Hiking For Beginners

Hiking is a wonderful sport and a great way to spend time with your friends and loved ones. If you haven't already tried it, you should definitely check it out. You may be nervous though, hiking is a new adventure and there is a great deal to know about it before you get started. With some basic knowledge, you will be well on your way to having a great time.

Planning ahead and knowing what you are getting yourself into is one of the most important aspects of hiking. There are a few ways to prepare yourself for your upcoming adventure. The best way to begin is by deciding on where you want to hike. If you would like to start with a fairly easy hike (one day) you will probably want to find a trail somewhat near your house. You can go to the library or check the internet for close by parks and trails. You can also go to local sporting goods stores to find books on the location you will be hike in. These books and websites will give you a great start as to what you will find on your hike, what you will need and what the terrain will be like. Most of these books will include maps and their authors have already been on these hikes numerous times and are very experienced.

Check in with yourself. By this, I mean that you will need to evaluate your physical fitness level and figure out how much strenuous exercise you can handle. Don't try to be a hero, there is nothing worse then getting out on the trail and realizing that you have taken on too much. You should have a hiking backpack to store your stuff. Make sure that it is not filled with anything unnecessary, it will get heavy and you don't want to carry any more weight than necessary. A first aid kit is a necessity, don't leave home without it. Having a good pair of hiking boots will make your trip a great deal easier, if you can't afford hiking boots yet or don't want the expense until you know if you like it, a good pair of walking shoes or sneakers will do for beginner hikes.

When you plan your trip make sure you tell someone where you are going. You can check in with the park ranger or leave a specific location for your family. This way if something happens, they can find you. Another important thing to remember, until you are very experienced, do not hike alone. It is important to hike with other people, preferably ones with some experience.

Be prepared and have a great time! Hiking is a wonderful way to get out and enjoy nature.