Why to Start Hiking
Getting outdoors has many benefits, and hopefully, our blog post will encourage you to start hiking and get closer to nature. So, here are the best reasons why you should start hiking when you travel or even when you are home.
Hiking is good for your health and mind and gives you the best opportunity to stay in shape whether you travel or stay at home. It has many other benefits, and if you never hiked in your life, you are missing a lot.
Being outdoors has been repeatedly linked to improved mental health, better physical fitness, and happier life.
And while driving on your vacation or sitting on your couch on your day off might be comfortable, it's not good for your well-being (at least repeatedly).
We believe that hiking has only pros with only a few minor cons, and you should incorporate it into your life and travel style.
It's often mentioned that hiking has many health benefits, which often overshadow the practical upsides.
It's cheap, so it allows you to explore even expensive destinations such as Switzerland or Iceland on a budget.
Furthermore, hiking is beginner-friendly, and you don't need to spend years to get any good at it. The only thing you need is the will to get started.
As we travel a lot, we get a lot of opportunities to go hiking.
And we yet did not find a better activity than to enjoy the great outdoors than on a hike. No matter whether we hiked Mirador Las Torres or Inca Trail, we absolutely loved the experience.
And some of our fondest travel memories are from our hiking adventures. Like the time we pushed ourselves and crossed Thorong La Pass in Nepal sitting at an altitude of 5416 meters above sea level.
Or when we saw grizzly bears in the wilderness for the first time near Mount Assiniboine in Canada.
So why do we believe you should start hiking when you travel?
HIKING IS EASY
One of the best parts that makes hiking so great is that it's so easy to do. Basically, hiking is just another word for walking.
Therefore, almost anyone can go hiking almost anywhere in the world.
For example, in Ecuador, we hiked the Quilotoa Loop through the peaceful countryside. In Australia, we walked around the rim of the Kings Canyon.
When we were backpacking through Nicaragua, we climbed Ometepe Volcano. And so on. Almost every destination in the world offers some hiking trails.
The entry bar is really low, and unlike running or gym exercising, it's much more beginner-friendly.
As we travel a lot, it's often quite hard to stay in shape and fit on the road. But hiking gives us the perfect opportunity to explore new places and see more while doing a healthy activity.
Going from one place to another every day will ruin your exercise routine when you travel long term. Therefore, we always include as many hikes in our travel itinerary as possible.
There is one more thing. On purpose, we didn't mention above the hardest but also not the easiest hikes in the world.
When you read about them, you might think that you wouldn't be able to complete them, especially if you just started hiking.
But there is this handy tip that you should remember. You can always find a shorter or less challenging trail.
In Iceland, you can walk behind the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, which is a really short and easy hike (walk).
In Banff, you can explore the beginner-friendly Johnston Canyon on foot and leave the harder hikes this destination offers for someday in the future.
The important thing is to make the first step towards the more challenging hikes. And keep in mind, it's never late to start hiking.
IT'S CHEAP
The best part about hiking is that it's so cheap. It's not free, but it's definitely cheaper than other activities such as guided tours or entrance fees to theme parks.
Therefore, you don't need a huge travel budget, and it's perfect for all budget travelers.
Multiday hikes that feature a camping experience (or even staying in huts) will often save you a lot of money on accommodation.
A lot of trails can be found in parks or reserves without entrance fees. Hiking doesn't also require some super expensive gear.
You might argue that good hiking boots or proper rain jacket are expensive. While both items can be quite pricey, the statement is only partially true.
Regardless of how expensive the rain jacket we use, we still carry a regular rain poncho which costs pennies, and, in our opinion, it works even better than some expensive jackets. And the hiking boots will last you years.
We already created a helpful hiking packing guide, where you can learn more about what you should pack, so don't forget to check it out.
Local travel allows you to go hiking even on a tiny budget. You quite often don't need even a car. Just take a bus or train to your nearest trail, and enjoy the routes that are nearby you.
You might argue that it's much harder when you live in the city. It's partially true. But even big cities such as Buenos Aires or Sao Paulo have huge city parks, where you can hike as well.
It might not feel as good as somewhere in the mountains, but the health benefits you get from walking will be very similar.
And once you learn to walk in these parks, you will want to leave the city and try something more adventurous.
