Hiking is an exciting hobby that has been enjoyed by people of all ages and of all levels from beginner to experienced. There’s a great feeling you get when you’re outside, perfect temperature, and you gaze out on the beautiful trail you’re walking on.
Over the past couple of years, hiking has been the fourth most popular outdoor activity in the United States. The more people there are enjoying hiking the better, so it’s great to see so many new faces out on the trails.
It’s hard to completely put into words what makes hiking a great hobby, but read on to see a list of my 7 favorite reasons to hike!
Hiking Provides Great Exercise
There’s nothing better than a hobby that doubles up as a good exercise routine as well. Considering how much walking is involved in hiking it’s no surprise that it will improve your endurance as well as muscle strength.
You can actually receive numerous health benefits from hiking like help with fatigue, sleep issues, creativity, and your overall happiness level. Hiking can also be a great workout for cardio if you decide to pick up the pace and push yourself on more challenging hikes.
Inexpensive Hobby
To begin hiking as a hobby, all you really need is a pair of supportive shoes or boots, a water bottle, and a place to hike. I’ve had a great time convincing my friends to head out to a trail with me for the first time, and they never have equipment that would be considered necessary.
Of course, once you get more into the hobby there is plenty of gear that can help improve the quality of your hikes. None of the following are required for a beginner hiker, but if you’re curious there are backpacks, hiking poles, flashlights, and hiking boots that more experienced hikers will use.
Allows You To Meet New People
Over the years, I’ve met some great people while hiking out on the trails. It’s a really nice community that offers plenty of chances to grow your hiking group and to gain some new experiences.
Since it’s a social activity, there are often local events held where you can meet up with other hikers. Every time you’re out exploring a new area you have the chance to meet new people who enjoy the same hobby as you.
Always New Places To Explore
I would bet that most people would be shocked to find out just how many places there are to hike in the city or town near them. One of the great things about hiking is that there are so many areas to hike for all levels of hikers. Whether you’re a beginner or have been hiking for years, you can find so great new places to take your next hiking trip.
There are also famous hiking trails like Acadia, Kalalau, and Greenstone that offer some of the best hiking experiences with the best views imaginable. These can be great motivators as well if you set goals for yourself and work to be able to travel around and do the best hikes in the world.
Lets You Connect With Nature
After being stuck inside working for most of the day, it can be hard to enjoy and appreciate the nature around us. Hiking is a great way to explore unknown areas and to fully get in touch and enjoy the feeling of nature and the beauty within it.
There are very few things that are better than reaching the top of a mountain and seeing the views of the world. Combine that with streams, lakes, trees, and everything else you can see during a hike to bond and connect with our natural surroundings.
Reduces Anxiety And Stress
There have been plenty of studies that show how great hiking is for de-stressing as well as reducing depression and anxiety for most people. In our everyday lives there are lots of things that cause us stress, so being able to get outside and escape these problems for a short while helps tremendously with our mental health.
Hiking can bring you joy and a boost in happiness that you wouldn’t be able to get through other activities. When hiking we get fresh air, beautiful views, and exercise which are great components to a healthy lifestyle.
You Can Hike Alone Or In A Group
The fact that hiking works great as a solo activity or with others is something that is pretty unique to hiking. A lot of other popular hobbies are usually done alone or actually require others to participate.
Hiking alone allows you to move at your own pace, hike for however long you want, and focus on relaxing and enjoying the outdoor experience. When you go hiking with others it can be a nice time to move at a more comfortable pace while bonding and sharing the experience with friends or family.
Final Thoughts – Hiking As A Hobby
Even though many people consider hiking a way to explore new areas and interact with nature, there are many reasons why hiking is the favorite activity of many in the world. A quick summary of why people choose a hobby like hiking:
- Numerous Health Benefits
- Increases Happiness
- Reduces Anxiety and Stress
- Cardio Fitness Benefits
- Easy and Cheap
If any of these reasons above make you want to grab a friend and climb a mountain, hiking just might be the hobby for you!
