This sounds like common sense, but common sense is not so common.
If you are a novice, new start, etc, it is a good idea to start with small hikes and build up. See if you can do a 5 mile hike with ease and in a decent amount of time. 5 miles is a good length to get started on as it let's you know how your endurance is. Also, select hikes that are considered "Easy" or "Moderate". These are usually hikes with little elevation change, or very gradual.
If you are interested in backpacking, take a few hikes with your gear on your back. Remember, carrying the gear you need for an over-nighter is a lot more than a day bag, work on getting used to the weight change before hitting the longer trails.
As you do more, you will learn what your body can physically and mentally handle, as well as know how you want to challenge yourself. Work yourself up to "Intermediate" "Expert" and "Challenging" leveled trails.
A basic skill that is very useful is to pull out a topographic map and look at the change in elevation, see where the trail goes, that way you can justify if you can handle areas that might actually have near vertical components. There are many trail sites that provide these.
Remember, distance and elevation change are key skill marks for selecting a hike
An topographic map showing the trail for Devil's Marbleyard
Note: A friend and I did this Sept 2012 and it was a great hike, with a nice steep portion near the beginning that was roughly 1000ft elevation change in .25 mile
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