All trekkers have to start somewhere. And no one jumps straight from Ben Nevis to Everest. Instead, we make step-by-step progressions, graduating slowly to ever-bigger mountains and increasingly challenging expeditions. But where do you begin? What expeditions are ideally suited to trekkers who want to take things further and scale a sizeable peak or experience a multi-day trek? At 360 Expeditions, we know exactly where you should start and have compiled this comprehensive guide to the four best mountain climbs for beginners. If any one of them piques your interest (we’re pretty sure all four will), head over to the relevant expedition page for more information or get in touch and speak to the team if you have any questions.

• Toubkal

Standing at 4,167 metres, Toubkal is the highest peak in Morocco’s Atlas mountain range and a fantastic challenge for anyone looking to bag a classic 4,000+ metre peak. The 360 Expeditions’ six-day Toubkal Trek takes you from the wonderfully chaotic streets of Marrakech, through ancient villages in the foothills, to the rocky uplands of the Atlas range.

While the trek is physically demanding, it is not beyond the reach of any reasonably fit trekker. It also offers an opportunity to explore a breath-taking mountain landscape and engage with the Berber communities that call it home, guaranteeing a rewarding cultural experience and a physical challenge.

Why is Toubkal great for beginners?

From a beginner’s perspective, Toubkal has a lot going for it. With three days of trekking, it is relatively short, making for a more gentle introduction to mountain adventures. As with all physical activities, new participants should build gradually, so starting with a three-day hike before attempting week-long expeditions is a great way to get a feel for this type of hiking.

For UK-based trekkers, Morocco is also much more accessible than other big-mountain destinations. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not that far away, enabling you to fit more into a shorter time frame and reducing travel costs. Despite this, it offers a real sense of culture shock. The landscapes, food, climate and way of life are unlike anything you find in Europe, giving the Toubkal Trek an authentic sense of adventure. 

Who is it for?

We think the Toubkal Trek is a great option for those at an early stage of their trekking journey – those with some experience but who have yet to take on a 4,000+ metre peak or an overseas expedition.

It is also a fantastic option for trekkers who want to hone their skills and develop new ones. Our expedition leaders teach trekking and safety best practices on the lower slopes of the mountain, ensuring you get a chance to practise and perfect them as you climb.

How difficult is Toubkal?

We rate our Toubkal Trek a P2 on our Physical grading scale and a T2 on the Technical scale.

P2 – Considered a physically challenging expedition that requires a good fitness level. It will feature long days and varied terrain. Participants should be comfortable with 6-8 hour trekking days while carrying up to 6 kg. Generally involves undulating terrain with a few punchy climbs.

T2 – Considered a trek, though there may be sections of low-grade scrambling where hands are used for balance. You do not require any previous climbing or trekking experience.

• Kilimanjaro

As the easiest of the Seven Summits (which consists of the highest peak on each of the seven continents), Kilimanjaro is a brilliant introduction to high-altitude trekking. The tallest free-standing mountain in the world, it is situated in Tanzania and stands at 5,895 metres. The fact that there are no other peaks nearby ensures Kilimanjaro is visually spectacular and the views from the upper slopes seem to stretch forever.

On the main 360 Expeditions Kilimanjaro Trek, we climb the mountain via the Lemosho route. We consider it the most beautiful option. It also benefits from being one of the quieter paths up the mountain.

Why is Kilimanjaro good for beginners?

Often considered a gateway mountain – the peak that inspires trekkers to seek out other mountains and new experiences – Kilimanjaro is an achievable challenge. On the 360 Expeditions Kilimanjaro Trek, the walking is by no means easy. But neither are participants expected to cover a huge distance every day.

At the same time, Kilimanjaro is just exceptionally fun and a fantastic mountain to climb, no matter how many other mountains you have experienced. The scenery and vistas are phenomenal, it feels like a “serious” mountain expedition, and it gives trekkers a real sense of achievement.

Who is it for?

We think Kilimanjaro is ideal for trekkers who want to push themselves or want an intermediary mountain that bridges the gap between a peak like Toubkal and the longer, more challenging Himalayan expeditions. That‘s not to diminish Kilimanjaro – it is a difficult trek that guarantees an unforgettable experience. It just happens to fit between these two types of trekking experience.

Kilimanjaro is also an excellent opportunity to accustom yourself to walking at altitude and managing the physical challenges associated with that. Likewise, participants will be camping – something many trekkers will not have done for an extended period.

How difficult is Kilimanjaro?

We rate our Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trek a P3 on our Physical grading scale and a T2 on the Technical scale.

P3 – A physically tough trekking experience. Participants will need to train regularly to prepare for the expedition. Days will typically involve up to eight hours of trekking in steep and hilly terrain, carrying a pack that weighs somewhere between six and eight kilograms. The trek may also include the occasional longer day, usually when summiting. 

T2 – Considered a trek, though there may be sections of low-grade scrambling where hands are used for balance. You do not require any previous climbing or trekking experience.

• Mount Kenya

While Kilimanjaro’s reputation has undoubtedly benefited from its place in the Seven Summits, Mount Kenya is arguably just as challenging and rewarding. Africa’s second-tallest peak, it tops out at 5,199 metres, though reaching the true summit involves a technical 22-pitch climb. For those who don’t fancy this final climb, Point Lenana stands at 4,985 metres and is considered the trekker’s peak.

