Hiking For The Soul: 8 Reasons To Hike While You’re Traveling
Hiking is an activity you can do almost anywhere, and it’s a perfect way to experience a new place.
I had never been on a true hike before this year. I knew people in Florida that trained all year to go on strenuous hikes, but I didn’t see the appeal of it.
That is until I got to Phoenix and went on my first true hike up Camelback Mountain. It was incredibly difficult, but I had a fantastic experience and couldn’t wait to find a hike to do in the next city. In San Diego, I hiked up Cowles Mountain with a bestie. Then in Salt Lake City, I took my sweet puppy on a hike at Millcreek Canyon.
I’ve loved this activity I just discovered and for anyone that hasn’t done it before, I highly recommend it! Below are a few reasons why I love hiking and think everyone should do it while traveling.
- It’s hard.
Sometimes, an activity that challenges you is perfect while you’re traveling. Sure, it’s nice to see the sites and take photos, but what about when you want to give yourself a new project to tackle? Hiking is perfect: in most places with mountains, you can choose what type of hike you want to undertake and how much you want to work.
- It’s quiet.
I’m a city girl, so I’ve mostly geared by travels towards big cities so far. I do enjoy eating at fancy restaurants and experiencing the nightlife, but there’s just something so magical about being on a mountain, alone with nature. You can’t hear any sound except the leaves beneath your own feet and the rustle of the trees.
- It’s minimalist.
It’s possible to purchase expensive, cutting-edge gear for hiking (and for some challenging hikes, you may need to). That said, for most baby hikes, you’ll only need a good pair of sneakers and a water bottle. As a full-time traveler with very few possessions, I appreciate the minimalist nature of this activity.
- It’s physical.
Hello, fitness. I’m a runner and a CrossFitter, most of the time, so the idea of walking through a forest or up a mountain didn’t appeal to me. I was wrong to be such a snob about it, though, as difficult hikes work muscles that don’t get a lot of use from sitting at a desk all day! The physicalness of the activity also releases endorphins and makes you happy!
- It’s far away.
Away from the people, away from the stress, and away from real life. It’s physically far away, of course, but it also puts you in a new place mentally.
- It’s social (if you want it to be).
Although I enjoyed my hike alone with my puppy, the hikes I went on in Arizona and California were even better because I got to spend quality time getting to know people. There’s nothing to do while walking up a mountain other than talk about life and build on your relationship.
- It’s beautiful.
The views. I was one of those assholes that didn’t understand what was so critical about having a nice view, but getting to the peak of a mountain after a really tough hike up quickly knocked me down from my haughty high horse. Sure, you can go to a fancy hotel and get a view overlooking a beautiful city or town, but there’s nothing like knowing you worked hard to get to seeing that beautiful view
- It’s freeing.
Away from civilization, removed from anything other than nature – how could that not be the best, most freeing feeling in the world?