Hiking trails for the "novice" are abundant throughout the US. Virtually all state and national parks have trails that are marked according to the difficulty, in the same manner that ski and cross-country trails are marked. The most important factor is your general physical condition. A healthy individual, who engages in some aerobic excise can easily hike a medium difficulty trail, as long as they have the necessities, like food, a compass, a first aid kit, matches, etc. depending on the time of year and the weather. Good hiking boots and a good backpack are essential. What requires skill is navigating through rough terrain, and precipitous climbs, especially those that involve rock climbing. Familiarize yourself with topographical maps. These maps will show you the rate of change in elevation from point A to point B. Other than that, there are hiking trails, I'm sure, within an hour from where you live. If you want more information you can contact me through Y/A.