the best for you to visit if you hate hiking!
A lot of the most beautiful places in our country are out in nature, but they can be hard to visit if you hate hiking!
However, know that you are not alone, and you do not have to give up seeing amazing views since there are some hiking trails and walking trails that you can go on.
There is no need to think that you will turn into a singing happy trails kind of hiker; these are wide open spaces with no dramatic height changes.
They are all fairly short, and they are all okay to be done in a day without as little as breaking a sweat.
The great outdoors is for everyone, even the ones of us who hate the idea of hiking!
With no inclines and chances of getting stranded on the side of the mountain, we brought you some of the best low-grade routes and urban trails that are going to amaze you with their scenery, and you can add them to your vacation bucket list easily!
Keep on reading to discover my favorite trails that make up for the best “barely hiking” vacation activities!
Wildcat Trail
Located in Arizona in the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, this non-hike will allow you to see the most famous natural spot in the valley: the butte formations!
A lot of tourists are attracted to the grandeur of this valley, which is located in the Navajo Nation. It is an impressive location, a tribal park full of red-sand desert, and you can tor it accompanied by a Navajo guide on motor vehicles.
If you want to explore by foot, you can do that on their Wildcat Trail, which is roughly 3 miles long! It loops around the scenic area, and it is one of the most iconic parts of the American Southwest!
The trail is mostly made out of flat terrain, and you can easily complete it in about 2 to 3 hours. You won’t have to worry too much about it, and you will get to enjoy the majestic landscape that Monument Valley has to offer.
Most people are attracted by the amazing view of Merrick Butte and the majestic Mitten Buttes, with even hardcore hiking haters ending up being ecstatic to have seen it!
The Highline
This one is an urban trail that is located right in the heart of New York City. And while we all envision the Big Apple as full of tall buildings and a plethora of cars, this is one of the best urban greenways, off the sidewalk even!
This is one of those urban “hikes” that many people end up taking in order to see more of the city and enjoy the greenery outside of the mandatory visits to Central Park.
Built on a repurposed railroad line, the Highline is a walking trail that is going to break up the monotonous sights of the city; it is an urban greenway, so you will be able to make the 1.5 miles easily.
It is elevated, and you can always choose to stop at any of the many seating areas in the shade and even leave the trail at any point due to the many that exist.
It is flat, so you do not have to worry about any hard-to-tackle elevation levels, and you will be able to go through Manhattan from north to south on it.
The Highline will take you from Hudson Yards all the way through Chelsea and end in the Meatpacking District. And if you have had the Whitney Museum of American Art on your visiting plans, then you’re in luck since it’s right there.
Be that you want to get some exercise in without having to break a sweat or just enjoy a nice walk through the city without a lot of the hustle and bustle, the Highline is one of the best urban trails in the country!
Lower Yosemite Fall
California’s Yosemite National Park has some trails to offer, even for those of us who do not like anything challenging.
Yosemite Park is a matter of national pride, and we should all make a point of visiting if we have the means. And while you may think that you will not have much to do if you are not an outdoors lover, know that this is the trail for you!
Known as the easiest trail in the park, you will be able to tackle the 1-mile paved loop with ease. It is in the heart of the Yosemite Valley, and you will be able to easily admire all the falls in the area if you go on this trail.
This trail is the best since the elevation is minimal, around 50 feet, and you will be able to stop for a water break at the half-hour mark. It is so easy and accessible that you can enjoy it even if you need a walking aid or are in a wheelchair (however, be careful not to come in winter as the trails may be covered in snow or ice, making them dangerous).
This is an easy, relaxing route, and it may be the best compromise when you have both hiking enthusiasts and haters in the group. The ones who do not like hiking can still have something to do that is easy, while the pros can tackle the harder Upper Falls trail.
The Upper Falls trail is a strenuous one that is around 3.5 miles, with an elevation gain of 2,700 feet, so that one requires a bit more effort, and it’s best suited for a guided tour rather than being tackled alone.
San Antonio River Walk
Speaking of urban trails, another one that you may love to experience is in the heart of Texas, right along the San Antonio River.
This is one of the best US walks for nonhikers since it is a leisurely walk down the river and it is nothing like what we think about when we envision a hike.
Right in the middle of the city, this urban walk is perfect and not something you can easily find across the US.
It is made up of walking paths down the San Antonio riverbank, right below the street lines with bridges, bars, and restaurants. Not only can you go on a walk after having a relaxing meal with friends and family, but you can easily give your feet a break at any time since you can hop on a boat at any time!
It is a big trail, with the entire network of trails spanning 15 miles from the Alamo to the four Spanish missions in the south of the town, but you can hop in and off them at any moment.
What I recommend to those who hate hikes is to take the walks close to the city center, as they are more of a leisurely stroll than anything else, and they will allow you to see one of the best areas that Texas has to offer at your own pace!
Horseshoe Bend Overlook Trail
Going back to more traditional trails, this one from Page, Arizona, is one of the best ones to enjoy if you want to see the iconic scenery and not be bothered by the scorching sun.
The view here is not one to pass on: the horseshoe bend of the Colorado river is wrapping around a red sandstone pillar, and it makes up for an amazing contrast of colors.
While it may seem that it would be hard to reach this part of the river and see this view, it is actually easy to reach from Vegas, so you can easily make your way over if you are in the area.
To get here, you can park just off Route 89 in the parking lot of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. You will have to follow the dirt pathway, and then you will start on the overlook trail.
With only 1.5 miles, this trail is not one to write off as it is a leisurely stroll in the shade and, yet again, also accessible to wheelchair users!
Don’t forget to charge your camera, since you will definitely want to take some pictures!
No matter if it is a huge hike or an easy walk like the ones we have highlighted in today’s article if you are going on unpaved terrain, you need to have appropriate footwear in order to prevent any accidents. These are some of the best boots you can get online since they are high quality and affordable!
There are a lot of things you can do even if you are not a hiking enthusiast, especially in national parks! If you want to see which are the best scenic drives through American national parks, then you’re at the right spot: America’s National Parks: 6 Most Beautiful Scenic Drives.
