A Collection of Mountains Abroad Perfect for Beginner Hikers to Enjoy the Scenery

Located near downtown Tokyo and easily accessible by train, Mount Takao offers several hiking trails and cable car options, making it perfect for a first overseas hiking adventure. You can experience temples, cedar forests, and even views of Mount Fuji on clear days, allowing you to adjust the hiking distance according to your fitness level.

Practical Information: Located in Japan with an elevation of 599m. The best seasons to visit are generally from March to May and October to December, with the representative route being 'Trail 1 or cable car upper station to the summit.' A typical round trip takes about 2 to 4 hours, but it's a good idea to allow extra time depending on weather, fitness, and transportation wait times. The perceived difficulty is easy, and for reservations and permits, there's 'no separate permit for general trails.' Be especially cautious of weekend crowds, wet stone steps, and temperature drops after sunset. Operating periods and access regulations may change, so it's best to check the linked official and public guidance right before you depart.

After accessing the summit via transportation, you can walk a gentle circular trail. Providing views of Victoria Harbour, skyscrapers, and the mountains towards the South China Sea, it's especially useful for travelers who want to see both the city and nature.

Practical Information: Located in Hong Kong with an elevation of 552m. The best seasons to visit are generally from October to March, with the representative route being 'Peak Tram upper station to Lugard Road Loop.' A typical visit takes about 1 to 2 hours, but it’s wise to allow extra time depending on the weather, fitness, and traffic wait times. The perceived difficulty is easy, and for reservations and permits, there’s 'no separate permit for general pathways.' Be especially aware of high humidity, dense fog, and vehicle traffic when walking at night. Operating periods and access regulations may change, so it's best to check the linked official and public guidance right before you depart.

This mountain, located right next to Edinburgh's old town, offers volcanic terrain with stunning city views. The very last section before the summit is rocky and steep, but many alternative shorter routes allow you to adjust according to weather and fitness, especially taking note of winds and descent times at sunset.

Practical Information: Located in Scotland, UK, with an elevation of 251m. The best seasons to visit are generally from April to October, with the representative route being 'Holyrood Park to the Summit or Salisbury Crags.' A typical visit takes about 1.5 to 3 hours round trip, but it’s wise to allow extra time depending on weather, fitness, and traffic wait times. The perceived difficulty ranges from easy to moderate, and for reservations and permits, there’s 'no separate permit required.' Pay attention to strong winds, slippery rocks after rain, and cliff edges. Operating periods and access regulations may change, so it's best to check the linked official and public guidance right before you depart.

This urban mountain offers marvelous panoramic views of the Acropolis and the Saronic Gulf right from the center of Athens. If the uphill climb is daunting, you can use the funicular, making it enjoyable for everyone regardless of fitness level, and in summer, it’s much more pleasant early in the morning or during sunset.

Practical Information: Located in Greece with an elevation of 277m. The best seasons to visit are generally from March to May and September to November, with the representative route being 'Kolonaki to summit walking trail or funicular.' A typical visit takes about 1 to 2 hours round trip, but it’s wise to allow extra time depending on weather, fitness, and traffic wait times. The perceived difficulty is easy, and for reservations and permits, there’s 'no separate permit required.' Be particularly cautious of summer heat, lack of shade, and smooth paved surfaces. Operating periods and access regulations may change, so it's best to check the linked official and public guidance right before you depart.

After taking the funicular to the viewpoint, you can choose well-maintained paths around the forest and lakes. This offers easy views of Bergen’s harbor and the fjord landscape, but it rains frequently, so waterproof jackets and shoes with good grip are more practical than umbrellas.

Practical Information: Located in Norway with an elevation of about 320m (viewpoint). The best seasons to visit are generally from May to September, with the representative route being 'Bergen city to Fløyen viewpoint or lake loop.' A typical visit takes about 1.5 to 3 hours round trip, but it’s wise to allow extra time depending on weather, fitness, and traffic wait times. The perceived difficulty is easy, and for reservations and permits, there’s 'no separate permit required.' Be especially aware of frequent rain, wet roots, wooden decks, and fog. Operating periods and access regulations may change, so it's best to check the linked official and public guidance right before you depart.

