Maximizing Your Hiking Experience

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2024-10-14 16:30:08

I’ve always loved exploring nature on a good hike, whether it be with other people, my dog, or solo. Hiking builds both physique and mental clarity, and the “hiker’s high” is pure bliss.

There are many things I’ve learned over the years that have helped me maximize my own hiking experience. Some I learned from trial-and-error, while others I learned from fellow hikers, my own physician, or from online hiking forums. This post summarizes all of them using six tips. You can also find a list of my recommended trails here.

In general, I’m drawn to more difficult hikes that contain varied landscape and big variations in elevation for cardio. Since I prefer hikes that take 4-6 hours to complete, the advice I’m giving in this post is geared towards hikes of that timeframe.

I’m a big fan of using less gear over more. Proper hiking shoes (with socks) and a hat are a must, as is a backpack that can carry vital supplies. While others online recommend hiking sticks, I think they distract from the hiking experience. As a result, I only use a single collapsible hiking stick for those rare hikes that traverse narrow/steep hills on rainy or snowy days where foot traction and weight shifting aren’t enough to prevent slipping.