National Hiking Day, celebrated on November 17, is a day devoted to celebrating the best hiking paths in the United States and around the world. This event not only highlights the outdoors but also promotes the physical and emotional link between your well-being and nature.
Explore the history of National Hiking Day, as well as its benefits to your overall health, in this article. Discover and take part in enjoyable challenges to advance your fitness journey!
Benefits of Hiking
Hiking is an excellent way to go out in nature while also getting some exercise. What are the other benefits of hiking, you may ask?
- By strengthening your heart and enhancing circulation, it can lower your chance of developing heart disease.
- Through stress management and relaxation, it can help reduce blood pressure.
- By controlling blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity, it can help treat diabetes.
- It can improve your mood by increasing endorphins, decreasing anxiety and depression, and stimulating creativity.
- By providing resistance and encouraging bone growth, it can help to strengthen your muscles and bones.
- Your coordination and core muscles will be tested, which will help you become more balanced.
- It can improve your sleep by exposing you to natural light, resetting your circadian rhythm, and reducing insomnia.
National Hiking Day Challenges to Try
Prepare to discover new paths, wonder at breathtaking views, and bask in the feeling of fulfillment as you hit your mileage goals. So, what are you waiting for? Try these hiking challenges!
Trail Exploration Challenge
Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey into the heart of nature on National Hiking Day?
How to play:
1. Create Your Scavenger List: Make a list of things you might see on your trip, such as a vibrant red leaf, a rough pinecone, or a hidden bird's nest. Use your imagination when making your selections! But don't remove anything from nature; simply take a photograph and leave the area as is.
2. Challenge Your Fellow Hikers: Share your scavenger hunt list with your hiking buddies and challenge them to uncover these hidden prizes while on the trail. You can also assign point values to each item for more fun!
3. Discover, Document, and Share: Keep an eye out for the objects on your list while you explore the trail. When you find one, take a snapshot to document your find. It's a terrific method to capture the magic of the moment while also appreciating nature's beauty.
4. Share Your Adventures: Share your treasure hunt progress on social media after the hike. Use the hashtag #NationalHikingDayScavengerHunt to connect with other hikers, share your treasures, and motivate others to participate.
Trail Cleanup Challenge
National Hiking Day is a perfect chance to give back to the nature that gives you so much pleasure.
The challenge:
On this special day, we challenge hikers of all backgrounds to work together to preserve the pure beauty of our cherished trails. The purpose is simple: pick up garbage along the route to ensure that our natural places stay as beautiful as they are today.
Ways to get involved:
1. Organize a cleanup team: Form a cleanup team with your fellow hikers, friends, or local environmental enthusiasts. The more, the better!
2. Gather supplies: Bring waste bags, gloves, and, if possible, a couple trash pickers. These items will make cleaning up easier and safer.
3. Plan your path: Create a cleanup path ahead of time. Focus on popular hiking trails or areas known for littering.
4. Document the transformation: Take photos of the "before" and "after" moments. Share your accomplishments on social media using the hashtag #TrailCleanupSuccess to motivate others to do the same.
5. Educate and encourage: Take advantage of this chance to educate fellow hikers on the importance of hiking responsibly. Encourage children to pack out everything they bring in and to properly dispose of trash.
Distance Challenge
National Hiking Day is a great opportunity to set a personal goal for the number of miles you wish to cover on the hike. Take the challenge and test your limits!
How to make the challenge:
1. Set your milestone: start by choosing an exact objective that meets your fitness level and the duration of time you have available on National Hiking Day. It could be a little 5 mile walk or a longer 20-mile trek.
2. Plan your route: Choose a hiking path or region that matches your ideal distance. Consider location, elevation and any specific points of interest you want to visit.
3. Prep safely: Gather your hiking supplies, such as suitable shoes, hydration, snacks, and a well-packed bag. Make sure you're ready for the adventure ahead
4. Invite your friends: Invite your friends to participate in the fun! Encourage them to set mileage targets for National Hiking Day.
Let yourself turn your personal goals into collective fulfillment of the great outdoors on National Hiking Day.
Hiking Facts You Want To Know
- Hiking Popularity: In 2021, around 58.7 million Americans were said to have gone hiking.
- Age Group: Most of the hikers are 25–34 years old.
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There are a total of 11 Scenic National Trails and 19 National Historic Trails in the US.
Popular Trails in the US:
Here are some popular hiking paths in the United States where you can begin your adventure.
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail (2,190 miles). Hiking this entire route accumulates the same elevation as climbing Mount Everest 12 times. The Appalachian Trail (AT) runs across 14 states along the eastern seaboard, largely in the Appalachian Mountains, from Springer Mountain in northern Georgia to the peak of Mount Katahdin in Maine.
- Arizona Trail (800 miles). The trail is divided into 43 sections called “Passages,” three of which lead you from the south to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, where you can cross another item off your bucket list.
- Natchez Trace Trail (65 miles). Rather than being one long trail, the Natchez Trace Trail connects and offers five shorter, three to 25 mile parts that wind through scenic woodlands, natural areas, and the city of Tupelo.
- Ice Age Trail (1,200 miles). Enjoy glacial landscapes from the northwest corner of Wisconsin to St Croix Falls on Lake Michigan's shoreline. The trail is estimated to attract over two million people per year.
- Did you know there are 24 different types of hiking trails? The few are as follows:
- Access trail: A trail that connects a hiking trail to a village, town, road, parking area, or separate trail system.
- Connecting (aka “connector”) trail: A trail that connects a hiking trail with subsidiary trails.
- Extended trail: Trails over 100 miles long.
- Hiker-biker trail: A paved trail intended for use by both hikers and cyclists.
- Interpretive trail: Shorter pathways that allow hikers to explore flora, animals, geological features, or historical relics.
- Point-to-point trail: A trail that begins and finishes in various areas, frequently requiring the return of a vehicle after reaching the trail's destination.
Safety First
Always be prepared for your hiking journeys, whether you're an experienced hiker or just starting out. Pack the necessities, such as water, snacks, a map, and appropriate attire. Research your trail, discuss your goals, and remain up-to-date on the weather. Water is essential, and it's best to hike with a group or notify anyone of your plans.
Trust your gut and go back if necessary. Remember that nature can be unpredictable, and your safety is of the utmost importance. Take pleasure in your hikes with assurance and peace of mind.
Key Takeaway
National Hiking Day is more than simply a day for walking and burning calories; it's a chance to reconnect with nature and experience the natural approach to being healthy both physically and psychologically.
Rekindle your love of the great outdoors while reclaiming your health. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and test your limits. It serves as a reminder that being healthy requires concern for both our bodily and emotional well-being, and the route serves as a gateway to a holistic sense of vitality.
So, on National Hiking Day, take the natural way to happiness one step at a time.
FAQs
- Why is hiking beneficial?
Hiking offers a range of benefits, including improved physical fitness, reduced stress, enhanced mental well-being, and a deeper connection with nature.
- Can I celebrate National Hiking Day if I'm not an experienced hiker?
Absolutely! National Hiking Day is for hikers of all levels. Choose a trail that suits your experience and fitness, and enjoy the outdoors at your own pace.
- Is there a specific distance I should hike on National Hiking Day?
No, the distance is entirely up to you. Pick a trail that aligns with your fitness and time availability.
- Do I need to register for National Hiking Day events?
Registration isn't typically required, but for organized group hikes or events, it's a good idea to check with the organizers for any specific instructions.
- What should I do if I encounter wildlife on a hike?
Keep a safe distance, don't feed them, and avoid sudden movements. Respect their habitat and observe quietly from afar.