How To Start Hiking For Beginner

You are missing a lot if you’ve never hit the trail before- you are missing the fun, pleasure and the health benefits such as improvement of endurance and stamina, aid the prevention of diabetes, boosting your mood, improving your cognitive abilities, reduction of cholesterol and aids prevention of cardiovascular disease.

In fact if you won’t do it for the fun do it for the health benefits that with it and hiking is good for everyone including the ones that are usually restricted to the confinement of their office, common! You got to stretch your legs, your body one of these days, you do need it.fact if you won’t do it for the fun do it for the health benefits that with it and hiking is good for everyone including the ones that are usually restricted to the confinement of their office, common! You got to stretch your legs, your body one of these days, you do need it.

Well you may be viewing hiking as an activity that is stressful, challenging thereby decreasing your enthusiasm to engage, perhaps, you are looking for a possible way in which it can be made easy for you as a starter then your curiosity has landed you on the right page.

Because on this page you will be given vital information that will help you kick start hiking with great enthusiasm.kick start hiking with great enthusiasm.

Tips to Start Hiking

#1. Start with shorter distance

Hiking encourages challenge especially when you just start, there is this impulse to go longer distance or compete with people that have been hiking for awhile.longer distance or compete with people that have been hiking for awhile.longer distance or compete with people that have been hiking for awhile.

My advice is keeping your urge till when you gain mastery over hiking and start with shorter distance and less rugged areas.shorter distance and less rugged areas.

You can start by going 1 to 2 hours along a flat terrain, don’t begin to engage the rough terrain at first although, the rough terrain comes with greater health benefits but then you have to start with short distance and even terrain.but then you have to start with short distance and even terrain short distance and even terrain.

Also engage with observation, observe your body, your water consuming rate and how often you get tired, all these information will aid your improvement next time.

And as you begin to occasionally engage the shorter distance and making observations, you will begin to engage longer distances and rough terrains sooner, because, your body is getting adjusted to the new activity you are subjecting it to.

#2. Engage work out before hiking

Don’t just start hiking without first strengthen your muscles, and your legs.

Your muscles and legs are more actively involved in hiking compare to walking so engaging exercises that can enhance your muscles and put your legs in good shape will relieve you of any pain that occurs in the legs during hiking.

And is not necessarily you hit the gym house, you can do some light jogging around your garden or engage some light exercise at home.

#3. Make use of the pole

Fatigue occurs during hiking, so the road poles at which you’re trailing on is your friend.

Any time you are feeling fatigue grab the nearest pole to you for support and rest a while then continue, they are your very good friends when it comes to refueling your energy to continue your journey.

#4. Bring along hiking pole

Even professional hikers do use hiking poles.

It is very good to bring along hiking poles because it helps you move faster and it provides extra support thereby, helping you to do more by reducing the amount of force you exert on the ground.

In fact it makes hiking through the rough terrain easier by the increased support and stability it provides. However, it may turn out to be a disadvantage if not properly used.fact it makes hiking through the rough terrain easier by the increased support and stability it provides. However, it may turn out to be a disadvantage if not properly used.

Try holding the pole with loosed hands and better still, make use of the strap to your hand size. Also when holding the poles, ensure you keep your arm on a fairly free position with your shoulder moving you forward.on a fairly free position with your shoulder moving you forward.

Ask for double balanced poles when purchasing, because it offers more stability and support.

#3. Bring along water

You will get dehydrated for sure especially if you will be engaging hiking during the summer, therefore going along with at least one bottle of water will be great and that is if you will be hiking for about 1-2 hours, for a start though. But has you improve and you begin to engage longer distances, you will need to be taking along at least 6 liters of water.

The benefit of intake of water cannot be overemphasis and dehydration is not an option because it can lead to health issues like- dizziness, headache, cholesterol, digestive disorders, high blood pressure and possibly heat stroke.

Also before hitting the trail drink enough water however, that does not stop you from bringing water along with you.

You can as well bring along snacks or sandwich, so to replenish your body and wired it with some energy to carry on.

However, do not drink and eat too much, a bite will do and a little intake of water will do too as you hike. Too much consumption will make you get tired easily thereby ruining your hiking.

#4. Listen to your body

Don’t do far more than your body can do. Although it is good to challenge and give yourself a target however, if your body is giving you a red signal then stop and go back in order to avoid unnecessary break down. And do not feel discourage when this happen, you are only trying to save the action till your body is ready to engage.

#5. Often take deep breadth

Hiking tends to keep your breath on random level however, taking a deep breath often will help reduce fatigue and get wired with the will to carry on.

#6. Hike with a partner

This is a good way to start hiking, my friend and I can walk on a long distance without even feeling anything because is always fun and apart from the fun that arises from hiking with a partner, it is also advisable for security reasons, in case of emergency, for safety and comfortability.

Ensure you both are moving at the same pace.

Get a map of your hiking location: It is good to have in hand the map of the location you would be hiking for easy navigation and also for easy tracking of one’s location when getting lost. Going with a GPS too is not a bad idea.

Essential Gears for Hiking

There are gears associated with hiking that makes hiking comfortable and safe. And the only thing that stands between hiking and you is these gears, so get these gears and hit the trail.

Hiking boot

Hiking boots are designed to protect your feet and ankle when hiking and it also provide support and comfort to walk longer distance of rough terrains.

They are divided into three:

Sun glasses

Sun glasses serves as protection for your eyes against sun light

Sun screen

Sun screen will protect from sun burns

First aid kit

Injuries or any emergency situation can arise on trail so is imperative you go with first aid kit to counter any exigencies and understand how to use it.

Flashlight

It is good to go with flashlight in case you got caught up in the night.