What are the Easiest Mountains to Climb for Beginners?

Yes, there are mountains that can be climbed by beginners! Novice climbers can get to the summit of famous mountains during their first attempts.

Mountaineering attracts both experts and beginners, no matter the skill level. Beginners always and must look for easier mountains to climb before vying for difficult ones.

Even though the mountains listed here are for rookie climbers, they are guaranteed to give you the taste of what the tallest and difficult mountains of the world offer.

First of all, What is Mountaineering?

Mountaineering involves activities required for ascending mountains. Such activities include hiking, skiing, climbing, and traversing via ferrata.

The ultimate dream of any mountaineer is to climb the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. However, for many climbers, scaling this mountain standing 29,029 feet (8848 meters) is a distant dream.

Climbing some mountains might need a permit. Make sure to get one.

Here is a list of some of the easiest mountains to climb for beginners.

1. Mount Baker (USA)

Height: 3,286 meters

Days required: 3 days

Preferable season: June-August

Also known as Koma Kulshan, Mount Baker is an active volcano. The elevation of this peak is relatively easy to ascend.

This peak is popular among beginners and pros alike.

Mount Baker is covered with 12 glaciers that can provide beginners the knowledge of glacier mountaineering.

Having basic knowledge of crampons, ice-ax technique, crevasse rescue techniques, self-arrest basics, and rope work will be an added advantage to any climbers.

The Coleman route is the most popular among the climbers. The Easton route is the easiest while the North Ridge is the most difficult.

The weather is often severe here. Other major challenges include low visibility and exposure.

2. Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)

Height: 5,895 meters

Days required: 5-7 days

Preferable season: June-February (avoid rainy seasons)

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing volcanic mountain in the world. It lies in the African continent.

While ascending this mountain, a climber experiences five different ecological zones ranging from grasslands, rainforest, moorlands, alpine desert to the arctic-like summit.

The absence of avalanches and the low risk of crevasse falls allows beginners to summit the mountain in a relatively safer way.

Altitude sickness is the major challenge for Kilimanjaro summiting. However, guide services allow climbers to acclimatize to the altitude before further ascension. A climber should be ready to walk six hours every day.

3. Mount Elbrus (Russia)

Height: 5,642 meters

Days required: 7 days

Preferable season: May-August

The tallest mountain in Europe, Mount Elbrus, is a dormant volcano.

The most popular route to the summit of Mount Elbrus is technically easy even though it can be long and tiring. This route is crevasse free and is moderately steep.

The basic mountaineering skills are enough to scale this mountain. A cable car takes the climber to the station at 3,658 meters. Most climbers take the south route to the summit which is relatively more comfortable.

Harsh and unpredictable weather conditions can be challenging to any beginner mountaineer.

4. Mount Aconcagua (Argentina)

Height: 6,960 meters

Days required: 20 days

Preferable season: December to February

Often regarded as the highest ‘trekking peak’ in the world, Mount Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in South America. It stands in the Andes Mountain Range.

On average, 3,500 climbers attempt to scale Mount Aconcagua every year. This figure shows the popularity of this mountain. The main route to the top is relatively easy.

The altitude is the primary cause for people to give up on summiting this mountain. The top of the mountain is frequented by ice and snow cover and might need crampons and ice-axes to ascend. Climbers need to be careful of frostbite too.

Frequent changes in weather can be a real problem. The lower part of the mountain is notorious for its dry and dusty terrain.

A proper acclimatization before scaling this mountain is strongly suggested. Also, a good level of fitness is required. Since crampons are necessary for some sections of the mountain, practicing will be helpful.

5. Mount Fuji (Japan)

Height: 3,776 meters

Days required: 1 day

Preferable season: July-August

This most climbed mountain in the world is also one of Japan’s three sacred peaks along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku. It is the tallest mountain in Japan.

This peak is an excellent training ground for aspiring mountaineers as the terrain is easy terrain and it can be ascended in a single day.

Climbers start at the fifth station of Mount Fuji. Up to the fifth station, transportation by bus or car is possible for the climbers. The trek to the summit starts from this point at 2,300 meters.

Annually, more than 300,000 people scale Mount Fuji.

To reach the summit and ascend within a day, a mountaineer needs to have good stamina. The hiking season lasts only two months.

6. Breithorn (Switzerland)

Height: 4,164 meters

Days required: 1 day

Preferable season: May-October

The western summit of Breithorn in Switzerland is the most climbed 4,000+ meters peak in the Alps mountain range.

A cable car takes the climber to the height of 3,883 meters, leaving about 300 meters to ascend. This is the shortest climb on our list.

Climbers need to ascend a 35-degrees slope with the help of crampons and ice axes. The high altitude and climbing up a glacier and snow provide an excellent experience to the novice mountaineers.

7. Mount Hood (USA)

Height: 3,429 meters

Days required: 2 days

Preferable season: April-June

One of the tallest stratovolcanic peaks of Pacific Northwest in the United States, Mount Hood provides the perfect playground for aspiring mountaineers.

A beginner climber is recommended to take the south-side climbing route. This route follows a ski chairlift for half of the climb.

Routes other than the south course need a higher level of technical climbing skill.

Although climbing Mount Hood is relatively easy, a high level of fitness is required. Some of the parts of the mountain can get challenging.