HIKING WITH OTHERS
One of the best things about hiking is that it gives you an opportunity to socialize with others. Even though not everything goes the way you expected when you planned your hiking adventure, it surely will strengthen your friendship.
Hiking trips can cement the bonds between the friends or partners like no other activities, and you will have tons of memories together to remember.
Moreover, many people are looking for hiking friends, so you have a great opportunity to meet someone new. The easiest way to find someone you can hike with when you travel is to stay in hostels and ask around.
And that's how we met a fellow hiker with whom we hiked the Banaue Rice Terraces Trail in the Philippines.
Sometimes, it's just the result of the situation. On Queen Charlotte Track, we were dropped off at the trailhead by the water taxi at the same time with another guy, so why not hike together?
Even families with kids can go together on a hike, and bringing your children with you will help them form their relationship with nature.
Hopefully, they will find their way to appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us. Just make sure to find a suitable trail that won't discourage your kids from this activity.
Hiking is also a great activity for couples who don't have much time for themselves during the hectic weekdays.
Who said that investing in your relationship has to be expensive?
Just find the nearest trail in your surroundings and spend your day together. And if you just started dating, you will learn about your other half on a hiking trip so much more than over a fancy dinner.
HIKING ALONE
If you are working in some fast-paced environment with tons of social interactions, you might actually be looking for some peace and silence on the trail.
And believe us, hiking alone on some off the beaten trail will deliver you more solitude you will ever find in the city.
Even when you can't find any hiking buddies, it might be worth going on a solo hike. Being alone with yourself in the wilderness can help you sort out thoughts, ideas, or even problems.
Furthermore, you will get out of your comfort zone, as you would need to rely just on yourself.
Believe us, regardless of whether you solo hike the Abel Tasman Track or Milford Track, you will always learn something new about yourself.
Just make sure that someone knows about your hiking plans. It's crucial to stay safe.
LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF
No matter how cliché it sounds, every hike will give you some challenges you need to overcome. And during this process, you will learn something new about yourself.
When we hiked around Olgas, it was our second longer hike of the day, and it was so incredibly hot that we thought like we were never gonna finish the loop as we underestimated the hydration.
We had some blisters and gulped tons of water afterward, but we didn't give up.
On Travers-Sabine Circuit, we sort of miscalculated our food rations, so we had to change our diet in order to save some food for the last two days of this six-day adventure.
Or when we visited Laguna Paron independently, we misjudged the frequency of transport, so it was easy to get to the trailhead but much harder to get back to the town. We had to improvise and deal with the situation at the moment.
These hiking life lessons will make you stronger, more experienced and allow you to see yourself in a different light.
RECONNECT WITH NATURE
We are not afraid to say that being outdoors has only benefits. With more and more people spending their time literally locked in their offices or homes, being able to go out improves your physical and mental health.
The change of the scenery of sterile office environments can't be more striking.
There is so much green color in the Costa Rican cloud forest in Monteverde, which is something you won't find in the background of your screen.
Due to the elevation, the sky around the Annapurna Circuit in the Himalayas is bluer than you would ever believe.
And the stars at the Atacama Desert are brighter than anywhere in the world.
And exploring those places on foot will give you an opportunity to feel them with all your senses.
AVOID THE CROWDS
Some of the most popular short or day hikes in the world can indeed get crowded during the day. At the end of September, Larch Valley might remind you of a crowded shopping mall rather than peaceful nature.
But more often, you will find way fewer people on the trail than in the cities or at the top attractions when you travel.
And if you are looking for one of the best ways to avoid the crowds while traveling, then try to go hiking the next time you make a trip.
You will be surprised how easily you can find an empty trail.
Even at such crowded places as Petra in Jordan, you can get away from the crowds by simply detouring the main trail that leads through the bottom of the valley.
HEALTH BENEFITS
It has been proven repeatedly by scientists and many researchers that people who spend their time somewhere in nature are happier and healthier.
Really, studies on the benefits of hiking are hard to ignore. You will get better sleep, have lower blood pressure, and have stronger immunity.
Walking outdoors will make your body burn calories. The harder the terrain, the more calories you burn. It's safer for your joints to walk than to run.
Another reason why hiking is good for you is that your body needs vitamins from the sun. And you can obtain higher vitamin D levels from extended sun exposure.
