Hiking is a fantastic way to get active, enjoy nature, create lasting bonds with friends and families, and even learn a little about yourself through challenges and exploration. With the recent emphasis on getting outside and treading lightly, it’s no surprise that the popularity of hiking in the United States has exploded.
In fact, the number of hikers in the United States increased by over 15 million people from 2006 to 2017. This is fantastic news, as it means more people than ever are not only appreciating the natural beauty of the world around them but also that more attention is being given to preserving it.
This newfound popularity does present some challenges, though. From properly maintaining trails to the fight for access to public lands, with more attention comes more problems. On an individual level, one of the primary challenges is ensuring that your hikes are fun and stimulating, of course, but also safe, especially if you’re relatively new to venturing into the wild.
So, read on for some sage advice on how to plan your hikes to maximize your experience and your safety!
What is Hiking, Exactly?
This may sound like a silly question – hiking is just like going on a walk in nature, right? Technically, yes, but there are numerous styles of hiking that fall into their own categories. Day hiking, night hiking, hiking with kids, hiking with dogs, hiking alone, and many other sub-genres of hiking exist.
The type of hiking you plan to do will influence how you prepare. No matter what style of hike you intend to go on, though, it’s essential that you put adequate time and effort into planning. Maximizing your experience while staying safe on the trail often comes down to the thoroughness of your plan!
Hike with Confidence – Follow these Tips!
To help prepare you for marvelous forays into nature, we’ve put together a few quick tips to use as a guideline. Of course, this little list is not the end-all-be-all for your hiking checklist, but it’s a great place to start!
- Hiking Gear – Everyone knows that any activity is enhanced by the gear. Some may even argue that researching and selecting gear is just as fun as hiking itself. While we’re not sure we’d go that far, having good gear can be the difference between a fun, safe time and a disaster. Backpacks, appropriate clothing for season and weather, good shoes, and other such items are vital when hitting the trails!
- Adequate Food and Water – Any time you are going to be away from civilization for a bit, it’s important to plan ahead and bring enough food and water. When you’re hiking, it’s even more essential because you will be burning quite a few calories. You should pack more than you think you’ll need and always consider worst-case scenarios when planning what food and how much water to bring.
- Clothing and Rain Protection – Sure, you could go hike in just about anything, but having hiking-appropriate clothing can improve your experience dramatically. Lightweight, comfortable clothes keep you cool in the summer, while insulated hiking clothes maintain body temperatures in the winter. Packing good rain gear is also a good idea. There’s nothing more uncomfortable than being stuck in soaked-through clothing for extended periods of time!
- Safety Items – What items you pack with safety in mind will largely depend on the type of hiking you’ll be doing. From bear spray to a whistle, any number of safety items may be needed. Do your research and always over prepare rather than underprepare!
- First-Aid Kit – While you hope to never need a first-aid kit, taking one with you on each and every hike is vital. It doesn’t have to be elaborate& – ;in fact, it should be lightweight and easy to pack – but it should include some key essentials, including bandages and something to stop bleeding. For a more comprehensive list, check out this checklist.
- Multi-Purpose Tool – You never know what situation you’ll find yourself in when you hike. Having a multi-purpose tool can help you in many circumstances, normal or out of the ordinary. Best of all, it’s compact, so you don’t have to worry about space or weight!
- Sun Protection – The sun can cause discomfort on a regular day, but when you’re spending hours outdoors participating in a physical activity like hiking, it can be downright dangerous. Don’t leave your sunscreen at home!
- Bug Spray – Mosquitos, ticks, and other creepy crawlies are common in nature, so be sure to pack your bug spray and use it generously!
- Trash Bag – The more people who venture into nature, the more potential risk nature sees. Trash and other such pollutants can harm nature and ruin trails for everyone. As such, it is absolutely essential that you bring a trash bag with you when you hike. For more information on appropriate guidelines and how to preserve our trails (and access to them), check out Leave No Trace.
- Toiletries – Like it or not, you may have to do your business outside. Before you begin your hike, look into the guidelines for the area you’ll be exploring. Do they have a pack it out rule? Do you simply dig a hole? Be prepared and pack appropriately!
Where Are You Hiking?
Where you plan to hike will be the primary factor in what you pack and how you prepare. While there are endless areas to explore and trails to conquer, some of the most popular hiking trails in the United States will probably make your bucket list. Here are ten of the most popular hiking trails in the United States!
- Grayson Highlands, Virginia
- Appalachian Trail, Eastern U.S.
- Half Dome, Yosemite National Park
- Longs Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park
- Angels Landing, Zion National Park
- Highline Trail, Glacier National Park
- Precipice Trail, Acadia National Park
- Mooney Falls, Grand Canyon National Park
- Greenstone Ridge Trail, Isle Royale National Park
- Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington
Endless Hikes, Unlimited Beauty
The United States has some of the best hiking and most beautiful scenery in the world. There are so many unique areas to explore that you could spend a lifetime filling your head with unforgettable memories. Hiking is good for your body and your soul, so get out there and have an adventure – just plan accordingly first!