Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century.
Hiking is good for our health:
• Build Bone Density. Hiking is a weight-bearing exercise, which means your bones and muscles work harder against gravity. ...
• Improve Sleep Quality.
• Boost Happiness.
• Combat Depression.
Not only does it oxygenate your heart, it helps keep your mind sharper, your body calmer, your creativity more alive, and your relationships happier.
Hiking is an aerobic activity of vigorous intensity. Going up and down hills increases that intensity…and is great for the heart. You use your leg muscles over a sustained period of time, and thus significantly strengthen them
Hiking is a fun, relaxing way to experience the great outdoors with friends and family. When you go on a hike, you get to explore places in nature that the roads cannot reach. Leave your worries about time, work and other stressors far behind and reawaken your sense of wonder.
Going up and down hills gets the heart pumping, creating a great cardio workout. Like most cardio exercises, hiking helps reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even some cancers. Hiking is a weight-bearing exercise, which builds muscle mass and helps prevent osteoporosis.
Hiking, walking in nature as a recreational activity. Especially among those with sedentary occupations, hiking is a natural exercise that promotes physical fitness, is economical and convenient, and requires no special equipment. Because hikers can walk as far as they want, there is no physical strain unless they walk among hills or mountains.
Many persons walk alone, mainly on weekends or holidays, but youth clubs and other groups arrange rambles, or hikes. The normal length of the walk undertaken is 7 to 12 miles (11 to 19 km) for a half day or 12 to 20 miles (19 to 32 km) for a full day. Those organized rambles, combining exercise with enjoyment of the countryside, are in country districts surrounding large towns and follow a planned route. Most densely populated European towns have hiking trails outside them.
Hiking is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the outdoors. Transported by your own two feet and carrying only what you need for the day on your back, you can discover the beauty of nature at whatever pace you’re comfortable with. And, with a little planning and preparation, it’s an activity that almost anyone can do.
If you’ve dreamed of hiking, but have yet to try it, it’s time to get out there. Just follow these steps:
1. Find a hiking partner
If you have friends who hike, ask them to take you on a trek. Most people are happy to share their expertise, let you borrow gear and introduce newbies to their favorite trails.
Hiking alone: Experiencing the outdoors by yourself can give you a sense of freedom and adventure that are hard to find elsewhere. But it can also be intimidating and lonely at times. If you’re new to hiking, we recommend finding a companion to keep you company. That person will also be there to lend a hand if you happen to get hurt. If going alone really is your only option, then start out with short trips to popular hiking destinations and make sure someone always knows where you’re going and how long you plan to be gone.
2. Choose a hike route : Guidebooks and websites, Word of mouth, Talk to locals
Tips for Choosing a Hiking Route: How much time you have, your fitness level, Distance, Elevation gain, Time of year and weather, Logistics
Choose a Hiking Gear : Hiking Footwear , Hiking Backpack, Food and Water,
Essential Hiking Skills and Gear
• Learn to map read.
• Get Hiking Fit.
• A Hiking Gear List for All Your Adventures.
• Navigation Devices.
• Cold Weather Gear and Other Clothing.
• The Right Kind of Hiking Food.
• First Aid Kit That's Right for the Environment.
• Pack An Emergency Shelter.
