Hiking is a wonderful hobby that allows you to explore natural environments, challenge yourself physically and mentally, and experience the beauty and diversity of the outdoors. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, this page offers a wealth of resources to help you get started or enhance your skills and knowledge. You’ll find informative articles, inspiring videos, helpful how-tos, and useful apps and websites to help you find trails, plan your trips, and connect with other hikers. So, put on your hiking shoes, grab your backpack, and join us on a journey of discovery and adventure!
Already an expert?
Hiking
as a hobby
Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.
John Muir
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Helpful content to start hiking as a hobby
We aim to provide accurate information, but errors might be found. Always exercise judgment and discretion.
📼 Videos
Short visual inspiration.
🎙️ Podcasts
Play an episode while exploring the page.
Hiking can improve your physical and mental health by reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, boosting mood, enhancing creativity, and strengthening your muscles and bones.
📜 Terms
Basic lingo for orientation.
- Blaze: A mark on a tree or a rock that indicates the direction of a trail.
- Bushwhack: To hike off-trail through dense vegetation or rough terrain.
- Cache: A hidden stash of food, water or gear that hikers leave along a trail for later use.
- Cairn: A pile of stones that marks a trail or a summit.
- Cat hole: A small hole dug in the ground to bury human waste when there is no toilet available.
- Day hike: A hike that can be completed in one day, without camping overnight.
- Peak bagging: The activity of climbing multiple peaks or mountains in a region or a list.
- Section hike: A hike that covers a portion of a long-distance trail, rather than the entire trail.
- Thru-hike: A hike that covers an entire long-distance trail in one continuous trip, usually taking several months.
❗ How to start hiking as a hobby
First moves for getting acquainted and breaking the ice.
Use one of many great apps or websites to find an easy, short, popular trail near you: such a trail won’t require much preparation, special equipment, or advanced skills so you can re-ignite your relationship with nature with minimum effort and hassles. Grab a decent pair of shoes, pack some food and water, and download an offline map (most hiking apps would allow you to do so) just in case of poor mobile reception. An offline map will also allow you to disconnect for a couple of hours, without losing your way.
📚 Books
Get read-y.
🪜 How-tos
Step-by-step tutorials.
📄 Articles
Further reading.
🌐 Websites
Go-tos for information.
- AllTrails: Trail Guides & Maps for Hiking, Camping, and Running | AllTrails
- Wikiloc | Trails of the World
- Hiking Project | Hiking Trail Maps
- The Best Route Planner for Cycling, Walking, Hiking and Running | Komoot
- Outdooractive | Routes
- Home | Outdooractive
- The Hiking Life – Tips, Tales & Trip Reports
- SectionHiker – SectionHiker.com
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
John Muir
🍿 Movies
Nothing like a film for inspiration.
❓ FAQS
Get a clue.
Is hiking a hobby?
Hiking can certainly be considered a hobby, as it involves engaging in a recreational activity for enjoyment and personal fulfillment. Many people find hiking to be a fun and rewarding way to stay active, explore nature, and challenge themselves physically and mentally.
How can I find good trails suitable for me?
What gear do I need for hiking?
The basics for a short, easy, and popular trail in a familiar environment are comfortable shoes or boots, a backpack, food and water, layers, sun protection, and a map or navigation device, such as a hiking app.
📱 Apps
Smart assistance.
📦 Products
Essentials to have.
⛳ Courses
Get smart.
📍 Near You
Get together.
- Hiking Events Near You
- Hiking groups | Meetup
- Hiking apps and websites for finding trails near you.
Hiking can help you connect with nature and appreciate its beauty, diversity, and fragility. You can see amazing landscapes, wildlife, plants, and stars that you may not encounter in your daily life.
💡 Tips
Additional advice for beginners.
Additional information
| Activities | |
|---|---|
| Fields | Animals, Environment, Fitness, Plants, Spirituality, Sustainability, Wellbeing |
| Locations | Abroad, Countryside, Forest, Lake, Mountain, Nature, Outdoor |
| Participants | |
| Skills | Attention to Detail, Attention to Health, Mindfulness, Physical Endurance, Physical Fitness, Planning |