7 Benefits of Hiking
Ever wonder what the benefits of hiking are? Well here’s a list of 7 amazing benefits of hiking! After reading this article you’ll know exactly what we get out of hiking, and you may be inspired to get even more out of your next hike. So without further adieu, let’s see what the benefits of hiking are.
Getting outside and breathing fresh air
Nothing relieves stress quite like a long walk in the woods. An opportunity to breathe fresh air, hear the sounds of the birds and escape from the pressures of our everyday lives. Hiking in the woods allows us to lose ourselves in the present moment, and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us. We can put our phones down, look up and around instead of hunched over a computer, and appreciate our surroundings' simple wonders. Breathing fresh air has also been proven to boost our moods, decrease blood pressure, and increase energy levels. Getting out in the woods to spend time in nature is good for us physically, emotionally, and mentally- it makes us happier, plain and simple!
2. Great way to exercise and boost your mood
Have you ever heard of runner’s high? If you hate running, hiking is a great alternative to a run. Getting our bodies moving and heart pumping are essential parts of our physical well-being, and hiking does exactly this. As you walk up big hills, scramble over rocks, and hop across rivers you are doing your body a huge favor. Hiking is hard work, and your body will make sure to thank you for putting in the work by releasing endorphins that make you feel happy. And the best part- you don’t have to suffer through a run if you hate it! Just by walking the trails you’re conditioning your body, walking off the stress, and you will get the benefits of endorphins being released and making you happy! This is a huge benefit of hiking. See if you notice a difference in your mood at the end of your next hike or long walk.
3. Sense of accomplishment
How do you feel after finishing a task that you found to be difficult? I’ll bet that you feel good about yourself and that you accomplished something wonderful, pushing through the discomfort. Finishing a hike that you thought was hard or long is such a good feeling, and is one of the greatest benefits of hiking. By getting out on the trails and trying your absolute best to push through the long miles (probably uphill!) you can enjoy a strong feeling of accomplishment, like you can take on the world now that you’ve taken on the trail! Have you ever felt a strong sense of accomplishment after a hike? Let the community know in the comments if you’ve ever felt this benefit of hiking after a day out on the trails!
View from Little Haystack facing south on the Franconia Ridgeline in New Hampshire. Photo by author.
4. Build self-confidence
Just as finishing a tough hike can give you a sense of accomplishment, it can also boost your self-confidence. You will naturally start to wonder that if you can finish that hard hike, what else can you finish that’s hard for you? One of the natural benefits of hiking is that you are building that muscle of self-confidence. When we push through difficult obstacles, such as a hard or long hike, we start to believe that we are capable of doing hard things. Of course, you’ve always been capable of hard things, but now you have evidence to support that. The self-confidence will also apply to your hiking ability; as you start to take on harder hikes, you’ll start to build the confidence that you have in your skills and in your mindset. You’ll learn to trust yourself, trust your instincts, and that you can do whatever you set your mind to. And this will start to apply to your life beyond hiking; you may just surprise yourself with what you’re able to accomplish!
5. Learn new skills
As you start to build that self-confidence with harder and harder hikes, you’ll start to build up your library of skills. Hiking more challenging peaks will require you to learn different things, and this will happen naturally as you progress. You’ll learn how to stay on the trail, how to navigate with a map and compass, how to hike with leave no trace principles in mind, and maybe you’ll even learn some wilderness first aid skills. You may not even realize that what you’re learning are skills until you hike with a beginner! You may even feel inspired to take a class or workshop to learn more advanced wilderness skills, and that’s something that should be celebrated. So keep it up, and keep it fun as you enjoy this benefit of hiking.
6. See new places
I don’t know about you, but I love seeing new places and discovering unique scenery. Hiking gives you the unique ability to see things that many others will only see in pictures, and that’s because you have to get yourself out there to see it and experience it. Hiking has given me the ability to see Yosemite Valley from the top of Half Dome, I’ve swam in alpine lakes that have no name, been in forests of birch trees, and seen a hawk fly over a river searching for his next meal. A huge benefit of hiking of being able to see places that are remote and wild, and that’s a gift to be cherished.
7. Make happy memories with friends
As much as I love hiking alone, hiking with a good friend is extra fun. Some of my favorite memories with my friends were made on a hiking trail, and I’ll treasure them forever. There was the time my friend and I got stuck in a hail storm, or when we discovered a secret waterfall that we got all to ourselves. My point is, that hiking creates an environment of adventure and exploration, and that can lead to some seriously awesome memories with friends. You may even make a new friend while hiking, and what a great first memory for a new friendship! So next time you’re thinking about taking a hike, try reaching out to a friend and see what kind of mischief you two can get into!
A cloudy day along the Bond Trail in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Photo by author.
BONUS: It’s fun!
“If it’s not fun, why do it?” - Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s.
Ben raises a good point here. And I have to say, few things are more fun to me than taking a hike through the woods! This is the probably the best benefit of hiking; it’s FUN! You’re out in the woods taking in some seriously gorgeous views, maybe you’re with your friend and you’ve done nothing but laugh between panting as you push your body to go up the side of a mountain. Hiking is a damn good time, and the lure of a new memory or adventure is enough to get even a hiking Grinch on the trails. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next adventure now. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are some articles that might help:
Did I miss any benefits of hiking? Or did I hit the nail on the head? If you want more hiking and outdoor content to hit your inbox, follow our newsletter! We send out fresh content bi-monthly to keep you thinking about hiking and outdoor exploration while providing you with useful information meant to keep you safe and informed on the trail.
Thanks for reading!
-Rebecca
