Are you new to hiking and hoping to take it up as a hobby but unsure where to start or how to prepare? Well, congratulations! You’ve just come to the best place for advice on what to do.
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Hiking is an ideal way to escape from the crowd and noise around you and immerse yourself in nature. Additionally, it is a great way to get in a good workout, have fun, and spend time with your loved ones.
Most people consider hiking difficult. But once you get into it, you’ll realize it’s not all that difficult. As a matter of fact, hiking is one of the most fun things to do. All you need is passion, your feet, your hiking essentials, and some tips to guide you on the go. The best part is that you don’t need to break the bank to begin your great adventure.
Want to learn how to start hiking as a hobby? Here are some hiking tips for beginners to guide you.
These Tips Will Guide You on How to Start Hiking as a Hobby
- Study your trails
After deciding to go hiking, the next step is to study the trail you intend to hike. Several valuable materials providing information and statistics about trail difficulty, distance, directions, and where to find water are now available and easily accessible on the internet.
If you have friends who love hiking, you can also inquire about their experience on that trail. With their word-of-mouth, you can see if it meets your expectations.
- Be sure of the weather
Confirming the weather before and after stepping out gives you information on what to wear and pack for hiking. If the forecast is going to be unusual, it gives you time to repack instead of getting surprised on the go.
- Prepare your hiking essentials
When preparing your hiking essentials, it is important to consider how long you intend to spend hiking. For instance, if you will be spending the night, ensure that you pack an emergency shelter.
Here are some hiking essentials you’ll need:
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- Your Map
- Binoculars
- Mini first aid kit
- Sunglass and Sunscreen
- Lots of water
- Lots of food (snacks)
- Headlamp
- Socks
- Jacket
- Hiking sticks
- Keep it light
While it is necessary to pack everything you’ll need for your hike, it’s equally crucial to keep your backpack light because its weight may restrict your movement. Choose ways to make everything lighter rather than packing heavy items.
- Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated while hiking is essential for your health. Ensure to drink water at intervals or depending on the temperature and intensity of the hiking.
- Protect your feet while hiking
Do not wear any pair of hiking boots that makes your feet uncomfortable. Remember, healthy feet are happy feet. Depending on the trail you want to explore, you can consider different types of hiking shoes.
- Dress appropriately
When hiking, dressing appropriately makes all the difference. It saves you the stress of feeling uncomfortable.
Avoid clothes that take a longer time to dry when wet, e.g., cotton. You can choose to put on polyester or wool clothing. You would love to hike freely, so avoid wearing skinny jeans. Also, do well to go with a waterproof jacket no matter the weather forecast.
- Share your location
Nobody wishes for bad things to happen, but sharing your location with a family member, friend, or work colleague is advised for security reasons. Better still, you can go out with a tracked device to ensure that someone is tracking your whereabouts.
- Be steady
To avoid being tired, you need to be steady when hiking. Hiking requires permanence, not speed. The number of miles you cover does not validate you as a successful hiker. Instead, be relaxed and steady with the pace you are comfortable with and can maintain throughout your hiking period.
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- Maintain nature
While hiking, maintaining the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace is crucial. It explains our loyalty to nature and makes the environment safe for other hikers.
If you want to start hiking as a hobby, I’d advised that you go through what it says and abide by it.