The 360 Expeditions’ Mount Kenya Trek takes you through a remarkable range of natural habitats, from equatorial rainforest and moorland to high-altitude lakes and glaciers. At the same time, it is much quieter than Kilimanjaro, ensuring trekkers enjoy a sense of seclusion and wildness that isn’t always possible on Kili. 

What makes Mount Kenya good for beginners?

Mount Kenya involves a considerable amount of ascent and trekkers will get a feel for walking at altitude. However, the physical challenge is manageable and the main trail is not technical. It’s also a brilliant cultural experience and our guides on the 360 trek are second-to-none. They contribute enormously to the experience, bringing significant local knowledge, wonderful energy and some serious cooking skills to the expedition.

Who is it for?

Mount Kenya is a perfect peak for trekkers who want to push themselves but are wary of biting off more than they can chew. It’s a great first peak for those who haven’t gone over 4,000 metres before and an equally good training peak for trekkers who want more experience before they take on something at higher altitude.

The option to add on the climb to the true summit is an added benefit, as it enables participants with climbing experience to push themselves even further (should they want to) and climb their way to the top rather than trek all the way. For a mountain of Mount Kenya’s size, this is pretty unique.

Finally, Mount Kenya is also well-suited to trekkers who prefer quieter trails. As most trekkers looking to tackle an African peak opt for Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya takes you away from the crowds for a more personal and intimate trekking experience.   

How difficult is Mount Kenya?

We rate our Mount Kenya Trek a P3 on our Physical grading scale and a T2 on the Technical scale.

P3 – A physically tough trekking experience. Participants will need to train regularly to prepare for the expedition. Days typically involve up to eight hours of trekking in steep and hilly terrain, carrying a pack that weighs between six and eight kilograms. The trek may also include the occasional longer day, usually when summiting.

T2 – Considered a trek, though there may be sections of low-grade scrambling where hands are used for balance. You do not require any previous climbing or trekking experience.

• Pyrenees Thousand Lakes Trek

Our final trek on the list takes us to the Catalan Pyrenees for a six-day adventure across the Parc National d’Aigüestortes i Sant Maurici. Home to several famous peaks that rise to heights of 2,500 – 3,000 metres, it is an adventurer’s paradise and offers an unforgettable trekking experience. 

On the 360 Expeditions’ Pyrenees Thousand Lakes Trek, participants have the opportunity to swim in idyllic mountain lakes, sleep in sensational refuges, reach the summit of at least six local peaks, and immerse themselves in one of the most picturesque mountain landscapes on the continent. 

Why is this ideal for beginners?

Let’s start with the basics. The Thousand Lakes Trek is close to the UK, making flights relatively affordable and readily available. However, the trek also demonstrates that Western Europe hasn’t been fully domesticated yet, and there are still magical, wild areas out there just waiting to be explored.

At the same time, the Thousand Lakes Trek is difficult. We thought long and hard about whether to include it on this “beginner’s” list and eventually concluded that we would. But only if we put in the caveat that this is at the edge of what beginners can be expected to achieve and probably requires some previous trekking experience and a decent fitness level. Many people who have participated in both the Thousand Lakes and Kilimanjaro treks have said this is tougher than Kili. So keep that in mind!

Who is it for?

We’ve already established that the Thousand Lakes Trek is for more advanced beginners. But who else would it appeal to? It is a great way to get mountain fit if you want to use it as a springboard to prepare for more difficult expeditions and it will really help you to develop those mountain legs and put some tough miles in. The Pyrenees is an unbeatable training ground for trekkers and allows you to build confidence without travelling long distances or spending mega-money.

From an experience perspective, the trek is an ideal option for wildlife lovers. There is a chance you will see the world’s largest bird of prey, the lammergeier, along with marmots, mountain goats and roe deer. The landscape is simply gorgeous, too. As well as the trek’s titular lakes, participants will encounter surging rivers, sheer ravines, gaping canyons and thunderous waterfalls.

How hard is the Pyrenees Thousand Lakes Trek?

We rate our Pyrenees Thousand Lakes Trek a P3 on our Physical grading scale and a T2 on the Technical scale. However, we would like to emphasise that many people consider this tougher than Kilimanjaro and it is at the upper end of the “beginner spectrum”.

P3 – A physically tough trekking experience. Participants will need to train regularly to prepare for the expedition. Days typically involve up to eight hours of trekking in steep and hilly terrain, carrying a pack that weighs between six and eight kilograms. The trek may also include the occasional longer day, usually when summiting.

T2 – Considered a trek, though there may be sections of low-grade scrambling where hands are used for balance. You do not require any previous climbing or trekking experience.

Mountain climbs for beginners with 360 Expeditions

At 360 Expeditions, we have years of experience leading mountain expeditions around the world and have developed an excellent understanding of what the term “beginner” encompasses and what trekkers who classify themselves as beginners are capable of. The four treks detailed above are the best places to start if you want to adventure abroad and a mountain expedition that strikes the right balance between challenging, achievable and enjoyable.

If you are unsure whether or not you are a beginner or have any questions concerning the expeditions covered in this guide, we recommend getting in touch with our friendly team. We are more than happy to help you in any way we can.