The days are getting longer and the promise of better weather is here. I’m happy to go hiking year round, I tend to prefer it when the skies are clearer. I’m planning on getting out hiking more over the coming weeks. So, I thought I’d share the reasons hiking is such a great activity and a few of the hiking essentials I’ve learned along the trails.
Why walk or hike?
The benefits of hiking are numerous and extensive. It is a very effective workout that can have the following benefits:
- reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
- strengthens your core muscles
- improves blood pressure and blood sugar levels
- strengthens the muscles in your lower body
- helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
Add in the fact that many hikes take place in areas with stunning scenery, what better way to exercise?
One of the great things about hiking is that it is something you can ease yourself into gradually if you haven’t exercised in a while or are simply not used to this type of activity Start off in your local area with pleasant shorter walks. As your fitness levels increase you can gradually extend the length of the walks, incorporate hills and include more uneven terrain too. Just adding a 5-10% incline to your walk can substantially boost your calorie burn by 30-40% if that is your exercise goal.
What hiking essentials do you need?
Unlike some outdoor activities, you need relatively little equipment in order to have a successful hiking day trip. We’ve put together a list of the must-have hiking essentials that can really improve your experience:
- Well-fitting, sturdy hiking shoes or boots. This item comes at the top of the list because if your feet are hurting, you’re less likely to be smiling. It’s crucial that your hiking shoes have the right support for your feet and have enough toe room to cope with swollen feet on a particularly long hike. If you can also add anti-blister hiking socks to your footwear, you’ll have a far better hiking experience all round.
- The right clothing for the right type of weather. If you’ve lived in Britain for any length of time, you’ll know that the weather can change quickly and that is particularly true if you are in hilly or mountainous areas that will often be cooler than lower levels. Try to layer your clothing, so you can remove items if it gets warmer and importantly add additional layers when it cools down or starts to rain. Quick drying fabrics are particularly helpful.
- Fuel for the hiker. This should come in the form of water to drink and healthy nutritious food. These suggestions from Walking and Hiking will set you in the right direction.
- Personal care items. These should include sunscreen, a first aid kit and any medication that you normally take.
- A map of the area so that you don’t get off track.
- Vehicle-specific rubber mats for your car. You may be asking why these would be classed as hiking essentials, but actually it is an outdoor activity must-have in general. There’s nothing that takes the shine off a fun day of hiking trails, than to have to scrub the car’s interior when you get home. Travall Mats have been cleverly designed with a lip that keeps dirt and liquid on the mat and away from your carpet. Cleaning the mats is a breeze by power washing or just wiping over as required.
My final tip before you set out on your hiking adventure is to hike with a companion/s and let a friend or family member know where you are likely to be hiking and when. Enjoy National Walking Month and we wish you many happy hikes through this month and beyond!