Being said that, hiking around noon at an exposed place such as Uluru or Tatacoa Desert is not good for your skin.
You can always use a good and strong sunscreen with high 70 SPF or just wear clothes with long sleeves. Try to balance it out.
MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS
We've already established that hiking will bring you closer to nature, and it's good for your health. But getting out in nature is also very beneficial to our minds.
Being outdoors can lead to a lower risk of depression, reduces anxiety and stress.
Hiking has been linked to improved mental health and mood, and it's for sure one of the best activities to feel better.
And after you visit beautiful places such as Laguna 69 or Glymur Waterfall, it's not hard to find out why.
But even just a simple thing such as clearing your mind after stressful days on the road is one of those helpful additions of mental health benefits.
Disconnecting from the internet is actually quite simple when you are walking outdoors.
Nowadays, huge parts of our lives happen in the online world. Being able to enjoy the wilderness without access to the internet, social media, or 24-hour news will give you that needed peace to your brain.
You can say that if you are seeking freedom from all those things that our modern lives bring, then you should really consider starting hiking.
GET A TRAVEL INSURANCE
If you are new to the world of hiking, staying safe is essential. And while hiking is arguably safer than other activities, it's never smart to travel and hike without travel insurance.
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
IT'S MORE SUSTAINABLE
We love hiking so much that we automatically look for alternatives to crowded tours every time we are about to visit a new destination.
On New Zealand's east coast, we hiked along the beach to Cape Kidnappers to see a gannet colony.
We could have opted for a 4x4 tour, but we thought that it's not only expensive, but it makes not much sense to visit such a peaceful place on a roaring quad bike.
That's just one simple example, but the idea remains the same.
If you find a less trodden trail, you can escape the crowded attractions and lower the density of tourists per square kilometer, which helps the environment recover more quickly.
Similarly, we usually avoid cable cars that will take you to the top of the mountain in five minutes instead of a 3-hour hike. It just makes more sense to us to enjoy the scenery from the trail rather than from a glass bubble.
Lastly, one of the best things you can do is to adopt the leave no trace philosophy.
CAMPING
For us, camping is one of our favorite things about hiking. Being able to spend the night outdoors is something that makes the trip even more special.
There is something so romantic about sleeping under the stars that you will want to depart on another adventure as soon as you get home from your trip.
Regardless of whether you spend the night in a hammock or a tent, camping is always an incredible experience. Surely, camping might not be for everyone, but there is always another way to stay outdoors overnight.
Staying in the huts along the trail is a more comfortable alternative to camping, as you don't need to carry a tent or sleeping mat (you still need to carry your own sleeping bag, though).
In New Zealand, they have one of the best hut systems in the world, and we couldn't believe how it makes hiking accessible to everyone.
Routeburn Track or The Kepler Track is the finest examples of hikes that you can enjoy in a relatively comfortable way.
And while backcountry camping offers a more intense experience, even sleeping in a campervan is something you won't forget.
For more inspiration, don't forget to check out our guides on camping in the Canadian Rockies and Camping in Iceland.
YOU WILL SEE MORE
Some places are meant to be explored on foot. And while we understand that road tripping the Carretera Austral is an incredible experience, your trip wouldn't be complete without several hikes in this region.
Going to Patagonia without any intention to hike is like going to New York and not see the Statue of Liberty. It just doesn't make any sense.
If you don't believe us, check out this guide on the best hikes in Patagonia in order to convince you.
Similarly, the Canadian Rockies offer epic scenery even through the window of your car.
And the iconic Icefields Parkway is often regarded as one of the best scenic drives in the world. It's all true, but the real adventure starts when you put your hiking boots on and start hiking.
The scenery you will discover at the top of the mountain makes up for all the effort, plus you will do something beneficial for your health.
BETTER SLEEP
We saved the best reason to start hiking for the last. Another major benefit of hiking is that you will have no longer struggle to sleep.
While we already mentioned it earlier in this article, we believe that sleep is so important that it deserves its own separate text.
We hiked on almost every continent around the world, and if there is one thing that always feels the same, it was the quality of sleep.
Regardless of whether we hiked Tongariro Northern Circuit in New Zealand or Laguna de Los Tres in Argentina, we never had sleep problems.
Hiking is often quite exhausting, and you will sleep like a log until the morning. That's guaranteed.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
