Hiking is more than just walking up a hill. For many passionate hiking enthusiasts, it’s a way to connect with nature, breathe fresh air, and get a great exercise that’ll fill your body with energy.
There are many health benefits to hiking, including improved cardiovascular health, improved mobility and flexibility, and most importantly, mental clarity and stress relief.
Keep reading to discover 5 essential hiking tips for beginners to help you prepare for your next big hiking trip.
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Find the Right Hiking Trail for You
The first item on your list of hiking essentials is your hiking trail. If you’re a complete beginner, don’t choose a difficult trail that’ll exhaust you after one trip.
Instead, try the local trails in your area and choose one near your home. This way, you can have a pleasant hiking experience and have enough energy for a more challenging trail next time around.
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Choose the Right Hiking Clothes and Shoes
As a beginner hiker, you need to choose the best trekking jacket and shoes. No matter the weather, you should wear several layers so you can easily add or remove them as you go.
If you’re wondering what to wear hiking, start with the essentials: a pair of quality hiking shoes- the ones from Hike Footwear are perfect, a lightweight rain jacket, a t-shirt (avoid cotton), and comfortable pants or leggings.
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Bring the Right Hiking Gear
Bringing the right hiking gear is key to a successful hiking trip. You’ll need a sturdy backpack, extra clothes, a first-aid kit, sunglasses and sunscreen, a flashlight or headlamp, a firestarter kit (matches, lighter), food and water, and an emergency shelter (tent).
You’ll also need a tool and repair kit containing scissors, safety pins, duct tape, batteries, and a knife. For example, this OTF knife comes in a smaller size so it can easily fit in your pocket or backpack.
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Make a Plan for Hiking Safety
Before you go hiking, make sure to tell your closest family and friends where you’ll be going. Give them a map, your coordinates, and your hiking plan to make sure they know exactly where you are just in case.
This is hiking safety 101 and you should not skip this step. Carry bear spray or some type of weapon (if you have a license) to protect yourself from wild animals. Turn on your GPS or tracking system for the entire time you’re hiking.
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Go With an Experienced Hiker or a Group
If you’re not confident to hike alone, you can join a hiking group or ask someone to be your hiking buddy. Not only will you have more fun, but you’ll also learn a lot of useful tips on hiking for beginners from more experienced hikers.
Make sure to join a group or a tour that does easier trails so you don’t end up exhausted and lagging behind.
Use These Hiking Tips for Beginners To Prepare for Your First Hiking Adventure
Hiking offers many physical and mental health benefits and you don’t have to be a pro to enjoy it. These hiking tips for beginners will teach you how to start hiking, what equipment to bring, and how to choose the best hiking spots.
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