Close to downtown Hobart, this mountain showcases alpine-like rocky scenery at the summit. With a range of options from reaching the pinnacle by car or tour to forest hiking, there are many choices, but it's essential to prepare for significant temperature differences if you dress lightly based on the city weather.

Practical Information: Located in Australia with an elevation of 1,271m. The best seasons to visit generally center around December to March, but it’s possible year-round, with the representative route being 'Pinnacle boardwalk or part of the Organ Pipes Track.' A typical visit takes about 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on weather, fitness, and traffic wait times. The perceived difficulty is easy to moderate, and for reservations and permits, there’s 'no separate permit required for general walking trails.' Be especially cautious of cold, strong winds, and the possibility of snow, even in summer, as well as rapidly changing visibility. Operating periods and access regulations may change, so it's best to check the linked official and public guidance right before you depart.

While not a tall mountain, it allows for experiences of tropical forests and harbor views combined with the Southern Ridges walk. It's conveniently connected by a cable car for easier mid-hiking escapes, making it great for family trips, though the high humidity may lead to feeling more exhausted than expected.

Practical Information: Located in Singapore with an elevation of 106m. The best seasons to visit are generally from January to February and June to August on relatively dry days, with the representative route being 'Marang Trail to Faber Peak to Southern Ridges.' A typical visit takes about 1 to 3 hours depending on weather, fitness, and traffic wait times. The perceived difficulty is easy, and for reservations and permits, there’s 'no separate permit required.' Be particularly cautious of high humidity, sudden rain, dehydration, and mosquitoes. Operating periods and access regulations may change, so it's best to check the linked official and public guidance right before you depart.

Located in the heart of the city, this remaining patch of tropical rainforest provides a low-impact experience of tropical forests through short ascents and a canopy walk. It's a good warm-up route to get used to hiking scenery abroad rather than targeting high mountain summits.

Practical Information: Located in Malaysia with an elevation of about 94m. The best seasons to visit are generally during the dry mornings, with the representative route being 'KL Forest Eco Park Loop.' A typical visit takes about 1 to 2 hours depending on weather, fitness, and traffic wait times. The perceived difficulty is easy, and for reservations and permits, it’s important to 'check opening hours and entry conditions.' Be particularly mindful of extreme heat, sudden rain, monkeys, and slippery decks. Operating periods and access regulations may change, so it's best to check the linked official and public guidance right before you depart.

This gentle urban mountain connects gardens, art museums, Olympic facilities, and fortifications, allowing for views of the Mediterranean and the harbor. With funicular and cable car options, it's easy to adjust the amount of walking, making it efficient for travelers who want to combine hiking with cultural activities in one day.

Practical Information: Located in Spain with an elevation of 173m. The best seasons to visit are generally from March to June and September to November, with the representative route being 'Plaza España to gardens to Montjuïc Castle.' A typical visit takes about 2 to 4 hours depending on weather, fitness, and traffic wait times. The perceived difficulty is easy, and for reservations and permits, it's important to ‘check freedom of access for park walks and separate admission tickets for facilities.’ Be particularly cautious of summer sun exposure, pickpockets, and quiet spots at night. Operating periods and access regulations may change, so it's best to check the linked official and public guidance right before you depart.

A short hike through eucalyptus forests and misty trails right in the middle of San Francisco offers a suitable escape from the tourist crowds. There are multiple entry points, but it's a good idea to prepare offline maps since direction sense can become muddled in the woods.

Practical Information: Located in the USA with an elevation of 277m. The best seasons to visit are generally year-round, particularly from September to November, with the representative route being 'Sutro Open Space Loop Trail.' A typical visit takes about 1 to 2 hours depending on weather, fitness, and traffic wait times. The perceived difficulty is easy, and for reservations and permits, there’s 'no separate permit required.' Be especially cautious of wet paths due to fog, sharing roads with bicycles, and decision points at junctions. Operating periods and access regulations may change, so it's best to check the linked official and public guidance right before you depart.