On a recent trip overseas, it was always a toss-up between taking a hike and exploring historic sites. Both held a lot of appeal but hiking almost always won out! There’s something about being active outdoors that clears the mind, calms the senses and fills the soul. If you need an excuse to get going outside for your well-being, heads up that November 17th is National Take a Hike Day.
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What is National Take a Hike Day?
In my mind, every take is a potential “take a hike” day! But National Take a Hike Day is observed every November 17th annually. It’s a day to get outside on a trail and catch some fresh air with family and friends.
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You can head out for the exercise, go for the social aspect, hike to help improve mental clarity or just leave civilization for a bit to commune with nature. No matter what your reason, National Take a Hike Day is a great time to appreciate everything this silent sport has to offer.
Why is Hiking Good for Your Well-Being?
Hiking is good for the soul – as well as heart health, bone health, mental health… You get the picture! Hiking is just plain good for us.
A few hiking/health facts:
- It is a low-impact sport. Climb a hill and your heart rate goes up. Numerous studies have shown that hiking uphill for 75 minutes a week can lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
- Because hiking is a weight-bearing exercise, hiking can help reduce the effects of osteoporosis and improve bone health.
- It’s also a natural mood-booster and helps to alleviate stress.
- Hiking is a perfect social activity. Hiking clubs and organizations create a strong community of like-minded individuals who enjoy spending time outdoors.
Where Can You Go Hiking?
Oh, the places you can go!
The options are endless – and sometimes when there are too many choices, it’s hard to know where to begin.
Consider tackling – step-by-step – a small piece of the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail or Appalachian Trail if you’re in the United States or the TransCanada Trail – longest network of multi-use recreational trails in the world – or the Great Divide Trail if you’re in Canada.
You can always Google “hiking trails near me”, use the AllTrails app to discover local trails worth hiking or check out the Canadian Trails Federation or the American Hiking Society.
Need more inspiration to get out hiking? Check out one of our hiking-related past posts:
- Hiking Arizona: Wasson Peak
- Hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Canada
- Half-day Hikes in Cairngorms, Scotland
- Nevada: Hiking Grapevine Canyon
- Exploring Northern Spain: Hiking Fuente Dé
- Historic Tea House Hikes in Banff National Park, Alberta
What Gear Do You Need to Take a Hike?
Hiking can be extremely affordable – or you can go all out with the latest, greatest gear. It’s up to you. There are some basics you should have for every hike – like a way to navigate (could be map and compass or GPS device on your phone), a first aid kit, sun protection (think sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat), food, water, appropriate weather clothing (raincoat, layers), and a backpack to put it all in.
When you are deciding what to bring on your hiking adventure, consider the following:
- What is weather forecast for the day?
- How difficult is the hike?
- How long will the hike take to complete?
- How far will you be from help in case of an emergency?
- Will there be others in the group who will have duplicate gear?
- Are you hiking in bear country?
- Do you have a good checklist to make sure you everything you need?
What are Some Good Hiking Lunch Ideas?
Nothing tastes as good as lunch on the trail! There’s something about fresh air and exercise that makes everything taste delicious. I love a good sandwich (read up on my selection of 10 Best Sandwiches for Outdoor Adventures). When we’re in a rush, we’ll throw together a snacking type meal with cheeses, crackers, olives, raw veggies and deli meats.
When it comes to snacks, we like packing sliced oranges and apples on hot days. Sliced carrots and celery with a bit of hummous is another nice addition. I like to pack nuts and dried fruit year-round. Dates pack well and pack a great energy punch as well.
One of my favourite “go to” mixes is dried cranberries, yogurt-covered raisins and raw almonds. I make a popular hiking cookie with oatmeal, pecans, craisins and shredded coconut. Lemon Larabars – with 5 simple ingredients of dates, almonds, cashews, lemon juice and lemon oil – are a commercially-produced treat that I always tuck in my pack. Basically, any sweet treat that holds up well works for quick energy when you feel yourself flagging towards the end of the hike!
How Many Times Can You Hike in a Year?
Really, you could hike every day if you had the time and inclination. But for most of us, work and life get in the way – unless it’s your passion, like ours! We probably average 3 times a week over the year (with some weeks reach 5-6 hikes). Keep track. Do you hike once a week (just over 50 times a year); twice a week (over 100); or more?
Let us know!
I did not know about National Hike Day. But it would be yet another reason to head out for a hike. We started to hike more during the pandemic and have not let up. Probably the best investment I made was in hiking poles. I thought it would make me look weak. But it helped me to move so much faster. We would need to move things up for us to hit an average of 3 hikes per week!
Everyone has their own pace, their own goals and their own reasons for hiking – 3 hikes a week or 1 hike a week or 6 hikes a month, it’s all good! And I totally agree that hiking poles can make a difference on the trail – great point!
Great overview! I’m inspired to do some more hiking in 2023. Can you tell us more about the hiking tracker? Is it digital?
It’s a printable hiking tracker that will be an inexpensive download on my Etsy site soon! I may also offer a digital version in the future.
This is great I didn’t know you had a national hike day in America. We don’t have it here but it’s definitely an excuse to make sure I’m outside that day. Hiking is so beneficial I’m currently doing research in hiking and social prescribing (our doctors are starting to prescribe days in the the mountains with guides funded by our health system for mental health, PTSD and bereavement). Wish I had access to all those trails you mention here on my doorstep.
Hiking is the best medicine – agreed! And sound like you need to pop over for a hiking trip one day!!