8. Pico de Orizaba (Mexico)

Height: 5,636 meters

Days required: 2 days

Preferable season: November-March

This highest mountain in Mexico provides excellent snow climbing experience for beginners. It is a volcano offering short trail through a mix of snow, ice, and rock.

Moderate altitude and less crevassed route attract many beginner mountaineers to Pico de Orizaba.

The regular glacial snow-covered route provides excellent climbing experience without posing significant challenges.

Climbers need to acclimatize to the altitude of the mountain. The top of the summit, which is a 40-degree climb on snow and ice, can be challenging to any novice climber.

9. Island Peak (Nepal)

Height: 6,189 meters

Days required: 2-3 days

Preferable season: March-June and September-November

Island Peak provides an invaluable lesson to climbers who want to know if they are ready to scale higher and more technical peaks.

This mountain got its name because it appears as an island in a sea of ice.

As an added attraction, many guide service providers include a trek to Everest Base Camp in their itineraries.

This peak is the most popular trekking peak in Nepal that can be scaled with a minimum experience of mountaineering.

Scaling Island Peak needs an alpine start. Also, the knowledge of using ice-ax and crampons are required.

Climbers need to acclimatize to the altitude before ascending.

10. Sandakphu (Nepal and India)

Height: 3,636 meters

Days required: 5-6 days

Preferable season: April-June

Sandakphu provides the perfect introduction to the Himalayas to any mountaineers.

This mountain is relatively easy to climb, and you won’t need much gear.

This trek is also known as Singalila trek.

Four of the five highest mountains of the world, Mount Everest, Makalu, Lhotse and, Kanchenjunga can be seen from the top of Sandakphu.

This peak is also famous for the sight of mountains ranging from Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet, and Bhutan.

Climbers walk through rhododendron forests, pass through amazing orchids, and get mesmerized by the view of giant magnolias.

Another interesting fact about this trek is that you will walk past two countries, Nepal and India, several times!

Altitude sickness can be a major challenge for any climber. Getting acclimatized is essential. Also, get ready to test your stamina and endurance with this trek.

11. Tofana di Rozes (Italy)

Height: 3,225 meters

Days required: 1 day

Preferable season: June-August

This mountain is famous for its giant pyramid shape.

The actual climb is only about 1,200 meters. It takes about six hours to complete the climb.

The more accessible pass to the summit starts from the north.

Climbers gain immense rock climbing experience.

Most of the ascension includes via ferrata, a system of iron ladders, rungs, and cables to help a climb and to protect any climber from falling.

The knowledge of using rock climbing safety equipment is not required to scale Tofana di Rozes.

12. Mont Blanc (France and Italy)

Height: 4,808 meters

Days required: 2-3 days

Preferable Season: May-September

One of the most recognizable peaks in Europe, Mont Blanc lies on the border of France and Italy.

Mont Blanc is the highest peak in the Alps.

Annually, more than 30,000 people try to scale this mountain. The youngest person ever to climb this peak was aged 10 in 2009!

Comfortable mountain huts located at different points of the trial provides shelter for climbers.

Altitude is the primary concern for any climber of Mont Blanc. Rapid changes in the weather can also pose a challenge to the climbers. Other problems include crevasses (cracks in the glaciers), avalanches, and serac falls (falling masses of ice).

Apart from the mountains mentioned above, there are other mountains considered easy for amateur mountaineers. Some of them include:

13. Jbel Toubkal (Morocco)

Height: 4,167 meters

Days required: 2 days

Preferable season: April-May and September-October

14. Mount Khuiten (Mongolia)

Height: 4,374 meters

Days required: 1 day

Preferable season: July-August

15. Mount Rainier (USA)

Height: 4,392 meters

Days required: 2-3 days

Preferable Season: May-September

16. Pikes Peak (USA)

Height: 4,302 meters

Days required: 2 days

Preferable season: 12 months (Weather check is advised before climbing)

Basic Equipments or Gears Required for Mountaineering

Any beginner mountaineer also needs some gears to take with them before ascending any mountain. Here’s a list of gears, although all of these might not be required for every mountain listed above.

• Mountaineering rope
• Harness designed for mountaineering
• Mountaineering helmet
• Carabiners
• Belay device
• Crevasse rescue equipment
• Mountaineering boots
• Camping items like 4-season tent, sleeping bag, backpack
• Crampons
• Ice axes
• Mountaineering gloves

What are the Essential Things to Consider Before Going for a Climb?

At the very least, any beginner mountaineer requires a solid level of fitness. Strong determination and a positive attitude are also essential.

All climbers need to know about the mountain they are climbing along with the weather, difficulty, and seasons to ascend.

Also, make sure to respect the local culture and don’t forget to enjoy every bit of your climb whether you succeed or fail.

Few Facts about Mountains and Mountaineering

• Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa were the first to climb the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest (8,848 meters).
• However, Mount Everest is not the tallest mountain on Earth. Mauna Kea measures 10,205 meters from the base although only 4,205 meters of its peak is above water.
• The longest mountain range in the world is the Andes of South America (approximately 7,000 kilometers).
• Seven Summit consists of tallest mountains from the seven continents each.
• The volcanic mountain known as Olympus Mons on Mars is known largest mountain the solar system.

Before You Go Climbing

Mountaineering requires different sets of skills which can be learned by climbing easier mountains at the initial phase. No one knows your body better than yourself. Wisely choose the mountain you want to scale first. It is also recommended to try out some hiking trails before attempting to climb your first mountain.