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!
Hiking
as a hobby
Reviewed by:
Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.
John Muir
Helpful content to get started
The page is curated to inspire and help you get started with hiking as a hobby.
Overwhelmed? Play a random video or podcast to start getting familiar with hiking.
We strive for accuracy, but errors may occur. Always use your judgment. Refer to the provided resources for further research.
Videos
Short visual inspiration.
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Podcasts
Play an episode while exploring the page.
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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.
Term Videos
First Steps
How to break the ice and make a start. One Aha! moment is all you need.
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.
First Steps Videos
Products
Essentials to have.
Product Demos
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How-Tos
Step-by-step tutorials.
How-To Videos
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Books
Get read-y.
Articles
Further reading.
audio and Video Articles
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Websites
Go-tos for information.
- AllTrails: Trail Guides & Maps for Hiking, Camping, and Running | AllTrails
- Hiking Project | Hiking Trail Maps
- Home | Outdooractive
- Outdooractive | Routes
- SectionHiker – SectionHiker.com
- The Best Route Planner for Cycling, Walking, Hiking and Running | Komoot
- The Hiking Life – Tips, Tales & Trip Reports
- Wikiloc | Trails of the World
Website Previews
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Movies & TV
Nothing like a good film or a show for inspiration.
Movie and TV Trailers
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In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
John Muir
FAQS
Get a clue.
Q: Is hiking a hobby?
A: 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.
Q: How can I find good trails suitable for me?
Q: What gear do I need for hiking?
A: 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.
FAQ Videos
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Apps
Smart start.
App Trailers
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Courses
Get smart.
Video courses and trailers
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Community & Near You
Get together.
- Hiking apps and websites for finding trails near you.
- Hiking Events Near You
- Hiking groups | Meetup
Related Videos
Tips
Additional advice for beginners.
Video Tips
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.
Additional Information
Hobby attributes.
| Attributes | Value |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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