The Ogden area boasts a plethora of scenic hikes. All along the Wasatch Front, there are plenty of streams, waterfalls, wildflowers, trees, animals and spectacular views waiting to be explored during the warm weathered season.

From a nice simple walk to a strenuous uphill journey, there are hikes for almost everyone.

Some of the most popular local hikes are Waterfall Canyon, located at the top of the 29th Street Trailhead, the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, running just over 280 miles from the Idaho border to Nephi, and the Beus Canyon Trail, located near Weber State University.

On the Ogden Hiking Trails page of Utah.com, we find that “the Ogden area offers an abundance of great hiking trails, leading to mountain-top vistas, waterfalls and other scenic attractions.”

According to Jim Nobles, a member of the Outdoor Program at Weber State University, if you are looking for a mellow hike, the Indian Trail that runs along Ogden Canyon should be your go to.

“Hidden Valley is also pretty cool and it splits off of the Indian Trail … the only problem is that is it what it sounds like – pretty hard to find,” Nobles said. “Pretty much all the trails up against the bench are pretty cruiser.”

Other easier hikes include Taylor Canyon, the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and Weber River Parkway.

There are also hikes for the intermediate hikers, such as Malan’s Peak and Beus Canyon. The Skyline Trail to Ben Lomond and the North Fork Trail also tend to be a little tougher, with longer trails and steeper ascents.

For the advanced hiker, the more challenging hikes in the area include Cold Water Canyon, Lewis Peak and Jagged Edge, which Nobles says is “less of a hike and more of a scramble.”

Besides varying in difficulty, one of the assets of Utah hikes is the variety of scenery. Hikers can enjoy rock formations, streams, waterfalls, varied vegetation, mountain vistas and a view of the valley.

“There’s a fair bit of wildlife to go check out … there’s some really pretty vegetation,” said Nobles. “There’s one part of the Beus Trail where you walk through all of these ferns and it looks like a rainforest.”

A statement on Utah.com also claims Ben Lomond Peak “happens to be one of the wettest in the state and so its wild flower display is unparalleled.”

In the many hikes around Ogden, some look like rainforest, while others look like the desert, or the swamp.

The variety of scenery and environment are some of the main attractions that draw in hikers. Within a few minutes of ascent on certain trails, hikers already have a clear view of the surrounding area because of the elevation of the trails.

The Outdoor Program at Weber State University offers guided hikes and climbs that guarantee the best experience through the months of April to November.

If hikers are interested in guided hikes or directions on local trails, they can visit the Outdoor Program website, weber.edu/outdoor, or stop by their location on campus.

“There are a number of good reasons to go hiking, one of them is just because it’s fun,” said Nobles.