Hiking is one of the best fitness exercises a person can do. It is like taking a very long walk up a mountain or through the woods.
With this in mind, there are many benefits of hiking, which are some of the following:
Helps to build leg muscles – Good for your Heart – Helps in weight loss
Great for building bone density – Can lower blood pressure
Helps your concentration – Can help with mental health awareness
Puts you in a better mood – Brings family or friends together
When it comes to hiking, the best method to enjoy all of these benefits is to find a hiking trail.
So, here are a few well-known trails that are located in the United States.
This post is all about the benefits of hiking and some hiking trails.
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The Mist Hiking Trail – Yosemite National Park
If walking among a dramatic landscape of ancient redwood trees and waterfalls is your kind of thing, then the Mist Trail is a must-do. This is Yosemite’s most popular hike and for a good reason. It has incredible views along it, including Vernal and Nevada Falls which are just breathtaking. It’s also not too long at around a 3-mile round trip to Vernal Falls or 7 miles to Nevada Falls. Although this is just a moderately difficult hike, there are lots of turning-off points before you reach Vernal Falls if you fall under the more intermediate category.
Burroughs Mountain Hiking Trail – Washington
This is a 9-mile round trip which is best for more experienced hikers as it’s on the more difficult side. It’s worth it for the views, though, with lots of glaciers to see as well as Washington’s largest volcano. If you’re into wildlife, this is an incredible trail as you’ll likely see black bears, mountain goats, marmots, and chipmunks. Make sure to bring sunscreen and a hat, though as the hike is very exposed to the sun. There’s also no water along this trailer so a big 2L water bottle is essential.
South Kaibab Trail – Grand Canyon National Park
Hiking in the Grand Canyon is something different altogether. There are amazing views from nearly every angle and so many scenic stops you won’t want to miss getting a photo of. It’s one of the more popular trails in the Grand Canyon and is often partnered with the Bright Angel Trail as part of a 2-day hiking trip. Beware though, as the 2-day hike is an extremely strenuous hike so only for the more experienced and very fit hikers. The South Kaibab Trail, however, can be done in just a day as it’s only about 7 miles long. Don’t forget to bring your water on this as the South Kaibab Trail also doesn’t have any water along it.
Angels Landing – Zion National Park – Utah
This hike is full of dramatic scenery with out-of-this-world rock formations over 1,500 feet. This hike can be done in just a day, making it arguably one of the best hikes you can do in the States. Although it’s a shorter trail at only a 5.4-mile round-trip, it’s not, however, for the faint-hearted. This is not only a strenuous hike but also a somewhat treacherous one. High-up exposed cliffs along the hike can be dangerous when wet so it’s safe to say this isn’t one to take the kids on. But if you visit in dry, mild conditions and take care when walking this is one incredibly rewarding hike. The views are phenomenal along the whole hike, not just at the peak.
Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Hiking Trail – Yellowstone National Park
If you’re a hiking newbie, this one’s a great one to start with. It’s a relatively easy hike but one that doesn’t lack views. The largest hot spring in the whole of the USA lies along this hike and is most definitely worth seeing. Its vibrant colors on the edges are made up of lots of different microbial life. These colors can in fact change as the temperature of the water changes. So, this one is well worth a visit in both winter and summer. You can either walk the bridge along the center of the Spring or get a full view of it from height with the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook.
You’d think hiking is an activity that comes with few rules with it essentially just being a walk-in nature.
But the important thing to remember is that if you’re walking in a national park, it’s most likely a protected area with a fragile ecosystem.
Considering how many other people other than yourself hike in these areas, rules need to be followed to maintain its flora and fauna.
Hiking Do’s and Don’ts
Make sure that each hiker has their water bottle. Lots of trails don’t have water along the way and even the fittest hiker on a hot day can get dehydrated very quickly. Sun exposure due to the high altitudes is often forgotten about too so don’t forget to bring sunscreen. Planning your route is essential for all hikes, especially if it’s a more strenuous one. You may feel that hiking 20 miles in a day is an easy feat but if you get halfway and soon discover it’s not, without any camping gear you will soon find yourself in a very tricky situation. This should also go without saying, but it’s important to be mindful of the wildlife along your hike. Do not feed any animals you come across and don’t forget to take all trash with you.
What to Wear While Hiking
Make sure to work out what kind of terrain you will be hiking on before you go and choose the right hiking boots accordingly. Choose pants that are comfortable and easy to walk in but aren’t too thin, either. Yoga pants aren’t generally the best choice for hiking as branches can often cause rips. Whatever the weather, it’s a good idea to bring a lightweight rain jacket. This also has the benefit of blocking the wind too. A hat is also a must for hiking as some trails can be exposed to the sun.
Best Weather and Temperature for Hiking
The best weather for hiking is mild weather that’s not too hot or cold. Blue skies with clouds and a light breeze are best. It’s also perfect if you can avoid the rain and very sunny days. The best season for hiking in the Northern Hemisphere is the spring, however, every season can be fine for hiking if you wear the right clothing and plan ahead.
Hiking Essentials
A waterproof jacket and trousers are pretty much essential for hiking. It may not look pretty but you certainly won’t care about fashion when you’re soaking wet from a sudden downpour. A water bottle is also a must-have. As mentioned before, many trails don’t have water along the way, and being dehydrated is not a fun way to end a hike. Bring lots of snacks so you can keep your energy levels up too with frequent snack breaks. A first aid kit is also essential as paths can often be very uneven, causing falls. A map and navigation aid are also a much-needed essential for hiking of course.
Best Time of Day to go Hiking
Although you may think that the morning is the best time to go as you can avoid crowds, the afternoon is the best time of day to go hiking. This is because the afternoon is when your body is at its top performance. Your muscles are most limber, and your lungs are operating at their best.
Animals and Insects on the Hiking Trail
The best way to keep safe from animals is to plan your trip. Only hike during daylight hours and make sure that a trail isn’t too long so you won’t be hiking back in the dark. If you do encounter any animals, stay calm and back away slowly. With bugs and insects, use bug spray before you go and keep it on you during your hike. Avoid any sweet-smelling sprays such as cologne or hairspray as these can attract insects. Covering up, even in the summer, is a good idea too to keep bugs off.