It is a great thing when you start a new physical activity that can become a regular part of your life. If you are thinking about starting to hike regularly, you may be enthusiastic and want to go all out from the beginning. But it is important for beginners to understand that just like any activity or hobby, you have to start somewhere.
The worst mistake that you can make is going too hard in the beginning, as it may put you off the whole process for a long time. Here are three tips that can work for beginners who want to get into hiking.
1. Find an Easy Trail
We have spoken with so many beginner hikers who went all out on their first try. They felt a beginner trail would be boring and went for an advanced one. They all regretted it. There is a reason there are trails for different skill levels.
Hiking is not easy and it is not the same as just walking around outside. The advanced trails are not only very lengthy, but they involve paths that can be dangerous for someone who has never gone hiking. Not only will you be tired on these trails, but you will also find that you are more likely to fall and hurt yourself.
Find the beginner trails in your area and choose one of those for your first few hiking experiences. Only when you are experienced and you start to enjoy the sport should you go out and try a tougher trail. Even then, you should adjust and go for an intermediate trail before you attempt an advanced one.
2. Map Out Your Path
Even if you have picked out an easy trail that is good for beginners, you are going to want to make sure that you have some idea of what it entails. With most hiking trails, you can easily go online and see the route. You will be able to assess the different routes that you can take, how many turns are involved, what is the total length and how long it takes most people to complete.
Having such information is much better than going in blind. It can be tempting to just go for it and see how it turns out. But if you are prepared, there will be less chances that you have some unexpected event while you are in the wilderness or on a trail.
3. Assess The Weather
Make sure that you are keeping an eye on the weather when you are going hiking for the first time. It is tempting to brave the elements at their worst, but it is not the best idea. Do not pick a day when it is meant to rain a lot. You may want to avoid very hot days as well. You can try hiking in such weather in the future. But a mild day that is mostly sunshine and a few clouds is a great way to have your first hiking adventure.
Following these tips is not only about staying safe. It is also a way to ensure that you enjoy your experience. It is key when you are starting any new activity that you have fun the first few times. Then you will start to see it as a part of your routine. If you try something too difficult, you will have a bad experience that puts you off the activity for good.
